History

The Dragunov sniper rifle (formally Russian: Снайперская винтовка Драгунова, Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova (SVD), literally "Dragunov's sniper rifle") is a semi-automatic sniper rifle/designated marksman rifle chambered in 7.62x54mmR and developed in the Soviet Union.
 
The Dragunov was designed as a squad support weapon, since according to Soviet and Soviet-derived military doctrines the long-range engagement ability was lost to ordinary troops when submachine guns and assault rifles (which are optimized for close-range and medium-range, rapid-fire combat) were adopted.
 
It was selected as the winner of a contest that included three competing designs: the first was a rifle designed by Sergei Simonov (known as the SSV-58), the second design, a prototype designated 2B-W10 by Alexander Konstantinov, and the third rifle, the SVD-137, a design submitted by Yevgeny Dragunov. Extensive field testing of the rifles conducted in a wide range of environmental conditions resulted in Dragunov’s proposal being accepted into service in 1963. An initial pre-production batch consisting of 200 rifles was assembled for evaluation purposes, and from 1964 serial production was carried out by Izhmash.
 
Since then, the Dragunov has become the standard squad support weapon of several countries, including those of the former Warsaw Pact. Licensed production of the rifle was established in China (Type 79 and Type 85) and Iran (as a direct copy of the Chinese Type 79).

The Dragunov is a semi-automatic gas-operated rifle with a short-stroke gas-piston system. The barrel breech is locked through a rotating bolt (left rotation) and uses three locking lugs to engage corresponding locking recesses in the barrel extension. The rifle has a manual, two-position gas regulator.
 
After discharging the last cartridge from the magazine, the bolt carrier and bolt are held back on a bolt catch that is released by pulling the cocking handle to the rear. The rifle has a hammer-type striking mechanism and a manual lever safety selector. The rifle's receiver is machined to provide additional accuracy and torsional strength. The Dragunov's receiver bears a number of similarities to the AK action, such as the large dust cover, iron sights and lever safety selector, but these similarities are primarily cosmetic in nature.

Singleplayer/Spec-Ops

The Dragunov can be found on the mission Return To Sender.

Multiplayer

The Dragunov is similar its previous iterations, being semi automatic with a 10 round magazine. It is unlocked at Level 12. It has a relatively high fire-cap, similar to the Barrett .50 Cal, but with higher mobility. However, it has significantly higher recoil than in previous games, making consecutive shots harder to perform accurately. As the Dragunov's one hit kill zone is only the head, this makes it very difficult to use with the high recoil.

Attachments

Attachments	Challenges	Icon
ACOG Scope	Get 20 kills while looking through a ACOG Scope attached to a Sniper Rifle.
Silencer	Get 15 kills with a Silencer attached to a Sniper Rifle.
Thermal	Get 40 kills while looking through a Thermal attached to a Sniper Rifle.
Extended Mags	Get 40 kills with Extended Mags attached to a Sniper Rifle.
Heartbeat Sensor	Get 40 kills with a Heartbeat Sensor attached to a Sniper Rifle.
Variable Zoom	Get 40 kills while looking through a Variable Zoom Scope attached to a Sniper Rifle.

Proficiencies

Proficiency	Description	Icon
Kick	Kick Reduces recoil by 20%, allowing for steadier full-auto and faster recovery from shots.
Impact	Impact grants maximized penetration for any weapon. This is especially powerful on Assault Rifles and SMGs, as LMGs already have strong penetration, and Sniper Rifles are difficult to use for intentional walling shots.
Attachment	Allows the use of 2 Attachments. It is a solid all-around Proficiency, useful in many situations. This Proficiency is also notably useful for stealth builds, as it allows you to use a Silencer alongside any other Attachment. The Attachment Proficiency is also helpful if you are still getting comfortable with iron sights, as it allows you to take and optical Attachment and a second utility Attachment.
Focus	Reduces visual recoil by 50% when you are hit. Focus is very effective for SMGs and Shotguns. It is also helpful for ARs, as it can keep your shots on target when you enter a heads-up one-on-one firefight.
Speed	Improves movement speed by 10%, or one step up on the mobility scale. Speed is an important upgrade for LMGs and Riots Shields. It is less critical for Sniper Rifles, excepting the Barret and AS50, which are heavier and slower than other Sniper Rifles.
Stability	Reduces idle sway by 25%. Consider this to be an 'automatic' Breath for long-range combat. It is most useful on LMGs, as they need the enhanced accuracy for long-range shots, though ARs also benefit from it.

Challenges