Dragunov SVU (OTs-03)
TsKIB SOO · Sniper Rifle · Limited Production · 1991
Also known as: SVU, OTs-03, SVU-A, Snayperskaya Vintovka Ukorochennaya
Overview
The Dragunov SVU (Snayperskaya Vintovka Ukorochennaya, or Shortened Sniper Rifle), also designated OTs-03, is a Russian bullpup conversion of the Dragunov SVD designed by TsKIB SOO in Tula. By relocating the action behind the trigger group in a bullpup configuration, the SVU reduces overall length to just 900mm while retaining a 520mm barrel, making it significantly more compact than both the standard SVD (1,225mm) and the folding-stock SVDS (1,135mm). The barrel was shortened by 100mm from the original SVD and a specialized muzzle brake was added that absorbs up to 40% of recoil energy, while an elastic buttstock with lamellar spring provides additional recoil mitigation. Primarily adopted by Russian law enforcement agencies including the MVD and FSB, the SVU is designed for urban operations where the full-length SVD would be unwieldy.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4100 g (144.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 900 mm (35.43") |
| Barrel Length | 520 mm (20.47") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 30 N (6.7 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 800 m/s (2625 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3069 J (2264 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 700 m (766 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1200 m (1312 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 30 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Chrome Lined Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 7.62x54mmR · primary — also known as 7.62x54R, 7.62 Russian, 7.62 Mosin-Nagant
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Lever Safety, Disconnector, Free Floating Firing Pin
- Features: Bullpup Layout, Muzzle Brake, Pso 1 Scope Compatible, Chrome Lined Barrel, Flash Hider, Bipod Compatible, Elastic Buttstock, Lamellar Spring Recoil, Rotating Bolt
Variants
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) · adopted 1991 · as OTs-03
- Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) · as SVU
- Russian National Guard (Rosgvardiya)
- Ukrainian Armed Forces
Conflicts
- First Chechen War (1994-1996)
- Second Chechen War (1999-2009)
- Russo-Ukrainian War (2014-present)
Production
Production years: 1991-present
Limited production by TsKIB SOO primarily for Russian law enforcement agencies. Not adopted as a standard military weapon. Exact numbers not publicly available.
Origin
Country of origin: Russia
Notes
The SVU was developed primarily for urban combat and law enforcement applications where the compact bullpup layout provides critical advantages in building clearance and vehicle-based operations. The SVU-A selective-fire variant adds full-automatic capability with a cyclic rate of approximately 650 rounds per minute, though controllability in automatic fire with the powerful 7.62x54R cartridge is limited. The SVU uses standard SVD 10-round magazines and can also accept 20-round magazines for the SVU-A variant. The bullpup conversion introduces the typical challenges of bullpup designs: a longer trigger linkage affecting trigger feel, right-side-only ejection, and a rearward center of gravity. Despite these compromises, the dramatic reduction in overall length makes the SVU uniquely suited to Russian urban counter-terrorism doctrine.
Background
The SVU represents one of the most unusual conversions in firearms history: taking a full-sized designated marksman rifle and successfully converting it into a bullpup configuration. The design was driven by the brutal urban warfare experience of the Chechen conflicts, where Russian forces discovered that the full-length SVD was impractical for the close-quarters combat that dominated fighting in cities like Grozny.