PSL
Cugir Arms Factory · Sniper Rifle · In Production · 1974
Also known as: Pusca Semiautomata cu Luneta, Romanian Dragunov, FPK, SSG-97, PSL-54C
Overview
The PSL (Pusca Semiautomata cu Luneta, or Semi-Automatic Rifle with Scope) is a Romanian designated marksman rifle that is often mistakenly referred to as the 'Romanian Dragunov.' While the PSL superficially resembles the Soviet Dragunov SVD, it is actually based on an entirely different operating mechanism: a scaled-up RPK/AKM-type long-stroke gas piston system rather than the SVD's short-stroke piston. Produced by the Cugir Arms Factory since 1974, the PSL was Romania's indigenous solution to the need for a squad-level designated marksman rifle during the Cold War. The rifle features a 620mm barrel, 10-round detachable box magazine, and is typically equipped with the LPS TIP2 4x6-degree telescopic sight. Despite its AK-derived action being inherently less accurate than the SVD's purpose-built mechanism, the PSL is capable of approximately 1.5-2 MOA accuracy with quality ammunition, adequate for the designated marksman role at ranges out to 600 meters.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4310 g (152.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4600 g (162.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1130 mm (44.49") |
| Barrel Length | 620 mm (24.41") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 30 N (6.7 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 830 m/s (2723 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3304 J (2437 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2800 m (3062 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Chrome Lined Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood Laminate |
| Finish | Blued |
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 Safety
- Features: Flash Hider, Cleaning Kit In Stock, Scope Mount Rail
Variants
- PSL .308 — Caliber Variant
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Romanian Armed Forces · adopted 1974
- Iraqi Armed Forces
- Libyan Armed Forces
- Syrian Arab Armed Forces
- Egyptian Armed Forces
- Moldovan Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Romanian Revolution (1989)
- Yugoslav Wars (1991-2001)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
- Libyan Civil War (2011)
- Russo-Ukrainian War (2022-present)
Production
Production years: 1974-present
Produced in large quantities at the Cugir Arms Factory. Widely exported to Middle Eastern and African nations. Exact production numbers not publicly available but significantly larger than genuine SVD production due to lower manufacturing costs.
Origin
Country of origin: Romania
Notes
Despite the widespread 'Romanian Dragunov' nickname, the PSL shares no parts or design lineage with the actual Dragunov SVD. The PSL's operating system is a long-stroke gas piston derived from the RPK light machine gun, itself an enlarged AKM. This means the PSL's bolt carrier group, trigger mechanism, and gas system are fundamentally different from the SVD. The PSL was widely exported to Middle Eastern and African nations, and large quantities were captured by US forces in Iraq. The rifle has been produced in 7.62x51mm NATO chambering for export customers. The LPS TIP2 scope is a Romanian-designed optic similar in concept but not identical to the Soviet PSO-1. The PSL is significantly less expensive to produce than a genuine SVD, which contributed to its widespread adoption.
Background
The PSL has seen more combat in more conflicts than perhaps any other designated marksman rifle, thanks to Romania's prolific arms export policies during and after the Cold War. Despite being technically inferior to the genuine Dragunov SVD it superficially resembles, the PSL's combination of adequate accuracy, simple maintenance, and extremely low cost made it the de facto sniper rifle of irregular forces and developing-world militaries across the Middle East and Africa. During the Iraq War, US forces encountered PSLs far more frequently than genuine SVDs, leading to the persistent misidentification of the type as a 'Dragunov' in media reporting.