"Dragunov" Sniper Rifles (we have at home) - 🇷🇴 Romanian PSL 🇷🇸 Yugo M76 🇮🇶 Iraqi Tabuk Sniper 

I'm sure some of you will angrily say that these are DMRs and not sniper rifles. That's literally what this video is about: the Soviet Sniper doctrine being re-interpreted as the NATO Designated Marksman. Please watch the video before you angrily comment.

This video is fantastic. Best rundown of the flaws of the PSL I’ve ever seen on RU-vid.

I picked up a yugo M77 .308 for me to fulfill my taste of "Dragonuv at home" absolutely love it so far

M76’s always manage to grab my attention.

I bought a PSL when they first hit our market around 1997. They would go for $799. That rifle was SO over gassed from the factory that the bolt carrier flew back so violently that it would flip the dust cover off. I tried to place buffers on the recoil spring to lessen the shock to the rear trunnion only to have the buffers explode. I finally welded over the gas port, drilled a small hole through it and tried to control the gas that way. That helped, but I still needed to grind off about half an inch off my gas piston. Works now.

To further reinforce the heat issues the PSL has, I will recount two anecdotal stories from a shooting buddy. Both involve him using a PSL in a run and gun style match. The first one, I was present and in his squad for it. There was an intermediate range rifle only stage, with a fairly high round count and moving between shooting positions. By the time he was done, the bottom handguard was scorched and no longer fitting properly in the retaining caps. Wood had been burnt and resulted in the handguard physically shrinking to the point it was significantly loose. I poured water from a canteen of mine onto the barrel because you couldn't hold anywhere on the front end of the rifle. No permanent damage was observed beyond the handguard. However the rifle rapidly heated up and became hard to handle as a result. He didn't bump fire it, or mag dump into trash. This was him trying to complete a shooting stage designed for AR's as fast as he could. I was shocked at how poorly the rifle handled the heat. The next story I was not present, however he showed me pictures of the event to corroborate his tale. He was using a PSL at the same run and gun style match, just several months later. Again there was an intermediate range rifle only stage with a high round count required. This fairly high round count coupled with him reasonably missing targets led to quite a few magazine changes. Eventually he permanently damage the rifle. Enough heat was generated to allow the barrel to develop a slight bend in it. I couldn't believe it at first, after all the PSL is only semi-auto. However he had photos of the rifle after. Indeed there was a slight bend to the barrel. I think fundamentally the barrel is just too light for anything outside of a hunting rifle. I love the looks of the PSL, and I've always enjoyed shooting them. However the mags are trash, they look like they were made in someone's backyard shed with hand tools. The recoil is hefty, because of the notorious over gassing. If you buy an older one make sure it's not a century made parts kit gun, those have horrible riveting. They are not worth the $1000+ price tag they carry nowadays. If you could get them back in the late 2000's or early 2010's for $600-$700, I think it made a cool unique collectors rifle for a reasonable price. Basically SVD looks and style for a fraction of the cost, and you could not feel guilty taking it out once in a while. I don't care what anyone says though, it's easily the best looking SVD clone. Only beat by an actual SVD.

Just bought a PSL yesterday. This getting released now must be fate!

Will we get a "We have MK12/M110 at home" sequel?

I am broke so I can't even afford the poor man's Dragunov

M76 is objectively the best because it's 8mm Mauser.

I have wanted a Tabuk ever since I learned about them years ago. This has done nothing to disabuse me of that desire. Great work as always, gents.

The interesting history behind each rifle is always my fave parts. Especially, the Romanian PSL and Yugoslav M76. Wonderfully done as always y'all! 🤘

If only the 4th horseman of SVD at home, the Al Kadesih was here as well

Not only an interesting video but also fantastically produced. the music, the poses camera work and outfits make this a joy for the eyes as much as for the mind

These types of vids are your best work. History of the system, comparisons and criticism of how they work. I get lost in these videos like I’m watching an interesting documentary. Keep it up

The whole presentation is superb. I like the style. It got history, tests, some fine visual and musical choices. 9-Hole Reviews truly got the grip. Amazing job.

This is yet again an awesome video ! Thank you so much.

Awesome video! Love my PSL, flaws and all. KNS piston is mandatory though. I often find myself having to defend this rifle from the usual heat and over gassing problems, which as an out of shape LARPer who wont be deploying with my PSL any time soon, aren't that big of a deal to me. However I had never taken the Soviet sniper doctrine into consideration before it was brought up here and am now inclined to agree that for that role it certainly does fall short. I'm glad to have learned something new today and look forward to hearing this information regurgitated back to me verbatim next time an oper8r sees me with my PSL. It may be an objective "meh," but to me that's okay. I'm not a sniper using the thing in combat anyway so I can't judge mine with that application in mind. Still a fun as hell rifle, and fun is what matters most to me.

This was awesome. I think this is one of your best videos.

When you understand the actual differences, but also know how the world seems to compare them, then the title of this video seems absolutely perfect.

Great breakdown. Also, the soundtrack is next level.

Very nice compilation of Sniper/DMR versions of Ak:s. For myself that Tabuk version makes lot of sense in todays scenarios even it sacrifices lot of potential range. It gains back for being so easily issued and used in urban enviroment where distances will be counted in couple hundred meters.

This may be one of your most well edited videos. Great job and I really enjoyed it.

This has to be one of the best videos you guys have done yet!

To eliminate the over gassed system in my PSL-54 that threw the brass into the next zip code, I tapped the gas port with an 8-32 tap and installed a set screw with a .050" hole. It is much easier on the brass now. It is a very easy modification.

Fascinating analysis...10/10 stuff. #newslettergang

Been waiting for this video for too long

Absolutely killer video! Can't wait for more like it!

One of my PSL's is modded using a barrel from a M-1919a4 belt fed. Around 1" thick from the trunnion to gas block, smaller gas port, threaded, rechambered 7.62-54, and lapped the muzzle end. It took care of the heat drift and much softer recoil. Accuracy improved but "abrasive slug lapping" the chrome barrel really tightened up the shot pattern. At one point I fitted various Israeli Galil gas blocks/ heavy and light galil bipods. It worked great but converted it back to PSL block/handguards for the original look. God I miss those cheap parts kits...

Ready for the new PSA line of 54R ammo and rifle line!! Excellent content as usual.

Damn fine content sir. I've always been curious about the Dragunov and appreciate the balance of historical and practical information.

@9-Hole Reviews y’all do reviews like no other!!! I love the attention to detail that keeps within the big picture scope of the design and it lends to a less biased review!

Henry thank you for such a thorough review and explanation….within context. Context of doctrine and purpose is far too often missing in these debates which you lay out for even the most casual user to understand.

Dragunov is included in WeaponsSimulator, and the ballistic compensation reticle is simulated. When shooting many targets, each at different distances, felt very intuitive and fast to compensate aim point.

This is the video I've been waiting for!

17:45 this breakdown of the PSL groupings is very nice thanks for doing that.

Pretty heartbreaking about the PSL. I bought mine 12 years ago for $690 with scope and have always loved it. I haven’t made any alterations to it and have always fired light ball ammunition, and haven’t had any issues yet, but I’ve also never pushed it hard. She’s seen less than 1000 rounds over the course of 12 years.

I owned a PSL once, and I can absolutely say I agree with you on what you experienced and found... My PSL would start drifting within just three shots.

Just recently found this channel and could not be happier with the content. Keep up the great work!

Fantastic info as always!

I have no hands on with a Tabuk, but this pretty much echos my experience. The PSL is an aesthetically cool POS, the M76 is frankly quite good, and the SVD examples I have shot are quite good as well. It may be worth revisiting this or pursuing a video with the Zastava M91 AKA the PSL that works. With 180 grain PPU match, it shoots very well right above 1 MOA to 2.5 MOA based on what kind of day I’m having. This is a great video though! Keep up the good work!

A cool review would be the new Zastava M77 in 7.62 Nato 👍

These are amazing videos! Very proud you guys are Houston based. Please bring this channel to other platforms if RU-vid gives any trouble.

*Excellent videos very well done*

Love the new intro

All of your findings test/review wise concerning PSL is identical to my experiences. Mine where in the $650 without scope to $850 with scope back in the day. The biggest upsetting scenario for me was the sensitivity to heating up after only 3 rounds. Sometimes a mitigation strategy for me (on paper, bench-rested, at the range) was loading 1 shot at a time (single round in magazine), manually releasing action, and repeating same thing 3-5 rounds. It seamed to make 'some' difference in group size. That said, no matter what... after 5 shots... the up/down & left/right stringing would occur regarding POA & POI to an unacceptable inconsistency. At longer ranges (beyond 100M), this would completely negate any beneficial intuitiveness of the scope reticle. As 'control' I'd use .308 Saiga w/ longer as well as shorter barrels (3 firearms, same day, same bench-rest, same # of shots) --- these where plenty consistent with highly favorable results.

This style of video is awesome. Deep dive on the history is great.

Great video, thanks

The funny part is, after 15 years in the Romanian Army as an MP(and the armorer of the battalion) i never saw one of this things break, i never had an issue with changing the magazines from one rifle to the other, and the rifle are as u say, over pressurised using military grade 7.62x54R ammunition......but well, my guess is, the commercial variants have some quality issues. :D Loved the video! :D

I had a Molot Vepr in 7.62x54, it was the sexiest gun I ever owned with its red furniture. Unfortunately it wouldn’t run anything reliably. It was expensive at the time, I could only imagine what it’d go for today.

Top notch video!! Love this!

Was issued M76 in the army and have one for hunting presently. It costed me 700 euro, used, plus around 250 euro to exchange all the sporterized crap for original furniture. Plus the scope, of course, it's 21 century, although that Zrak on it is usable. Agree with everything you say about the rifle, some of my friends complain that it is not accurate enough for the sniper, but that never bothered me since it is more accurate then I am. It is a bit heavy though and during lineup you, when "Na mestu voljno", our version of At Ease, is given, you are allowed to put it butt down, next to your right foot. Great video.

Great video as always. I'm sure you will eventually get your hands on one of the new Hungarian SVD imports and a Zastava M91. Hope you can get a real deal Russian too to compare to the Chinese copy.

One of the best videos you two have done.

You totally changed my view on svd/psl rifles . Awesome video

Our PSL acheived about 1 MOA with old Soviet match ammo (not with modern ammo interestingly enough) but also suffered from heat issues.

i had the privilige to be the last generation of our army's recruits to shoot the m76 rifle and i have to say i kinda fell in love with it... even with the insanely poor conditions they were in (one stock literally fell off during shooting) it was still quite easy to hit human sized targets at 600m which was the longest range we shot at

OUTSTANDING VIDEO! Carry on.

Another amazing video!

Going down a "rabbit hole" but the Tabuk has fascinated me since reading about it in an magazine. I would like to have a Tabuk pattern rifle in 6.5mm Grendel.

Must say, excellent video. Very informative. I have Zastava M76, made somewhere early 1980s. And have been storaged JNA's arsenal ever since. Until found it's way to Finland and me. I think that I have owned it something like 15 years. Pretty happy with my M76. Only issue is it's calibre 7,92x57IS, which is not so much used here in Finland. Luckliy I have friends who have contacts to get ammo and gear for M76. Like spare mags and Serbian sniper vest. Also I bought Zrak made silencer/suppressor straight from factory during my second tour at Bosnia. Actually I was originally planning to instal it to my L1A1... But it never happened.

Dude the video is awesome. I like it.

I love the history your channel presents.

I was interested in this video mainly since I own a PSL and was curious of what the testing outcome would be like. I'm by no means claiming it's an accurate rifle , nor it's going to win the next beauty contest but I enjoy every minute a the range. That being said , I have done some research on the PSL and found , that the PSL is very special with ammo. That being light ball ammo 147gr to 150gr. Heavy ball ammo will crack the receiver with prolonged use and there are pictures on the webb of cracked receivers. Since I always had a hard time finding ammo locally. I had to reload my ammo and noticed an improvement in acuracy. I had it for 13 years and shot 800+ rounds and magazines work good and NO flaws as of yet.

While not exactly a military firearms since I'm not aware of anyone adopting it, the Vepr in 7.62x54r would make for a decent honorable mention on this list. Great video btw!

Oh that’s hott! See your review in a little while!😊

Oh fantastic! I've always wanted to know more about these.

Been my thoughts on the PSL for years, glad to hear someone say it. Interesting that B&T is finally importing proper spec Dragunovs at half the going rate.

The quick version of my PSL test results was that the barrel whip is the direct result of the overgassing caused by the overly large gas port drilled into the barrel. The whip stopped when the port was blocked. The rifles are easily tuned using the set screw method which involved tapping the gas port and installing set screws with varying through hole sizes to obtain the best performance. It would be interesting to see how the adjustable piston would perform compared to a "set screw gun" with regard to whip since the massive amount of gas still has to hit the long stroke piston before being vented off. Also, the bullet has already left the barrel before whip begins. Accuracy problems are much harder to quantify. Cugir PSL barrels are poorly rifled, I have an example of one with uneven land and groove widths at the gas port (barrel part removed from the gas block in a kit). Surplus 54r ammo from the same lot varies in both powder and bullet weight tremendously when broken down for measuring samples. Interesting video, it should get some attention.

Amazing video! so detailed i love it

Excellent video, thanks

I wish i lived in a place where the m76 is easier to get than a dragunov. Here an izhmash tigr (current production commercial svd) is 3500. Expensive, but still better than the m76, which is simply not available. At all.

Swedish DMR (Skarpskytt) has been spotty over the years.. The AK4 OR being the first back in the 70’s with a hensoldt 4x24, later replaced in the 91 by the AK5B (FNC with a 4x SUSAT/trilux and cheekriser. That lasted 10 years and we then went back to the 7.62 AK4 that has been modernized since then with better ergos, but still today we see a mix of 4x24, comp m5 + magnifiers and 1-8 lvpo’s.

Excellent as usual 👍

That was a highly educational video. Thank you.

I picked up a psl years ago for $750. I think for that price its not bad for a fun rifle. I do want to get a kns piston for it though.

I REALLY hope that Palmetto State Armory makes a Tabuk Sniper rifle copy. With my cheap PSA GF3 AK47, I get 2.5 MOA groups consistently using cheap Tula ammo using iron sights. This goes down to 2.1 MOA when I use optics. So I know it's capable of even better accuracy with better ammo and with a better trigger (although the stock trigger is quite nice). I can only imagine what a beefed up PSA AK with a heavy barrel and trunnion could do. Until then, I'm having an awesome time shooting my PSA AK-47 with a LPVO (on a side mount). I may look for a SVD type flash hider and a SVD-like stock for it as I'm really amazed at its accuracy and I'm having a great time target shooting with it. Heat shift is also fairly minimal so I've learned to predict and compensate for it without too many issues. While it's still not as accurate as my free-floated PSA AR's, it's given me a much bigger appreciation for the accuracy potential of the 7.62x39mm round out to 400 meters. That, and the excellent terminal ballistics make it an excellent battle rifle (for WROL emergency situations) and a solid hunting rifle with soft-point ammunition and smaller magazines. Now, if PSA can get ahold of the plans and tooling to do a proper SVD rifle (or reverse engineer one) that would truly be incredible!

Damn i love you guys reviews.

Awesome video, hats off to you.

Did I beat the newsletter gang here?

Honestly, based on aesthetics alone I would have guessed that the PSL most closely follows the design goals that the SVD initially sought out to fullfil. Just goes to show that you can't judge a book by it's cover, that Tabuk rifle was a pleasant surprise.

Great work!

Good video. I'm from Romania. I have being a conscript there. I did not know about the "heat"issue. But 100 % true about the problems connected with the recoil.

In the words of Count Dooku "I've been looking forward to this" Edit: And I am very happy with it.

got me all excited Nice upload Jim

Absolutely love my PSL! lighter than it looks and damn accurate and reliable.

Thank you for the rundown on the PSL. Very surprising and disappointing unfortunately. I will have to give the M77 in 7.62 NATO a try. I always thought the term "Designated Marksman" was a little underwhelming, and like to go back to a term from the American Civil War: Sharpshooter.

Turns out, there's a *reason* why the Romanians dumped a lot of PSLs on the American market.

Awesome content

fantastic video!

The M76 has been on my wishlist for many years. I have the long barrelled Tigr/SVD, but the M76, is the hot cousin of the SVD :)

Ian didn't send you a M91? The shop owner told me that an SVD will only last 2000 shots before parts need to be changed out. Will these last longer, or?

Foarte tare prezentarea!

Wow, Great video! Still doesn't make me not love my PSL but I do want to get a KNS installed and do what I can to make it not unalive itself. Appreciate your hard work!

Hungarian dragunovs are gonna be imported by B&T, though they look like they're gonna be stupid expensive.

this test is not complete without M-91

As always super high quality bro. But, special mention to the SVU. Good looking evolution of the all mighty dragon.

One of your best videos 👌

Let's be real guys, the Iraqi tabuk with a drum mag is what peak performance looks like. Trust me I play Warzone...

I have a question? Why did the Iraqis create the tabuk when they could’ve just got the SKS and put a scope on it? It’s been bothering me recently…