History of the SVD Dragunov with Max Popenker

My first book is available for pre-order; check it out!
www.headstamppublishing.com/f...
/ forgottenweapons
Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! shop.bbtv.com/collections/forg...
Russian small arms researcher Max Popenker joins us again today, and this time he is discussing the history and development of the Dragunov rifle. We start from the desire to match longer-ranged NATO forces and the competition between Simonov, Konstantinov, and Dragunov through its development and adoption. Then various experiments in flechettes and larger and smaller cartridges, as well as the bullpup SVU rifles. Finally, we cover the interactions of modernized Dragunovs through the SVD-M currently in use. Max presents a fascinating history of the rifle, the likes of which you will not find anywhere else in English!
Contact:
Forgotten Weapons
PO Box 87647
Tucson, AZ 85754

[@ben501st]

I appreciate Ian sitting back and letting his guests take the lead. Some other channel hosts tend to dominate the conversation. Well done Ian and Max.

[@bobyluppo]

ben501st because Ian rocks !!!🤟🤟🤟

[@andraslibal]

Actually I started respecting Ian more because of this. He does not need to show off his extensive knowledge and can allow the guest to take center stage. Only people who know their stuff really well can do that.

[@johnapple6646]

I noticed when Max got garbled he still didn't interrupt or ask him to repeat, maybe to not break his concentration in telling the story

[@watdatdoo]

Less work. Smart man.

[@marcelozerbini5411]

Gun Jesus is both knowledgeable and humble. As it should be.

[@M0torsagmannen]

now if we could get an in depth view of the VSS or AS Val, i would be so happy! but this is great, hearing about the development and history of one of the most iconic soviet snipers.

[@eugene12310mobile]

@@samundraxhrestha4675 I think they are referring to the Vintorez

[@MrBlackMKIII]

@@samundraxhrestha4675 there is, get your head out of your ass.

[@camryt]

Oh that would be awesome. The info on these rifles is so sparse

[@phyrr2]

@@samundraxhrestha4675 It's the same damned thing. VSS = Vintovka Snayperskaya Spetsialnaya.

[@eugene12310mobile]

@@samundraxhrestha4675 Tbh you are acting a bit of a dumbass here as the full name of the rifle undesignated is the VSS Vintorez

[@BillB23]

Max is definitely a fount of knowledge and his English is infinitely better than my Russian.

[@JustWastingMyTimeGaming]

He's like the Russian Ian.. Ivan Makollumski

[@gzitterspiller]

@@JustWastingMyTimeGaming hahaaha you made my day

[@Immortan_Che]

@@JustWastingMyTimeGaming I'd say "Makollumov")

[@mistakenotou7681]

I agree his english is 100% servicable audio quality however

[@taylorliu9093]

@@JustWastingMyTimeGaming Makollumovich

[@SWEmanque]

What is really amazing is that while Kalashnikov, Simonov, Konstantinov, and Dragunov had different approaches to the mechanics of the weapons they all designed weapons with a very similar design language in terms of aesthetics. I wonder why different nations tend to produce weapons with such a unique design language. The German weapons have the same thing, they look German. Same with the American rifles up til the M16. The British rifles look like they were all designed to be assembled in a garage.

[@KoIossov]

The British love making stuff in their garage :P

[@user-cy1rm5vb7i]

its a millitary request, i guess. Make guns to look and operate almost the same way

[@bogdanbogdanoff5164]

I think its the material base they use. If it's military trials and a bunch of designers from the same place compete, they will use whatever the top-of-the-line machining and material is there in the country.

[@VT-mw2zb]

@Quackers O'Brian hence, when Kalashnikov shot one of the L85, he commented "Your soliders must be quite clever".

[@royaluglydude8838]

The British problem is a lack of choice. There are very few manufactuers to contend for any given tender; L85 was probably the only submission to have any chance of being considered as the decision making is always done ultimately by politicians (who may have no military experience) and not by military personnel. No British politician would ever be re-elected if they chose a foreign design over a homegrown one, so while licence built M16s or C7s would be way better they just couldn't happen. What ultimately happens is that we get a bag of arse weapon (L85A1) that is bad enough to raise tabloid press uproar and then be fixed at enormous cost to end up being perfectly adequate (L85A2) but with a lingering poor reputation. It looks weird, but is very accurate, very reliable (or at least mine was) but a bit heavy, but that's what pushups are for and no soldier would ever admit to having trouble carrying his weapon...

[@ratboy_]

Thank you so much for doing the captions. That made this so much more pleasant to listen to.

[@Big-Government-Is-The-Problem]

yeah i definitely appreciate the extra work that went into adding the captions on the video.

[@tbthegr81]

But why are they hardcoded?!

[@Greenftor]

Not your common Russian accent from Holywood cranberry movies, huh

[@dbmail545]

His English is better than my Russian. From his writing you would be hard pressed to know it was his second language.

[@Chilly_Billy]

@@Greenftor, as a matter of fact Max's accent is quite similar to any number of Western renditions.

[@thehungrygerman9434]

The audio disruption at about 6:30 is due to the FBI hacking in to Ian’s call. They realised that Ian was talking to a Russian and mentioning key words like “Gun” and “Shooting”. LOL

[@Wipa4]

TheHungryGerman Russians did it again!!1 Another interference in american elections!!! Again US president will become a cuckold of communists!!1 trollface.jpeg

[@JohnChoidotOrg]

That's not real...the American government doesn't monitor phone calls through the FBI. The American government monitors phone calls through the NSA.

[@StanislavG.]

Nah, that's just Comcast

[@Slyd_Fox]

@@StanislavG. "Commie-cast" ;)

[@knutdergroe9757]

By the by, It is not the FBI, but the NSA. The FBI is law enforcement. The NSA is electronic/tech intelligence agency.

[@Heinrich_Hyper14]

The SVU and it's Full Auto Version reminds me of the FG42 in concept

[@ASPushkin51]

The table in Russian shown at 17:09 gives standard deviation of 9.4 cm not at 100 meters, but at 500. At 100 meters the deviation is 1.8 cm, which is 3/4" . This is 0.7 MOA, not 3 MOA, as the Russian expert claims while commenting on the table. 0.7 MOA deviation = 1.4 MOA group size.

[@jesteravrgjoe2888]

His English is better that most Americans. His effort is to be commended. Thank you sir.

[@jesteravrgjoe2888]

Weasle How many languages do you speak?

[@weasle2904]

@@jesteravrgjoe2888 Spanish, and very poor German lol

[@barcelona2170]

I actually don’t agree with this. When speaking a different language it is not only good to speak the proper language well, but also to learn the ways the people speak the language in less formal ways. My English and Spanish is good. My Portuguese...I can survive 😂😊😊

[@coltenszarek5985]

Every American needs a good Russian friend. Max is good friend.

[@Sugar_K]

Colten Szarek it’s good for winning elections 😂

[@gavtriggs664]

Colten Szarek hahahaILIKE

[@Qardo]

@@Sugar_K Psst...it was US influence that led to the collapse to the Soviet Union (plus other factors), bud. Besides if it is such a crime to have a Russian Friend. I guess Ian is guilty and should be arrested.

[@johnm3907]

A good friend is one that helps on moving day

[@kstreet7438]

@@Qardo running out of money helped too

[@keithberger8998]

36:24 He actually said SVCh (Snaiperskaya Vintovka Chuvakina - Chuvakin's Sniper Rifle) The new modular compact sniper rifle of the Kalashnikov Group.

[@ayebraine]

Chukavina ) "Chuvakin" sounds very funny, because "chuvak" is an equivalent of "dude" in Russian. Duderino's sniper rifle.

[@tsartomato]

ahahhahah SVCh basically means microwave oven and army actually does call it SVCh

[@wilsonj4705]

30:29 Was anyone else hoping he would say "And Squirrel"

[@johnnyenglish583]

Yeah! Beer and squirrel! 😊

[@tsartomato]

squirrel?

[@konstantin.v]

@@johnnyenglish583 , don't forget the wild boards! They are the worst :D

[@xxheartbrokexx100]

I love these videos with Max! Thanks so much Ian!

[@ces4399]

The story of the SVD almost parallels that of the M-21 (an M-14 National Match) sniper rifle. The "special" ammo which Max discusses almost sounds like the 168 grain hollow point boat tail match ammo. The 7N1's NATO analogy sound like the M118 match ammo. Ironically, the US Army and the USMC included modified M-14s used in their respective designated marksman programs as was the purpose of the SVD.

[@removedot]

Their are still M-14 based rifles being used as marksman rifles in the US military

[@dbmail545]

Dragonov was a target shooter that built match grade guns. His guns were so good that the Olympics went small bore four years later.

[@Schaden-freude]

@@dbmail545 probably would have more to do with the prevalence of 6.5mm Swedish Mausers that dominated the sport until the .22 switch in the 70's.

[@dunadan7136]

Never compare the SVD to the M21. The SVD is a cutting edge rifle for its time that manages to achieve a lot while being less than 4kg without the optic. the M21 on the other hand has never been more than a complete overhaul of a mediocre and old infantry rifle in a vain attempt to make a serviceable DMR out of it. Unlike the SVD the M21 does not work as advertised under combat conditions. It hates barrel heat even more than the SVD and is more fragile.

[@Arindam_Gaming]

The STALKER series of video games is one of the best Advertisements for Soviet/Russian weapons. Getting the Dragunov & using a Vintorez/VAL felt amazing.

[@billdoe8965]

The dragunov is hands down my favorite (aesthetically) gun in the series. Looking up those two is what led me to this channel in the first place xd

[@conanmccurry3392]

@@billdoe8965 Yes! I want to run one in CoD MW3. This is awesome!!

[@kawauchi2918]

Enjoyed this ep as always. Would be cool to have a Russian counterpart to the L96/L118/L115 episodes, and hear from Max about bolt-action precision rifles from cold war to present day like the SV-98.

[@dessey8086]

I never thought FPS Russia would come out of hiding

[@Joruzhia]

Few years in prison made him look really old.

[@Hunter_312]

@@Joruzhia You're meming, right? He isn't really in jail, is he? (yeah, I'm taking the bait.)

[@bodybag22]

@@Hunter_312 He got caught sending hash oil (I think) to his work address and was charged with a felony, it's one of the reasons his channel is dead, felon's not being able to own firearms and all that. That and the murder of his gunsmith which is still unsolved.

[@wildcardbitchesyeehaw8320]

I hope he never does. That guy was just annoying and his Russian accent was worse than even the shittiest Hollywood shit Russian accent.

[@zachdelagarza1609]

Preston Henson no he’s not. Lol He is on a podcast called PKA on a channel called Woodysgamertag and that not even true at all. Lol

[@johncashwell1024]

I really enjoyed this video Ian! The SVD has a fascinating history and I learned a lot. It's hard to believe the video was 39 minutes long because the time flew right by! Thank you Ian & Max!

[@MarvinT0606]

this video taught me that a person's chances of getting killed by a bayonet-wielding sniper is low but never zero

[@bbcmotd]

2:11 Max says "Soviet militaryt doctrine" 21:40 "obsolete" 24:35 "bullet weight" 26:45 MVD (МВД)

[@dbmail545]

Max is a heckuva guy. I think I will have to get his book. He has been very good about answering my questions about Soviet small arms development.

[@SpeedyDePalma]

Fascinating talk on the Dragunov. You think he could do a sit down to discuss some Soviet era shotguns such as the Toz-106 or KS-23? Not a whole lot of information out there and even less videos save for video games.

[@proffski]

I had my name down for one here in the UK (obviously semi-automatic only) when we had the general big ban after Hungerford and Dumblaine... Circa 1987. I have never forgiven either government for the ban... Very sad.

[@tsartomato]

semi-automatic?

[@Mrgoodnyt]

Always love when Ian has Max on the channel, such a wealth of knowledge on Russian firearm design that is often underappreciated or underrepresented in the west. Max is a great long form speaker and I find his talks very interesting and informative with some nice black humor thrown in. Well done to Max also on his English skills. Thanks to you both for making these videos happen they are such a fantastic resource for those interested in Russian firearm's. Cheers.

[@redharlaw2782]

Always learn something when Max visits. Just another reason Forgotten Weapons is worth watching. Thanks!

[@shawnr771]

Very interesting history. Thank you Ian and Max

[@RobinRhyne]

Max, thank you for your fascinating presentation. Ian, thank you for hosting and for being an excellent listener (a rare but vital skill).

[@Spitsz01]

Still think the SVD is one of the most iconic and sexy rifles ever. Thank you Max for this interesting and illuminating story!

[@Curtislow2]

I think Max does a great job explaining Russian arms in his second language. If only half of westerns could accomplish such a feat the cold war may have been avoided or at least less dangerous. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MAX AND IAN.

[@MrGrimsmith]

I might possibly be able to give commentary on something in really bad French. My true second language is Latin which no one outside of the Vatican actually uses. Full credit to anyone that is fluent enough to get their point across in a second (or third) language.

[@batman9592]

There's no way i could talk for 40 minutes in my second language anywhere near the level of competence of this knowledgeable Gentleman. And i'm half Finnish...

[@ekscalybur]

The Cold War was NEVER not going to happen.The Cold War became an absolute inevitability in 1917.

[@Curtislow2]

@@ekscalybur WITH FURTHER CONTEMPLATION ,I AGREE. The Cold War was preconceived. But it still may have been less dangerous with better communication.

[@konstantin.v]

One more compliment in the comments to his excellent English and I will puke :)

[@DboiTheSavage]

I really respect the work you do Ian, Thanks to you and your guest.

[@Orbytum]

This guy is on point with his conversions

[@brucewilliams6292]

Excellent work. Thank you Max for such a well researched video. Thank you Ian for having Max on the channel.

[@MrGdg1969]

Many thanks to Ian and Max. Special thanks for subtitles. Of cause, I had no trouble understanding Max being Russian myself, but phone sound distortions makes any language harder to understand. Subtitles were almost perfect. If it can help, I noticed that Russian acronym for Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD or МВД - Министерство внутренних дел) was garbled at 26:45 and 36:01. 👍👍

[@mikedertouzos908]

You're videos are done so well. Iv been a fan for over 2 years now. The history and facts are so on point that I'm constantly learning something new. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@krzyryry8382]

It great to get to hear this information from someone who actually lives and breaths in this country. I think so many times history and information gets twisted and it may not always be wrong but the context can be off. I like all of Ian’s videos but I love these with Max. They cover weapons I have always been interested in and the depth is unmatched. Thank you for bringing these to your channel. Thank you to Max for his time and efforts as well!

[@pinkpnther69]

Thanks for this Ian..and Max...I love both the SVT and SVD line of rifles...I just wish we could still import them...

[@Gunny1971]

amen brother

[@TroopperFoFo]

I know I really want an svt. I cry every time I see Canada can get them for under $500.

[@winkleried]

pink_pnther_69 Right now Hungary is trying to get ATF approval for Importation of their version of the SVD built using their Soviet supplied technical package.

[@DtrainTheGreat]

I really appreciate how much effort he is putting into being able to describe all of this in english. If you see this I hope you could let him know because I am truly very impressed. Definitely a high quality guest on the channel. I thought it was funny when he almost said Great Patriotic War instead of WWII.

[@gilbertopadilla3611]

Loved the captions, and thank you for not constantly saying "mhmm", or "ok" after everything. You're a good overviewer. Great content as always.

[@petesheppard1709]

Another thanks to Max for taking the time to make these videos. His English is good, and it's evident that he's working hard on it.

[@Arbiter099]

huh, do I smell a future for Max Popenker and Headstamp down the line?

[@azkrouzreimertz9784]

i just love listening to max talking about russian firearms development, everytime i am equally surprised at the fact that i know so little about something so fascinating

[@martinbuckley4698]

"Variety is the spice of life". Your channel rocks!

[@djsity]

Thank you for the pictures (and the captions)! Makes the video way more interesting.

[@phatcatmisiek]

Always enjoy Max's presentations. Great content.

[@TheDandyMann]

I definitely want more content like this in the future. Keep up the great work Ian.

[@con6lex]

Thank you for having Max on. He is so knowledgable!

[@david05111]

What a fantastic interview. Max is awesome. I loved the depth of his insight and explanation, and it really was thorough. Thanks for putting this together Ian. And Max, if you see this, thank you as well

[@7curiogeo]

Thank you Ian and your pal Max for great history and development of this rifle.

[@shanebisme]

This was great! Thanks Ian and Max. I look forward to more videos like this with Max. Thanks again!

[@boagart]

That was fascinating, really well put together little history lesson. Looking forward to hearing more from Max.

[@12325814]

Great video and the historical/ tactical concept of the SVD development was as interesting as the actual weapon details. Much appreciated!

[@edwardmarhel5891]

Great interview! Iain and Max, Thank you.

[@bertmacdonald337]

Another excellent video! Well done Ian and Max, I really enjoyed that ;)

[@TheLPN05Fan]

Thank you for giving us an insight on my all time favourite DMR.

[@donisys]

Thank you for this Max and Ian. Very well done.

[@troubleboy]

At 8:16 it is "well before the Steyr AUG"

[@gregorypaulbox3035]

Thank you Ian and Max for your informative video. Forgotten Weapons has great content.

[@philippefrater2000]

My jaws dropped while seeing how many versions of this riffle existed! What a learning session it was! Thanks a lot Ian! Thanks a lot Max! 🖖🏻🇫🇷😎🇫🇷🤪🇫🇷🖖🏻

[@johneastman1905]

This was excellent ! It would also be nice to see these two have an in depth conversation.

[@r.artilesuriarte599]

I love the SVD, it was one of the first rifles I shot, learnt how to shoot a pair of years ago while I was living in Moscow.

[@JohnChoidotOrg]

American here: In Moscow, are there shooting ranges where you can rent rifles to shoot or do you need to know a firearms owner to shoot -- and if so, where can you go to shoot?

[@r.artilesuriarte599]

@@JohnChoidotOrg I always went to Labyrinth shooting range in Kutuzovsky Prospekt, near Gostinitsa Ukraina, 10 minute walk from Kievskaya metro station. You book it online in advance, show your passport and sign some papers if it's your first time there and pay for what you are gonna shoot (the only accept cash, prices are listed online). You'll have a range instructor with you at all times but that's the norm I for Russian ranges I guess. Overall a good experience, 50 rounds go for 2000 rubles if I remember correctly.

[@timbaskett6299]

Absolutely awesome bunch of information on the SVD family of rifles. Thank you both.

[@jjforcebreaker]

Great to hear Max again.

[@tankepsilon]

I'm really glad you were able to make a contact like Max. His insight into Soviet designs is invaluable, and I hope you get to have him over to the US to shoot, maybe even for a match!

[@jackusmc2542]

Thanks Max and Ian!

[@MlTGLIED]

I very enjoyed this video. Thank you very much and Max for outstanding knowledge of the svd history 👍

[@gordonormiston3233]

Great video Ian and Max. Very interesting and informative on SVD history

[@bjornsvalling1066]

Many thanks to Max for this walk-through. Interesting!

[@FW190A8UW]

Interesting, and thank Max for the history of the Dragunov!

[@MadJustin7]

This is like an episode of "Tales of the Gun" I miss the old history channel

[@shawnr771]

@@sidharthcs2110 keyword in your statement was NOT pawnshops.

[@JanoTuotanto]

"What are the mysterious origins of the SVD design? Does it come from this world ? Or did we receive it from the aliens ? ... "

[@sandrobruni7575]

@@sidharthcs2110 forged in fire is awesome though

[@hasmatiks]

Mr Popenker is great, thank you both for these!

[@audikid89]

I’ve been waiting for this video! Thanks Ian and Max

[@loungelizard3008]

That was a brilliant presentation. Subtitles made it that much better. Cheers.

[@madf00bar15]

Max is a treasure, thanks for sharing him with us!

[@chongli8409]

MVP&NVD=MVD, ministry of internal affairs (police and such)

[@janwacawik7432]

As always, great insight from mr Popenker.

[@RolandMaximus]

So cool to have a weapon systems development put in context. Fascinating.

[@cheSterEJ]

Ian, if you wish, I can help you with some of the transcribing of Max's audio, for you to proofread afterwards, if you want. I noticed some mistakes, or misunderstandings of his accent. I am from Latvia, my first language is Russian, and I could understand his accent quite well, and you can just check if the weapons-lingo is correct etc... ;)

[@Peasmouldia]

Max seemed to be going to say "Great Patriotic War" but transliterated to WW2 sharpish! Very wise man. Excellent vid, Thanks Ian & Max.

[@1TruNub]

Love your videos with Max is very informative I've learned things that never knew about Soviet rifles

[@neilwilson5785]

This guy is great to listen to. Lots of knowledge.

[@rockhardin4829]

Thanks Max and Ian! I LOVE

[@christopherberry4452]

Outstanding, can’t wait for the next one.

[@Soulcaresser]

Thank you for uploading this and giving us information about this rifle. Yes please the history behind the As val/ VSS vintorev

[@johnnyenglish583]

Great video, thanks to both of you!

[@marcelozerbini5411]

THE LEGENDARY MAX POPENKER?! I knew his blog since the dark ages of the internet, before the unholy social medias! Modern Firearms and Ammunition made me the man I am today!

[@beaker126]

Always nice to see Max.

[@Mrgunsngear]

awesome information

[@jfrorn]

Excellent, really enjoyed that. This gentleman really knows how to explain the history...in a foreign language!

[@danysniper22]

This was awesome, more of Max!

[@lloyddeel8279]

The captions are great. Also would love to hear about any history on any Russian firearms from him. Amazing stuff loved it.

[@therocinante3443]

That's so crazy, I was watching your videos last night hoping you'd do a video on this weapon! That's uncanny!

[@priveprive6269]

Your brain has been scanned by the FSB! :-)

[@Wolfskopf]

Good video. Спасибо, Максим) Glad to hear about my hometown of Izhevsk again in some context.

[@Spitsz01]

The people behind S.T.A.L.K.E.R. must have known their stuff. Almost all the prototypes and bullpups are in the game! Max, did you take part in developement of the game?

[@winkleried]

Wacky Tabacy Yes, he provided some technical support. The rumor is that the face of the Freedom trader Skinflint in Shadow of Chernobyl was based on Max.

[@Spitsz01]

@@winkleried Wow! Thank you for the reply, that is interesting!

[@Max_Da_G]

@@winkleried Of Max back when he was HEAPS younger

[@Khorsathedark]

These videos with max are fantastic

[@misarthim6538]

Great peresentation! It's always great to hear how much thought actually goes into military arms development. Also I found it hilariously endearing how he goes "Tokarev SVT ssssssss fourty". Not being native English speaker myself, I can sympathize. Sometimes if you say something thousand times in native language it just rolls automatically:)

[@Kikker861]

Very detailed and interesting! Awesome video.

[@victorhs258]

Excellent video, thank you Ian.

[@Duransurik]

love max interviews very eye opening

[@andrewwaterman9240]

Love these Max videos!

[@NoContext420]

when I started watching Forgotten Weapons I cared nothing for the Dragunov, now I covet it dearly.

[@megamillionfreak]

Tom Tomlinson Check out Yugoslav M76 (in 7.92mm Mauser).

[@MrZeRMiuNT]

awesome! thanks for such detailed history of SVD.