For years people have been advertising a "Romanian Dragunov." That rifle is in fact NOT a Dragunov in any way, having nothing in common but the stock style, general shape and size, and 7.62x54R chambering (and both also in a more rare 308 version).
The true names for these rifles include FPK, PSL, ROMAK 3, and others. They are based on the RPK action, a heavier version of the AK used as a light machine gun but also the basis for the highly accurate VEPR rifles and a few Yugoslavian models.
It used to be only the dealers and distributors that were falsely labelling these rifles "Dragunovs", but now even the importers are marking them as "Dragunovs" right on the rifles.
Friends, THESE ARE NOT DRAGUNOVS. Dragunovs are a completely different design of rifle from the AK, while these Romanians are most certainly larger variants of the AK.
Now for the good news - THESE ARE ALSO VERY GOOD RIFLES. Military and civilian alike have compared these with real Dragunov rifles and have found them to be equally good. The only notable limitation of these rifles is that they should be fired withammunition in the 150gr range, not heavier such as the 175gr. This is damaging to the action.
Perhaps the biggest difference to the American buyer is the price. Real Dragunovs range from the low 1000s for a sporting model called the TIGR, while Chinese and Russian versions can go well over 2 and 3 thousand, as they are NO LONGER IMPORTED. FPK/PSL/Romak-IIIs, still imported, range in the high three digits, and usually include an appropriate scope. From the best price of $600 without a scope to just under a grand for complete packages in harder to reach places or locales with high overhead and low sales volumes, these are well priced ALTERNATIVEs to a Dragunov, but they are NOT the same thing.
Labelling them as Dragunovs has been at best an honest mistake and at worst an outright lie. Buyers be aware. But don't be afraid to buy a Romanian rifle labeled "Dragunov" for a reasonable price.
"The only notable limitation of these rifles is that they should be fired with ammunition in the 150gr range, not heavier such as the 175gr. This is damaging to the action". BattleRifleG3
So only use 150gr bullets.I've never heard that.I have a Romak III and,ive
shot about 5 or 6 rds,of surplus ammo through it. Just to make sure it would fire.I was thinking about buying some match grade ammo for it.So it "HAS" to
be no more than 150gr bullet???? What happens to the action if you use
a larger grain bullet?
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I own a kit built Romak 3, built by TG International with romanian parts , marked Draganov by the way, and have heard in a lot of different boards that anything over 150gr puts stress on the bolt and bolt carrier during recoil.
I use corrosive surplus ammo, and clean it twice after firing, using Hoppes #9 and have not had any problems with rust or corrosion. Have only fired a couple of thousand rounds through it though.
Classic Arms Inc. Currently has a few of these for $770 with accessories!!! I'd say it's a really great deal and I'd jump on it if I had the expendable cash.
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Unfortunately, even the importers are mislabelling these excellent rifles as Dragunovs, forcing dealers to record them as such even when they're no such thing.
They're an AK based sniper rifle. The Dragunov is a completely independent platform.
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Wolf is now offering a 150 grain, BRASS CASED round at a good price. It's true, the heavier stuff tears the ROMAK-3 up. It has even bent the cover from slamming the action back so hard.
Classic Arms Inc. Currently has a few of these for $770 with accessories!!! I'd say it's a really great deal and I'd jump on it if I had the expendable cash.
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if dealers are labeling them with the dragunov name and it is engraved on the receiver and registered as a dragunov.
and the sales papers say dragunov.
then isn't it legally a dragunov rifle as recognized by a court of law?
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