Today the name of Yevgeny Fedorovich Dragunov is associated with many people with the SVD rifle. Adopted in 1963, it is still very popular today. The Soviet designer created at least 30 models of small arms. The Dragunov assault rifle - MA is especially famous. Description and characteristics of this sample are presented in the article.
Getting Started
In 1973, in the USSR, within the framework of the Modern program, design work began on the creation of small-sized assault rifles of 5.45 mm caliber. The new weapon was intended for grenade launchers, calculated artillery pieces, crews of armored vehicles and technical units. The new rifle model was developed as a means of self-defense.
What were the requirements?
The customer (USSR Ministry of Defense) formulated wishes regarding what weapons should be:
- Small-sized machine must be adapted for firingsingles and queues.
- With the unfolded buttstock, the length of the machine should not exceed 75 cm, and when folded - 45 cm.
- Model weight must be within 2.2kg.
- It is desirable that most of the parts are made of plastic.
- The shooting model should provide effective shooting up to 500 m.
About project participants
Work on the creation of a small-sized rifle model on a competitive basis was carried out by Soviet gunsmiths M. T. Kalashnikov, I. Ya. Stechkin, A. S. Konstantinov, S. G. Simonov and S. I. Koshkarov. In 1975, Evgeny Dragunov added to this list.
Small-sized machine gun - MA of the Soviet designer - was developed for firing with a low-impulse cartridge of 5.45 mm.
About the production of parts for the model
Since one of the requirements of the Ministry of Defense was the presence of glass-filled fiber parts in weapons, Dragunov decided to use spare parts produced at that time at IzhMash for the 74th AK model for his small-sized assault rifle (MA). As a result, in addition to the planned injection-molded plastic handle and magazine, the Dragunov’s weapon was also equipped with a handguard and stock, as well as a handguard made of this material. The operation of glass-filled fiber parts, in contrast to a metal product, has several advantages. The weapon is much lighter. In addition, the production process is less labor-intensive, especially if the spare part does not provide reinforcing elements or theirnumber is kept to a minimum. According to experts, the most common layout of Russian small arms is the use of fittings as guides for moving parts for the receiver. Since a detachable cover is provided for it, the presence of metal guides in the receiver is considered a prerequisite. As a result, the weapon is a metal structure "filled" with plastic.
About design
The barrel and receiver are located in the upper part of the Dragunov-MA assault rifle. It has a shutter and a shutter frame. The place for the trigger mechanism was the bed of the machine. The receiver is connected by a front liner with a hinged mount to a plastic stock, which is attached to the folding stock at the back.
During the assembly of the small-sized Dragunov MA assault rifle, the stock is fixed using a return mechanism. Especially for this purpose, in the process of pouring the bed, it was equipped with a single reinforcing part with a ledge for the return mechanism. This design feature had a positive effect on the mass of the MA Dragunov assault rifle. Without ammunition, the weight of the weapon does not exceed 2.5 kg.
About sizes
The developers managed to reduce the dimensions of the MA Dragunov assault rifle due to the metal stock folding on top of the receiver. The molds for the spare parts have been specially selected so that nothing prevents it from folding. In addition, the butt must notinterfere with aiming. A photo of the MA Dragunov assault rifle is presented in the article.
About the first sample
In the very first version of the Dragunov assault rifle - MA, the handguard consisted of the right and left halves. The SVD sniper rifle also had a similar design.
After finalizing the machine gun - MA Dragunov, the weapon was supplemented with an overlay and a spring-loaded forearm. Glass-filled polyamide AG-4V was used as a material for it.
About testing
Having tested the machine, the expert commission was mostly satisfied with its characteristics. Nevertheless, the designer was recommended to refine individual components and parts. In difficult conditions, the trigger mechanism worked with misfires.
The reason for this was the shortcomings of the stroke during the self-timer, as a result of which the trigger came out of the "dead center" with a delay and was unreliable. It was possible to eliminate this drawback by changing the layout in the mechanism. The gas unit was subject to refinement, namely the design and dimensions of the pusher. As a result, its length was significantly reduced. If we compare the pushers of a small-sized machine gun and a Dragunov sniper rifle, then in MA it is shorter and has weak elasticity. In addition, during the operation of the machine, the pusher is subject to severe deformation.
The commission had no complaints about the parts made of glass-filled polyamide. Testing the machine for service strength, it was “dropped” several times onflat concrete surface. At the same time, each time, falling on the handle, the weapon springy, and like a ball, bounced almost a meter. The accuracy of single and automatic firing from a small-sized machine gun practically did not differ from this characteristic of the AKS74U. Like any short-barreled model that fires a powerful cartridge, the Dragunov assault rifle has a small spread in the vertical plane. However, this was not regarded by specialists as a disadvantage.
How does the Dragunov MA assault rifle work?
Shooting from weapons is carried out due to the removal of powder gases. Locking is done by a rotary valve. The machine has three lugs. Single and automatic firing are provided with a trigger mechanism. Ammunition is supplied from a regular AK-74 automatic magazine, designed for 30 rounds. In an effort to reduce the height of the receiver and simplify the procedure for disassembling weapons, the designer equipped the machine with a special pusher. The gas chamber is equipped with a through hole. The flame arrester is fixed with a special plug, which is also the front wall of the gas chamber. USM is made by a separate assembly. For him, the "clogging the trigger" scheme was used. The mainspring is designed for compression. When cocking the trigger, the direction of action of the spring, having crossed its axis of rotation, begins to carry out push-ups. Thus, the spring presses the trigger from the bolt frame, which, having passed the “dead center”, no longer interacts with the moving elements of the mechanism. As a result, during the rollback and rollback of the frame, its friction with the trigger is excluded. After installing the bolt frame in the forward position, the trigger is automatically released, located on the "dead center". The Soviet designer used a similar scheme for the PP-71 submachine gun (later the weapon will be called "Kedr").
About firing modes
The leading edge of the trigger guard on the right side of the stock became the place for the translator of fire. There are three positions for the translator:
- "P". In this position, the fuse is turned on.
- "OD". By installing the translator at this position, the fighter can fire single shots.
- "AB". Position for automatic fire.
When moving the translator's flag to the "P" position, it comes out of the hole in the trigger guard. This design feature makes it possible for the shooter to determine the position of the fire translator simultaneously with the grip of the machine by the handle.
About sights
The small-sized machine gun is equipped with a diopter sight, which is designed for a firing range of 300 and 500 m. The device at the base can be rotated relative to the receiver, thus snapping the return mechanism. It is possible to disassemble a small-sized machine gun only after this mechanism is shifted to the front position, and the stock is disconnected from the receiver. To do this, the diopter sight must be rotated 90 degrees. If the diopter does not fall into place, the fighter simply will not be able to aim. Thanks to this designthe chance of the weapon being assembled incorrectly is minimized.
About the flash hider
The first samples of small-sized assault rifles were equipped with flame arresters, the design of which was similar to those used in the AKM74U (folding shortened 74th model of the Kalashnikov assault rifle). In order to enhance muzzle suppression and form a compensating effect, the front parts of the MA flash hiders were equipped with asymmetrical slots.
About performance characteristics
- The caliber of the small-sized machine is 5.45 mm.
- Without ammunition, the weight of the weapon does not exceed 2.5 kg.
- Total size 735 mm (travel option). When folded, the size is 50 cm.
- Barrel length 212 mm.
- Automatic magazine holds 30 rounds.
- Within one minute, up to 800 shots can be fired from a small-sized Dragunov assault rifle.
- The aiming range is 500 m.
In conclusion
According to experts, the indicators of the estimated labor intensity in the manufacture of Dragunov and AKS74U assault rifles are comparable. However, by the time Dragunov finally decided on the design for his product, the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union decided in favor of the AKS74U model.
Since it is impractical to have models with similar technical characteristics in service at the same time, the further design of small-sized Dragunov assault rifles on this wasterminated. MA is the latest major development of the legendary Soviet weapons designer.
