SVD



The SVD is a semi-automatic sniper rifle used by Naked Snake during the Virtuous Mission and Operation Snake Eater and is available to Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

Overview
The Dragunov Sniper Rifle (Russian: Снайперская винтовка Драгунова, Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova) or SVD is a semi-automatic sniper rifle, chambered for the 7.62 x 54mm Rimmed cartridge. It was used widely in the Soviet Army since its adoption in 1963, and still finds use in the present-day Russian Federation, though it has been largely replaced by the more accurate, bolt-action Sv-98.

While the SVD loosely resembles the AK series of weapons, the internal mechanism is actually quite different. The SVD is chambered for a more powerful cartridge and was designed with accuracy in mind rather than automatic firepower. The SVD comes equipped with a standard-issue PSO-1 scope (which in real life has a fixed magnification of 4x, unlike the 3-10x zoom represented in-game.). The rifle also has backup iron sights. The weapon is very accurate and powerful; a soldier can easily be dispatched by a single headshot from hundreds of yards away (or being hit in any other major part of the body, for that matter).

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Both GRU and KGB soldiers use SVD rifles.

Naked Snake can arm himself with the SVD in Dremuchij North during the Virtuous Mission, though loses it once he is thrown into a river in Dolinovodno by The Boss. During Operation Snake Eater, Naked Snake can obtain the rifle in an armory at Ponizovje West. If Snake misses this spot, he can also find it at the Sokrovenno South armory. If he does not obtain the rifle in either location, EVA will give one to him during the motorcycle chase.

The SVD is an extremely effective weapon for fighting The End; however, one must take care not to let the scope's reflection give away his position.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
A SVD model (called in-game 'SVD') is available to purchase via Drebin's shop. This weapon is actually the SVDS (Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova Skladnaya, "Dragunov Sniper Rifle with folding stock"); a newer designed SVD model, a sniper rifle with a shortened barrel, and folding buttstock designed around a need for better ergonomics in airborne infantry equipment. It uses synthetic furniture in place of wood, has a ported, conical flash hider, and a heavier barrel profile.

Johnny also has an SVD as his default weapon in Metal Gear Online.