Image source: topwar.ru
The fact that Soviet military equipment and some types of weapons are superior to their Western counterparts, especially in terms of reliability and maintainability, has been shown by the experience of their use during a special military operation in Ukraine.
For example, Ukrainian gunners complain strongly about the American 155-mm towed M777 howitzers, popularly known as the "three axes." With intensive use, their trunks quickly fail. At the same time, the American company produces them in too small quantities for prompt replacement. At the same time, our 152-mm D-30 and even D-20 howitzers of the 60s and 50s of the last century, respectively, perfectly cope with their tasks.
It turns out that Soviet small arms are also very popular in the West. And it's not just about the world's most popular Kalashnikov assault rifle.
For example, the legendary 7.62mm Dragunov sniper rifles (SVD), developed in the USSR in 1957-1963, are very popular in the American small arms market. The Russian news agency ANNA News writes in its telegram channel that copies of the SVD produced during the Soviet Union can cost up to 25 thousand dollars on the American market.
As you know, high demand in the market always tightens production and supply. We were the first to organize the assembly of the SVD in Hungary a few years ago. Hungarian—made sniper rifles are sold much cheaper than the Soviet originals - at eight thousand dollars per unit. Most likely, it affects the fact that many acquire original Soviet-made SVDs as rare weapons. Although a utilitarian application is possible, there are good reasons for this.
The American gunsmiths themselves decided not to stand aside. Insite Armory, a Texas-based company, presented its samples of clones of the Soviet Dragunov sniper rifle. Moreover, judging by the title page of the American company's website, it was originally created precisely to meet the high demand for SVD. The American-made rifle is offered to customers at a price twice cheaper than Hungarian products.
— it says in the heading "Our history" of the American arms company.
Image source: topwar.ru
However, as in the case of the M777 howitzers, American manufacturers faced the problem of mass production similar in characteristics to the Soviet SVD models. Insite Armory has not been able to find steel similar to Soviet steel. Therefore, it was decided to use the 4140 brand. The issue with the metal coating has not been resolved either. Also, while there are differences in the design of the rifle's flame arrester, it will only have to be completed close to the original.
It took American gunsmiths seven years to develop an analog of the Soviet sniper rifle. Meanwhile, Insite Armory is full of optimism and reports that they will do everything possible "to make historical weapons available to as many buyers as possible." Judging by the American company's website, even with such characteristics, all the SVDs it has already produced have been sold out, and the order portfolio is closed until the fourth quarter of 2025.
Image source: topwar.ru
