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PSL


Puşcă Semiautomată cu Lunetă


Overview


PSL

Afghan National army soldier fires a PSL sniper rifle in Kunar province, Afghanistan.
Source: US Army (SSgt. Gary A. Witte) - © Public domain

Origin
Romania
Type
Marksman rifle
Entered service
1974
Status
In service
Development
Early 1970’s
Developer
Romania - Cugir
Production
1974 - present
Producer
Romania - Cugir
Designations
PSL / Puşcă Semiautomată cu Lunetă
Romanian for “ scoped semi-automatic rifle”
PSL md. 74
FPK (civilian sales)
SSG-97 (civilian sales)
ROMAK-3 (civilian sales)
PSL-54C (civilian sales)

Description


Introduction

The PSL is a semi-automatic sniper rifle of Romanian origin. It was developed since the Soviet Union didn’t allow for license production of the SVD. Externally the PSL looks very similar to the Russian SVD and Yugoslav M76. These firearms are often wrongly identified as Dragunov SVD.

Design

The PSL looks very similar to the Dragunov SVD and overall performance is similar. The PSL is based on a modified PM md 64 (RPK) receiver and unlike the Dragunov SVD uses a long stroke gas piston. As such it is more akin to the Yugoslav M76 than the SVD. The 4x LPS-4 scope is similar to the Russian PSO-1.

Firepower

The PSL fires the 7.62x54mm Russian round from a 10 round magazine. Normally sniper grade ammunition is used, but regular rounds can be fired as well. The PSL is a semi-automatic weapon, making it suitable for the designated marksman role. Maximum effective range is about 800 meters.

Users

The PSL was adopted by Romania in 1974. It was exported in large numbers, both for civilian sales and military use. The PSL is in widespread use in Africa and the Middle East.

Media


Details


Facts PSL
General
Origin
Romania
Type
Sniper rifle
Caliber
Caliber
7.62x54mm Russian
Feed system
10 round detachable box
Barrel length
620 mm
Rifling
4 grooves, right hand 320 mm twist
Muzzle velocity
830 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated, long stroke gas piston
Locking
Rotating bolt
Fire selector
0 - 1
Rate of fire
Semi-automatic
Dimensions
Stock type
Fixed
Length
1.156 m
Width
88 mm
Weight
4.31 kg empty with scope
Sights
Optics
LPS-2 4x24 scope
Mechanical
Iron sights
Sight radius
0.5 m
Accessories
Bipod
Optional

PSL in service


Related articles


Dragunov SVD

The PSL looks very similar to the Dragunov SVD developed in the Soviet Union. Both rifles have a similar role and performance.

PM md. 64

The PSL is based on a modified receiver of the PM md. 64 light machine gun.

Zastava M76

The Yugoslav M76 is similar in role and capabilities to the PSL. Both designs are an up-scaled variant of the Kalashnikov assault rifle.