REMEMBER the four rules of gun safety:

1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

TFB FIELD STRIP: SVD Dragunov Tiger

In this edition of TFB Field Strip, we take down a Russian SVD-63 also known as the Dragunov.  This particular variant is called the Tiger and was imported into the U.S in the early ’90s. The rifle’s owner is none other than Mike Pappas of Dead Air Silencers.  He was kind enough to walk me through the field strip of his personal Dragunov Tiger, as well as the full rifle disassembly.

First, remove the magazine from the receiver and verify the rifle is empty/safe.

Locate the scope quick release lever on the left-hand side of the rifle, and turn it left to the unlocked position.

With the scope unlocked, slide it reward to remove it from the receiver.

Turn the receiver axle lever 180 degrees rearward to unlock the receiver cover.  Then push the top cover rearward slowly to remove it.

Push the bolt-carrier assembly reward to the end of the receiver, and then lift vertically from the receiver to remove.

Push the bolt reward and rotate 45 degrees to unlock it from the carrier.

With the bolt released from the carrier, pull the bolt forward to remove it.

Rotate the safety lever 90 degrees counter-clockwise and then lift vertically to remove.

Gently pull the bottom end of the trigger assembly down at a 45-degree angle to remove it.

Note the indexing slots on the front of the trigger assembly.  Place these on the pin in the center of the receiver before rocking the assembly back into place (during re-installation).

 

FULL FIELD STRIP

Using the supplied takedown tool, unscrew the gas tube from the gas block.

Insert the small side of the takedown tool into the band axle pin and rotate it 180 degrees downward.

With the band axle pin released, push the upper band forward to release the split handguard.

To remove the gas piston, grab the gas piston and push reward to remove it from the front gas tube.

With the short-stroke gas piston removed, you can now unscrew and remove the gas tube. The entire piston assembly consists of a pusher spring, pusher, gas piston, and gas tube.

To remove the cheek rest, reach underneath the clasp and pull the latch toward yourself.

You can now store the cheek rest safely away from any solvents or cleaning materials you might need.

The Tiger is now fully field stripped, with all firing components removed.

The rifle was field stripped further, and some American tooling was used to accomplish this task.  Always make sure to keep track of your parts, and have a designated work area when field stripping firearms.