PSL (rifle)

PSL
The PSL
TypeDesignated marksman rifle
Place of originRomania
Service history
In service1974–present
Used bySee Users
WarsRomanian Revolution
Lebanese Civil War
Gulf War[1]
Eritrean–Ethiopian War
First Chechen War[2]
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Iraq War[3]
Libyan Civil War (2011)
Syrian Civil War
Libyan Civil War (2014–2020)
War in Donbas (2014–2022)
War in Iraq (2013–2017)
Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)
Saudi-led intervention in Yemen (2015–present)
Conflict in Najran, Jizan and Asir[4]
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
Designed1974
ManufacturerFabrica de Arme Cugir SA
(ROMARM consortium)
Produced1974–present
Specifications
Mass4.31 kg (9.5 lb) (empty with scope)
Length1,150 mm (45.3 in)
Barrel length620 mm (24.4 in)

Cartridge7.62×54mmR
ActionGas-operated, long stroke; semi-automatic
Rate of fireSemi-automatic
Muzzle velocity830 m/s (2,723.1 ft/s) with 10 grams (154 gr) projectile (7N14)
Effective firing range800–1,000 m
Maximum firing range~3000 metres
Feed system10 round detachable box magazine, 5 round detachable box magazine (no longer produced)
SightsLPS-4 scope with tritium illuminated reticle + iron tangent sights

The PSL (Romanian: Puşcă Semiautomată cu Lunetă, 7.62x54mm model 1974, "scoped semi-automatic rifle") is a Romanian designated marksman rifle. It is also called PSL-54C, Romak III, FPK and SSG-97 (Scharfschützengewehr 1997).[5] Though similar in appearance, mission and specifications[6] to the SVD Dragunov, the PSL rifle is mechanically completely different as it is based on the RPK light machinegun, with its internals simply being scaled up to accommodate the more powerful 7.62×54mmR cartridge.[7]

  1. ^ "PSL rifle". iwm.org.uk. Imperial War Museum. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  2. ^ "Calibre Obscura".
  3. ^ Neville, Leigh (25 August 2016). Modern Snipers. General Military. Osprey Publishing. p. 153. ISBN 9781472815347.
  4. ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  5. ^ Vorobiev, Marco (15 June 2016). Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to AKs. Gun Digest Media. ISBN 978-1-4402-4641-8. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Pușca semiautomată 7,62mm cu lunetă UMC PSL model 1974, de Baity Pera | Asociatia Nationala a Colectionarilor de Arme". 4 January 2021.
  7. ^ Kalashnikov AK-47 Assault Rifle, p. 39