Availability and Legalities of Tiger/SVD Parts...?

[bolter]

Great forum, I am new here. Do not presently own an SVD, but would like to acquire one. I see that Tigrs are available and that Ruseller on Gunbroker has parts available to modify them to at least look similar to the real SVD.

Question...is it legal to buy a flashhider from this Russian seller? Second, is it legal to swap out the original front sight on the Tigr with the new-made FH (minus bayonet lug)? What about the Russian made wood or polymer stock sets?

American sources for wood stocks, flashhiders? Any fake or dummy FH available?

Interested in your opinions. Maybe it is better for me to simply save the funds up to purchase a complete rifle...

Regards,

Bolter

[Tomac]

Great forum, I am new here. Do not presently own an SVD, but would like to acquire one. I see that Tigrs are available and that Ruseller on Gunbroker has parts available to modify them to at least look similar to the real SVD.

Question...is it legal to buy a flashhider from this Russian seller? Second, is it legal to swap out the original front sight on the Tigr with the new-made FH (minus bayonet lug)? What about the Russian made wood or polymer stock sets?

Yes, and it's legal as long as you comply w/local & state laws regarding flash hiders. Ditto w/the furniture, many people (myself included) use the synthetic furniture to save wear/tear on our original wood furniture.

American sources for wood stocks, flashhiders? Any fake or dummy FH available?

You're pretty much out of luck unless you can find someone to do a custom build for you.

Interested in your opinions. Maybe it is better for me to simply save the funds up to purchase a complete rifle...

I prefer the .308 NDM-86 Dragunov for the accuracy (far more accurate than the 7.62x54 SVDs & Tigrs due to the lack of decent lightweight 7.62x54 match ammo). Whatever you decide to buy don't wait too long as prices are constantly going up. HTH...
Tomac

Regards,

Bolter

[bolter]

Thanks tommac for your quick reply, I really appreciate the info. Info on this would be a great addition to the Dragunov.net FAQ...! A great site, by the way.

Bolter

[Tomac]

You're welcome, but be warned! A true Dragunov is very addicting to own, you may find yourself pursuing/purchasing more than you'd originally intended!... :wink_smal
Tomac

[DaWoof]

Tomac knows about SVD's being addicting....As do I!

[bolter]

I guess thinking about this more would addition of FH or stock set be a 922(r) issue like AK builders are always talking about?

Thanks again for any advice. As it seems many many people with Tigers have done these additions this is probably unwarranted, but I was born overly cautious...

Regards,

Bolter

[Tomac]

Tomac knows about SVD's being addicting....As do I!

It's true! It's true!... I've tried *everything*!... medication, hypnosis, support groups, even a 12-step program w/shock therapy and nothing works! (sob) :cry_small I will spend the rest of my life (and probably my savings, as well) pursuing "just one more" Dragunov... :wink_smal
Tomac

[16r40]

I guess thinking about this more would addition of FH or stock set be a 922(r) issue like AK builders are always talking about?

Thanks again for any advice. As it seems many many people with Tigers have done these additions this is probably unwarranted, but I was born overly cautious...

Regards,

Bolter

922r comes in play if you are converting a "sporterized" version, ie thumbhole stock into a pistol grip and seperate buttstock configuration, or if you are building a AK with a pistol grip. SVDs have no pistol grip, they are a thumbhole stock . flashhiders fell under the old 922v law, folding stock, bay lug etc... which is no more, federally....but some states such as NY still have that kind of law along with some other states, and some communities. so check before you add it on a SVD.

as for unwarranted.....apparently you never seen a SVD fire without one.......giant fireball. but the main reason I added one, is that it really doesn't quite look right without one on there

[Berg]

I think you guys are confusing assault weapon bans. There were two, one by George Bush, one by Clinton. The Clinton one affected what could be done to guns made in the US. The Bush ban affected imported guns. This one was never killed off.

From what I understand, you can't modifiy an imported rifle into a configuration that would otherwise not be allowed to be imported.

The Clinton ban covered what could be on your AR-15, mini-14, etc.

Rifles imported after the 1989 Bush ban had to comply with certain "sporting purposes" rules. I believe a flash hider was not considered a feature allowed on a sporting rifle.

If I'm wrong about this I appologize but that's how I've always understood it.

[psu1xj]

I think you guys are confusing assault weapon bans. There were two, one by George Bush, one by Clinton. The Clinton one affected what could be done to guns made in the US. The Bush ban affected imported guns. This one was never killed off.

From what I understand, you can't modifiy an imported rifle into a configuration that would otherwise not be allowed to be imported.

The Clinton ban covered what could be on your AR-15, mini-14, etc.

Rifles imported after the 1989 Bush ban had to comply with certain "sporting purposes" rules. I believe a flash hider was not considered a feature allowed on a sporting rifle.

If I'm wrong about this I appologize but that's how I've always understood it.

The 922r law is the one governing imported arms. That is why we have the "parts count" rule. You can modify a neutered import gun into a "banned" version as long as you fulfil the parts count requirement by having the correct number of US made parts ...which makes it, by the letter of the law, anyway, a US made gun.

[bolter]

By my read of 922 and some ATF opinon letters dealing with imported MAK-90s and the like, maybe you have to replace a bunch of Russian made parts with US replacements to be able to add Russian FH and possibly the original Rus skeleton stock...heck I know its a maze and very confusing, and appreciate all advice.

This brings up another issue--any source for some of the SVD/Tigr parts here in the USA? Trigger pack alone would count for a few towards the parts requirement if it applied.

Bolter

[FLIP SIDE]

"Tomac knows about SVD's being addicting....As do I!"

That right, its addicting, got my first NDM (308) 2yrs ago, them a years later got a Tigr

[bolter]

Received a letter from Sterling Nixon of BATFE in response to my inquiries. The short story is that at least in terms of U.S. law adding an original Russian SVD flashhider/sight combo to a Tiger rifle is legal, as is adding an original Russian SVD stock set (wood or polymer), and using a Russian-made 10-round mag. That is because in Mr. Nixon's words, "Since the imported Dragunov SVD has been recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes, exchanging the component parts on another otherwise importable rifle would not be unlawful."

I forwarded a copy of the actual letter to Dragunov.net. Hopefully it will be posted there.

PS Thanks Tomac, you were right. I just wanted the "official word" to be sure.

Regards,

Bolter