PSO-1

PSO-1 is the iconic Soviet rifle scope with fixed 4×24 magnification, developed as the standard optic for the SVD Dragunov marksman rifle. It is one of the most recognizable military scopes in the world and a symbol of Soviet and Russian marksmanship tradition. The PSO-1 is known for its distinctive reticle (the classic “chevron”), an integrated range-finding scale, and construction optimized for the 7.62×54R cartridge. PSO-1 is therefore a legendary Soviet 4× scope from 1963, designed by the NPZ factory specifically for the SVD Dragunov. It uses the characteristic side Dovetail mount for durability, simple maintenance, and compatibility with Soviet rifle designs. It is still used by many armed forces worldwide, and its design has become an icon in military optics.

Who created the PSO-1 and when?

The PSO-1 was developed in the 1960s in the Soviet Union by NPZ (Новосибирский приборостроительный завод) — the Novosibirsk Instrument-Making Plant, one of the USSR’s leading optics manufacturers.

It entered Soviet military service together with the SVD in 1963.

Which weapons was the PSO-1 designed for?

It was primarily developed for:

SVD Dragunov
SVU / SVU-AS (shortened bullpup variants of the SVD)

Later, variants and clones were produced for other rifles with a side dovetail rail, such as:

PSL (Romanian rifle inspired by the SVD)
Tigr (civilian hunting versions of the SVD)
Some AK rifles equipped with a side rail

Why does the PSO-1 use a side Dovetail mount?

The PSO-1 uses the Soviet side-mounted Dovetail rail (often referred to as “SVD/AK side mount”) for several reasons:

Extreme strength and stability — the side mount is robust and does not interfere with the dust-cover mechanism.
Quick-detach capability — the optic can be removed without losing zero.
Full access to the rifle’s internals — AK and SVD rifles open from the top; a top rail would block access.
Low production cost — the dovetail was easy to stamp and machine.

The side mounting system also allowed for a solid optic body without compromises in height or layout of the mount.