Travis Olander 03.27.23
The PSO-1, Optical Sniper Sight, Pritsel Snaipersky Optichesky, or just “Прицел Снайперский Оптический” is a 4×24 fixed-power telescopic sight designed to be used on the Dragunov SVD, Tigr, NDM-86, and Romanian PSL household of rifles. It was hailed as one of the technically superior weapon sights ever designed within the ’60s and continues to be in service within the Russian Army as we speak. We’ve been fortunate to get our fingers on a contemporary, Russian-produced PSO scope. Commercial variants of the PSO-1, often known as the PO4x24 and POSP, are offered within the U.S. and Europe by two producers, NPZ and Zenit-BelOMO. Let’s dive into the PSO’s specs, historical past, and performance. We’ll stand up shut with an in-depth evaluation, too.
PSO-1: Specs & Technical Data
PSO-1: Optical Specifications
- Magnification: 4x, fastened
- Objective Lens: 24mm
- Ocular Lens: 32mm
- Field of View: 6° (107 mils)
- Eye Relief: 2.68″ (68mm)
- Exit Pupil: 0.23″ (6mm)
- Resolution Limit: 12°/s (213 mils/s)
- Reticle: Stadiametric rangefinder
PSO-1: Physical Specifications
- Dimensions: 14.75″L x 2.76″W x 5.20″H (375 x 70 x 132mm)
- Body Material: Magnesium alloy
- Lens Material: Multi-coated glass
- Weight: 1.28 lbs (581g)
- Finish: Baked enamel
PSO-1: History, Features & Use
The PSO-1 was developed particularly for the SVD rifle chambered in 7.62x54r. The scope was launched on July 3, 1963. It was initially manufactured by the Novosibirsk Instrument-Making Factory (“NPZ Optics State Plant”) and the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. The PSO-1 and SVD rifle package deal was and nonetheless is deployed to Russian Army and Russian Special Operations parts as a Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR). A variant of the PSO scope was later developed for the 9x39mm cartridge and the integrally suppressed VS “Vintorez” and AS VAL rifles.
The PSO is now produced by NPZ in Russia and Zenit-BelOMO in Belarus for Kalinka, for each navy and civilian use. The PSO-1 was designed to permit for speedy goal acquisition by offering on-the-fly ballistic calculations, horizontal and vertical hold-overs, and distance-to-target estimations through a BDC rangefinding reticle. With a red-illumination perform for low gentle and a light-blocking rubber eyepiece, the PSO-1 was additionally designed to be used throughout low-light situations and nighttime operations.
PSO-1: The “Simonov” Reticle and BDC Chevrons
The PSO-1’s notorious Simonov reticle is out there with a 400m or 1,000m rangefinder and bullet-drop compensating (BDC) factors of goal. The latter is mostly discovered on PSO scopes, and it’s designed to supply BDC for the 7.62x54r spherical and the SVD and PSL household of rifles. The 400-meter variant of the Simonov reticle is designed for the AK-47 household of rifles and the 7.62x39mm spherical. The Simonov reticle gives rangefinding capabilities by permitting the shooter to estimate the space to any man-sized goal with a peak of 5’7″ or 1.7 meters. On civilian scopes, the rangefinder is as an alternative sized up for estimating the space to a 4’11” or 1.5-meter tall goal.
PSO-1: Range-Finding
The rangefinder works by inserting the goal throughout the portion of the reticle displaying distance tick marks. The goal’s ft should be positioned on the horizontal line and the highest of the goal’s head should contact the curved line. This instance illustrates a goal 5’7″ in peak accurately ranged at a distance of 150 meters within the 400m variant of the PSO’s reticle:
PSO-1: Range-Finder Variances
This rangefinding reticle seems and capabilities for a similar heights (1.7 meters for military-issue scopes and 1.5 meters for civilian scopes) on each 7.62×39 and seven.62x54r scopes. Some x39 scopes have been produced with a rangefinder estimating targets 1.0 meters (3’3″) tall. Distance estimations usually are not the identical between the 2 variants. The x39 scopes estimate distance between 100 and 400 meters. The x54r scopes estimate distance between 200 and 1,000 meters. With a goal’s distance estimated, the PSO’s reticle gives the shooter with bullet-drop compensating chevrons to behave as quick-reference factors of goal. In a firefight or whereas looking, this negates the necessity to alter for distance extra slowly with the elevation turret. On x39 scopes, the primary chevron is the default level of goal for targets as much as 200 meters. The second and third chevrons compensate for bullet drop at 200 meters and 400 meters, respectively. On x54r scopes, the second, third, and fourth (not pictured above) chevrons compensate for drop at 1,100, 1,200 and 1,300 meters.
PSO-1: Windage Elevation & Hold-Overs
The Simonov’s horizontal scale is used to calculate and execute hold-overs, compensate for windage, and estimate distance. For the sake of hold-overs and windage, every tick mark on the dimensions is spaced 1 mil aside. Moving 1 mil left or proper shifts level of impression by 4″ for each 100 meters. The distance between the tip of the primary chevron and one-half of the dimensions measures 1 meter (3’3″) extensive at 100 meters of distance:
Using the windage scale on this trend, varied distances may be recorded and referenced by recognizing objects and reference factors of a recognized measurement. This permits the shooter to rapidly gauge targets’ distances as they seem, to make use of the suitable BDC chevrons and hold-overs as required. For the shooter who’s skilled together with his rifle and cartridge, the Simonov reticle gives intuitive aiming with practically prompt ballistic calculations.
PSO-1: Low-Light Illumination
The PSO’s inside illumination permits the reticle to be clearly considered in low-light and nighttime situations. Original scopes used a 2.5-volt bulb and Russian RTS-63 battery, a cell that’s now not made. For a time, a PSO-1C variant of the scope was made which included a resistor. The -1C allowed for the scope’s unique 2.5v batteries for use with the brand new 1.5v bulb, however this was phased out after the 1.5v bulb turned the brand new customary. All PSOs and POSPs now use a 1.5v bulb and AA battery with an adapter that enables the unique battery housing to accommodate the taller cell. Alternatively, a plastic spacer can be utilized on conjunction with two 1.5-volt Duracell D357 or D303 button-cell batteries to energy a 3-volt LED bulb.
PSO-1: Discontinued IR Detection
The PSO-1 now issued to navy items is designated the PSO-1M2, a contemporary model of the unique scope in each method besides one: The fashionable scope now not comes geared up with an IR detection display. The IR filter may, upon being charged by daylight publicity for simply 20 minutes, present as much as 48 hours of use. Via a swap, the IR detector display would flip down in entrance of the reticle, giving the scope a inexperienced hue.
This display allowed the shooter to visibly detect any enemy positions, automobiles, and fighters utilizing night time imaginative and prescient units powered by IR illumination. Any infrared gentle would seem within the reticle as a vibrant glow. The characteristic turned comparatively ineffective within the Seventies as soon as fashionable night time imaginative and prescient techniques started utilizing inside gentle amplifiers as an alternative of exterior IR bulbs to supply enhanced imaginative and prescient. According to sources within the Russian navy, the IR characteristic was eliminated in 1992.
PSO-1: Lenses, Scope Material & Body
The SVD scope wasn’t simply forward of its time with IR detection and superior reticles. Before the PSO’s debut, rifle scopes used brittle, un-coated glass and heavy metal or weak aluminum our bodies. The PSO departed from this. It was the primary scope designed to be abused just like the rifle it sat upon. It was the primary to make use of a light-weight but robust alloy building, made out of magnesium and coated in a tough baked enamel end. Magnesium alloys mix the light-weight and corrosion-resistant properties of aluminum with the unbelievable energy of titanium.
The scope’s reticle was floor and etched instantly into a brand new sort of multi-coated glass, too. The etched reticle ditched the necessity for skinny, finicky reticle wires that might snap or loosen when rattled. The optics had been all sealed and full of nitrogen to stop moisture from ever creating inside. The new lenses had been extra immune to cracking and scratching, they usually mitigated mud, water, reflections, and glare. The battery compartment was made low-profile and rugged, with a thick seal to maintain water out. Heavy-gauge wiring was used and the illuminating module and (now-defunct) IR module had been made simply serviceable. Compartments and mounts open with flathead screws and bolts. An built-in “Warsaw Pact” rail mount gives rigidity and extra energy for the scope’s physique. In quick, the PSO scope is the grandfather of the fashionable “battle-proof” glass optics produced by the likes of Trijicon, EOTech, and Aimpoint.
Fun Fact: Current-issue SVD rifles and their PSO-1M2 scopes are factory-matched, with every scope’s serial quantity engraved upon its rifle’s buttstock. Commercial Tigr rifles (a civilian variant of the SVD, made for looking massive sport) and their scopes are additionally factory-matched; the Tigr’s serial quantity is as an alternative engraved into the scope’s facet mount to protect the looks of the rifle’s wooden inventory.
The Modern PSO-1 Review
We obtained ahold of an NPZ-made scope. Let’s get a more in-depth look and see how this decades-old design holds up:
We picked up this industrial variant of the present military-issue PSO-1M2 to outfit a Molot VEPR present process an “SVD-ish” conversion (we’ll be masking that quickly). We may’ve sprung for another optic and a generic facet rail mount, however the PSO’s reticle and its profile and high quality proceed to impress. Plus, it affords a traditional look and is recognizable by nearly any gun fanatic.
Unboxed, the PSO comes with documentation from NPZ formally figuring out it as a PO4x24. The scope’s booklet is complete Cyrillic, with no English translation. A digital handbook in English may be downloaded. The PO4x24 mannequin title is the industrial designation for the PSO-1M2. Although totally different in title and rangefinder goal peak, this scope is functionally and materially the identical as a present military-issued scope. The optic comes with a camouflage-patterned canvas cowl, which secures over the scope with a leather-based strap when not in use.
PSO-1: Using an SVD Mount on AK Rail
If you’re buying a PSO scope to outfit your PSL, VEPR, or different AK construct, it’s vital to notice the clearance (or lack thereof) between the reticle illumination module and the receiver’s mud cowl if utilizing a PSO with an SVD mount as an alternative of an AK mount:
The backside of the module may barely contact the mud cowl on the VEPR’s or PSL’s receiver. There isn’t any stress being utilized to the scope physique and neither the scope nor the mud cowl is susceptible to being broken when fired, however the next ought to be thought-about by any PSL or VEPR proprietor investing in a PSO scope: It is preferable to make use of the SVD-type mount on these two AK-type rifles as a result of the SVD mount’s place gives extra applicable placement of the scope relative to the shooter and buttstock. But this mount additionally reduces the peak of the scope, bringing it nearer to the receiver. The scope pictured beneath is a BelOMO POSP, one other industrial variant of the PSO-1 that we’ll talk about later. This variant exhibits the AK-type mount. It gives increased and extra ahead placement of the scope relative to the receiver.
Both kinds of mounts make the most of the identical adjustable rigidity latch and metal information pins to seat and safe the scope to the receiver’s rail mount.
The inside the rail mount is well-constructed: All pins and fasteners are recessed contained in the magnesium alloy, and the stress spring for the latch is captured by a recessed pin made out of a coated steel. NPZ additionally greased the within of the mount, and the baked enamel end is simply as current and well-cured inside this space to stop any corrosion. The hex-head bolts securing the mount’s base to the scope are seated with small washers; one bolt seems spot-welded.
Above, the pink illuminator module is proven with a brass knurled fixture for eradicating and changing the 1.5v pink bulb inside. The wires offering energy and floor are double-sleeved, thick gauge, and use a flathead fastener to safe to the terminal. It’s a well-built and easy-to-service design.
Attached to the within entrance leg of the scope mount is the rubber-booted toggle swap to show illumination on and off. A small steel guard is fitted to the bottom of the swap and rubber boot with a skinny hex-head bolt. The again of the guard sports activities a small tab to stop it from wiggling free or rotating. Also proven is a small steel becoming secured by two flathead bolts which secures the illuminator’s wires to the within of the scope mount. Every delicate element on this scope sports activities layers of safety, a kind of redundancy made (and additional weight) possible by the light-weight magnesium physique.
Providing energy to the scope, surprisingly, is a straightforward AA battery. The housing’s cap is held in place with a brass pin and a thick compressible O-ring inside gives rigidity to maintain the cap and battery safe, and freed from mud and water.
The entrance facet of the toggle swap housing shows “ON” and “OFF” in Cyrillic for the swap’s perform. This shot additionally exhibits off simply how thick the cured enamel coating is on the scope’s physique, particularly on the swap guard.
The outdoors of the entrance leg sports activities a bolted cowl for the toggle swap housing. Regardless of producer or variant, all PSO scopes will usually show the scope’s mannequin title, serial quantity, and maker’s mark right here. For NPZ’s fashionable PSO, it’s “PO4x24-01”.
Difficult to seize with a digital camera lens, the Simonov reticle seems crisp and clear because it rests etched into the optic’s glass. Just faintly seen is a blue hue towards the middle of the reticle, with inexperienced hues towards the perimeters. This is proof of the coatings current on the optic’s lenses, which might trigger refined coloration adjustments when considered towards a vibrant white background.
Even tougher to seize with a secure shot, the pink illumination works very nicely in low-light situations. No gentle bleed or glare was noticed. The reticle fills out in clearly outlined markings when lit. The blur seen across the numbers and tick marks is just not current; an unlucky side-effect of utilizing lengthy publicity to seize the picture.
Helping seize the illuminated reticle in low gentle is the long-lasting rubber eyepiece. This easy scope hood hasn’t modified in materials or design since 1963 and gives a easy however efficient strategy to block gentle air pollution when capturing in darkish situations. It additionally helps to supply applicable eye reduction for a constant sight image.
Up entrance, a retractable sunshade is constructed into the entrance of the scope physique. It may be prolonged or retracted through a small pin and slot minimize into the shade. The shade additionally gives an additional layer of safety for the entrance lens.
The turrets on the fashionable PSO-1 and POSP 4×24 scopes present the identical perform as they did in 1963: The windage and elevation turret every gives 0.5-mil changes (5cm or 2″) at 100 meters. The elevation turret additionally options bullet drop compensation. For x54r scopes, BDC changes are made in 50- or 100-meter increments when capturing between 100 and 1,000 meters.
Available Variants of the PSO-1
NPZ Series (Commercial)
Model Name: PO4x24
NPZ is the unique producer of the PSO-1 and the present PSO-1M2. If you need your scope to be as near an unique navy unit as doable, the PO4x24 or 4×24-1 is the scope to buy. It is barely totally different from the current-issue navy optic in that its rangefinder makes use of a goal peak of 1.5 meters as an alternative of 1.7 meters. Russian legislation prohibits the export of kit and weaponry at the moment in use by its armed forces to the United States. The use of a special rangefinder peak and mannequin names enable NPZ to say this scope is just not technically a PSO-1M2, which permits for its authorized sale and export.
Where to purchase
NPZ doesn’t preserve a big presence outdoors Russia. Locating and buying an NPZ scope will probably require you to order from abroad distributors. We procured our NPZ scope from a reseller known as Ivan Tactical whereas they nonetheless had items in inventory. NPZ scopes are often out there for buy and cargo to the U.S., although they’re exhausting to return by. Shipment from Russia to the US takes roughly 14 to 21 days.
Zenit-BelOMO Series (Commercial)
Model Name: POSP
Zenit-BelOMO is one other unique producer of the PSO. Because they make their industrial POSP scope precisely like their navy PSO-1 scopes of a long time previous, they’re additionally a best choice for getting your fingers on an ideal clone. Unlike NPZ, BelOMO makes PSO variants (all dubbed the “POSP”) that include options like increased magnification, adjustable zoom, and totally different rail attachments for the AK’s quite a few optic mounts. Since the POSP is manufactured in Belarus, its scopes usually are not topic to Russian export restrictions like NPZ scopes. You can subsequently buy a POSP configured with the traditionally appropriate 1.7-meter rangefinder. The POSP will also be bought with a 1.8-meter (5’11”) rangefinder, which some say is extra applicable if partaking a man-size goal. Lastly, POSP scopes use a compact 3-volt battery and bulb, adhering to the PSO’s unique design extra authentically than fashionable variants utilizing 1.5v {hardware}.
Where to Buy
Unlike NPZ, BelOMO fulfills orders internationally through Amazon, making buy by a US purchaser a lot simpler. You can get the unique SVD-type POSP 4×24 with 1,000m rangefinder right here, dubbed the 4x24M. If you’re putting in your scope on a PSL or VEPR and like having the scope relaxation increased on the receiver, you possibly can go for a POSP with an AK mount and 1,000m rangefinder, known as the 4x24VM. Rifles and customary AKs chambered in 7.62×39 ought to be fastened with a 400m rangefinder variant, known as the 4x24V. Shipment from Belarus to the US takes roughly 14 to 21 days.
Military Surplus
Model Names: PSO-1, PSO-1C, PSO-1M2
If you simply have to have the true factor, you possibly can nonetheless discover military-issued surplus PSO-1s out there for personal sale and public sale. These scopes are exhausting to return by and may very well be lacking their rubber eyepiece, scope caps, or sunshade. They might also have non-functioning illuminators. For collector worth, finding an older PSO with the IR detector will command the next worth. Older scopes with the lighter silver enamel end additionally are inclined to command excessive costs.
Where to Buy
Because rifle scopes aren’t thought-about firearms, they are often purchased and offered by way of nearly any public sale web site. Popular websites like eBay, Gunbroker, and Armslist are the very best locations to begin your hunt. You must also take into account visiting in style firearm boards like The AK Forum, AK Files, Sniper’s Hide, and VEPR.org. These communities preserve boards for promoting the sale of personal and preowned AK elements and Eastern Bloc navy gear, and scopes are often posted on the market by neighborhood members.
