Medved (hunting rifle)

The "Medved" ("Медведь") is a Soviet semi-automatic hunting rifle for big-game hunting.

History
The "Medved" was designed in early 1960s. In 1965, rifle was awarded the golden medal of the Leipzig Trade Fair and since 1965 began its serial production.

In April 1965, the price of one standard "Medved" rifle was between 130 and 150 roubles.

Since 1975 began the production of "Medved-3" variant.

Since 1982 began the production of "Medved-4" variant.

Design
All variants of "Medved" rifles have iron sights and they were equipped with scope base for optical sight.
 * PO-4×34 (ПО-4×34) and TO-6P (ТО-6П) scopes were standard optical sights, although custom aftermarket variants are known.
 * in 1969 one "Medved" rifle was equipped with night-vision device.

All Soviet rifles had a wooden stock and fore-end, although custom aftermarket variants are known.

The bolt has three lugs.

The ramrod is fixed under the barrel.

Variants

 * "Medved" (СОК-9 «Медведь») - first model, 9×53mmR, with fixed magazine (3 rounds)  The rifle received State quality mark of the USSR
 * "Medved-2" («Медведь-2») - second model, 9×53mmR with detachable box magazine (3 rounds)
 * "Medved-3" (СОК-308 «Медведь-3») - third model, 7.62×51mm A with detachable single column box magazine (4 rounds)
 * "Medved-4" («Медведь-4») - last model, 7.62×51mm A with detachable staggered column box magazine (4 rounds)

Ammunition
Soviet 7.62×51mm A cartridges are not interchangeable with foreign 7.62×51mm NATO military cartridges and .308 Winchester commercial cartridges.

Museum exhibits

 * one "Medved-3" rifle is in collection of M. T. Kalashnikov Museum in Izhevsk