Herr
Berg of Dragunov.net has also graciously allowed me to
link to his page on the Belorussian POSP.
I'm proud to say that I continue to use his site
as a reference for many Russian optics and of course
the SVD Dragunov rifle.
POSP on
Dragunov.net
The most common version is the 4x24 but there are a
huge number of POSP optics and a wide range of
magnification options available - 4x24, 6x24, 6x42,
8x42 and more, including some models that are
variable power.
Most will have an SVD mount like the one shown
below but there are quite a number that have the MTK83
AK mount as well. Probably the most useful for an AK
is the 4x24V with Simonov
reticule.
There are AK mounts and SVD mounts available. A few
small versions are calibrated for 7.62x39 while the
vast majority are calibrated for 7.62x54R. Some are
also true mildot reticule POSP's. I am not aware of
any POSP's (or PSO's) calibrated for 5.45x39 but there
are probably more variants of the Belorussian POSP
than any other Russian or former Soviet optic I've
seen yet.
8x42 SVD Mount for PSL
8x42 with AK Mount
Example of POSP 4x24V with Simonov Reticule
A few things to remember:
POSP's are not technically Russian because while
they were once part of the Soviet Union and in the US
we still tend to think of them that way, after the
breakup of the USSR they reverted to their official
heritage. They are Belorussian, not Russian. Most are
manufactured in Minsk at BelOMO from what I
understand.
POSP's are not manufactured in the USA. There are a
few brands coming onto the market in 2011 and 2012
that are being branded differently than the classic
POSP's but those are simple brand names and logo
changes only, they are still manufactured by BelOMO in
Belarus like the rest of them.
There is some debate about the quality of POSP's
vs NPZ PSO-1 and later type optics. I think it is safe
to say that while some POSP's are clearly marked for
civilian sales there is no doubt they are tough and
well built optics that are built to high quality
standards. I do not believe civilian POSP's would be
considered milspec but for what the majority of
civilians would use them for there is no doubt in my
mind they will perform extremely well and as
designed.
I do not see anything that would make me assume
POSP's are cheap or low quality optics. Glass is
excellent especially for the price in USD,
construction is solid and they tend to be free of
factory defects in my experience.
I would not go so far as to say they are equal to
PSO's from NPZ but I am hard pressed to see visible
differences.