SVT-40 or SKS?

Ex-Dragoon

Ex-Dragoon

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Hey all,
Looking at buying one or the other as a late Christmas present for myself. Can anyone run down the pros and cons regarding each? Thanks.
 
sks you can do anything to it

but i am partial to the svt, as its a hoot to shoot!

the drawback is that very limited parts and very limited stock options (i wish i could have a replacement is something than artic birch)

the ammo for the svt is harder to find
 
if you're tight on budget ( like me ) go with the sks
the sks goes for 200 while the svt for 300
as for ammo, sks ammo is less than 200$ case of 1120 of surplus
for the svt, if you find any, it will be 300+ for a case of 800
else get both!
 
SVT are using different ammo and the 7.62 x 54R is quite bigger than the 7.62 x39 the SKS is using.

Not much surplus in 54R around.

I have 4 x SVT-40 and will do some bubba with them and probably use one as a spare. Parts are hard to come by and if, very expensive.

I also have 3 x SKS with the intention of buying more and doing even more bubba work.

I know, some people don't like it but those rifles are great for some serious modifications with plenty of aftermarket stocks and stuff around.

That said, the SKS is better and much cheaper, easier to find ammuniton, cheaper too, spares are lots around, not as long as the SVT, hence easier to shoot, the SVT doesn't even fit in a normal gun case.
 
.... Bubba..... BUBBA!? NO! Arg... if you have to bubba something buy an AR-15 or some other plastic Barbie rifle and slice it up, not good old soviet machinery from the 40's! That's like taking a buzzsaw to a 40's Buick!
For my vote, however, SKS. I have owned both the SVT-40 and SKS, the latter is much more wieldy and the caliber is availiable worldwide and readily.
 
I have both. The svt is a very nice looking rifle, accurate, reliable with proper maintenance but 7.62x54r surplus ammo can be harder to get than the 7.62x39 for the sks. If you want something to add stuff on, go with the SKS. SKS is accurate, extremly reliable, more easier to clean and surplus ammo are widely available and inexpensive. But ideally, get both!:D
 
First SVT will get 6x42 POSP scope, second one will get Dragunov conversion with original Tiger wooden laminated furniture, POSP scope and bipod, ...


This is the furniture I bought, give me 6 months or so and I will post my result.

tiger.jpg
 
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scianna54 said:
First SVT will get 6x42 POSP scope, second one will get Dragunov conversion with original Tiger wooden laminated furniture, POSP scope and bipod, ...
Click to expand...

I like the cut of your jib. Make sure you post that up, I love Drag's.

On topic though, SKS first by leaps and bounds for ammo and aftermarket unless you are a purist then get the svt first and must stil get the sks.
 
If your buying something you want to shoot a lot- defenitely consider how easy it will be to strip the rifle for cleaning (after using all that inexpensive corrosive ammo). I'm sure with practice anything will get easier- but you really can't get any easier than field stripping an SKS.
BUT cool factor goes to SVT-40
 
next_of_kin said:
If your buying something you want to shoot a lot- defenitely consider how easy it will be to strip the rifle for cleaning (after using all that inexpensive corrosive ammo). I'm sure with practice anything will get easier- but you really can't get any easier than field stripping an SKS.
BUT cool factor goes to SVT-40
Click to expand...

The SVT-40 is very easy to clean. I find it easier than my CZ-858.
 
scianna54 said:
People are just concerned about the spring in the back. I took all my 4 x SVT-40 apart and back together and it is very easy when you get used to it.
Click to expand...

I've taken 3 apart, and have 2 left. ;)

Interesting result by the way when I went shooting. I shot one that I didn't completely clean. I only added some G96 to the bolt. When shooting 180 grain hunting ammo I had to manually eject the case most of the time. After 20 shots I had to do this for every round.

A buddy of mine was shooting a SVT-40 that I dissembled and completely cleaned while adding G96 to all the parts. A bit of Rem oil was also added to the action rails. His ejected without problems.

The gas system wasn't adjusted for either rifle and they were on the same settings. The temperature was also around 2 degrees which may have contributed to the ejection issue.
 
Epoxy7 said:
I've taken 3 apart, and have 2 left. ;)

Interesting result by the way when I went shooting. I shot one that I didn't completely clean. I only added some G96 to the bolt. When shooting 180 grain hunting ammo I had to manually eject the case most of the time. After 20 shots I had to do this for every round.

A buddy of mine was shooting a SVT-40 that I dissembled and completely cleaned while adding G96 to all the parts. A bit of Rem oil was also added to the action rails. His ejected without problems.

The gas system wasn't adjusted for either rifle and they were on the same settings. The temperature was also around 2 degrees which may have contributed to the ejection issue.
Click to expand...

Mine had problems feeding from the mag. The soft-point hunting rounds would snag on the lip of the mag. Inspecting my mag, SVT-40, and Epoxy7's, SVT-38 mag, it was very clear that the grove at the front of mine, where the round feeds up into the tube, was a lopsided jagged egg shape and his was a symmetrical half-moon centered at the face of the mag. Nothing a round file or dremel couldn't fix. As we didnt have full metal jackets we could find out if was a problem was the mag, the ammo or a combination of both.
 
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