SVT 40 or Mosin ?

westrifle_sks

Expired Business Member
Rating - 100%
48   0   1
Location
Vancouver
I have mixed reviews from different people so CGN community can reply.

Basically I need to know positive and negative feedback. As to ammo there should be some surplus coming soon. If you can concentrate on the rifle and not the ammo issue I would appreciate it

SVT 40

Mosin Nagant 91/30

Mosin Nagant M44 or 38

Mosin Nagant with installed scope and bended bolt did it increase accuracy ?


Thank you in advance
 
My buddy owned an SVT. He said that after each time you fired the rifle, the brass was marked in such a way after ejection that you could not reload it again. Disassembly was also pain as well. He did, however, mention that it shot just fine though.

I currently own a 91/30. Haven't had a chance to take it to the range yet. Soviet 91/30s, I believe, are sighted in with the bayonet mounted. They are also lighter then Finnish made Mosins.

For the M38 and M44s be prepared for some heavy recoil and huge muzzle blast. A search of various shooting videos on youtube will give you an idea. The M44, as far as I understand, is sighted in with the bayonet mounted otherwise accuracy will be affected.

Never shot a 91/30 with a scope before but there is a very good range review from Artyman on this forum that focuses on one.
 
Having owned all of the above, these are my opinions, which should be taken with a grain of salt :p


SVT 40
Pro: Semi Auto, accurate, cheap, historically valuable, built well.
Cons: Since you're planning corrosive ammo, it will need to be pulled completely apart after each shoot. You can get away with less than a complete teardown, but I found I was getting some corrosion between the wood and the outside of the reciever. Spare magazines cost as much as some guns. Ammo can't be reloaded because of milled fluting in the chamber to facilitate extraction.

Mosin Nagant 91/30
Pros: Refurbs are in good condition and well built... like a tank. Can be very accurate. Cheap guns.
Cons: Not the best built guns ergonomically and design. Heavy.

Carbines
Pros: Lighter than a 91/30, quick pointing, cheap, built strong, easy to carry.
Cons: Not overly accurate out past 400 yards. Basically built for "close" fighting, so that's what you get.




As for a reproduction sniper:

Mosin Nagant with installed scope and bended bolt did it increase accuracy ?

Yes and No.

A scope will help the shooter maximize their ability to shoot the gun accurately, and the bent bolt allows the knob to clear the scope. Within limitations, a gun will always shoot the same, most modifications are meant to help the shooter perform closer to the abilities of the gun.

A reproduction scope and bent bolt on an accurate mosin will help you shoot better, if you know how to use them.

P.S. Modern style scopes and modifications are not worth it. Because it is a military
surplus gun, no value is added to non historically accurate modifications. That means if you spend $200 on a milsurp, $200 on scopes and bases, and $100 on gunsmith work, your gun will be worth about $250 tops. This is because the gun no longer has historical value, and you're basically selling your scope and bases along with some spare parts. Odds are if you have to ask these questions, you also don't have the skill to do a good job yourself to save the money that way.

Just a heads up. I know you probably weren't thinking about it, but every so often someone does something like that and get a very rude awakening.
 
Good points by both H wally and Nabs - thanks for the mention :p

SVT 40

The SVTs are a great rifle, since there has been a lot of discussion lately on these rifles and a lot of questions I was thinking this weekend I will take a box or two of surplus with me and hit the range for a detailed range report. Anyone think it would help at all? All ammo issues aside the rifle itself is an excellent performer and will outlast any of us.

Often I see people complain about how difficult they are to dissasemble and maintain, this confuses me. These rifles are not difficult in any way to dissasemble and clean in a home setting. I wouldnt want to do it in the field, but after a range day a normal clean should be no problem. These rifles are much easier to clean in my opinion then an AR system or similar gas operated autoloader. The key to cleaning these rifles is to use a decent solvent, let it sit for around 20 mins, then pull clean. Yesturday I fired my SVT and cleaning time in total took me about 25 mins, and thats while watching TV and enjoying a beer.

The SVT is a very accurate rifle depending on overall condition and ammo. The standard refurbs we see now are excellent examples of these rifles and will perform very well with the standard Czech surplus light ball. I have often read that heavy ball is not reccomended for these rifles as it is hard on the op rod and as such light ball should be the standard. Ive shot heavy and light ball out of it and asides from kick I havnt seen any real differences. That being said try not to shoot the Soviet light ball through it too fast, it'll heat up and may catch fire as mine did yesturday :p - no damage just a light scorch mark on the insude of the upperhandguard :p

The prices are also very reasonable now around the $350 mark.

Mosin series

What can I say that hasnt already been said. Excellent all round rifles that can be extreamly accurate and amazingly reliable. These rugged rifles are (in my opinion) among the best all round bolt action rifles ever designed.

Here is a link to my write up on the repro PUs and the second is a link to my carbine write up. The third is a link to one of my 91/30's.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=428608

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=449489

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=437174
 
I love my M44 carbine. :)

Every time I have thought of selling it for some extra cash or to make room in the safe I pick it up and say Damn, and put it back in the safe. :D

And the front sights can be adjusted with a q-tip. :p

http://carteach0.########.com/2009/01/9130-mosin-rifle-front-sight-fix.html
 
I love my M44 carbine. :)

Every time I have thought of selling it for some extra cash or to make room in the safe I pick it up and say Damn, and put it back in the safe. :D]

I get the same feeling too when I poke my head inside my overfilled gun cabinet. I think "Who is next ?" and I go through a mental list crossing off ones that I refuse to sell until I come up empty handed.

I promised myself I would not get another cabinet but it sure is looking that way :D.
 
I think the op is reacting to some negative range reports from new owners. It can take a while before people get used to these things & most don't really give them a chance. Its funny, after so many years of mosinitis they are the only gun I seem to shoot well.
 
I've got a Mosin sniper and an SVT sniper, personally I prefer the SVT more, I find Nagant bolts can be sticky and need a bit of "tough love" to cycle and the scope mount took a little screwing around with to get it on target. the overall fit and finish on the SVT-40 seems to be better as well. The SVT can be a pain to disassemble. I recommend only stripping the gas parts and cleaning the bolt as well as you can in place, as most of the carbon built up will be on the gas piston anyways. mainly the bolt and carrier are a pain to get in and out because the return spring is two pieces.
 
I would go mosin for sure

The mosin is a great rifle but so is the svt 40. The recoil on the 91-30 is not at all bad about like a hunting weight .308. I have owned both i kept the mosin.
 
Just drape a folded rag over your shooting shoulder for padding during summer or wear a padded coat during winter to reduce the bite from the metal buttplate. :D
 
I've only been to the range once with both my SVT and Mosin91/30. I enjoyed shooting them very much, but I just like old rifles. Few issues with loadings and ammo, but the rifles from Westrifle came in immaculate condition and I can't wait to shoot them again.

Too early for myself to pass any judgment after only one outing ( 160 rounds...Ouch says the shoulder) but I got what I wanted, only nicer.
 
On the scope question, I have owned 3 original snipers ranging in condition from mint to just ok & regular 91/30 ranging from unissued to dead. There is no real accuracy difference from the two rifles in the same condition. That said, a 91/30 in its original condition is a very accurate rifle indeed.
 
I love my svt40, i found him accurate,well made,very reliable in any weather winter or summer. Easy to fieldstrip, the main difference with many others semi-auto is the gas regulator need to be dissasembled after shooting corrosive ammo but dont take more time to do. And the gas tube must be screwed tight to prevent the gas valve from moving. As for the mosin, i have 1 finnish 91/30, overall good cond but bore is excellent and that rifle shoot very very well. Also have a 91/30 russian since many years but didnt shoot it yet, i will do very soon. And the last is a unissued polish m44, still in the grease and i dont intend to shoot it. my next 1 could be a repro sniper, i will try to have 1 soon as i can.
 
Range Report Please!

The SVTs are a great rifle, since there has been a lot of discussion lately on these rifles and a lot of questions I was thinking this weekend I will take a box or two of surplus with me and hit the range for a detailed range report. Anyone think it would help at all? All ammo issues aside the rifle itself is an excellent performer and will outlast any of us.

Indeed, please do a range report if you can. Also, what are your thoughts about comparing the SVT with the M14/M305? I asked this question in the M14 group and got a unanimous vote for the M14 on accuracy, reliability and ease of maintenance. I would be curious what the Red Rifle crew has to say about this.

I'm contemplating getting SVT sniper and fitting it the new Russian-style scope using the available sliding scope mounts from Marstar -- does that work?

Thx, Neil
 
Back
Top Bottom