Thoughts on the Tokarev SVT 40?

[Desert_Fox]

Forgive my newbie observations, but I asked my question because I DON'T know much about the SVT 40 whereas a lot of contributors here at CGN could be considered experts on the topic.

Personally, as long as the rifle I have will do what I want it to do (i.e., shoot accurately and reliably), I'm going to be a happy guy!

I think we could say that any of the rifles mentioned in this thread have their place in history and have lead to even better decendants in most cases.

I've heard about the Garand being an excellet battle rifle, but that doesn't mean that the Germans, Russians, Swedes, etc haven't produced excellent variants of their own. Like cars, motorcycles, knives and many other items; people have their favourites, it's just that simple. That doesn't mean that other varieties or variants are any less respectable.

To say that one country or manufacturer's rifle is "the best there ever was" seems to me to be a tough statement to make, IMHO. Personally. the whole "which-came-first" arguement for these two fine rifles seems like semantics to me.

Looks like you have learned much!

Couldn't agree more. But I must state, that having owned and fired all the generally issued WW2 Semi Auto battle rifles, I think the M1 "Garand" is the most fun and reliable. The SVT40 is a fun little rifle, but not as sturdy as the M1 and loading can be a ##### stripping those rimmed rounds into that funky magazine. The G43 series of rifles is definitely one of my favorites and looks Teutonically awesome, but is not a very well made design originally, and I wouldn't want to fire one without new springs, a new gas system, and low powered ammunition...

Enjoy the SVT40! I know I do!

 

[johnnyreb65]

I've not even handled a garand, carbine yes ( owned one actually), battlerifle no.
I had an SVT, it was pretty cool.
The US " We are the best at everything " propagada spiel does get a little old though.
The en-bloc clip idea is a bit... hard to defend... compared to a removeable magazine.
SVT is a pretty formidable unit.
I'd tend to take the " Greatest battle implement ever designed" tag with a grain of salt. Our friends to the south do tend to get a bit carried away ' blowing their own horn'
By the way I'm 'merican on one side of the family, so don't lay that bias towards USA thing down.

"The US " We are the best at everything " propagada spiel does get a little old though.
"

I actually never said the garand was better, the conversation is about which was developed first and who ripped off who.In fact the conversation started when RMXC51 incorrectly stated that the garand was influenced by the SVT4o

 

[Crashediv]

I have an SVT, and mosin

Personally I have found the SVT far more enjoyable to fire, but there are a few downside's I am finding....

Scope mounts - Hard as hell to find, and more often than not I find them to be 200$ and up. This small peice of steel that is less than 1/4 of the size of the rifle is going to cost me almost as much as my whole rifle.

7.62 x 54r ammo is a fair bit more expensive, on the upside I found henry from budget shooter supply to be a great person to order from, very helpful and great prices on surplus

I have fired the SKS and mauser as well, still gotta say the SVT was the most fun to shoot!

 

[jcpal]

"The US " We are the best at everything " propagada spiel does get a little old though.
"

I actually never said the garand was better, the conversation is about which was developed first and who ripped off who.In fact the conversation started when RMXC51 incorrectly stated that the garand was influenced by the SVT4o[/QU is john garand not canadian

 

[Epoxy7]

You obviously have a thin for Russian rifles however the garands developement and deployment preceded the SVT. I'd argue the SVT is more of an influence to the German Gewehr41 .

Not really. Overall I'm not a Russian rifle fan. I just find the SVT40 was surprisingly advanced for it's time. I would have never suspected the Russians had them. Frankly up until about 5 years ago I didn't even know about the SVT40. It's a very cool rifle, and it's actually very affordable. Previous to owning the SVT40 if you mentioned Russian rifles I would have had little interest.

Actually my current favourite all time rifle is the AR10. .

 

[Epoxy7]

"The US " We are the best at everything " propagada spiel does get a little old though.
"

I actually never said the garand was better, the conversation is about which was developed first and who ripped off who.In fact the conversation started when RMXC51 incorrectly stated that the garand was influenced by the SVT4o[/QU is john garand not canadian

I wouldn't say there was any ripping off. Different systems. But Parallel developments I believe is what I stated. Two different systems. But as to first. Well I don't think it's a sure thing like those supporting the Garand seem to think. Plus I would wonder why the changes in 1939 for the Garand? What influenced this? Some sources say the SVT40 was in development for 20 years. Who knows. Getting reliable information about Russian firearms tends to be a lot more difficult than other firearms.

So what if he was Canadian? The Garand was considered an American achievement by the world. Especially by the Americans. Hey I'm glad for this. I'm glad the Americans had this rifle. But... I find it a real eye opener to learn what the Eastern front was fielding against each other.

 

[Epoxy7]

Forgive my newbie observations, but I asked my question because I DON'T know much about the SVT 40 whereas a lot of contributors here at CGN could be considered experts on the topic.

Personally, as long as the rifle I have will do what I want it to do (i.e., shoot accurately and reliably), I'm going to be a happy guy!

I think we could say that any of the rifles mentioned in this thread have their place in history and have lead to even better decendants in most cases.

I've heard about the Garand being an excellet battle rifle, but that doesn't mean that the Germans, Russians, Swedes, etc haven't produced excellent variants of their own. Like cars, motorcycles, knives and many other items; people have their favourites, it's just that simple. That doesn't mean that other varieties or variants are any less respectable.

To say that one country or manufacturer's rifle is "the best there ever was" seems to me to be a tough statement to make, IMHO. Personally. the whole "which-came-first" arguement for these two fine rifles seems like semantics to me.

Pretty much.
Unfortunately I've never fired a Garand. I have however fired a few SVT40s. While "Ping" nostalgia is lacking, it is a very soft shooting and pleasant rifle to shoot (although loud).

The main flaws are ammo (can get some now but harder), it's hard on brass for reloading, the lack of extra mags and the lack of availability for scope mounts etc. An AR15 it's not.

Check out Tactical Comrade here. He's sporting the magazine well hold. .

Hmm Designated marksman with semi auto. Sounds sort of current.

Seems it was also German approved. Sig 259r I believe is what they called the captured and reissued ones.