Cleaning SVT 40

Pcmx

Pcmx

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What are your thoughts on cleaning these? I was hearing they can be a pain. How many rounds do you usually go through at one time? Although I find recoil to be quite manageable I had worked up quite a good flinch (forgot the safety on once :redface:)

I only put 40 rounds through to test it. MFS 203gr. Sp. and had the gas setting on lowest which probably kept it tidy. The chamber was pretty dirty though.

I'm also used to cleaning after lots of corrosive with the SKS, which can be a bit more work so that may effect my opinion, but I actually like that the SVT's gas system is far from and didn't bleed back into the action. I've also come to appreciate the (Q-tip accessible) 2 port muzzle brake.

The SVT 40 can seem downright rude to a newcomer (semmingly loud, finicky, complicated) but with a bit of practice, doesn't seem bad. What's your experience?
 
I absolutely love the SVT-40 and prefer my 6 porters over my 2 porter even though the two's are easier to clean.. just appearance I guess. I also like lots of noise lol.

Q-tips, and a good cleaning kit are your friend. I'm a bit obsessive when it comes to cleaning my rifles so it takes me awhile but to get a satisfactory clean job on an SVT isn't that hard or time consuming.

Most of the time mine function quite reliably and they are a hoot to shoot. Provided your barrel isn't all shot out, they are usually accurate enough to get the job done.

Take care.
 
I usually shoot 100-200 rounds each time I go out with it.( one time 600 rounds). No real problems with it. It gets easier everytime to clean it. One of mine didn't like the copper wash stuff, but no problems with the surplus. I usually clean the chamber from behind and the barrel the usual way.
 
Just don't shoot yourself in the eye with that big spring. It's not that big a deal once you have the disassembly down. Lots of nooks and crannies to hit up with nylon brushes, pipe cleaners and Q tips.
 
Use a live cartridge, or a dud if you have one. Slide the dust cover forward, place the tip of the bullet on the back of the spring and the base at the back of the receiver. This makes it easier to get the dust cover off, and on again too.

Sounds odd, but it works.
 
Mark-II said:
Use a live cartridge, or a dud if you have one. Slide the dust cover forward, place the tip of the bullet on the back of the spring and the base at the back of the receiver. This makes it easier to get the dust cover off, and on again too.

Sounds odd, but it works.
Click to expand...

This was probably the designers intent. Seems a lot of old milsurps can be taken down with a cartridge or common coins from the country of origin. Didn't stop me from launching parts across the room my first time though!
 
The loaded round as a tool is perfect for the dust cover and also removing the trigger group. They must have thought if no ammo was available, it wasn't worth cleaning.
 
After I picked up my '41 Tula last week, I ended up watching a lot of Youtube video's on the rifle and the disassembly and reassembly of the rifle. I found the way I preferred the best and went with it. I cleaned the rifle and got rid of all the cosmoline that Russian surplus have, and the rifle is ready to shoot. I thought it was going to be a lot harder to clean and was quite surprised how well it went. Now I want to buy another one and haven't even shot this one.

-Shawn
 
Haha, I think we've all launched a spring across the room the first time, or at least many! I took it apart repeatedly and found a simple way that works for me now every time.

Good thing they cut back on nooks and crannies after 1942, ;) no, but I was dreading it'd be worse. Next time I'll have to try a couple hundred.. or 600 rounds! That would be sweet
 
I'm starting to really enjoy these rifles. After you've stripped one 4 or 5 times you really could do it blindfolded. If it's your first time the you-tube videos are good. Pull the dust-cover forward and insert cartridge and you're off and running. Nothing to be afraid of. I always clean from the breech which is nice to be able to do. Do be careful that you don't put a kink in either of the recoil springs while removing or installing. I have found that a couple of my refurbs weren't zeroed by the factory very well and it took quite a pounding to drift the front leaf (while carefully supporting the muzzle brake assembly in a vice). I found that with a few minutes of file work I was able to make a front sight adjuster for the Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk1 fit on the SVT and I don't go to the range without it now. Great rifles at great prices.

Milsurpo
 
The SVT-40 is only a pain in the ass to take it apart and put it back together once or twice. Once you get the hang of it, Its so easy, its easier than taking apart a Norinco M305.

Since its MFS non corrosive ammo, you could get away with just opening the bolt, clean the bolt face, clean the barrel, clean the mag feed plate, take apart the gas system, (way easier to take apart the gas system than the action) clean the gas system, oil it, then call it a day. I leave a $1200 (not including price of scope or sling) hunting rifle dirty from September till the end of hunting season. Guns don't have to be white glove approved clean. They just need to be able to operate and prevent rust with oil. You're not in the army and obsessive cleaning leads to premature wear especially for the barrel.
 
The SVT barrel wears out me, or at least my cleaning supplies - my bronze brush got ground down by the roughness of the barrel. It's the worst I've had so that was probably the trickiest part :p.

The Garand got me into a habit of cleaning from the muzzle. I went from the breech with this one, through the back of the receiver at the trigger release. It's the way from what I figure. I didn't use the rod it came with so an added piece was needed but my cleaning rod is worn and worse with an extension and I should invest in a better one. Then it's be much easier.
 
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There is some uniqueness to cleaning the svt40, but so be it. Its a nice rifle to shoot, be it good points or bad. I always print off a good copy of the manual to keep in the shop so I don't have to have greasy fingers on my computer. As previously said, once you've done it a few times it gets easy. Having that said, its not the rifle for everyone if you don't enjoy all parts of shooting and rifle maintenance.
 
When my son took apart his first SKS he somehow managed to remove the dust cover with the bolt charged. If his brother hadn't been in the way I'm sure the spring would have gone through the sliding glass door.
 
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