hunting down an SVT 40
- Thread starter Nitroxrunsthrume
- Start date
If it's a collectable you are looking for, a Kovrov arsenal or an early model with the notch for a scope are probably the most rare. Otherwise I'd look for the best condition bore. If you ever come across a bayonet, don't think...just buy it.
They were all well used, don't think there's many "un-issued" SVT's out there...if at all. You can still get decent arsenal re-finished examples, but these rifles actually saw heavy action and show it, which in my mind makes them pretty damn cool.
They were all well used, don't think there's many "un-issued" SVT's out there...if at all. You can still get decent arsenal re-finished examples, but these rifles actually saw heavy action and show it, which in my mind makes them pretty damn cool.
DJdeadlyDALEK
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Waterloo Region of Ontario
A 1945 is the rarest of them all - only one CGN member here has one. The production run for that year was three days. I've been looking for a '44 or '45 for a year now
1945, followed by 1944 then 1940 are the years to look for. Kovrov, Izhevsk then Tula in that order in terms of rarity. 1945 and 1944 are for collectors. The build quality was lower, no scope rails, and the less efficient gas port are the norm.
I've always been partial to 1940 Izevsk guns when I can find them with the original slotted compensators.
I've always been partial to 1940 Izevsk guns when I can find them with the original slotted compensators.
Ill be digging thru the pile next weekend at our local Canadian tire where i found my supper cool minty 1952r Tula all matching numbers and i think unfired so my hopes are high that ill find a nice SVT 40 I like minty or well used i just want a nice shooter with a cool story to tell
The Kovrov's I find are 'less common' more than rare. I keep bumping into them on a regular basis (1:30 to 1:50) However a 1940 dated Kovrov would be very rare - I have not seen one, but supposedly they do exist (less than 1 month production).
The Kovrov's also have two versions of the oval/arrow narrow/wide. The wide variation is much harder to find and the narrow more common.
Seeing that they made so many shortcuts on other parts (trigger guards, swivels, mags, muzzles), I wouldn't be surprised if the early receivers are slightly nicer as well. Then again, it was the later years that the war was going well for the Russians versus the early years. This is the opposite of their former axis allies Germany, where production really diminished during 1944-45.
The Kovrov's also have two versions of the oval/arrow narrow/wide. The wide variation is much harder to find and the narrow more common.
Seeing that they made so many shortcuts on other parts (trigger guards, swivels, mags, muzzles), I wouldn't be surprised if the early receivers are slightly nicer as well. Then again, it was the later years that the war was going well for the Russians versus the early years. This is the opposite of their former axis allies Germany, where production really diminished during 1944-45.
Almost all will have a re-finished bolt with electro-penciled serial numbers. I found one SVT which I added to my collection that had an original silver bolt. These are far and few between.
The color of bolt is personal preference. They come in silver, gold, copper, plum and black. The black ones are less common - one member sold some for a premium back in the summer.
Another option is take down the bolt, place in a vinegar bath, use some copper wool if needed after a 10 minute soak, rinse in hot water and oil = silver bolt with original finish.
This is why I don't put a premium on silver bolts; any regular joe can convert their bolt back to silver if they wish. The end result is how do you know if the silver bolt is original or vinegar bathed?
I have some thoughts on the subject of Milsups. With a refurb rifle the authenticity has been ruined, but it now has new authenticity as even refurbs follow historical patterns. So the owner has two viable options:
1. Restore the rifle back to what is should look like (remove shelac, silver bolt, correct parts for the year, etc.); or
2. Leave it as is - as even a refurb is a legit variation of the rifle.
In the end it is your going to be your rifle, so do what you want with it...heck go sporterize it if you want...it makes the remaining rifles that little bit more valuable.
I was guilty of restoring RC K98's about five years ago when I first got into collecting. Swapping out parts/stocks/removing cold blue etc. The result was a much better looking K98 but some of the RC historical value was lost. Now I keep any new RC's I pick up as is. They are what they are and there is little use polishing a turd (but I would rather hold a rifle in my hands any day).
Coyote Ugly
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
A good refurb is like a good, cheap porch climber like a Magnum of Strawberry Angel wine.
Buy the cheapest SVT-40 with the best barrel. Then go celebrate!
x2 get as much ammo as you can afford now.
dont know if true, but ive heard that they are trouble gun.
gas piston wear fast, stove piping, general problem with gas regulator?
dont know, never owned one.
but the best thing to do is to search for common problem and way to detect the worst-best from the batch.
every gun have problem, dont worry to much.
gas piston wear fast, stove piping, general problem with gas regulator?
dont know, never owned one.
but the best thing to do is to search for common problem and way to detect the worst-best from the batch.
every gun have problem, dont worry to much.
They are trouble rifles for the peoples who dont know how to operate them. The secret with the gas regulator is to keep the gas tube very tight otherwise, the regulator wont hold his setting.Most problems will come from an incorrect gas setting. The gas system could have been made simpler but in its actual form, its not that bad.
Joce
With ANY gas-operated rifle, the best setting is the one which just clears the fired casing from the rifle.
Your rifle will be more accurate with this gas setting than if it is winging the empties halfway to Halifax.
That leaves as your chief source of grief the stuff in the Magazine.
Most surplus ammunition is surplus for a REASON.
The REASON generally is that it no longer is useful even as area-fire-application ammo.
The Eastern Bloc kept using chlorate primers LONG after the rest of the world abandoned the things. The PRIMERS have a definite shelf-life, especially in poor storage conditions and, believe me, it is NOT 60 years or so!
Best thing to do with surplus ammo is buy all you can, then get a set of dies and 100 fresh brass. Prime the brass with modern NCNM primers, then move the charges and bullets over to the new, primed casings. Your accuracy will improve greatly.
Hope this helps.
Your rifle will be more accurate with this gas setting than if it is winging the empties halfway to Halifax.
That leaves as your chief source of grief the stuff in the Magazine.
Most surplus ammunition is surplus for a REASON.
The REASON generally is that it no longer is useful even as area-fire-application ammo.
The Eastern Bloc kept using chlorate primers LONG after the rest of the world abandoned the things. The PRIMERS have a definite shelf-life, especially in poor storage conditions and, believe me, it is NOT 60 years or so!
Best thing to do with surplus ammo is buy all you can, then get a set of dies and 100 fresh brass. Prime the brass with modern NCNM primers, then move the charges and bullets over to the new, primed casings. Your accuracy will improve greatly.
Hope this helps.
try to tell that to those arab snipers, that kill people from half a kilometers away, with "####ty" rifle and outdated surplus ammo.
Everyone use surplus for a reason: its cheap.
the ammo is great and have no problem what so ever, alot of country still use it and it shoots perfectly.
the problem came from poor maintenance, not the ammo.
well i was not impressed.....the svt-40 did not feel good at all and what was in stock was in poor condition and of a very poor build quality, nothing for me in that lot so i was kinda bummed out but i did pic up another sks this one is really cool great colour on the stock and in great shape all numbers matching 1953r tula, now im faced with a dilemma, i can mod one and make it tacticool for free i was given a tapco stock.......but i have my own issues with making it tactical
Bazzoka_Joe
Regular
- Location
- PRQ(People Replublic of Quebec)
i got one from west rifle 2-3 years ago still in greas
Dark Alley Dan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Darkest Edmonton
Been thinking about getting one, so I dropped by P&D today to feel one up. Surprisingly light! I think I know what's happening next paycheque.
As a bonus, I was lucky enough to deal with a very pleasant young woman from Singapore behind the counter. She was very charming indeed, and a nice break from the usual "big hairy white guy" stereotype.
As a bonus, I was lucky enough to deal with a very pleasant young woman from Singapore behind the counter. She was very charming indeed, and a nice break from the usual "big hairy white guy" stereotype.
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