Like most of you as of late, I have been having lots of problems with my SVT-40. Most ppl just end up putting them up for sale after about 40 or 50 rnds because they are having so many problems trying to get the rifle to shoot properly. It can be very frustrating trying to fix all the problems that can arise. This is why so many ppl sell them after so little rounds. Now that I have most of my problems fixed or being fixed, I'd like to share my experiences with you so that those of you out there with SVT's or are planning on buying one, know what problems can arise and how to solve them. In the end I think these are great rifles, once they are functioning properly.
Loading. There are many problems that can be found in the loading, and ejecting processes that has much to do with the magazine and stripper clip not being properly loaded or pinned correctly. First thing to look for when picking up the rifle's magazine is to make sure that it can hold the full 5 rounds. Take the magazine in hand and hand load the 5 rnds. If it cannot (mine for instance held 4 1/2 rnds and the fifth kept jumping out) you have to have the mag repinned. You can do this yourself or have someone else do it. Its not hard, just make sure its still legal in the end.
The other problem can be with the stripper clip itself. Not having your rounds loaded in the stripper clip properly can lead to a lot of things like the rounds not sitting in the mag properly or ejection problems like stove pipes or rounds still on the face of your bolt, slightly canted to the right (my latest problems solved today). When you hold the clip with the rounds facing straight up, one round should be slightly higher than the next. To do this, put the primer of your second round on top of the primer of the first round, and so on. You end up with all your tips in line at an angle. When you load the clip, load the highest rnd last and push at the base of the round. Your finger/thumb should run along the clip as you load. If you struggle with this, your doing it incorrectly (as I found out the hard way).
Ejecting. Some ejection problems can be solved by stated above. Another thing to try is to adjust your gas setting. Each number on the regulator is for a different hole. To adjust it, remove the gas piston and adjust by hand with a five sided wrench or in my case (I find this easiest), tap the regulator out so you can move it by hand. Use something to hold the regulator in place as you adjust it. I use a stub tipped pencil. Ensure the number your selecting is facing straight up on the rifle. Mine has a little hole that I line the regulator up with. If your like me, I have mine at the highest setting. As you may or may not know, this is not good. Try and keep it on the lowest possible setting. As I had it set on the highest setting before I had help fixing my problems above, I'm now going to lower my gas setting. You'll also find this to be better on the rifle itself.
Sighting. If your rifles like mine, its not putting the rounds right where I want them. All your adjustments are done on the front sight. You move the sight opposite of the way you want the rounds to go. For instance, want to move the rnds to the left, drift the front sight right. If you want to make your rounds go lower, raise your sight. Getting at your front sight is tricky. I can't find any tool that is capable of doing the job, so I'm making my own. Take a bolt that you can fit in the hood, cut and file a space for the sight itself. You may have to drill a hole for the sight to sit in as well.
I hope these tips have helped you out. There are lots of ppl who have helped me get these problems solved as I am in no way an expert. Thanks to Stevo, SVT-40, and Navy Shooter for all your help.
Loading. There are many problems that can be found in the loading, and ejecting processes that has much to do with the magazine and stripper clip not being properly loaded or pinned correctly. First thing to look for when picking up the rifle's magazine is to make sure that it can hold the full 5 rounds. Take the magazine in hand and hand load the 5 rnds. If it cannot (mine for instance held 4 1/2 rnds and the fifth kept jumping out) you have to have the mag repinned. You can do this yourself or have someone else do it. Its not hard, just make sure its still legal in the end.
The other problem can be with the stripper clip itself. Not having your rounds loaded in the stripper clip properly can lead to a lot of things like the rounds not sitting in the mag properly or ejection problems like stove pipes or rounds still on the face of your bolt, slightly canted to the right (my latest problems solved today). When you hold the clip with the rounds facing straight up, one round should be slightly higher than the next. To do this, put the primer of your second round on top of the primer of the first round, and so on. You end up with all your tips in line at an angle. When you load the clip, load the highest rnd last and push at the base of the round. Your finger/thumb should run along the clip as you load. If you struggle with this, your doing it incorrectly (as I found out the hard way).
Ejecting. Some ejection problems can be solved by stated above. Another thing to try is to adjust your gas setting. Each number on the regulator is for a different hole. To adjust it, remove the gas piston and adjust by hand with a five sided wrench or in my case (I find this easiest), tap the regulator out so you can move it by hand. Use something to hold the regulator in place as you adjust it. I use a stub tipped pencil. Ensure the number your selecting is facing straight up on the rifle. Mine has a little hole that I line the regulator up with. If your like me, I have mine at the highest setting. As you may or may not know, this is not good. Try and keep it on the lowest possible setting. As I had it set on the highest setting before I had help fixing my problems above, I'm now going to lower my gas setting. You'll also find this to be better on the rifle itself.
Sighting. If your rifles like mine, its not putting the rounds right where I want them. All your adjustments are done on the front sight. You move the sight opposite of the way you want the rounds to go. For instance, want to move the rnds to the left, drift the front sight right. If you want to make your rounds go lower, raise your sight. Getting at your front sight is tricky. I can't find any tool that is capable of doing the job, so I'm making my own. Take a bolt that you can fit in the hood, cut and file a space for the sight itself. You may have to drill a hole for the sight to sit in as well.
I hope these tips have helped you out. There are lots of ppl who have helped me get these problems solved as I am in no way an expert. Thanks to Stevo, SVT-40, and Navy Shooter for all your help.
