Pics of a stripped svt 40? / SVT to SVD project

H Wally

H Wally

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Hi all,
Hoping someone out there has a picture of an svt 40 with the reciever/ barrel and gas assembly removed from the wood and metal guards. I'm wondering what the possibility of creating a dragunov style rifle by using an already bubba'd svt 40. I've never seen one in person and need more info on what the gas system looks like under the wood to make provisions for it if I were to go ahead. Summer's coming and bubba is being given access to his garage again:evil:

Thanks,
H Wally
 
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I don't have mine handy, but have you checked surplusrifle.com?

Also, there were some Globe bubba'd SVTs which had the gas system moved further back iirc.
 
TheIndifferent1 said:
I don't have mine handy, but have you checked surplusrifle.com?

Also, there were some Globe bubba'd SVTs which had the gas system moved further back iirc.
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Yeah, they never give a good full picture of it though. I was under the impression that globe mohawks were dangerous at best. I suppose if I could find one it would be a start.
 
This is the best picture I've got (not very good sorry).
svt4030.JPG


Email me a reminder before the weekend and I'll take some comparison shots of the SVD and SVT receivers next to each other.
 
Awesome pics. We've had a few guys here contemplating similar conversions. I'm sure they'll find those pics more than useful.

As we can see, there are a number of differences, but I think the receiver and the gas tube will be the hardest to do.

It's doable... but it won't be easy, or cheap.
 
the biggest issue i can see is the lack of material at the rear of the SVT's receiver..
the whole stock situation depends on that mass that the SVT lacks....tricky.

maybe a rigged extension of some type...tricky tho
 
BBq_Woa! said:
the biggest issue i can see is the lack of material at the rear of the SVT's receiver..
the whole stock situation depends on that mass that the SVT lacks....tricky.

maybe a rigged extension of some type...tricky tho
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Leave it alone internally and put on a stock it that has an overmolded top part that "looks" right .... Kinda like fake M-14 selectors in a way, purely cosmetic.
 
BBq_Woa! said:
i guess so..
but in terms of strength and the way it is affixed, do you think it'd be alright?
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Replicate the internal structure of the wooden stock, so your synthetic stock fits the same, then build either a plastic or sheet metal top shell that corrects the look of it. I don't see it any different than the Dragunov looking stocks that people put on SKS's.
 
I was thinking of a heavier gauge sheet metal housing over the entire reciever section of the rifle and make a new forward guard and some sort of skeletonised rear stock. The reciever cover could theoretically be built similarly to the original wood stock, so as to take advantage of the way it was originially mounted. The reciever cover would have to be attached to the hand guard. Scope would need to be mounted to a built up section of the reciever, possibly clamping to the true reciever (or tapped:runaway:)

The key to this project is to avoid any permanent alterations to the rifle, while making an "svd'ish" rifle. Ideally one would be able to dissassemble the SVT from it's Dragunov kit, then reassemble it into its original wood.

Here are some ideas I've had:

The two original pics, without alteration, assuming 1:1 comparison, which seems reasonable after examining bas' pictures (thanks for those bas, they help a lot, considering I don't own an SVT!)

SVTIDEA0.jpg


Most basic alteration, basically adding a sheet metal lower receiver over the true reciever. Would obviously need reinforcing to be strong enough.
You can also see the difference in reciever lengths between the two firearms

SVTIDEA3.jpg


Just darkening the wood for effect, looks better no?

http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a299/Huey_luey/Guns/?action=view&current=SVTIDEA4.jpg

For those who dislike the sheet metal forward hand guard, remove it and sleeve the gas system in some heavy duty steel pipe. I personally don't like the look, but it would change the aesthetics of the rifle, making it seem longer and thinner.

SVTIDEA1.jpg


And here's when it really begins to look like an SVD (or as close as it's going to get). The entire sheet metal outer reciever cover is purely for show, and does not interact with function whatsoever. Because of complications with the top cover, it might not be able to completely mimick the Dragunov exactly because of differences in brass ejection.

SVTIDEA5.jpg



Obviously this design isn't meant for anywhere near the abuse the svt or dragunov were meant for, but it could offer a suitable substitute for not having one at all. While changeing the gas system would make it look better that would open up a whole world of rebarreling, changing of gas systems etc that I have neither the time or interest for.

Feel free to elaborate or alter my ideas for your own progress:wave:
 
Here's an Idea I like the most - making a longer front stock to cover the gas system and eliminate the need for upper and lower metal hand guards.

SVTIDEA6.jpg



It also came to me that the reciever cover itself could be replaced with part of the mock up, but that would be much more complex and possibly cause problems shooting.
 
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Gents, while I really like SVD I can't understand copying or trying to mimic real one by altering SVT. You got an inspiration - fine, how about moving on and creating something new? And I can't see anything wrong with permanent irreversible alterations if they are well thought out.
 
22lr said:
Gents, while I really like SVD I can't understand copying or trying to mimic real one by altering SVT. You got an inspiration - fine, how about moving on and creating something new? And I can't see anything wrong with permanent irreversible alterations if they are well thought out.
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That's the thing. It's letting bubba out without massacring something with historical value. That and I really like the SVD, and since nothing short of leaving canada will get me one, this is the next best thing.

If you want to look at it another way, I want a solid non restricted semi auto rifle in 7.62x54R and I want it to look modern. Same result.

If I was looking in a different caliber it may result in a different appearance, but as far as I can find, there isn't much I could do that with. (and no, I'm not buying an AR :p)
 
curtton said:
H Wally said:
SVTIDEA5.jpg


i wouldnt do the extra long HG , i would either leave it like the above pic or replace the vent shield with some sort of a tubing.

also on the svd the wooden stock looks much nicer than the plastic in the earlier pic.
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Agreed - I'm actually thinking that since there would be the effort to make it look as good as possible, I'd give birch laminate a try. It looks amazing on the russian rifles, so no reason it shouldn't look great on this.
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