SVT-40 Gas System Issue

[BillD]

Issue as in the cylinder and gas piston were seized solid, along with the gas system adjuster. Was doing a complete dissasembly (haven't shot it yet) just to have a good look at everything first, along with becoming more familiar with the rifle. Everything is fine, except those gas system components; started this teardown a couple days back and so I soaked those frozen components in WD-40 Rust Release Penetrant and this evening, after some persuasion, it's all now apart. Didn't beat on anything just kept working at it until it started to give a little, then more soaking and sitting, until finally it's all apart. Have cleaned it up just with solvent at this point and the parts now move again, but the movement of the piston inside the cylinder is very rough, along with the gas adjuster not wanting to move freely when back in it's housing. These parts salvageable with a little careful abrasive cleaning or just look for replacement? I think Corwin has such.

P.S. the parts in question; they don't "look" bad ie they weren't lumps of rust (and the small gas ports in the adjuster itself are clear), but they are rough to the touch.

 

[Robert Nicholson]

Keep them and use them! They look lots better than mine and mine just take a little jiggling to make the adjustment work.
There are a lot who say that no oil should be used in a gas system but I think the SVT-40 should be an exception as long as
you clean it each time.

 

[Triplany]

Looks good to me as well. I also put a light amount of oil on the piston. I don't care what anyone tells me. I turn on a tap on in the house or flush a toilet and if my svt hears it the piston wants to rust. my gas adjuster is a tight fit and not easy to move even with no tension. but I will tell you this I have had 0 issues with the rifle once I adjust the gas port for the ammo and weather. (recently got cold here so had to go to 1.5 with this light ammo from Bulgaria I am using (normally 1.2 or .13 is more than enough to cycle every time)) . Love the svt! I clean it after every outing . If I don't use oil or turn on too many taps in the house then the piston will get a small amount of surface rust (but wipes pretty much off with just a rag)

 

[BillD]

Thanks, I'm very particular about cleaning all my guns right after use - will add a little oil to the regimen for the SVT gas system after, especially since it won't see a lot of use and will spend most time in storage.