SVT-40 mag or Globeco Mohawk mag ?

[Sasquatch807]

Hi guys, I recently picked up a mag that might have come from a Globeco Mohawk .303 but am not sure about this. Is their any way to tell them apart from standard SVT mags ?

Tried to post pics but Photobucket is driving me nuts !

 

[Sasquatch807]

I found a "cal 303 british" stamped underneath this 5 round mag. Obviously for the Globeco Mohawk model 555 rifle.

Anyone know what the going rate might be on one of these mags before I put it on the exchange ? I have no need for this one.

 

[cantom]

I have a mini rant that's been festering re the Globeco Mohawk 555.

Most feel that they were something of an unfortunate Bubba. The base rifles were apparently Finn capture SA marked SVT-40's. Some would feel that such an original rifle would be rather desirable and rare.

At the time, the Cold War being on etc...the Russians weren't selling us cases of their front line ammo. So, to sell these turkeys, someone decided to re calibre them while sporterizing them..

Globeco removed the barrels and apparently installed an SMLE .303 barrel. The gas port was put way too close to the chamber...leading to too high operating pressures, so I've read. The action cycles too hard.

Also, the story is, the headspace wasn't properly set on them.

All of that being the case, you'd think the things would go for a song, right? I've seen them at gun shows, and people want like $600 bucks or similar for them. Like they're some kind of amazing firearm.

That's why I've never owned one. People want too much for what they are.

As for how much the mag is worth...that's a tough one.

BTW- Does anyone who's ever owned or owns a Mohawk have any anecdotes about it?


Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

 

[millwright]

From what I gathered over the time I've had mine is that most where SVT 38's not 40's and too keep them alive one must load up to the pressure that makes them operate just right. No overdoing it or using factory rds. Sadly mine still sits as I have too many other projects in front of it. But one day before I die I will make it do its thing. Sorry couldn't add any relevant info other then reload for it.

Or maybe it was just my magazine that was for the SVT 38. Its been awhile since I even looked at it. Rambling just about old man. Me

 

[collector67]

I have heard that there is a potential danger of them slam firing. Not a very well thought out design.

 

[Sasquatch807]

Imagine, according to the old advertisement Cantom posted, they were once $40 more than a GI M-1 Carbine. Yikes!!!

I've handled a couple of them over the years through my work as a WPO. The first rifle I seized from a poacher when I was new on the job back in 1988 was one of these. It looked like a contraption but it shot well enough to shoot a whitetail doe out of season.

 

[STG-44]

From the little bit of playing around I've done with mine I don't know if they exactly deserve their bad reputation.

Like all auto loaders with an adjustable gas port you need to have them set up right and use proper ammo.

I think most of the issues stem from people using old surplus .303 in them and not knowing how to adjust the gas system properly.

My only real complaint is it's pretty much impossible to fully disassemble the gas system to clean it.

 

[cantom]

From the little bit of playing around I've done with mine I don't know if they exactly deserve their bad reputation.

Like all auto loaders with an adjustable gas port you need to have them set up right and use proper ammo.

I think most of the issues stem from people using old surplus .303 in them and not knowing how to adjust the gas system properly.

My only real complaint is it's pretty much impossible to fully disassemble the gas system to clean it.

I have read that before too. That would be a pretty big problem using corrosive surplus, which much of it was.

How is the gas system captured? Permanently in there, no way to remove? Welded? Did they install the barrel, thus trapping the permanently mounted gas cyl?

I was thinking the way to make them safer might be to close off the gas hole and use the thing as a manual straight pull bolt action. But if you can't get at it...