SVT-40 Problem/question

[ThrowBack]

Ok, so I've drank the SVT-40 Kool Aid and the rifle has very quickly become one of my all time favorites to shoot. I bought a like-new 1941 Tula refurb and have so far put about 300 rounds of Bulgarian ball through it.
The problem that has reared its ugly head at the range is the recoil spring was getting stuck compressed in the bolt carrier. I literally had to pry the spring assembly and guide out of the bolt carrier. What could be causing this? Do I have my gas setting too high and am beating the crap out of the rifle? Do I need new springs? If so where is a good place to order SVT-40 parts in Canada?

Secondly, what's the optimal distance the rifle should be ejecting spent casings? The other reason I suspect I'm over-gassing her is the casings fly about 10 feet front-right. I have my gas set to 1.5

 

[Ced1942]

Id say find your own optimal gas setting for this particular rifle. Put the gas setting to the lowest (1.1 or 1.3 i think?) and fire the rifle. It should FTE which is perfectly normal so work your way up to each gas setting until the rifle cycle without any failure. That way you dont end up over gassing.

From what i know about Svt-40, brass flying 10 feet away is way too far

 

[matthunt101]

I agree. Most SVTs I've handled operate fine on 1.3 (the middle setting) or lower. My shooter operates at 1.2 most times and 1.1 with hot ammo, my friends operates flawlessly at 1.2 regardless of ammo. But YMMV.

 

[ThrowBack]

Sounds good. I'll turn the gas down before hitting the range next time. I'm just about out of the Bulgarian surplus and moving on to 2 crates of Chinese surplus (1760 rounds) so no idea how hot that stuff is.

 

[derr12]

Accuracy and dirtyness, about the same. The Chinese stuff likes to crack in the neck. Does not affect function. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Ftf from either.