SVT-40 vs Norinco M14?

degreeszero

degreeszero

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Given their similar price-points and calibre, I'd be curious to hear thoughts and opinions of the experienced members, on how might a good condition SVT-40 and a new Norinco M14 (or the Polytech M305) compare.

ASSUME in each case, a basic rifle (limit of not more than $300 in any after-market tune-ups or modifications, if any), shooting only surplus cartridges.

How might the two rifles compare or contrast on the following three points:

1) Accuracy, with iron sights only, no special optics. (Has anyone actually shot these two rifles side by side at a range?)

2) Reliability, under field/bush operating conditions.

3) Maintenance and upkeep requirements.​
 
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So lets have it right, $300 available upgrade money and the choice between these two rifles?

1. M14 wins by a mile (and I do shot irons out to several hundred meters);)
2. M14 wins again.
3. M14 wins again.

As for the upgrades, get a Norc/Poly with plastic stock and add:
-M14 doctor tune up package $150 or so (he will take it apart and reassemble/tune it properly)
-NM oprod spring guide $40
-M1 Garand rear sight $50 -100 (if your rifles sight happens to be no good then get one).

I have owned an SVT40 and it cannot best the M1 Garand or the M14.
 
I have not shot these 2 rifles side by side but I did shoot them @ the range on the same day. I found that the M14 was way less felt recoil. The SVT looked a million times better. The SVT was way more complex in the break down and cleaning. Also I found that the M14 iron sight system was way easier to use although I never got to shot the SVT with iron's due to the fact he had an optic on it but it was the ussally Russian rear sight problem. Plus he was using custom loads witch were super accurate. He was getting around sub 2" group's @ 100 meter's and also tagging a 4" gong all day long @ 200 meter's. As for up keeping this firearm I see very little out there for surplus part's in Canada and information although is lots, it is still small in comparison to the M14 platform. After market parts are plentifully and you can't just own 1. Plus this M14 platform is still in use to day and with the 2 great guru's (Hungry & M14Doctor) on this site it makes it pretty hard not to have your #### fall off ;)
 
I didnt shoot a Norinco yet( mine will arrive in june). Sure, the norinco have better sight, ammo widely available, design more simple. But i love my SVT-40... look awesome, very interesting caliber, russian made, and even with the ironsight can be quite accurate. The Norinco maybe a better rifle but i will never prefer the norinco to my SVT because the tokarev have its very own personality and packed with history.:)
 
I have both: a 1940 Tula SVT and a 2007 Norinco 305S. I am a MilSurp guy, so I prefer the SVT hands down, but if I had a genuine VietNam era M14, my mind might change....
 
J996 said:
I have owned an SVT40 and it cannot best the M1 Garand or the M14.
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Really? Id take my SVT over an M1 any day. Ive fired quite a few M1s, and although they are excellent rifles the SVT is far superiour in my mind! The ten round mag, the ability to detach the mag AND feed it via stripper clips is a huge plus. I find the sights very accurate and easier to pick up then an M1s and I find the rifle better balanced and a lot lighter. Ive fired give or take 400rds through mine with not a single jam of any kind (bump fires at the beginning aside :D)

The M14 well.... no comment :D. Ive fired both a norc and a Springfield and Id take a Springfield over any SVT/M1 anyday!
 
ArtyMan said:
Really? Id take my SVT over an M1 any day.
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I was wondering when you'd show up:D

Its all what you're used too I guess. I grew up with Garands and we had an SVT as well. Yes the mag and strippers are a huge plus, one of the reasons I like the M14 so much. However in the Garands defence, if the shooter knows what he's doing he can feed enblocs pretty darn quick;)
I can hit a figure 11 at 600 yds with the M1 no problem. I would have a harder time doing that with the SVT. In my mind there is no finer military sight than the peep sight. The Garand and M14 also have a longer sight radius than the SVT in addition to peep sights. Some M1' I've had also shot like absolute lazers.
When I'm behind a Garand or M14 I KNOW the target is going down because I have alot of trigger time on those rifles.
 
J996 said:
I was wondering when you'd show up:D

Its all what you're used too I guess. I grew up with Garands and we had an SVT as well. Yes the mag and strippers are a huge plus, one of the reasons I like the M14 so much. However in the Garands defence, if the shooter knows what he's doing he can feed enblocs pretty darn quick;)
I can hit a figure 11 at 600 yds with the M1 no problem. I would have a harder time doing that with the SVT. In my mind there is no finer military sight than the peep sight. The Garand and M14 also have a longer sight radius than the SVT in addition to peep sights. Some M1' I've had also shot like absolute lazers.
When I'm behind a Garand or M14 I KNOW the target is going down because I have alot of trigger time on those rifles.
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Well said! :D One reason I feel these things get a bad rap for accuracy compared to other semi auto rifles are people are feeding these things almost exclusivly surplus.

Don't get me wrong, they are a great rifle and one day when I win the lottery I will have an M1, oh yes, one day....:D
 
degreeszero said:
Given their similar price-points and calibre, I'd be curious to hear thoughts and opinions of the experienced members, on how might a good condition SVT-40 and a new Norinco M14 (or the Polytech M305) compare.

ASSUME in each case, a basic rifle (limit of not more than $300 in any after-market tune-ups or modifications, if any), shooting only surplus cartridges.

How might the two rifles compare or contrast on the following three points:

1) Accuracy, with iron sights only, no special optics. (Has anyone actually shot these two rifles side by side at a range?)

2) Reliability, under field/bush operating conditions.

3) Maintenance and upkeep requirements.​
Click to expand...

1) SVT

SVT has great iron sights and you can easily shoot accurately with them. Norinco M305 sights were defective on most guns I have seen. Apparently it's not easy to make them and chinese "quality" talks here... I could never group my shorts (vertically) with Norinco rear sights, so I end up getting a scope (cheaper then US made rear sight).

Note: scope mounting is much more easier and available on M305.

2) Both are good, but SVT is longer and you need to adjust the screw at the front (set it 1.5 to start) for the gas tube.

3) Both are easy. Russians designed guns to make them strip easily, but M14 is easy to strip as well.

Conclusion: as it comes to the asked 1-2-3, you cannot really make a decision, so I suggest to consider the following: ammo, scoping, how often used (ammo cost).
 
guess_kto said:
1) SVT

Norinco M305 sights were defective on most guns I have seen. Apparently it's not easy to make them and chinese "quality" talks here... I could never group my shorts (vertically) with Norinco rear sights, so I end up getting a scope (cheaper then US made rear sight).
Click to expand...

My sight was actually decent believe it or not, but I still put an Italian Garand sight on, which is well within the OP's $300 limit for modifications.
 
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