SVT-40 what to look for ?
- Thread starter trap666
- Start date
Bore condition and stock bedding, that is if you plan to shoot the thing. Most or all of these have been rebuilt, and the stocks on some have been sanded down to thin little splinters and flex and twist like crazy. Matching numbers is a bonus for a shooter, but probably number one item if you're a collector.
You'll find that most stocks have had repairs, and bores are usually frosted, rather than shiny. There are a few models of the SVT, some have the grooves machined in the receiver for a scope mount. If it doesn't have the grooves, you can't mount a scope without drilling into the gun.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
- Location
- West Quebec
^^^^ Good point...
I have bought and traded/sold several SVT40's
value for rarity on receivers goes Podolsk, Izhevsk, Tula (higher to lower)
Year dates of rarity 1941, 1940, 1942, 1943 mythical 1944 from low to high)
I suggest reading the FAQ that Horilka wrote in the milsurp section on this rifle as it is very informative and one of the best resources on the net, my personal goal for the rifles was as original and best fit as possible. One rifle that I picked up moved at least 1cm back and forth in the stock and if I shook it the rattle was like the whole red army. It was the only rifle I sold fast for cost (probably could have done better but sold with full disclosure at it required bedding that I wasn't willing to do).
Sometimes pure rarity is of less value than personal value. I was lucky enough to find a Izhevsk 1941 with the serial number 1980 which is the year I was born, I was looking online on my actual birthday at the time.....It also shoots amazingly well (for an SVT with the odd Grimlin)
like folks have said above as with all milsurps if possible break down the rifle to inspect the parts if you intend to use it. This is important for SVT's as parts while available are much less common than for SKS's and Mosin's at this point in 2019. Watch some video's on how to break down the rifle and you will have no trouble. It is designed to be disassembled in the field with the parts available. So using the cleaning rod and or a spare round you can break down the whole rifle. Some due to fitting issues like a little work around with the rubber mallot to remind them who's boss to.
value for rarity on receivers goes Podolsk, Izhevsk, Tula (higher to lower)
Year dates of rarity 1941, 1940, 1942, 1943 mythical 1944 from low to high)
I suggest reading the FAQ that Horilka wrote in the milsurp section on this rifle as it is very informative and one of the best resources on the net, my personal goal for the rifles was as original and best fit as possible. One rifle that I picked up moved at least 1cm back and forth in the stock and if I shook it the rattle was like the whole red army. It was the only rifle I sold fast for cost (probably could have done better but sold with full disclosure at it required bedding that I wasn't willing to do).
Sometimes pure rarity is of less value than personal value. I was lucky enough to find a Izhevsk 1941 with the serial number 1980 which is the year I was born, I was looking online on my actual birthday at the time.....It also shoots amazingly well (for an SVT with the odd Grimlin)
like folks have said above as with all milsurps if possible break down the rifle to inspect the parts if you intend to use it. This is important for SVT's as parts while available are much less common than for SKS's and Mosin's at this point in 2019. Watch some video's on how to break down the rifle and you will have no trouble. It is designed to be disassembled in the field with the parts available. So using the cleaning rod and or a spare round you can break down the whole rifle. Some due to fitting issues like a little work around with the rubber mallot to remind them who's boss to.
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Trap666: You should still be able to find one that hasn't been used post refurb which will guarantee it hasn't been misused or shot with corrosive a bunch. Fit in the stock is a crapshoot but easily modified without permanently altering the gun. Bore condition is all over the page with maybe one in 10 or 15 having an exceptional bore. Most have darkened and frosty or lightly pitted grooves but don't assume a less than perfect bore won't shoot. Also don't assume the thick, later stocks guarantee a better shooter (my most accurate SVT 40's have all been in the thin early stocks). If you're looking at one that the owner has shot ask for a photo of a couple of 100 yard targets. And yes, only go for one with all the numbers matching (electro-pencilled). At the refurb facilities they replaced everything and adjusted headspace by having different length bolts available and you want the one they umbered to it. Other numbered pieces are less critical but there are still lots and lots of ones out there that are matching. And when you get one practice disassembly a lot until you find it's nothing at all to strip and fully clean after use. Very enjoyable rifle at the range- as long as you end up with a reasonably accurate one. Good luck.
milsurpo
Edburns117
Member
- Location
- SW Ontario
Many good points above about stocks and gun design differences but mainly these it’s the bore that gets wore out. Depends what you are looking for, I have one with poor bore and anything above 150yards gets hard to hit. Well depending on how big the target is haha!
Gas system is a good place to check too or find out if it has ever had corrosive ammo out down it. Many people like the cheap ammo but don’t go far enough when cleaning the guns. The guy who sold me mine sent a video on how to tear it down which was a lot of help. Great gun and fun to shoot
Gas system is a good place to check too or find out if it has ever had corrosive ammo out down it. Many people like the cheap ammo but don’t go far enough when cleaning the guns. The guy who sold me mine sent a video on how to tear it down which was a lot of help. Great gun and fun to shoot
