Svt-40

A

Adam F85

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Surrey, BC
Looking for some input from owners of SVT-40's. I have always liked the style of this rifle but am curious about how it runs and about its accuracy with iron sights. Thanks guys
 
I don't own one but from the many posts in the forum about them it seems to be agreed on that they are a great and accurate rifle.

Sks can be viewed as it's cousin but not as well build, machined, and enjoyable firearm. The downside can be the comparative ammo costs between the two .
 
Adam F85 said:
Looking for some input from owners of SVT-40's. I have always liked the style of this rifle but am curious about how it runs and about its accuracy with iron sights. Thanks guys
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They're fun. If you have a ready supply of surplus ammo then you'll really enjoy it. If you're reloading it'll take some fiddling with the gas to get things to where the brass doesn't get dented. The recent imports are bitsers - some rifles come with mags that fit beautifully and eat soft point no problems, some don't and have issues.

They're interesting to shop for as well - there are early & late model muzzle brakes, slotted receivers, un-slotted receivers, former sniper receivers, Naval stocks, AVT stocks, early war time stocks, silver bolts, plum bolts, a couple different slings, a fairly rare bayonet, three different arsenals and the ever elusive correct PU scope set up.

If you do your research, the end result can be very rewarding. If you buy from a vendor, keep an eye out for the cut down magazine. There are no aftermarket options for mags so you want the correctly pinned version.
 
Had my eyes on it since Ive seen it in action in season 1 of "Topshot" on history channel.
Dont know why I didnt buy one yet! Where are the best deals?
 
They come up on the Exchange periodically. Some dealers seem to have them in stock, but I can't remember which.

They are interesting rifles with design elements that will be familiar to anyone who has studied an SKS or an FN or FN49. The Germans liked the design enough to copy some (but not all) its features in the G43. The front end has too many parts and places for things to loosen up. The gas cylinder isn't easily adjustable, even though it should be. Didn't the Russians trust their soldiers? The trigger is long and drags. The sight is a foot away from your eyeball. I found mine is ammunition sensitive. Some loads string vertically, others plow right into the centre. It all depends.
 
one of the best milsurp rifles out there . and usually at great prices.they are usually very accurate ,and comfortable to shoot.
 
I have a 1941 Izzy and I love it! She is a bugger to clean(lots of take down parts) but shoots like a dream.The SVT 40 is definately a unique firearm,a real head turner at the range.As stated before,ammo is a real bugger to find,7.62 x 54r has been more scarce than a honest politician!
 
It shoots very accurate for me. Seems to like 150gr the best. I shot a doe earlier this fall, it ripped its heart apart at 160 yards. Very nice but very loud to shoot without ear plugs, even for just one shot while hunting. Mine is worthy of a military shoot at teh local range next time it comes up. My SVT-40 is surprisingly more accurate than my 91/30 Mosin.
 
Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone have any advice for handloading. I've made two batches of 40 rounds. Both run very smoothly and the brass is definitly reloadable after. The issue I'm having is I've had a few slamfires. The second batch I used CCI primers, which are supposed to be harder, but when I let my girlfriend shoot there was a distinct BOOM BOOM. It looks like the second round even fired out of battery or something because the only evidence of the second case was a twisted piece of brass sitting in the action. Not good.
 
cam1936 said:
Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone have any advice for handloading. I've made two batches of 40 rounds. Both run very smoothly and the brass is definitly reloadable after. The issue I'm having is I've had a few slamfires. The second batch I used CCI primers, which are supposed to be harder, but when I let my girlfriend shoot there was a distinct BOOM BOOM. It looks like the second round even fired out of battery or something because the only evidence of the second case was a twisted piece of brass sitting in the action. Not good.
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Completely dissasemble the rifle and give it a good clean. Check for built up cosmoline and chunks of brass. What is your reloading recipe? What is the gas setting your using?
 
ArtyMan said:
Completely dissasemble the rifle and give it a good clean. Check for built up cosmoline and chunks of brass. What is your reloading recipe? What is the gas setting your using?
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Recipe is 48 grains of IMR 4064 under a 150 grain Speer hot-cor (303 cal). Gas setting is at 1.3 and it nicely spits the brass out a few feet in front of me without putting a huge dent in the brass. Are there directions on how to disassemble the bolt?
 
You shouldnt have to dissasemble it to much, just the bolt itself and the bolt carrier. Soak the entire assembly in a solvent, then blow it dry with a hair dryer and lube. How hot was the rifle when it slam fired? Also check your sear to make sure it is catching properly.
 
VERY cool rifles, my 1940 Izzy is my favorite out of my whole collection. Very accurate too-I can hit the 200 meter gong at my range with open sights consistently. A bit more disassembly and cleaning is required to care for one properly, but still one kickass rifle!!
:cheers:
 
Globco's SVT-40

Ah! if only those butchers at Globco hadn't desecrated all of Finn-marked SVT-40 imported in Canada in the '70s! :mad:
And to add insult to injury, they rechambered them in .303 British, the worst choice: smaller base diameter and thin brass, a recipe for disaster.
Given an unsufficiently set back barrel (which is almost always the case on these conversions) the rear of the chamber stays at the larger Russian round's dimensions. Upon firing, the rear part of the .303 British case stretches and swells excessively and can separate, releasing gas in the action and magazine well, ballooning the magazine and wrecking the stock.
In milder occurences, many of these poor critters are found for sale with the front half of a separated case still tightly lodged up in the chamber.
I would give a lot to find a proper and untouched SA marked SVT-40.
PP. :(
 
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