SVT 40s

albayo

albayo

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Born on PEI, Live in NB
I posted this on Main Battle Rifles but I don't think that was the correct forum.

I was at a local gun store earlier this week and they have SVT 40s with the full size mag but pinned to 5 rounds.
They received a full case of them and they ordered SKS rifles.
They looked great, I presume they will probably sell them off at a good price just to get rid of them.
What should I be looking for if I decide to buy one in the future?
How do they shoot, and what weight of bullet works in them?
They have hunting ammo for sale, but are heavy bullets something like 180 grain and I think heavier 200+ grain.
I have a 50 cal can full of FMJ ammo but light bullets.
 
Definite Milsurp post ;)

I cuckled when I read this - When I pictured your collection albayo I had imagined a dozen un refurbished Finn captured SVT40 snipers with matching bayonets... :p

I feed mine this: http://www.marstar.ca/ammo-etc/images/ASC54C4-Splash-L.jpg because it's available right now, I have run the heavier S&B http://www.theammosource.com/index...._id=34&zenid=864f05b014cd92c8eb19c5d163c15d37 and Prvi SP stuff through no problems. *shrug* You'll need to fiddle with the gas system to keep it from killing your brass and some rifles have slight issues with the feed ramp and soft point bullets but nothing that can't be easily overcome.
 
I've shot 3 different SVT40s, one mine, two belong to friends. They all shot great. I went hunting with 180gr soft points, but 150gr SP are also available and shoot just as fine. These are great rifles but make sure you pick up the gas adjustment tool. Different loads will require some different adjustments. Once its set for the ammo you like, it will be good and not require any more changes or settings.

If you go hunting, expect to make heart shots up to 175 yards. BTW, this rifle is EXTREMELY LOUD. Wear ear plugs for your hunting shots or your ears will ring for days.


Marstar and other dealers have cases of really good Russian Surplus. There are a variety of commercial loads available with good re-loadable brass. MFS products are also available in different weights and tips as non-corrosive ammo.
 
The SVT 40 is one of the few guns I have never owned. I have the bayonet so I should get whats attached to it. I have about a dozen different Mosin-Nagants and never fired a round through them. I picked up about 400 rounds of ammo and I have some ammo with steel casings but the tips are silver.
I just called and they close at 6:00 on Saturdays.
Dos anyone have a picture of the gas adjusting tool?

Cainesy Send me a PM tomorrow to remind me and I will call for price and find out if anyrthing comes with them.
 
Go on P&S Militaria site, they have a pic of the adjusting tool. Click on Trade-Ex's site up in sponsors, on top of this page, and click links, click I think stocking dealers and P&S will pop up in a list. Scroll to military rifles and go to the Russia category, and voila, a clear pic of the tool. It sounds like a lot to do but its easy, peasy, japanesy.:D:D Cheers.
 
Yes Deltasilver that the ones, green laquered in light blue box. I also have some copper washed rounds in 15 rd boxes.
Is the Czech ammo with mild steel cores corrosive?
Will have to take one of my Mosin-Nagants to the range to try them out.
 
I think its safe to assume all czech mil ball is corrosive.
I have light ball(as mentioned above) and copper washed heavy ball from Czech, its corrosive.
 
CanadianAR said:
I think its safe to assume all czech mil ball is corrosive.
I have light ball(as mentioned above) and copper washed heavy ball from Czech, its corrosive.
Click to expand...

Yup, I bought two cases of the green cased stuff from Marstar when it was current - it was advertised as corrosive and I've always treated it as such. It's not too dirty, the SVT really likes it. Gas setting on 3 gives a brisk cycle without flinging the case at the guy four benches down ;)
 
Well worth picking one up, Al. If you've ever had a Hakim, you've got a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Look for a notch in the rear of the receiver (scope mount - all pre-1942 rifles should have the rails but that's not all you want) or SA markings (Finnish) with a silver (not plum/gold) bolt, if you want something more collectable. The ones in the recent batches have all been refurbs out of Ukraine so I think the best you could expect is grabbing a Kovrov Arsenal one, or something.
 
I received a Hakim with bayonet last year but am considering selling it and a Swede AG 42b also with bayonet.
I have to decide where to stop when it comes to military firearms. I am considering stopping at the bolt guns in military with the exception of British, US, and Israeli firearms.
I also have some of the copper washed ammo as well. Its possibly the heavy ball from the Czechs that CanadianAR mentioned.
 
We're down to a few left and more than likely won't be able to get any more until the spring.
 
I've run both surplus hungarian heavy ball and czech light ball, with no problems. I don't think anybody has the hungarian stuff right now though. I've recently acquired some russian surplus light ball, but haven't tried it out yet. I've always assumed that all the east block surplus is corrosive.

Pre-42 rifles should have the rails for a scope mount, though they won't be notched unless it was actually selected for sniper duty.

While I love my SVT, the wood on the stock is soft, and the stock finish is not what I would describe as top quality.

As suggested by CanadianAR, mosinnagant.net is a good resource, as is http://surplusrifle.com/svt40/index.asp.
 
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