SVT40 Range Report and Review

There not hard to clean, but they are fussy. Mine wont feed softpoints and doesn't like the Russian surplus. The surplus stuff has a slightly wider rim than MFS. The MFS goes through it perfect.
 
The cartridge rim digs into the shell below as its being stripped off the clip. The added friction causes the gun to jam somtimes with a shell partly chambered. The shell chambers when I smack the bolt handle forward with my palm. It's not a gas adjustment thing, it happens mostly when I'm releasing the bolt by hand (chambering the first round) The extra rim also changes the "angle" that the shells are stacked in the mag and sometimes causes the magazine follower to jam up.
For what it's worth, this is a surplus ammo problem and not a svt problem. MFS has a slightly smaller rim and my gun loves it. Never a huccup. Probably a Russian quality control issue on the ammo production. But still, it says something about the SVT when a small change in ammo spec causes problems.
 
It sounds like the rounds are not seated in the magazine properly. Are you placing your rounds with rims forward of the rim below it?
 
It should be noted that the first and major problem of the SVT reliability is that it's a semi auto shooting a rimmed cartridge. At least that's my opinion on why they are ammo fussy.
 
Question about dark bores... just got an SVT and it's in damned good shape but when I cleaned out the bore... well, I cleaned it again. And again.

And it still looks like this (representative picture but exactly what I'm seeing):

1945_Izhevsk_M44_lam.jpg


I had it out to fire and it was all over the place. A few FTEs as well.

I've just given it another really thorough detail clean and will adjust the gas up (on 1.3 currently) but the bore was the thing that concerned me the most.

What say you?
 
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What are you using to clean the bore? Some products will do a much better job at really fouled bores. Also try following up with a wire brush. Since your getting FTE make sure your magazine is clean aswell as your extractor. Basically scrub the entire thing down, using wire brushes if necessary. Also, which type of ammo are you using? How does your gas system (op rod, regulator, etc..) look?
 
After the usual Hoppe's/brush wasn't getting anywhere, used a bore cleaning foam - twice. It's worked beautifully for me before - made an Enfield and a Ross look shiny and new. Not so much this time.

Should I be concerned? Just bought it so if there's a real problem I could potentially get huffy.

Will check/clean the mag - good tip. I had heated it up in the sun and wiped out but nothing more. Seemed pretty clean.

Cleaned out the gas system initially but may have missed something - didn't take apart the regulator. Have now cleaned again. And if that doesn't work will bring along a wrench to adjust up the gas system to see if that helps.

Re: ammo, was using MFS non-corrosive. Got a couple of scoffs from others who hadn't had much luck with it. My Mosin, on the other hand, was pinging the 200 yard gong with it like crazy.
 
Arloashean said:
Question about dark bores... just got an SVT and it's in damned good shape but when I cleaned out the bore... well, I cleaned it again. And again.

And it still looks like this (representative picture but exactly what I'm seeing):

1945_Izhevsk_M44_lam.jpg


I had it out to fire and it was all over the place. A few FTEs as well.

I've just given it another really thorough detail clean and will adjust the gas up (on 1.3 currently) but the bore was the thing that concerned me the most.

What say you?
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Your bore has suffered from corrosive ammo but i would rate it in good condition, rifling is well defined,frosty but still good rifling. I have various milsurp like that and they shoot very good. Is your action fit tightly in receiver? If little loose, may explain your "wide" groups. You wont get it much more clean than that so check the stock and shoot it again, i'm sure you will get more efficient with.
Jocelyn
 
Arloashean said:
Thanks - much appreciated.

But it was supposed to be right out of the cosmo... is that a likely scenario that it would have been stored in this condition?

Should I ask the vendor for another?
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Most of svt have seen combat and may not have the proper cleaning all the time so the bore suffered. When they were returned to arsenal, most were refurb using various part and then refinished while keeping their original bore if it was judged in acceptable condition. After refurb, put in storage until now. Depend in what condition they were described by the vendor, many svt(as well others milsurp) can be overall very good cond but with a "good only" bore. Should you ask for another? Its up to you but remember that they are used military rifle so until they get shot, the dealer have no clue how they perform. Every rifle is different, somes even with a good bore can shoot as good or better than others with a nicer bore. Its the milsurp world,we buy theses olds war horses because we love them even if they are not always perfect:)
Jocelyn
 
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