Introduction
Underestimated by many, the Samozaryadnaya Vintovka Tokareva, Obrazets 1940 goda (Tokarev self-loading rifle model 1940) or SVT 40, is one of the finest military rifle made. I wanted to make a thread for this fine rifle, to give some information about history, variations, and disassembly. We will focus mainly on the SVT 40 since it is more common than the SVT 38. I tried my best to get accurate information from reliable sources but some sources differ and not always accurate as needed. I'm not an expert in anyway, just a lover of that fine rifle.
Fiodor Vassilievitch Tokarev
History
The SVT 40 was first born as the SVT 38 rifle. The designer of the rifle was Fiodor Vassilievitch Tokarev. Tokarev was well known as the designer of the Tokarev pistol TT-30 and TT-33. Begining in the early 30's, Tokarev was working on a self loading gas operated rifle. At the same time, another firearm designer known as Sergey Simonov, who also created the SKS carbine model 1945, was also working on a self-loading rifle. In the mid-1930's, Simonov and Tokarev submitted designs. The Simonov rifle was selected and was put in production in 1936 as the AVS 36 rifle. The AVS 36 was a selective fire rifle chambered for the 7.62x54R Russian service cartridge. Soon after entering in service, the AVS 36 proven to be unreliable, difficult to field strip and to manufacture, the production stopped on May 16 1939. During that period, Tokarev refined his rifle prototype that would become the SVT 38, chambered for the 7.62x54R. Adopted on February 26 1939, actual production started on July 16, 1939. After working out some problems, the rifle was ready for mass production on October 1 1939 at the Ishevsk arsenal.
The SVT 38 is 122 cm length, weight 3.95 kg empty with a barrel length of 63.5 cm. The removable magazine holds 10 rounds. The rifle could be loaded with same strippers clips used on contemporary Mosin Nagant bolt action rifle.
The SVT38 is gas operated. Upon firing, a small amount of gas is bled from the barrel through a gas port, then pushing a piston to contact the bolt carrier. When fully locked forward or in battery, the rear of the bolt is held down again a lug in the receiver. After firing, the bolt carrier is pushed back, unlocking the bolt and allowing the bolt to travel to the rear, ejecting spent case. When the recoil spring is fully compressed inside the carrier it forces the bolt forward, stripping a cartridge from the magazine and locking again in the receiver.
The gas port is equipped with a 5 positions gas regulator marked 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.7. The gas regulator allows the rifle to function in different conditions with different ammunition. The barrel was fitted with a 12-port muzzle break. The stock is made of 2 pieces. The handguard is made in 2 pieces with the front section including a metal shroud, to cover the piston assembly. The rear sight is an open V-tangent with a notched slider and a shielded front post, complete the sighting system. Grooves were machined on either side of the receiver for a telescopic sight base. The telescope used on the SVT 38 sniper was a short tube of 3.5X power. The mount slides on the receiver grooves and secures on the top with a locking key.
Each rifle includes a cleaning rod on the right side. The safety is located at the rear of the trigger guard, rotating to the left in "fire" or straight down to "safe". The rifle was also furnished with a bayonet. Two models of bayonet was used on the SVT 38. The early model had a longer blade that late model’s shorter blade.
The SVT 38 in combat
The "Winter War" between Finland and USSR in 1939-1940 was a real test for the SVT 38. Soon, some flaws of the Tokarev became evident. The 2-piece stock proved to be unnecessarily fragile. The magazine could be lost too easily. In severe field conditions, the rifle suffered from stoppages. While the designers were not blameless, many malfunctions could be attributed to inadequate training of the average Soviet soldier. The Finns captured a few Tokarev rifles and made good use of them. SVT 38 production ended on April 13 1940 in favor of its improved version, the SVT 40. Total production of the SVT 38 is estimated around 150,000 rifles.
The SVT 40
The SVT 40 incorporated many improvements over the SVT 38. The SVT 40 has a 1 piece stock, the handguard was shortened and handguard extentions made of stamped steel were used on top and bottom. The cleaning rod was moved under the barrel and was secured on the bayonet lug via a spring loaded catch. The magazine was slightly shortened and floor plate was flat stamped unlike the cupped one of the SVT 38. The magazine release was stamped and could be folded to prevent accidental loss of the mag. Only one barrel band used instead of two. The receiver was still grooved to accept a scope mount. The sling attaches on the barrel band instead of the muzzle extension. With these changes and fewer manufacturing shortcuts, the SVT 40 production was more effective. The SVT 40 entered in full production on July 1 1940. The SVT 40 was 122 cm length, weight 3,9kg with a barrel of 62.5cm. The production began at the Tula Arsenal plant #314, then Izhevsk,plant #74 and Podolsk plant #460. The Podolsk Tokarev production lasted less than a year,end of 1940 to fall 1941, so the Podolsk SVT rifles are much less common. In 1941, the Tula production moved to Mednogorsk until the end of production in 1945. Beginning in 1942, Izhevsk received an order to restart production of the bolt action Moisin Nagant, so SVT production continued at lower rate. Tula continued SVT production until January 3 1945 when production was stopped for good. This abrupt end would mean that a 1945 dated Tokarev would be extremely scarce. Effectively, 1944 was the last full year of production. From all arsenals, about 1,600,000 SVT 40 rifles were assembled.
Tokarev markings
Ishevsk arsenal
Tula arsenal(Mednogorsk end of 1941 to 1945)
Podolsk arsenal
The little box stamped above the Tula star indicate a SVT 38 rebuilt to SVT 40 configuration.
SVT 40 with German capture marking
SVT with Finn capture markings
The SVT 40 and the Wehrmacht
When Germany invaded Russia in 1941 during Operation Barbarossa, they already had a self loading rifle, the Gewehr 41, otherwise known as the G41. The G41 used a complicated gas trapping system at the muzzle. It was difficult to clean. The rifle was complex, and not reliable. As soon as the Germans got their hands on captured SVT 40 rifles, they saw how good the design was. Many design elements of the G43 were inspired by the SVT. Captured Tokarevs gained more and more popularity among the German soldiers. So much so, the rifle became a very prized war trophy. In fact, they became so popular that the Germans renamed the rifles and issued a manual for it. The SVT 38 become the SIG.258(r), the SVT 40 as the SIG.259(r) and the SVT 40 sniper was named SIG.Zf260(r). The SVT 40 was considered overly complex for the average Soviet soldier, but in German hands, the rifle proved to be a reliable combat rifle. The same can be said about the well trained Soviet naval troops, who evidently appreciated the rifle’s capability.
German soldiers using Tokarev rifle
Modifications and variants
During the production, further manufacturing change were made to the SVT 40.
-12 port muzzle brake replaced by a 4 larges ports one.
-2 type of trigger guard used. The narrow and the wide types.
-In late 1942,a stock with Moisin style sling slot appeared.
-scope mount grooves no longer made after 1942
-sling swivel on the front band was changed to a fixed bar for swivel attachment.
Top: early slotted muzzle brake
Bottom: later 4 port muzzle brake
Left: narrow trigger guard.(1940-1942)
Right:large trigger guard.(1942-1945)
Late stock with sling slot instead of the typical sling swivel.
Top: early sling swivel attachement.(1940-end of 1942)
Bottom: later fixed attachement.(end of 1942-1945)
The AVT 40 is a selective fire version of the regular SVT 40. On the regular SVT, the safety is flipped at left for "fire" and down for "safe" On the AVT, the safety is flipped at the right for "full auto" mode. Externally, the AVT looks the same as the SVT. Reportedly, larger 15 or 20 rounds magazines were designed. However, the author could not find any further information. The AVT entered in production in August 1943, but was halted soon after because the rifle was uncontrollable in full automatic fire and suffered from parts breakages.
AVT stock. We can see the 2 clearance cuts for the safety. Many SVT 40 rifles received AVT stocks during factory refurbishing.
Another version of the SVT was the SKT 40 carbine. Very few were made, possibly in 1941 or 1942. Not much info is available on these.
About 55,900 SVT 40 rifles were issued as sniper rifles. A scope mount slid into grooves in the receiver and was locked on top by a small locking key. The top rear of receiver was notched for the locking key. A spring loaded plunger at the rear of the mount prevented the mount from moving during firing. The scope was a short PU 3.5X. Some sources indicate that the sniper version suffered from inaccuracy of the first shot, and that the rifles’ accuracy was not good beyond 500 meters. Production of the Tokarev sniper was about 7,000 in 1940, 34,710 in 1941 and 14,200 in 1942, the last year production for the sniper version. Despite the early stoppage of production, sniper versions were used until the end of the war.
1941 Tula Tokarev sniper, nonmatching, 1941 scope and reproduction mount.
Sniper version has a notch at the top rear of the received to lock the scope mount.
PU 3.5X scope on repro mount.
Famous soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko with a SVT 40 sniper rifle
Accessories
The usuals accessories were:
-bayonet
-tool kit
-magazine pouch
-sling
-Blank firing device
SVT 40 bayonet have short blade (9.5 inches) and are blued or polished.
One uncommon model has the cutting edge on the top of the blade. The more common model, has the cutting edge on the bottom.
SVT 40 bayonets: from top to bottom
-early model with the cutting edge up, polished blade
-later model with the cutting edge on the bottom, polished blade
-blued bayonet
Typical SVT 40 tool kit include a cleanig jag, a pointed tool, wrench for gas adjustment and gas system disassembly, and some kit include a front sight/stock cross bolt tool. A oiler was also carried.
SVT 40 tools kit.
Variations of gas adjustment tool
-SVT 38 tool
-SVT 40 tool
-SVT 40 special
Magazine pouches were designed to hold 2 magazines. Earlier pouches were canvas and leather construction, while later versions were all leather.
magazines pouchs
Earlier Tokarev slings were leather, with buckles at each ends, later sling were canvas with leather attaching points.
From top to bottom:
-early leather sling
-second and third are later canvas sling
-last is a winter sling
A blank firing device has been made for the Tokarev, however none have been encountered by the author.
Blank firing device.
SVT 40 disassembly and gas adjustment
The SVT 40
First, make sure the rifle is unloaded
Remove the magazine and close the bolt
Graps the rear cover and slide it fully foward,keeping the parts on control at all time.
With your thumb, hold the spring guide and lift up the cover away from the spring guide and the rifle. After keeping the spring under control, remove the spring from the bolt carrier.
If difficulty is encountered on reassembly of the rear cover, a cartridge can be used to keep the recoil spring compressed so the cover is easily attached to the recoil spring guide.
Next, pull to bolt to the rear until you can tilt the bolt handle,up to the left, to clear the receiver tracks.
Note the relation with the track on the right side of carrier with the corresponding notch in the receiver.
Remove the bolt from the carrier
Bolt disassembly.
To remove the extractor, using a small blunt object,depress the extractor plunger reward so the extractor can be un hooked and lifted away.
To reassemble, place the extractor spring and plunger in the bolt then with the rear of the extractor, compress the plunger and seat the extractor in the bolt.
The firing pin is removed after drifting out the small pin at the rear of the bolt. The pin can go either ways. Then the firing pin and spring will come out. There,s a notch on the firing pin for the retaining pin.
Let,s see now how to take apart the gas system.
Depress the catch and remove the cleaning rod.
Depress the catch to unlock the handguard band and slide the band away from the barrel
Lift the rear of the upper metal handguard and slide it rearward to disengage from the lower metal handguard.
Now we can see the gas system.
Remove the wooden handguard
Pull the piston rod to the rear until its clear from the piston and after, remove the rod from the rifle.
Now, remove the piston from the gas tube
With a wrench or a SVT gas tool, loosen and remove the gas tube
Push the gas regulator in so you can remove it from the gas block.
Gas adjustment.
If the rifle do not operate reliably, the gas system may need to be adjusted. The gas regulator is pentagonal shaped. A special wrench was issued for this task, just slide the wrench on the regulator and turn to the appropriate setting. Always use the lowest setting that will operate the rifle properly. Usually, 1.3-1.5 setting is good with 148-150gr bullets and 1.1-1.2 with 180-200gr bullets. However, setting may vary from rifle to rifle.
SVT gas tool make adustment easy.
The number on the regulator must face up when set properly.
If gas tool is not available, the setting can be changed like follow:
After removing the sheet metal handguard that protect the gas system, the piston rod is pulled to the rear and set aside so the piston can be slide off the gas tube.
Using a 5/16 or 8mm wrench, loosen the gas tube so the regulator can be turned by hand. after setting the regulator, tighten the gas tube securely, dont strip the threads but tight it snug.
SVT show but 5/16 or 8mm can be use.
Trigger group removal.
At the rear of the rifle receiver, swing the little gate to the left,with the cleaning rod or any similar object, push the catch to unlock the trigger group and remove from the rifle.
The stock can be removed from the rifle after removing the cross bolt. As a precaution, it is not necessary to remove the stock more than once a year for inspection. To remove the stock crossbolt and the front sight elevetion,a tool was designed for that purpose. That tool can be hard to find so i made an home made version using a bolt. After the crossbolt have been unscrewed,the stock can be removed from the rifle and the metal stock extension as well.
The muzzlebrake tip can be unscrewed to clean the break or to install the blank firng device. The tip is left hand threaded,the tip will unscrew turning clockwise. The SVT special wrench is used for that purpose.
SVT 40 field stripped!
The magazine can be disassembled if needed. Proceed as follow:
With a pointed object, depress the internal spring by inserting the object through the hole in the magazine floorplate.
Slide the floorplate fully forward to access the internals components. be carefull, the magazine spring is under pressure so keep the parts in control to prevents them of flying up!
When you reassemble the magazine, be sure to slide the floorplate completely until its locked in place.
Reverse procedure to reassemble the rifle. The SVT is not so complicate but care must be taken when taking apart the gas system because of the smalls parts involved,that can be lost easily. I hope this thread will be appreciated, i tried my best but i'm not a writer and my english is far from perfect. Thankyou for reading.
Joce
Underestimated by many, the Samozaryadnaya Vintovka Tokareva, Obrazets 1940 goda (Tokarev self-loading rifle model 1940) or SVT 40, is one of the finest military rifle made. I wanted to make a thread for this fine rifle, to give some information about history, variations, and disassembly. We will focus mainly on the SVT 40 since it is more common than the SVT 38. I tried my best to get accurate information from reliable sources but some sources differ and not always accurate as needed. I'm not an expert in anyway, just a lover of that fine rifle.
Fiodor Vassilievitch Tokarev
History
The SVT 40 was first born as the SVT 38 rifle. The designer of the rifle was Fiodor Vassilievitch Tokarev. Tokarev was well known as the designer of the Tokarev pistol TT-30 and TT-33. Begining in the early 30's, Tokarev was working on a self loading gas operated rifle. At the same time, another firearm designer known as Sergey Simonov, who also created the SKS carbine model 1945, was also working on a self-loading rifle. In the mid-1930's, Simonov and Tokarev submitted designs. The Simonov rifle was selected and was put in production in 1936 as the AVS 36 rifle. The AVS 36 was a selective fire rifle chambered for the 7.62x54R Russian service cartridge. Soon after entering in service, the AVS 36 proven to be unreliable, difficult to field strip and to manufacture, the production stopped on May 16 1939. During that period, Tokarev refined his rifle prototype that would become the SVT 38, chambered for the 7.62x54R. Adopted on February 26 1939, actual production started on July 16, 1939. After working out some problems, the rifle was ready for mass production on October 1 1939 at the Ishevsk arsenal.
The SVT 38 is 122 cm length, weight 3.95 kg empty with a barrel length of 63.5 cm. The removable magazine holds 10 rounds. The rifle could be loaded with same strippers clips used on contemporary Mosin Nagant bolt action rifle.
The SVT38 is gas operated. Upon firing, a small amount of gas is bled from the barrel through a gas port, then pushing a piston to contact the bolt carrier. When fully locked forward or in battery, the rear of the bolt is held down again a lug in the receiver. After firing, the bolt carrier is pushed back, unlocking the bolt and allowing the bolt to travel to the rear, ejecting spent case. When the recoil spring is fully compressed inside the carrier it forces the bolt forward, stripping a cartridge from the magazine and locking again in the receiver.
The gas port is equipped with a 5 positions gas regulator marked 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.7. The gas regulator allows the rifle to function in different conditions with different ammunition. The barrel was fitted with a 12-port muzzle break. The stock is made of 2 pieces. The handguard is made in 2 pieces with the front section including a metal shroud, to cover the piston assembly. The rear sight is an open V-tangent with a notched slider and a shielded front post, complete the sighting system. Grooves were machined on either side of the receiver for a telescopic sight base. The telescope used on the SVT 38 sniper was a short tube of 3.5X power. The mount slides on the receiver grooves and secures on the top with a locking key.
Each rifle includes a cleaning rod on the right side. The safety is located at the rear of the trigger guard, rotating to the left in "fire" or straight down to "safe". The rifle was also furnished with a bayonet. Two models of bayonet was used on the SVT 38. The early model had a longer blade that late model’s shorter blade.
The SVT 38 in combat
The "Winter War" between Finland and USSR in 1939-1940 was a real test for the SVT 38. Soon, some flaws of the Tokarev became evident. The 2-piece stock proved to be unnecessarily fragile. The magazine could be lost too easily. In severe field conditions, the rifle suffered from stoppages. While the designers were not blameless, many malfunctions could be attributed to inadequate training of the average Soviet soldier. The Finns captured a few Tokarev rifles and made good use of them. SVT 38 production ended on April 13 1940 in favor of its improved version, the SVT 40. Total production of the SVT 38 is estimated around 150,000 rifles.
The SVT 40
The SVT 40 incorporated many improvements over the SVT 38. The SVT 40 has a 1 piece stock, the handguard was shortened and handguard extentions made of stamped steel were used on top and bottom. The cleaning rod was moved under the barrel and was secured on the bayonet lug via a spring loaded catch. The magazine was slightly shortened and floor plate was flat stamped unlike the cupped one of the SVT 38. The magazine release was stamped and could be folded to prevent accidental loss of the mag. Only one barrel band used instead of two. The receiver was still grooved to accept a scope mount. The sling attaches on the barrel band instead of the muzzle extension. With these changes and fewer manufacturing shortcuts, the SVT 40 production was more effective. The SVT 40 entered in full production on July 1 1940. The SVT 40 was 122 cm length, weight 3,9kg with a barrel of 62.5cm. The production began at the Tula Arsenal plant #314, then Izhevsk,plant #74 and Podolsk plant #460. The Podolsk Tokarev production lasted less than a year,end of 1940 to fall 1941, so the Podolsk SVT rifles are much less common. In 1941, the Tula production moved to Mednogorsk until the end of production in 1945. Beginning in 1942, Izhevsk received an order to restart production of the bolt action Moisin Nagant, so SVT production continued at lower rate. Tula continued SVT production until January 3 1945 when production was stopped for good. This abrupt end would mean that a 1945 dated Tokarev would be extremely scarce. Effectively, 1944 was the last full year of production. From all arsenals, about 1,600,000 SVT 40 rifles were assembled.
Tokarev markings
Ishevsk arsenal
Tula arsenal(Mednogorsk end of 1941 to 1945)
Podolsk arsenal
The little box stamped above the Tula star indicate a SVT 38 rebuilt to SVT 40 configuration.
SVT 40 with German capture marking
SVT with Finn capture markings
The SVT 40 and the Wehrmacht
When Germany invaded Russia in 1941 during Operation Barbarossa, they already had a self loading rifle, the Gewehr 41, otherwise known as the G41. The G41 used a complicated gas trapping system at the muzzle. It was difficult to clean. The rifle was complex, and not reliable. As soon as the Germans got their hands on captured SVT 40 rifles, they saw how good the design was. Many design elements of the G43 were inspired by the SVT. Captured Tokarevs gained more and more popularity among the German soldiers. So much so, the rifle became a very prized war trophy. In fact, they became so popular that the Germans renamed the rifles and issued a manual for it. The SVT 38 become the SIG.258(r), the SVT 40 as the SIG.259(r) and the SVT 40 sniper was named SIG.Zf260(r). The SVT 40 was considered overly complex for the average Soviet soldier, but in German hands, the rifle proved to be a reliable combat rifle. The same can be said about the well trained Soviet naval troops, who evidently appreciated the rifle’s capability.
German soldiers using Tokarev rifle
Modifications and variants
During the production, further manufacturing change were made to the SVT 40.
-12 port muzzle brake replaced by a 4 larges ports one.
-2 type of trigger guard used. The narrow and the wide types.
-In late 1942,a stock with Moisin style sling slot appeared.
-scope mount grooves no longer made after 1942
-sling swivel on the front band was changed to a fixed bar for swivel attachment.
Top: early slotted muzzle brake
Bottom: later 4 port muzzle brake
Left: narrow trigger guard.(1940-1942)
Right:large trigger guard.(1942-1945)
Late stock with sling slot instead of the typical sling swivel.
Top: early sling swivel attachement.(1940-end of 1942)
Bottom: later fixed attachement.(end of 1942-1945)
The AVT 40 is a selective fire version of the regular SVT 40. On the regular SVT, the safety is flipped at left for "fire" and down for "safe" On the AVT, the safety is flipped at the right for "full auto" mode. Externally, the AVT looks the same as the SVT. Reportedly, larger 15 or 20 rounds magazines were designed. However, the author could not find any further information. The AVT entered in production in August 1943, but was halted soon after because the rifle was uncontrollable in full automatic fire and suffered from parts breakages.
AVT stock. We can see the 2 clearance cuts for the safety. Many SVT 40 rifles received AVT stocks during factory refurbishing.
Another version of the SVT was the SKT 40 carbine. Very few were made, possibly in 1941 or 1942. Not much info is available on these.
About 55,900 SVT 40 rifles were issued as sniper rifles. A scope mount slid into grooves in the receiver and was locked on top by a small locking key. The top rear of receiver was notched for the locking key. A spring loaded plunger at the rear of the mount prevented the mount from moving during firing. The scope was a short PU 3.5X. Some sources indicate that the sniper version suffered from inaccuracy of the first shot, and that the rifles’ accuracy was not good beyond 500 meters. Production of the Tokarev sniper was about 7,000 in 1940, 34,710 in 1941 and 14,200 in 1942, the last year production for the sniper version. Despite the early stoppage of production, sniper versions were used until the end of the war.
1941 Tula Tokarev sniper, nonmatching, 1941 scope and reproduction mount.
Sniper version has a notch at the top rear of the received to lock the scope mount.
PU 3.5X scope on repro mount.
Famous soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko with a SVT 40 sniper rifle
Accessories
The usuals accessories were:
-bayonet
-tool kit
-magazine pouch
-sling
-Blank firing device
SVT 40 bayonet have short blade (9.5 inches) and are blued or polished.
One uncommon model has the cutting edge on the top of the blade. The more common model, has the cutting edge on the bottom.
SVT 40 bayonets: from top to bottom
-early model with the cutting edge up, polished blade
-later model with the cutting edge on the bottom, polished blade
-blued bayonet
Typical SVT 40 tool kit include a cleanig jag, a pointed tool, wrench for gas adjustment and gas system disassembly, and some kit include a front sight/stock cross bolt tool. A oiler was also carried.
SVT 40 tools kit.
Variations of gas adjustment tool
-SVT 38 tool
-SVT 40 tool
-SVT 40 special
Magazine pouches were designed to hold 2 magazines. Earlier pouches were canvas and leather construction, while later versions were all leather.
magazines pouchs
Earlier Tokarev slings were leather, with buckles at each ends, later sling were canvas with leather attaching points.
From top to bottom:
-early leather sling
-second and third are later canvas sling
-last is a winter sling
A blank firing device has been made for the Tokarev, however none have been encountered by the author.
Blank firing device.
SVT 40 disassembly and gas adjustment
The SVT 40
First, make sure the rifle is unloaded
Remove the magazine and close the bolt
Graps the rear cover and slide it fully foward,keeping the parts on control at all time.
With your thumb, hold the spring guide and lift up the cover away from the spring guide and the rifle. After keeping the spring under control, remove the spring from the bolt carrier.
If difficulty is encountered on reassembly of the rear cover, a cartridge can be used to keep the recoil spring compressed so the cover is easily attached to the recoil spring guide.
Next, pull to bolt to the rear until you can tilt the bolt handle,up to the left, to clear the receiver tracks.
Note the relation with the track on the right side of carrier with the corresponding notch in the receiver.
Remove the bolt from the carrier
Bolt disassembly.
To remove the extractor, using a small blunt object,depress the extractor plunger reward so the extractor can be un hooked and lifted away.
To reassemble, place the extractor spring and plunger in the bolt then with the rear of the extractor, compress the plunger and seat the extractor in the bolt.
The firing pin is removed after drifting out the small pin at the rear of the bolt. The pin can go either ways. Then the firing pin and spring will come out. There,s a notch on the firing pin for the retaining pin.
Let,s see now how to take apart the gas system.
Depress the catch and remove the cleaning rod.
Depress the catch to unlock the handguard band and slide the band away from the barrel
Lift the rear of the upper metal handguard and slide it rearward to disengage from the lower metal handguard.
Now we can see the gas system.
Remove the wooden handguard
Pull the piston rod to the rear until its clear from the piston and after, remove the rod from the rifle.
Now, remove the piston from the gas tube
With a wrench or a SVT gas tool, loosen and remove the gas tube
Push the gas regulator in so you can remove it from the gas block.
Gas adjustment.
If the rifle do not operate reliably, the gas system may need to be adjusted. The gas regulator is pentagonal shaped. A special wrench was issued for this task, just slide the wrench on the regulator and turn to the appropriate setting. Always use the lowest setting that will operate the rifle properly. Usually, 1.3-1.5 setting is good with 148-150gr bullets and 1.1-1.2 with 180-200gr bullets. However, setting may vary from rifle to rifle.
SVT gas tool make adustment easy.
The number on the regulator must face up when set properly.
If gas tool is not available, the setting can be changed like follow:
After removing the sheet metal handguard that protect the gas system, the piston rod is pulled to the rear and set aside so the piston can be slide off the gas tube.
Using a 5/16 or 8mm wrench, loosen the gas tube so the regulator can be turned by hand. after setting the regulator, tighten the gas tube securely, dont strip the threads but tight it snug.
SVT show but 5/16 or 8mm can be use.
Trigger group removal.
At the rear of the rifle receiver, swing the little gate to the left,with the cleaning rod or any similar object, push the catch to unlock the trigger group and remove from the rifle.
The stock can be removed from the rifle after removing the cross bolt. As a precaution, it is not necessary to remove the stock more than once a year for inspection. To remove the stock crossbolt and the front sight elevetion,a tool was designed for that purpose. That tool can be hard to find so i made an home made version using a bolt. After the crossbolt have been unscrewed,the stock can be removed from the rifle and the metal stock extension as well.
The muzzlebrake tip can be unscrewed to clean the break or to install the blank firng device. The tip is left hand threaded,the tip will unscrew turning clockwise. The SVT special wrench is used for that purpose.
SVT 40 field stripped!
The magazine can be disassembled if needed. Proceed as follow:
With a pointed object, depress the internal spring by inserting the object through the hole in the magazine floorplate.
Slide the floorplate fully forward to access the internals components. be carefull, the magazine spring is under pressure so keep the parts in control to prevents them of flying up!
When you reassemble the magazine, be sure to slide the floorplate completely until its locked in place.
Reverse procedure to reassemble the rifle. The SVT is not so complicate but care must be taken when taking apart the gas system because of the smalls parts involved,that can be lost easily. I hope this thread will be appreciated, i tried my best but i'm not a writer and my english is far from perfect. Thankyou for reading.
Joce
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