What to look for in a collectible shooter SVT-40

[Skippy]

I like the look and history of the SVT-40 rifle. I've noticed several for sale here and there over the last few months, most listed as "arsenal refinished".
I'd like to pick up one of these rifles but don't know too much about the features that make them collectible.

I'm hoping someone can tell me which factories or years are most sought after, and which, if any, variant are better liked? I'd like to spend less than $500 and am interested in shooting the one I buy. I'm guessing an arsenal refinished and renumberes example would serve as a nice collectable shooter.

Tell me about these rifles...

 

[airwapiti]

mosinnagant.net

This will get you started.

 

[svt-40]

99% of them are arsenal refinished, but among them conditions vary. You should check the outside of receiver for the diamond-shaped stamps. They indicate various checks and repairs done at arsenal. If there aren't any, it's a capture rifle. Hold the buttstock and pull on the barrel. There should be no noticeable movement back and forth. If there is, bye-bye accuracy. You'd have to fiberglass-bed it, but to do so you need wood, to which fiberglass will stick. On mine wood is so oil soaked, that adhesives won't stick unless I find a way to wash out oil. Or shim it with brass or steel...
Accuracy depends... You can't tell accuracy by looking at the bore or calibrating. It may allow 7.65 or 7.66 caliber to enter the muzzle, but still shoot tight groups. Or you might be able to push up to 7.64 caliber in and only hit barn wall.
Check out Lever arms - they have a few for sale at 475 or so IIRC.

 

[tootall]

You'd have to fiberglass-bed it, but to do so you need wood, to which fiberglass will stick. On mine wood is so oil soaked, that adhesives won't stick unless I find a way to wash out oil.

I have read that if you have to remove soaked-in oil , you can submerge the stock in acetone for a few days. I have not tried it, as I have not needed to, but it sounds reasonable. I would expect that you would have to completley refinish the stock afterwards though.

 

[svt-40]

Aceton actually does a good job as a thinner and dissolves some plastics, but I never heard of it as of a good degreaser. I thought of sinking the stock in gasoline or something even more volatile.

 

[Nyles]

Really, any SVT-40 is collectible, and the arsenal refurbs around today, while less collectible than an original unrefurbed one - well, frankly the chances of you finding an original for under $500 is pretty slim. They're great shooters. Of the more collectible variants I've actually seen, the Naval Infantry stocked ones are more desirable - they have a sling slot rather than swivel in the butt.

 

[MarkCNP]

Hold the buttstock and pull on the barrel. There should be no noticeable movement back and forth. If there is, bye-bye accuracy. You'd have to fiberglass-bed it, but to do so you need wood, to which fiberglass will stick. On mine wood is so oil soaked, that adhesives won't stick unless I find a way to wash out oil. Or shim it with brass or steel...

I shimmed mine with metal from a pop can - super easy to do, doesn't cost anything, and you can create a very tight fit with the stock. And you don't change the rifle at all - no need to permanently change anything.

 

[svt-40]

I shimmed mine with one of those things that we break out of the backs of computer cases. I have tons laying around, all different thickness and width, soft (can be bent to any shape), can be brazed easily to any thickness and shape.