SVT40 ring cocking handle?

One theory:



I'm not sure if this is the correct answer or not but the fit seems awfully good for a coincidence. It does allow one to get all four fingers on the charging handle which increases the force that can be applied by a fair amount.

We'd probably need to ask Mr. Tokarev to get the definitive answer. The SVT has many idiosyncrasies; I'm sure that they all made sense at one time or another.

I would have to say that Occam's razor is in your favor Dave Rishar. Making the bolt handel just a straight bolt would have been much easier. Your pic gives the best reason I can think of for it being that way.

I'd still give much to be able to sit down with Tokarev for an afternoon and ask him just what precisely the hell was going through his mind with some of this rifle's features. I have no doubts that he (and the government) had reasons for their choices, but the logic behind at least a few of them escapes me.

But the charging handle? I think the hole is there to jam something into for leverage, or to reduce weight, or to save steel, or all of the above. I don't know. Tokarev did, but he doesn't seem to post often these days.

I think leverage is a good theory. If the flouted chamber is dirty, and a spent case gets stuck, it can take alot of force to undo the jam. Ask me how I know ?

But the charging handle? I think the hole is there to jam something into for leverage, or to reduce weight, or to save steel, or all of the above. I don't know. Tokarev did, but he doesn't seem to post often these days.

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I can certainly imagine the possibility of snow collecting, melting, and re-
freezing on the bolt/action while in the field during winter in Russia.

A little extra leverage to crack it back up might be helpful........

A little extra leverage to crack it back up might be helpful........

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Since when has "set rifle on ground, apply foot" not worked in that case?

Since when has "set rifle on ground, apply foot" not worked in that case?

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Depending on the terrain and the initial firing position, getting up to apply one's foot to the charging handle might not be a good idea.

Also a good way to get shot when MG42 bullets are whipping by your head!

Since when has "set rifle on ground, apply foot" not worked in that case?

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When you're standing in knee-deep snow, perhaps? I understand deep snow is quite common in that part of the world.

So is ice, which tends to be slippery if memory serves.

Lets ask an expert



He says all three.

Inclement weather aside, the SVT is not a rifle that I'd consider to be particularly sturdy. Were I forced to kick the charging handle, I'd be worrying about the very real possibility of breaking something. (And not my foot.)