Svt-40

[InkEd]

Anyone own one of these rifles? What do you like/dislike about it? My interest in it because I don't have anything in 7.62X54R and have no interest in a Mosin bolt action. Are there any other semi-auto rifles in that caliber you suggest I look into as well?

 

[selector67]

I have one, very accurate rifle, would never part with it, as far as other rifles in that calibre do you mean semi-auto? As far as semi auto the only ones I can think of is the Russian Dragunov or the chinese copy of it, but for those be prepared ti pay $3000 for one, or you can get the Romanian PSL which is a knock-off of the Dragunov, but those are over $1000 now

 

[InkEd]

How does it compare to the PSL or VEPR in x54R

 

[Sam Cade]

Romanian PSL which is a knock-off of the Dragunov, but those are over $1000 now

A PSL is, in essence, a semi-auto RPK in 7.62x54r.

It isn't related to the SVD mechanically but fulfills a similar role in military usage.

 

[firesky101]

Love mine. I could easily get 5 times what I paid for it before the panic (I don't want to look now, will not be tempted), but no way will I part with it. If you find one for a good deal, then hop on it. Very soft shooter as well.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I like mine, but it can be a little finicky. They are long, but not overly heavy. If you're just looking for a 7.62x54 blaster, a PSL or VEPR would be a better choice; The SVT is more of a collector's rifle.

This is mine. Pretty decent for the $200 it cost (plus a $60 mag). The M1 Garand next to it should give you an idea of just how long these things are!

 

[Arp32]

MachIV, what's that between the SKS and the M1?

 

[MachIVshooter]

VZ-52, 7.62x45mm.

 

[Arp32]

Cool, thanks I'll have to look into that.

Back on topic, I did a spreadsheet once trying to convince myself I'd be saving money to sell my AR-15 (and increasingly expensive .223) and replace it with a VEPR and cheap x54R ammo.

The math didn't work out as well as i had hoped, but I still think the VEPR is pretty cool.

 

[InkEd]

I think the VEPR is more my speed but if the price is right I may still like one. I have my Colt 6920MP, Arsenal SGL-21 and M1A Scout Squad but the cheap ammo has me interested in the caliber. The darn guns cost a fortune though so I will probably just pass on it for now.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Ha, got all those except the Garand
As for the Cz (actually have more than one...) really a cool gun
as for the SVT, it's a really cool gun, but not something I'd go blasting with

If I were to do that, I'd buy one of the AK's in x54 or a Siaga or VSPR

 

[MachIVshooter]

As for the Cz (actually have more than one...) really a cool gun

They're what the Simonov should have been.

Sadly, I had to part with that one. I was in a rough spot a few years back, had to make some decisions, chose to liquidate those I didn't really use. The Desert Eagle .50 went bye-bye, along with a tricked out Ruger Mk II and several others. The VZ, neat as it was, was difficult to feed. I had about 300 rounds of original ammo, but the coating on the cases had deteriorated and they frequently stuck in the chamber. I couldn't afford to get set up with dies and brass for it at the time, so I let her go.

Will replace one day.

 

[stubbicatt]

This is my take on it.

I have the SVT I have been looking for nearly 20 years. Finally. It is non refurb, non SA, non import marked, with a mirror perfect bore. It is my favorite plinker/blaster. It is light, well balanced, has a really decent trigger, and accepts a scope easily. Best of all, it has a mechanism that prevents OBD, which I had an experience with on a PSL many years ago, and NEVER want to repeat. The SVT40 is an elegant and graceful design that lends itself to a sophisticated marksman. It will be one of the last rifles I ever sell.

Get one. You will not be disappointed. I would not buy a PSL or Romanian "Dragunov" rifle because it was designed to have a safety sear, which in order to be sold in the USA, has been removed. The SVD also has a safety sear of sorts, so you will not experience an OBD with that rifle.

As with any old used military rifle, condition is very important. Wait until you find the one you like and then buy it.

My 2 cents.

 

[GBExpat]

I would not buy a PSL or Romanian "Dragunov" rifle because it was designed to have a safety sear, which in order to be sold in the USA, has been removed. The SVD also has a safety sear of sorts, so you will not experience an OBD with that rifle.

The SVT-40 has a complete safety sear mechanism integrated into the trigger group/receiver design. That is why, with a minor alteration of the trigger group (and a stock with the extra cutout for the "safety" lever), the rifle could easily be converted to the AVT-40 selectfire variant by the Soviets.

I like the SVT-40s. I still have a few and have always found them to be LOUD, surprisingly light on recoil and reliable rifles.

 

[barnbwt]

In researching these cools rifles a while back, it was frequently advised that the adjustable gas setting really needed to be...adjusted for whatever ammo was being used, so overgassing wouldn't damage the rifle or stock. They were apparently bad about battering parts and splitting stocks if maladjusted (operator error, not design error)

TCB

 

[jason41987]

i like the SVT-40. especially loving anything WWII, but for something youd rather shoot more often id go with a PSL.. theyre sometimes called a dragunov, though theyre more like an accurized AK (ive seen .308 saigas shoot 1" groups at 100 yards, so yes the AK design can be accurate with a good barrel (most AKs have crappy paper thin barrels))... so the PSL wouldnt be a bad choice

question.. could someone actually convert an AK-74/47 to fire a longer cartrdge?.. i mean, the receivers are so easy to fabricate yourself, it wouldnt be hard to fabricate a longer receiver to use a bigger magazine... but this, and with the proper bolt/barrel, is it actually possible?.. i think this is all the .308 saigas are

 

[stubbicatt]

Jason41987 I've viewed some Youtube videos where the Saiga and the Molot versions are featured, and indeed these are AK receivers with extensive modification for the longer cartridges. However, I will not own another PSL again due to events discussed in one of my earlier postings. I will enjoy my SVT 40 for as long as the powers that be allow me to own one.

 

[docnyt]

The frustrating thing is these rifles can be had north of the border for one third to one half of the cost here.

 

[jason41987]

PSLs are romanian made, arent they? ive never had good look with romanian style AKs.. now if the bulgarians made something like that i imagine it would shoot fairly well.. but 7.62x54R with its rim can be a pain in the rear on semi automatics.. im actually incredibly suprised the russians havent began using a rimless version of this round yet

 

[Old Scratch]

I agree with much of what has been said here. My 40 doesn't have a mirror bore, but it is still very accurate, even with military ammo. The SVT is one of the most underrated military/collector arms available.

 

[MachIVshooter]

so yes the AK design can be accurate with a good barrel (most AKs have crappy paper thin barrels))... so the PSL wouldnt be a bad choice

The PSL has a stupid thin barrel, and they do string vertically as they heat up IME.

My first PSL was hand-picked out of a dozen, had gorgeous blonde furniture, and was darn near MOA. Then I got the recall notice for the 3rd hole thing. The replacement was a POS. Ugly, mismatched furniture, rough internal parts, crappy trigger and was closer to 3 MOA. I sold it, probably won't have another.

The SVT is one of the most underrated military/collector arms available.

At ~$1,000, I don't know that I'd cal them underrated. They're pretty much the most expensive milsurp out there, save for sniper models or those with a specific, particularly collectible mark, feature, etc.

 

[stubbicatt]

The PSL has a stupid thin barrel, and they do string vertically as they heat up IME.

My first PSL was hand-picked out of a dozen, had gorgeous blonde furniture, and was darn near MOA. Then I got the recall notice for the 3rd hole thing. The replacement was a POS. Ugly, mismatched furniture, rough internal parts, crappy trigger and was closer to 3 MOA. I sold it, probably won't have another.



At ~$1,000, I don't know that I'd cal them underrated. They're pretty much the most expensive milsurp out there, save for sniper models or those with a specific, particularly collectible mark, feature, etc.

Under rated? I agree. This is a stellar design, with moderate recoil, acceptable accuracy, and light weight. Compared with other cruffler guns, these are really not appreciated by most folks, only a small contingent of Soviet era collectors.

Overpriced? If in comparison to those being sold in Canada, yes, these are overpriced. If in comparison with other firearms of the era, like Garands or Mausers etc., then they are comparably priced (US$ values).

Mine is absolutely fantastic.

 

[WardenWolf]

The PSL is nice if you treat it as a battle rifle with scope capabilities. And they often are in the 1.5 MOA range.

The SVT-40 is a solid, accurate rifle. The problem is they are often missing their gas adjustment tools. However, I managed to locate a reproduction tool for around $30 that works well. They're out there if you look hard enough. Mine had some feed issues until I filed the front of the magazine to create a ramp. Now it'll eat whatever I feed it, but it does damage the tip of soft point bullets when feeding them. I doubt that'll hurt accuracy much, though. You can get good-quality reproduction magazines for $60 to $85, less than half the price of authentic ones.

The only gripe I have with the SVT-40 is that it's a royal bear to work on. It doesn't have the easy fieldstripping features that later Russian rifles have, and getting the bolt assembly in and out involves working with the mainspring under tension.

Other than that, it's a very lightweight, powerful, and accurate rifle, with a beautiful wood stock. It's definitely my favorite rifle in my collection.

 

[stubbicatt]

The only gripe I have with the SVT-40 is that it's a royal bear to work on. It doesn't have the easy fieldstripping features that later Russian rifles have, and getting the bolt assembly in and out involves working with the mainspring under tension.

WardenWolf, If you first slide the cover forward and insert a cartridge, bullet first into the cupped portion of the rear mainspring guide, case head against the upright rear portion of the receiver, the top cover will simply roll off the rifle. Then, with the bolt in battery, simply press the mainspring into the bolt carrier and remove the cartridge while keeping the cupped rear guide rod under tension. As you remove the rear guide rod from the bolt carrier, gradually, simply grasp the intermediate spring rod with the left hand while holding to the rear guide rod with the right hand, and remove the two as a unit. Once clear of the carrier, the remainder of the slack spring can be readily removed.

Then it is simply the matter of sliding the bolt and carrier to the rear and rolling the bolt and bolt carrier out of the guide rails at the cutout at the rear of the receiver.

At no time needs there be spring tension on the bolt and bolt carrier assemblies when field stripping or reassembling.

I use a combination of these two techniques:

1. Dorkavision

2. Cartridge step

 

[WardenWolf]

If your mainspring likes to come out without first removing the bolt carrier, consider yourself lucky. Mine has no problems going back IN with the bolt installed, but out is another matter. So it's something like, remove the top cover, pull the bolt back and out while holding the spring in. This sometimes is followed by "Find the mainspring that has shot across the room."

With that flip thingy on the back of the receiver, they came SO close to having an easy to field strip rifle. If only it let you take the spring straight out the back instead of being involved with releasing the trigger group assembly.