Any One here own an SVT -40?
I remember a long time ago, (10 years?) That a Member posted about his.
Do any current Members here, own one?
Always been on my Wish list.
Several 7.62 X 54 Carbines. (M38/M44)
I like the round. I have, ahem........................................................................a few.
Would love a semi-auto.
Last I looked, they are going for around (damn, looking at current GB auctions, it has gone up to around $2K, on average.) for a nice one.
Should have bought the one I found at a Gun Show, about 5 years ago for $1200. (Hindsight, being 20/20.)
Just a History buff.
Do any current Members here, own one?
Always been on my Wish list.
Several 7.62 X 54 Carbines. (M38/M44)
I like the round. I have, ahem........................................................................a few.
Would love a semi-auto.
Last I looked, they are going for around (damn, looking at current GB auctions, it has gone up to around $2K, on average.) for a nice one.
Should have bought the one I found at a Gun Show, about 5 years ago for $1200. (Hindsight, being 20/20.)
Just a History buff.
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I never heard of those. I have a Czech VZ 52 and about 400 rounds of 7.62x45 corrosive ammo. I haven?t shot it yet as it is a bear to clean. 0 -
Thanks for the reply Jim. (Look them up Jim. A historically significant firearam.) [Akin to the Sturmgewehr.]
Being a Mosin Nagant fan, (M38/M44's) [not the full size 91/30's] and of the cartridge.
The next step is an SVT-40. I have always wanted one.
Pricey.
Apparently, around $2K on average, for a decent/nice one.
Should have bought mine back when (5 years ago,) came across a nice one for $1200.0 -
I have owned a couple. Mine were dependable but very long rifles. Not too accurate. Less than minute-of-groundhog at 100 yards and beyond.
My opinion is they were actually a better rifle than the Garand. Muzzle brake, removable magazine, lighter...
I had no use for them so I converted them to cash.0 -
bustedknee wrote:I have owned a couple. Mine were dependable but very long rifles. Not too accurate. Less than minute-of-groundhog at 100 yards and beyond.
My opinion is they were actually a better rifle than the Garand. Muzzle brake, removable magazine, lighter...
I had no use for them so I converted them to cash.
Since they seem to be astronomically going up in price, since I last looked, I'd say that was a poor choice/game plan.0 -
Shoulda, woulda, coulda grabbed one when they were readily available back in the day. IIRC they were still around $500. 0 -
drobs wrote:Shoulda, woulda, coulda grabbed one when they were readily available back in the day. IIRC they were still around $500.
Never saw one at $500.
Would have bought two, at that price.
When I first became interested (about 5-6 years ago.) they were $1100 & up.0 -
I've had these for a few years now. They are a riot to shoot and tend to draw a crowd. The bayonet seems so puny when compared to the M91-30 one! 0 -
Never owned one I am not a fan of Russian stuff but I have shot a few.
They are not too bad, not very accurate but that is because of the ammo as much as the rifle. They feel kind of clunky to me not as refined as a G-43 or a M1. I have shot the "sniper" version too and it was not very "precise" is the word I could use. Like the SVD it is not what we in the west would consider a Sniper Rifle(None were capable of 1 MOA). They would be fine in an urban setting though and that is where they earned a reputation for sniping where ranges are short, wind is not as much a factor and rapid follow ups are nice.
They are cool though and have a neat operating system. From what I have seen they are fairly reliable. The weigh less than a M1 and hold 10rds in a magazine that was supposed to be loaded with stripper clips but was detachable, kind of like the Enfield 303.
Be prepared to spend some serious bucks on one 2-4K depending on condition and type.0 -
I have the PU scoped sniper rifle variant
It's an odd looking scope mount IMHO
Most folk are unfamiliar with this 3 line full length full size magazines fed semiautomatic battle rifle from WWII
Mike0 -
I wanna say last year maybe two? I came across 3 at or about $1400. I remember 1 was at the gun show where dude was walking it and the others at gun shops. A gun shop near me had it for a short time. I also remember seeing or reading there's a weak spot on the stock where they like to snap.
With Russian SKS (in my hood) running $850 I don't know which will hold value.0 -
IMHO it's more in concept of an urban combat environment designated marksman rifle or anti sniping rifle rather than how we normally think of when we say sniper or sniper rifle or sniping in general...
It compares very well with the M-1D sniper rifle in terms of accuracy and range and reliability...
Ammo is very important - as the guns only shoot well with the heavy bullets - the lighter loads open up to minute of torso out to 300 yds...
Heavy bullets or special designed snipers loads print tighter groups and somewhat extend useful range...
Also remember the limitations of the various PU series optics
It carried more ammo than the garand and was easier / quicker to load
The scope was mounted in line with the barrel where the garands scope was on an offset receiver side mount which makes a difference at longer ranges
I am not aware that the US ever fielded special sniper ammo or even issued national match ammo to its snipers - the Russians always tried to do this
Both guns saw dramatic improvements in accuracy with armor piercing ammo (a trick I learned from the old guys at camp Perry high power national match shoots)
The SVT has a better trigger - flat out.
Neither rifle does well at long range - both are almost useless past 500 yds
The Russians used them to disrupt chain of command focusing on senior NCOs and junior officers as well as field medics
They fired from cover and displaced to set up and strike again - often combined teams firing from several angles and elevations at the same time at the same target to cause confusion
The US troops issued the garand sniper rifle were almost never trained as snipers simply the best shot in the company prior to shipping out
The Russians trained better in field craft and stalking and blinds and defilade and such.
Just my opinion - please feel free to disagree.
Mike0 -
mrmike08075 wrote:IMHO it's more in concept of an urban combat environment designated marksman rifle or anti sniping rifle rather than how we normally think of when we say sniper or sniper rifle or sniping in general...
It compares very well with the M-1D sniper rifle in terms of accuracy and range and reliability...
Ammo is very important - as the guns only shoot well with the heavy bullets - the lighter loads open up to minute of torso out to 300 yds...
Heavy bullets or special designed snipers loads print tighter groups and somewhat extend useful range...
Also remember the limitations of the various PU series optics
It carried more ammo than the garand and was easier / quicker to load
The scope was mounted in line with the barrel where the garands scope was on an offset receiver side mount which makes a difference at longer ranges
I am not aware that the US ever fielded special sniper ammo or even issued national match ammo to its snipers - the Russians always tried to do this
Both guns saw dramatic improvements in accuracy with armor piercing ammo (a trick I learned from the old guys at camp Perry high power national match shoots)
The SVT has a better trigger - flat out.
Neither rifle does well at long range - both are almost useless past 500 yds
The Russians used them to disrupt chain of command focusing on senior NCOs and junior officers as well as field medics
They fired from cover and displaced to set up and strike again - often combined teams firing from several angles and elevations at the same time at the same target to cause confusion
The US troops issued the garand sniper rifle were almost never trained as snipers simply the best shot in the company prior to shipping out
The Russians trained better in field craft and stalking and blinds and defilade and such.
Just my opinion - please feel free to disagree.
Mike
Agree with all of that Mike.
500 yards is plenty good, where I live. You would be wishful thinking for anything beyond that.
The 7.62 X 54 round is a Killer.0 -
I had a 41 many years ago...Traded into it for around $150...great shooter! Downside was the chamber was fluted for the steel case ammo they use...The only ammo at the time was Norma "brass" ammo...I ruined allot of good brass! Finally traded it off...I also have a 91/30 made by Remington (1917)...Also a great shooter and my first hunting rifle. My dad bought it post WWII for $3.50...Easy to reload and fun to shoot...Wish I kept the 41... now I see what they are worth!!! 0 -
While I consider my experience and perspectives rather unique...
I defy 95% of shooters to hit a torso and head target at 300 yds with the garand sniper or SVT sniper or "t" type SMLE sniper rifles...
The mosin nagant 91/30 Has more inherent capabilities but is limited severely by optics and ammo and fit / finish...
I have large round counts and copious time invested in my snipers and in match grade shooting as some of you know and I am unable to make many of these guns dance and sing as portrayed in bad movies or film...
Even my Mauser with the forward mount long eye relief ZF49 diminutive scout scope is problematic when used as most people imagine...
Once upon a time the NJ state facility at Cherry ridge had some positions set up for 600 and 1000 yd shooting (literally ridge top to ridge top) and I spent quite a bit of time there testing iron and lead (the guy who was the driving force behind the set up passed away and they converted the land to trap and skeet and shotgun trail shooting / sporting clays)
Tactics and training and field craft and skill and bravado played there rolls.
And to be fair my pre war 03 Springfield won't do well at distance with the Warner swazey optics mounted atop - it does better with stock iron sights and is almost a hand finished bespoke rifle from the arsenal...
We can debate the topic - I have much to say about it.
Please feel free to engage me here in kens thread or start a new one if interested in crossing swords on this subject.
Mike0 -
KenK/84Bravo wrote:drobs wrote:Shoulda, woulda, coulda grabbed one when they were readily available back in the day. IIRC they were still around $500.
Never saw one at $500.
Would have bought two, at that price.
When I first became interested (about 5-6 years ago.) they were $1100 & up.
20 years ago...0 -
Ken, I've had one for a number of years, and well versed on them. I know all their flaws, and how to fix them. The majority of them were re-arsenaled, and re-stocked with the select fire version (AVT-40) stock. The SVT had a weak point at the wrist that could crack or break. You can ID an AVT stock by the wood plug stock repair, right side just behind the trigger. That's where the inlet was to allow the safety lever to swing over to F/A.
The barrels were a light profile, and shooting heavy ball makes them whip. The handguard will have a brass reinforcement pin, that was added to keep the HG from splitting due to the barrel whip.
They have an adjustable gas valve that is critical to each variety of ammo shot in it, and takes a SVT tool to adjust the pent head valve. The gas piston and cylinder on mine was frozen together from corrosive ammo and rust. Replaced it with a stainless steel repro, and no problems since. The chamber flutes have to be clean for reliable extraction. The flutes were a first, and still used by HK. There's a lot of features that influenced other gun designs, like a direct impingement gas system, and tilting bolt.
The magazines were fitted to the rifle, and then had the rifle serial number stamped on it. You'll find mags with several serial numbers on them. The repro mags all have the same serial number, from the one they were copied from. They take a lot of work to fit, and get to work right.
Corresponded with this kid in Mongolia several years ago, and got him to post this video of him shooting his AVT-40 full auto. They were issued to noncoms, and full auto was only authorized for use in a shtf situation. F/A in these guns is brutal, both on the shooter, and the gun. He's about 5'7", if the gun didn't malfunction, he would have ended up on his butt.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmN5Q2qDOmE0 -
yoshmyster wrote:
Russian SKS (in my hood) running $850 I don't know which will hold value.
SVT - 40's are hard to come by/rare. SKS's are not. You do the math.0 -
An SVT-40 is a SKS on steroids. 8-) 0 -
TRAP55 wrote:An SVT-40 is a SKS on steroids. 8-)
Yes.
Bye a long shot. (No pun intended.)
7.62 X 54, VS. 7.62 X 39? No comparison whatsoever.
Not even close.0 -
An unusual item, my rifle has no import markings and is a Finnish capture piece probably from the continuation Wars period - having been rearsenaled and maintained in Finland...
It is marked / proofed / crested accordingly and I believe a numbers matching Tula production piece with the original matching scope...
I have been unable to locate a Finnish bayonet or any Finnish accessories - and substituted fin mosin nagant items for display purposes...
I suspect the fins kept my rifle is superb shape as I managed to avoid any of the issues Trapp mentions...
I only have the one numbered magazine - I was warned to avoid reproductions and advised of hand fitment issues...
I have never tuned or adjusted my gas port or operating system - possibly if I did so I might get decent accuracy from light ammo which would be more pleasant to shoot...
I have fired Norma oryx faux wood panel box commercial ammo and lapua match ammo through it
Reproductions scopes and scope mounts better then the originals are available.
The scope mounts are damn unusual.
Comparing them side by side when partially disassembled I would swear that the FN FAL and its ancestor FN-49 have the same locking mechanism architecture and operating principle patent as the SVT,
The Germans (the Wehrmacht) made extensive use of approx. 150,000 captured variants during the war and used / stole many patent concepts in their own semiautomatic and automatic battle rifle development...
Off the top of my head I thought some of you might find the data interesting.
Mike0 -
FYI...the SKS sight adjustment tool, works on the SVT, and doubles as the stock bolt removal tool. 0 -
I appreciate all the answers and information relayed.
Thank you.
As stated, should have bought them back when they were around $1200 for a really nice one.
I knew they would go up.0 -
My Dad has a Dragunov. Different I know but very cool as well! I have never seen and SVT-40 in person. 0 -
Cling2myguns wrote:My Dad has a Dragunov. Different I know but very cool as well! I have never seen and SVT-40 in person.
I've always wanted one, to add to my M38/M44 Collection. Seeing what they have gone to, not going to happen.
Should have bought one back (about 5-6 years ago,) when you could have bought a really nice one for $1200.0 -
Ken I hate to break it to you they are not all that. The ammo is garbage and it corrosive.
I f you get one check the bore even tough they are chrome lined the action can be crapped. If you shoot surplus ammo use Balistol or Windex to clean the the gun so the salts don't wreck it.
Have fun and enjoy it but if sniper accuracy is what you are after go another route................JMO.
You want a fun sniper rifle try a SSG 69.0 -
KenK/84Bravo wrote:yoshmyster wrote:
Russian SKS (in my hood) running $850 I don't know which will hold value.
SVT - 40's are hard to come by/rare. SKS's are not. You do the math.
Doing the math. In couple years a SVT went up say $600 and Russian SKS went up about $300 in about the same time frame. I think SKS is a better investment even if they're dead common.0 -
It is odd how many of my curiosities and life interests first were introduced by video games. I have been a huge WWII (mostly) military aviation fan ever since playing a MS-DOS game Aces (of the Pacific, over Europe, etc). Some of the more modern games such as Sniper Elite have the SVT-40 in it. I have been a firearms fan forever, but as I finish up the collections I have wanted forever, I have turned my eyes towards military guns. My problem is I don't yet understand what might turn an $800 gun into a $2,500 regarding proofmarks and such. I have thought about reaching out on these forums for experts in various desired guns but haven't yet.
I have went to several machine gun shoots here in Oklahoma and it is really neat to shoot a lot of the guns I shoot in the games. I don't think I have ever shot a SVT-40 but have shot some other Russian guns. Some full auto, some select fire, and many bolt actions.
Like you Kent, looking at the sniper version, I was taken aback by the $2k price tag. For my collectable guns, I am a stickler for condition and correctness (matching S/N). Those are something hard to find with 80 year old military arms.0 -
Like any gun with collector value, some lowlife will make a fake. If you lay down a stack of cash for a SVT sniper, you better know what you're looking at. Even the scopes and mounts are being copied on the original tooling in the Ukraine. Some receivers were cut for the sniper rail mount, some weren't. Just because it has the rails, doesn't mean it was a sniper. The rear bridge of the receiver has a notch cut on it for the mount retaining pin. It was cut in a very specific way, and so far hasn't been duplicated. There's a handful of guys on the firearms forums that know the difference, but it's kept between them to foil the fake makers.
Rifles with the rail cuts are more common than ones that aren't. Mine doesn't have them, it's also has a harder to find Naval Infantry AVT stock. Instead of a rear sling swivel, it has a slot cut through the buttstock like a Mosin, and uses a Mosin "dog collar" with the sling. Most you find have a canvas sling that was used on the SVT and PPsh subgun. An original leather sling can bring $250. There's 3 bayonets that were used, a long SVT-38(real rare), cut down SVT-38 and early "edge up", and late production "edge down". Edge up bring a 40% or more premium, mine was refurbed and has 4 different serial numbers stamped on it, it's got some stories to tell.
My SVT will hold it's own with my PSL-54 and iron sights. Yes, the milsurp ammo is all corrosive, so is most of the '06 I shoot in my Garand. Two advantages, it's cheaper than '06, and the SVT is a lot easier to clean for it. When I got the stainless gas piston and cylinder, I got two, one for backup. I've run the nastiest corrosive x54 ammo through it without cleaning the stainless parts to torture test them. It's been about 7yrs and it hasn't phased them, the spare set is still new in the bag.0 -
yoshmyster wrote:KenK/84Bravo wrote:yoshmyster wrote:
Russian SKS (in my hood) running $850 I don't know which will hold value.
SVT - 40's are hard to come by/rare. SKS's are not. You do the math.
Doing the math. In couple years a SVT went up say $600 and Russian SKS went up about $300 in about the same time frame. I think SKS is a better investment even if they're dead common.
Okay, which do you think (of the two) will be worth more in the future?
One of millions (?) Of SKS's, or a difficult to locate SVT-40?
As stated before, do the math.
I know which one I'd buy.0 -
KenK/84Bravo - Neither. SVT has a weak spot in the stock. SKS I'd have to get a new caliber. And being in California I'll have to go through background check to buy ammo. Besides buying in now might be late to the show. 0
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