Just Purchased First SVT-40, Anything I Should Know?

[ZakBradshaw]

I just purchased a 1941 Finnish Capture Tula SVT-40 on Gun Broker. It is not numbers matching, but the stock has the Tula star and arrow cartouche and is stamped 1941. The magazine is an original mag and it includes the cleaning rod. I am going to order a gas tool for it, but is it safe to shoot heavy ball (182 grain Prvi)? I have a few boxes and would like to shoot the cleanest stuff I can through this. Will the gas system need to be adjusted? Any other things I should know before cleaning/shooting this rifle? Thanks, Zak.

[bunkysdad]

We'll I can't offer any help on the operation of such a cool semi auto, but I can sure congratulate you. Good going. There should be plenty of available info.

[ZakBradshaw]

Thanks! I can't wait to get it!

[Bugelson]

Do not shoot heavy ball. Just in case. I've shot some heavy ball without any problems but I would not advice to do it. It was afterall designed to shoot 148gr light ball. When Finnish troops used 200gr D166 ball with SVT-40 there were a lot of breakages partly because of it. And also steel case ammo is preferable. Do not be afraid of surplus LB. Just clean well and there will be no problems.

You should operate it on the lowest possible setting. 1.3 should do it if everything is ok.

[ZakBradshaw]

I shoot lots of corrosive and steel cased ammo and it does not bother me. I just know these guns are a little more sensitive with the gas systems. Should I definitely get a gas tool to keep on hand or should it come set pretty standard?

[Lotema]

I haven't had a need for the tool yet personally, though if I find an original one I'll probably grab it. Once you get the gas setting working properly you really shouldn't have to muck with it. Start at the lowest gas setting and work your way up (if needed). I shoot the Russian & Bulgarian surplus through mine without any issues. If you really need to adjust the gas setting at the range, it can be done without the tool. The tool should just make it easier.

If you take apart the trigger group, be careful about which springs you put back into which areas. I did a dumb thing and accidentally mixed up the disconnector spring with the magazine release spring. Once that hammer is pulled back like that, it's a royal PITA to get it to let go again. I'm much, MUCH more careful about making sure I don't mix them up. Still not sure how I did it in the first place because they really don't look that much alike, though they WILL fit in the wrong spots.

I love my SVT though, it's a good shooter and really tames the x54 round. The only problem I have with mine is an occasional double fire. I've gone through everything I can think of with the rifle trying to figure out why its happening but so far haven't solved the problem. It hasn't gone full auto on me yet... That being said, it certainly grabs your attention when it auto-double-taps. I think the RSO's are still trying to figure out how I pull the trigger that fast...

[ZakBradshaw]

Thank you for the information! What should I look for in a correct style sling for it?

[lalunette]

Congrats on purchasing such a cool semi-auto.

Be sure to clean it thoroughly like you would a Mosin Nagant.

I purchased one last December when Lever Arms in British Columbia was blowing them out for $199 !!

So far I've fired surplus corrosive Chinese and Bulgarian light ball ammo through it, as well as some soft point heavy ball non-corrosive hunting ammo, with no ill effects.

The gas setting is at 1.3 and it cycles well.

As for a sling, I believe the consensus is that a PPSH sling is what you are looking for.

Any chance for pics ???

[ZakBradshaw]

I have found a really cool "Finnish" military sling that's supposedly from the 40's. I know it's not meant for it, but I really like it. I'm going to try to win it. Have any ideas what it was meant for?

[ZakBradshaw]

Here are pics of the rifle from the ad.

[Longcolt44]

Everybody should own one. They can be very temperamental, the gas adjustment can vary from time to time. I can tell you from experience, be very careful with taking the main spring out. I have launched it across the room more than once. Also be very careful to inspect all the parts for wear and or streets cracks before firing it. You can use your Mosin headspace gauge to see if it passes. Thee are a boatload of fun.

[Bugelson]

I have found a really cool "Finnish" military sling that's supposedly from the 40's. I know it's not meant for it, but I really like it. I'm going to try to win it. Have any ideas what it was meant for?

That one is not a Finnish sling. That one is an SVT-40 sling. So you got one already!

And congrats about the rifle. It miraculously escaped the Finnish stock re-finish and has the original oil and lacquer finish on!

[ZakBradshaw]

How do you know it's an SVT-40 sling????

[Bugelson]

How do you know it's an SVT-40 sling????

Because it looks like to be one. How else?

[Greasemonkey]

Mine had a corroded gas piston and cup, gas adjustment was very difficult and unpredictable before. It's a weak point on the rifle, any corrosion or pitting in this area can cause gas leakage, some have been seized up. Once I replaced those corroded worn parts on mine, the gas adjustment was very consistent and it took very little change to see adjustment effects. http://www.ppsh41.com/SVTitems.html

[bunkysdad]

I saw one of these again on a local group but wasn't for sale, which is good because someone thought they would "fix" it and refinished the stock, thereby creating an abortion. Good find on the leather sling. That is a nice companion.

[ZakBradshaw]

Nope, I like the "character" of the stock. I will buy that sling and try to eventually find a reasonably priced bayonet for it.

[desdem12]

Sweet

[Sonny]

Congrats on your SVT...you're gonna love it..

It's been said before...clean it well and btw I've shot heavy ball in mine (203 gr.) and it shoots it well.

[ZakBradshaw]

Thank you! I may just shoot the heavy stuff and get the dies to reload them. Is the SVT really rough on brass like SKS' & AK's? I want to get the gas tool and a sight tool for it. Any suggestions?