1943 Tula SVT-40

[jvc66]

Hello,

I have the chance to pick up one of these beautiful rifles after a long search. Does anybody have any words of wisdom on these rifles such as Dos or donts?

Also what parts are most likely to break on the rifle and if I should stock pile an extra parts group.

Thanks

[Fledge]

Look at is the gas system. If you can take the rifle apart make sure it isn't corroded or the gas ports eroded.

[Lotema]

I really like my 41 Tula, it's a pretty good shooter and love listening to the AR folks at the range trying to figure out what it is. Like Fledge mentioned, if possible double check the gas port as well as all the parts in that general area to make sure the previous owner cleaned it properly after shooting corrosive ammo out of it. Cleaning it is a bit tedious but it's not hard. I replaced my disconnector sear as it looked like someone had fuddled with it. It would occasionally give me 2 shots per trigger pull but after replacing it, it runs perfectly. Haven't had anything break on it. As long as you've got the gas tuned properly, you really shouldn't have any major issues. If it's over gassed, you might wind up with a bent rod etc. The receiver and barrel aren't terribly thick so it'll tend to get hot if your burning through the ammo. Otherwise it's a great gun with some mean looks.

[target]

If you can stick to non corrosive ammo with it then do so. Great rifles but a pain to clean up after shooting corrosive.

[capt14k]

I only shoot non corrosive (I know there is no reason not to if cleaned properly), my SVT I wouldn't even think about shooting corrosive ammo. If it isn't all original I would remove the gas system put it aside and install a new stainless one. Don't overpay for it. In Canada they are $400. They might not be much more here soon depending on the election, or everything could increase drastically in value. You never know, but it's always better to buy low and sell high than buy high and sell low.

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[jvc66]

I really like my 41 Tula, it's a pretty good shooter and love listening to the AR folks at the range trying to figure out what it is. Like Fledge mentioned, if possible double check the gas port as well as all the parts in that general area to make sure the previous owner cleaned it properly after shooting corrosive ammo out of it. Cleaning it is a bit tedious but it's not hard. I replaced my disconnector sear as it looked like someone had fuddled with it. It would occasionally give me 2 shots per trigger pull but after replacing it, it runs perfectly. Haven't had anything break on it. As long as you've got the gas tuned properly, you really shouldn't have any major issues. If it's over gassed, you might wind up with a bent rod etc. The receiver and barrel aren't terribly thick so it'll tend to get hot if your burning through the ammo. Otherwise it's a great gun with some mean looks.

I think I am most worried about the gas setting. Previous owner couldn't figure it out. I got some good pictures to look over the rifle and its pretty clean. All matching stamped serial numbers plus white bolt.

[jvc66]

I only shoot non corrosive (I know there is no reason not to if cleaned properly), my SVT I wouldn't even think about shooting corrosive ammo. If it isn't all original I would remove the gas system put it aside and install a new stainless one. Don't overpay for it. In Canada they are $400. They might not be much more here soon depending on the election, or everything could increase drastically in value. You never know, but it's always better to buy low and sell high than buy high and sell low.

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I have been wondering what is the best commercial ammo to shoot. I dont plan on shooting corrosive at all. What ammo are you shooting and what grain? I've heard to stay away from anything lacquer coated. FMJ I have also heard is good? But the rifle is coming with the stainless steel gas system already but unfortunately does not include the original system.

And I don't plan on selling this one unless when I get it I see that there is something wrong with it. I got it for my WWII collection but mostly to take my dad out shooting since hes a left and cuts himself every time on my PU 91/30 bolt

[jvc66]

I only shoot non corrosive (I know there is no reason not to if cleaned properly), my SVT I wouldn't even think about shooting corrosive ammo. If it isn't all original I would remove the gas system put it aside and install a new stainless one. Don't overpay for it. In Canada they are $400. They might not be much more here soon depending on the election, or everything could increase drastically in value. You never know, but it's always better to buy low and sell high than buy high and sell low.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

What ammo are you using in yours? I see that your from Jersey as well

[Junk Yard Dog]

I used Soviet 147 grain light ball on the few occasions mine has been out. When I was done I cleaned the rifle properly and there were no problems with corrosion. I have fired countless thousands of corrosive primed military surplus rounds through M1 Garands, SAFN49's, Hakims, Ljungman AG42b, SVT40, and have never had any difficulties. Clean the weapon properly when you are done with it and you will not have any problems either should you shoot surplus ammo.

[Lotema]

I really like my 41 Tula, it's a pretty good shooter and love listening to the AR folks at the range trying to figure out what it is. Like Fledge mentioned, if possible double check the gas port as well as all the parts in that general area to make sure the previous owner cleaned it properly after shooting corrosive ammo out of it. Cleaning it is a bit tedious but it's not hard. I replaced my disconnector sear as it looked like someone had fuddled with it. It would occasionally give me 2 shots per trigger pull but after replacing it, it runs perfectly. Haven't had anything break on it. As long as you've got the gas tuned properly, you really shouldn't have any major issues. If it's over gassed, you might wind up with a bent rod etc. The receiver and barrel aren't terribly thick so it'll tend to get hot if your burning through the ammo. Otherwise it's a great gun with some mean looks.

I think I am most worried about the gas setting. Previous owner couldn't figure it out. I got some good pictures to look over the rifle and its pretty clean. All matching stamped serial numbers plus white bolt.

The gas setting isn't too hard to figure out. Start on the lower setting and work your way up until it ejects the brass about 3-5 feet away from you. Then you're all dialed in

I've only been shooting the surplus ammo in mine and haven't had any issues. As long as you clean up afterwards, it'll be just fine. Now that the price of surplus is the nearly the same as commercial, there's not much reason not to shoot the clean stuff. I reload for my Mosins but that fluted chamber of the SVT is rough on the brass so I don't really plan on reloading for it. Someday maybe with some brass that is at the end of it's life.

[capt14k]

I only shoot non corrosive (I know there is no reason not to if cleaned properly), my SVT I wouldn't even think about shooting corrosive ammo. If it isn't all original I would remove the gas system put it aside and install a new stainless one. Don't overpay for it. In Canada they are $400. They might not be much more here soon depending on the election, or everything could increase drastically in value. You never know, but it's always better to buy low and sell high than buy high and sell low.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

What ammo are you using in yours? I see that your from Jersey as well

I rarely shoot my SVT however when I do I use the 7.62,x54r White Box Ammo. I believe mine is marked LVT, but it is the same stuff. I think it was made by Wolf. I got it off a seller on a forum for around .40 per round shipped. Should be able to find it for less than .50/round shipped. Beats .75/round for non corrosive. I wouldn't use the heavy ball ammo.

http://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/s ... t1799.html

Here is one that is in stock that is good too. Not copper washed like the other but I think that is just for looks.

http://www.selwayarmory.com/red-army-st ... of-20.html

I was told stay away from the Polymer coated.

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[jvc66]

I only shoot non corrosive (I know there is no reason not to if cleaned properly), my SVT I wouldn't even think about shooting corrosive ammo. If it isn't all original I would remove the gas system put it aside and install a new stainless one. Don't overpay for it. In Canada they are $400. They might not be much more here soon depending on the election, or everything could increase drastically in value. You never know, but it's always better to buy low and sell high than buy high and sell low.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

What ammo are you using in yours? I see that your from Jersey as well

I rarely shoot my SVT however when I do I use the 7.62,x54r White Box Ammo. I believe mine is marked LVT, but it is the same stuff. I think it was made by Wolf. I got it off a seller on a forum for around .40 per round shipped. Should be able to find it for less than .50/round shipped. Beats .75/round for non corrosive. I wouldn't use the heavy ball ammo.

http://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/s ... t1799.html

Here is one that is in stock that is good too. Not copper washed like the other but I think that is just for looks.

http://www.selwayarmory.com/red-army-st ... of-20.html

I was told stay away from the Polymer coated.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

I have seen both of those at decent prices. Wolf white box ammo is the only one that a few people have said consistently in my search. I just cant wait to get this rifle in to get it cleaned up and out to the range

[jvc66]

I really like my 41 Tula, it's a pretty good shooter and love listening to the AR folks at the range trying to figure out what it is. Like Fledge mentioned, if possible double check the gas port as well as all the parts in that general area to make sure the previous owner cleaned it properly after shooting corrosive ammo out of it. Cleaning it is a bit tedious but it's not hard. I replaced my disconnector sear as it looked like someone had fuddled with it. It would occasionally give me 2 shots per trigger pull but after replacing it, it runs perfectly. Haven't had anything break on it. As long as you've got the gas tuned properly, you really shouldn't have any major issues. If it's over gassed, you might wind up with a bent rod etc. The receiver and barrel aren't terribly thick so it'll tend to get hot if your burning through the ammo. Otherwise it's a great gun with some mean looks.

I think I am most worried about the gas setting. Previous owner couldn't figure it out. I got some good pictures to look over the rifle and its pretty clean. All matching stamped serial numbers plus white bolt.

The gas setting isn't too hard to figure out. Start on the lower setting and work your way up until it ejects the brass about 3-5 feet away from you. Then you're all dialed in

I've only been shooting the surplus ammo in mine and haven't had any issues. As long as you clean up afterwards, it'll be just fine. Now that the price of surplus is the nearly the same as commercial, there's not much reason not to shoot the clean stuff. I reload for my Mosins but that fluted chamber of the SVT is rough on the brass so I don't really plan on reloading for it. Someday maybe with some brass that is at the end of it's life.

And how are you properly cleaning up afterwards? At the range I wont have access to a hot water source to properly flush the barrel of any corrosive salts and I feel that windex will not be able to coat the entire surface of the bore. I understand the take down process and cleaning the gas system. I think its just the cleaning the bore with surplus

[Junk Yard Dog]

Thermos holds hot water, you only need it to wash the salts off the metal, a quart or so will do. If you live within an hour from the range and you will be cleaning the rifle as soon as you get home then just flush it with an oil soaked cleaning patch and leave it until you are home.

[Lotema]

Thermos holds hot water, you only need it to wash the salts off the metal, a quart or so will do. If you live within an hour from the range and you will be cleaning the rifle as soon as you get home then just flush it with an oil soaked cleaning patch and leave it until you are home.

Sage advice as always.

I'm only 15 minutes from my range so I don't worry about taking anything with me to clean it there. Once I get home I will fill up a quart pitcher with water from our "insta-hot", add in a little ballistol and run all of that down the barrel. I'll then fill it back up half and add some more ballistol and let the parts soak in it while I finish normal cleaning on the barrel. It's more than I really need to do but it keeps me from worrying about it.

[jvc66]

Thermos holds hot water, you only need it to wash the salts off the metal, a quart or so will do. If you live within an hour from the range and you will be cleaning the rifle as soon as you get home then just flush it with an oil soaked cleaning patch and leave it until you are home.

never thought about a thermos that is a good idea. I am only 15-20 from the range. Are you just flushing it with hot water and then cleaning as usual? Or are there any other steps or products that you are using as well

[jvc66]

Thermos holds hot water, you only need it to wash the salts off the metal, a quart or so will do. If you live within an hour from the range and you will be cleaning the rifle as soon as you get home then just flush it with an oil soaked cleaning patch and leave it until you are home.

Sage advice as always.

I'm only 15 minutes from my range so I don't worry about taking anything with me to clean it there. Once I get home I will fill up a quart pitcher with water from our "insta-hot", add in a little ballistol and run all of that down the barrel. I'll then fill it back up half and add some more ballistol and let the parts soak in it while I finish normal cleaning on the barrel. It's more than I really need to do but it keeps me from worrying about it.

I am about the same distance from my range. So you are just flushing the barrel, then refilling and taking the bolt and carrier, receiver cover and firing pin, and piston cup and just placing it in the water and ballistol mixture. Then cleaning the barrel normally?

[Junk Yard Dog]

I place nothing it the water, I just wash the water over any part of the rifle that was exposed to the salt, the gas system, bolt, the bore. That's all it takes to remove the salt, the rest is just normal powder fouling, or metal fouling, Hoppes 9 works just fine on that.

[jvc66]

I place nothing it the water, I just wash the water over any part of the rifle that was exposed to the salt, the gas system, bolt, the bore. That's all it takes to remove the salt, the rest is just normal powder fouling, or metal fouling, Hoppes 9 works just fine on that.

Ok that makes sense now. People had me so worried when I first shot my PU 91/30 and had a couple surplus ammo packages that I had to be scrubbing the second I stopped shooting. Makes me feel a little bit better no about surplus