Gun Show Loot! :D

[lexington86]

Dang... that is a nice looking firearm. Congrats!

[Agent Ronin]

Thank You all for the kind words

Of course now i need to set aside about 250$ to build a "spare parts" kit for it oh well.

[00gt1]

without too much hijacking of this thread, where did you pick up your ammo? i've been looking for a good cheap source of 54r's for quite some time.

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by Agent Ronin

So yea i was trying really hard not to spend to much (yea right)... ...introducing the Tokarev SVT-40



Details:
- 1940 Tula Production, Sniper rail equipped.
- 7.62x54r Think SKS with bigger balls...
- 90% bore, sharp rifling. Will probably be shiny after firing/cleaning a few times.
- Re-arsenaled at some point in time.

AR:

A few random observations, if you have time. All images enlarge with a click.

First, if it's a 1940, it has the wrong muzzle device. It's quite possible the Russians swapped it, but it should have the smaller slots like this:


You can change it back, but you'll need a little patience and mechanical skills. The one you have looks like the late-war variant.

Also, the "sniper rails" were machined into all SVT-40s until October 1942, the ones that were actually fitted with a telescopic sight had a locking recess machined into the rear of the receiver.

The plum-colored bolt carrier means it's a post-war rework, as most examples are these days. Unmodified SVT-40 rifles had bolt carriers left unfinished, here's my original SVT-40 from the early 1970s:



Here are all the tools associated with the SVT-40, should you choose to look for them:
-

You don't need them, except for possibly the combination front sight & receiver bolt tool. You don't need the gas adjustment tool unless you're looking to recreate a Soviet NCO to the very last detail. Please note that it's pentagonal (5-sided), so forget rummaging around in your toolbox looking for a socket that fit it. Many adjuster screws have been defaced by pliers and vice grips, for no other reason than ignorance.

Here's how it's supposed to be done. First, pull off the top cylinder cover. Next, loosen the piston using either the original tool or a suitable substitute (adjustable wrench is okay if you're careful not to scratch).



Push the gas screw back to loosen and turn to the desired setting. Note that the marks ("1.1", "1.3", etc) are the orifice size, in millimeters. When adjusted, you should have a flat surface facing up, a pointed facet facing down and the witness mark in alignment. See image (below).



Retighten the gas piston slowly, I suggest coating the piston threads with automotive-grade anti seize to ease any future service. Re-check the gas valve screw alignment. If okay, reinstall the covers.

Your objective is *just* getting to the point of reliable reloading, no more. Increasing the gas pressure beyond this point stresses the extractor and can lead to bolt carrier battering the receiver. Also, your empties will have many longitudinal marks running down the length off the case. This is from the chamber flutes, which are intended to ease extraction. If the bolt carrier is opening too violently, you might have side dents a-la AK style as well. Either way, cases will have a shorter life if you reload.

For those of you with good machining skills, it's very easy to turn down spare parts using a lathe. I got a lot of good machine shop grades from making SVT parts.

Don't sweat spare parts, magazines in particular. They were never made with the doctrine of changing mags to refill ammo the way we do today. They were meant to be top-filled from stripper clips SKS-style. Plus, there were a lot of local variances in SVT-40 clearances, so many magazines won't fit any rifle except for the one they were originally fitted for. I sold all of mine when I was offered $60 each for them.

Also, you got a good bargain, I can't recall the last SVT I saw under a kilobuck.

[Agent Ronin]

Thanks for the advice PA Rifleman. While i did know most of that stuff already I will never turn down advice.

I already got the rifle out to the range today, had to set the gas regulator to "1.2" for it to cycle. 1.1 short stroked. Using Bulgarian Heavy Ball, the rifle shot like a dream. Without really trying to hard every shot was within a 5" circle at 50 yards, nothing to write home about. I'm sure the next few range trips it will get better and better as the bore is already starting to shine up.


As for the source of my ammo...

GET YOUR OWN! :P

Kidding! there are three sources i look for surplus stuff.
www.aimsurplus.com
www.wideners.com
www.ammunitiontogo.com