Any SVT-40 experts / knowledgable folks here? I have questions....

[Trepang]

Looking at an arsenal refurbished Tula 1942 SVT-40.

I have done a lot of reading but have only become more confused on a couple things.

1. It is a post-war arsenal overhaul yet it has the earlier 6 slot muzzle brake . According my research, Factory No.314 (Tula) started production of 2-port muzzle brakes after evacuation to Mednogorsk at the end of 1941. If they switched to the 2-port in late-1941, why would a post war rifle have the earlier 6-slot brake on it?

2. It has an early 8-hole top barrel shroud on it. Again, my research indicates they switched to the 7-hole shroud in January 1941 although some still have 8-hole shrouds as late as March 1941. If that is the case, why would a post-war overhauled gun have the early 8-hole shroud on it.

3. The receiver has the grooves for a scope mount. Again, my research says Tula eliminated rails in July 1941 however some October rifles still had rails (old stock of receivers used). I did find where there a few 1942 manufactured non-sniper rifles with rails. All of these rifles belong either to known sniper serial prefixes or supposed sniper prefixes and probably were selected to become sniper rifles but either failed some of the tests or were excess to sniper rifle requirements and thus were utilized for regular rifles. What are the odds this is one of those?

4. It also has a hole in the safety - something that went away in the fall of 1941.

Here are some pics that might help explain my questions.

I realize all the post-war overhauled rifles are a mixed bag of parts but I'm kinda stumped on why this one has so many earlier parts on it that it would have never had when manufactured.

I guess the bottom line is do you guys that are in the known on SVT-40s think this rifle is okay (at the right price) or should I walk away?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rocinante]

I realize all the post-war overhauled rifles are a mixed bag of parts but I'm kinda stumped on why this one has so many earlier parts on it that it would have never had when manufactured.

Probably the same reason Finland manufactured "new" M91 mosins in the 1940s- parts are parts, and when your country's GDP is based around the potato you don't exactly toss a stockpile of old parts simply because they're not current-generation.

Check bore condition and gas system for corrosion and stock wrist inlet before making an offer- SVTs beat the snot out of their bedding and aren't exactly well-bedded in the first place. If she has a wrist crossmember then it's less of a concern.

 

[John from MD]

It appears you have a parts gun. I have owned a few and it never hurt their accuracy as the Russians had stringent testing for their rifles. If you plan to shoot it a lot, I suggest two things. One, use two sets of ear protection and don't shoot under an overhang if at all possible. Two, try to pick up a spare op rod as it is the weak point being it is so long.

 

[Red1917]

Being a Soviet refurb it’s not uncommon for it to have earlier parts, I have a 1943 with a 6 port muzzle brake and other early features.

Most import on a rifle like that is to make sure the bore and gas system are in good shape. Looks nice on the outside from the pictures

 

[mawkie]

I have always been surprised every time I shoot my SVT-40. Shouldn't like it so much but I do. Not as accurate as my AG-42 but it's just pleasant to shoot. Every time I see a photo of a German soldier shooting a captured SVT-40 I understand why. The only downside? Cleaning it. Not much fun.

 

[h2u]

Your first sentence-
“Looking at an ARSENAL REFINISHED Tula 1942 SVT-40.”
…is the answer to all of your questions.

Once I see the first sentence, all of your questions are answered.

 

[Combloc]

I have a 1940 Izhevsk refurb. Like yours most of the parts are earlier parts. While refurbs ARE considered mixmasters, being automatics, I get the feeling these weren't reworked in quite the same way that the 91/30's were and I've always suspected that SVT 40's may have had more of their original parts kept together during the process for reliability purposes.



For example, my bore, gas piston, gas cylinder, and gas valve are all like new. Finding one of those parts in like new condition on these rifles is rare but finding ALL of them in that condition tells me the parts were kept together during the rework.
















I don't have a picture of the gas cylinder but it is likewise without pitting.

 

[AssMan]

Nothing to add that hasn't been said. What are these going for these days?

 

[Combloc]

Depending on condition, $2300 and up.

 

[Trepang]

Thanks - the number of early parts is what threw me.

I would have thought they burned through all the early parts during the war and none would be left over by time it came to rebuild them once the shooting had stopped.

The scope mount grooves on a 1942 #314 factory receiver does seem a bit out of the norm through.

 

[John from MD]

Thanks - the number of early parts is what threw me.

I would have thought they burned through all the early parts during the war and none would be left over by time it came to rebuild them once the shooting had stopped.

The scope mount grooves on a 1942 #314 factory receiver does seem a bit out of the norm through.

This late in the game, there really is no norm when it comes to milsurps unless they are of the "real" collectible grade.

 

[smdub]

Looks nice. Mine is a refurb in an AVT stock (like many of them were).

If you shoot it, likely a good idea to replace the recoil spring to keep from beating itself to death (a good idea on any old gun IMO.) They get old and weak. Makes most guns more plesant to shoot too since it reduces the bolt smashing into the back of the receiver. Not sure if others make them but I think this guy still has them:

SVT parts

 

[Red1917]

Thanks - the number of early parts is what threw me.

I would have thought they burned through all the early parts during the war and none would be left over by time it came to rebuild them once the shooting had stopped.

The scope mount grooves on a 1942 #314 factory receiver does seem a bit out of the norm through.

Well they're not just using new old stock parts during refurbishment, they're breaking all the rifles down new and old, throwing parts into bins, inspecting/refinishing and rebuilding essentially barreled receivers with parts from rifles that could have been made at any time during production. So you really get a broad mix of features on refurbished rifles, just about any combination is possible.

Railed receiver on a 1942 would be out of the norm as you mentioned

 

[Trepang]

Well they're not just using new old stock parts during refurbishment, they're breaking all the rifles down new and old, throwing parts into bins, inspecting/refinishing and rebuilding essentially barreled receivers with parts from rifles that could have been made at any time during production. So you really get a broad mix of features on refurbished rifles, just about any combination is possible.

Railed receiver on a 1942 would be out of the norm as you mentioned

Gotcha - that makes sense

 

[Combloc]

Take a look at RC Lugers. They are mostly matching with none to very few mismatched parts. So, as I said, not all Soviet reworks were "thrown into bins and with parts randomly grabbed". The Soviets weren't gorillas; they put thought into their programs and actions. An automatic is much more parts sensitive than a bolt action and it's reasonable, and in my experience, often seen, that more care was taken with some models to keep original parts together. People often parrot bad information without conducting research in this hobby.

 

[Trepang]

I appreciate all the input.

What threw me was why a post-war rebuild had so many early war parts.
I don't expect parts to match but I would have thought a post-war rebuild would have mostly late model parts on it.

The whole scope mount grooves on a 1942 receiver still bugs me a little but I can't imagine that is a Bubba modification and I have to assume it was one of the very few 1942 Tula/#314 SVT-40s that were in fact made with them. It does NOT have the notch on top of the receiver for a scope.

Believe I'm gonna make it mine.

 

[h2u]

I appreciate all the input.

What threw me was why a post-war rebuild had so many early war parts.
I don't expect parts to match but I would have thought a post-war rebuild would have mostly late model parts on it.

The whole scope mount grooves on a 1942 receiver still bugs me a little but I can't imagine that is a Bubba modification and I have to assume it was one of the very few 1942 Tula/#314 SVT-40s that were in fact made with them. It does NOT have the notch on top of the receiver for a scope.

Believe I'm gonna make it mine.

We all look forward to your pictorial

 

[Trepang]

We all look forward to your pictorial

 

[Trepang]

I appreciate all the help with researching this before I brought it home.

Very happy with it although I have not shot it yet.

It does have the scope mount grooves. Which from what I have been able to learn is pretty rare on a Factory #314/Tula 1942 SVT.

At this point I am closing the book on the Soviet side of my WWII collection - other than finding an authentic SVT bayonet and ammo pouch. I believe I now have a fair representation of their everyday infantry weapons.

Now looking to close out the German side which will require a PPK, P.08 and a Nazi marked High Power and HSc.

 

[John from MD]

I appreciate all the help with researching this before I brought it home.

Very happy with it although I have not shot it yet.

It does have the scope mount grooves. Which from what I have been able to learn is pretty rare on a Factory #314/Tula 1942 SVT.

At this point I am closing the book on the Soviet side of my WWII collection - other than finding an authentic SVT bayonet and ammo pouch. I believe I now have a fair representation of their everyday infantry weapons.

Now looking to close out the German side which will require a PPK, P.08 and a Nazi marked High Power and HSc.
View attachment 436830 View attachment 436831 View attachment 436832 View attachment 436833 View attachment 436834 View attachment 436836 View attachment 436837

Don't lose that magazine, it is worth as much as the rifle.