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Tokarev SVT-40

1940 COLD WAR KOREAN WAR VIETNAM WAR WORLD WAR 2

History

In the decade leading up to World War II, small arms ingenuity was one area in which the Soviets outperformed their German counterparts. A clear example is the AVS36 - Avtomaticheskaia Vintovka Simonova - designed by S.G. Simonov - a semi-automatic firing, self-loading service rifle that gave standard infantry a clear advantage in continuous fire compared to those still using bolt-action rifles. A A soldier with an automatic rifle and the right amount of ammunition is built for a more efficient combat force, and along with other battlefield equipment provides a lot of tactical flexibility.

However, the AVS36 is a complex beast, not well adapted to the rigors of combat - it is prone to malfunction when firing the powerful Russian 7.62x54R cartridge, especially with its internal moving parts. Also, the general problem of dirt and dust getting inside makes it difficult to operate.

Thus, the AVS36 was a short-lived "success" that eventually gave way to the SVT-38 series designed by Tokarev.

The SVT-38 (Samozariadnyia Vintovka Tokareva) entered service in 1938 and immediately replaced the AVS36 series in service with the Red Army. The weapon system was designed by F.V. Tokarev, who also provided useful TT series pistols in the early 1930s. The SVT-38 uses a pneumatic actuation action with the locking block pressing down on the cutout groove on the bottom of the receiver. The stock is two-piece, while the barrel is locked with a six-flap muzzle brake to control recoil.

A detachable ten-round magazine is mounted under the receiver in front of the trigger assembly, and the front wooden handguard is supplemented by a steel plate cover that covers the barrel to protect the shooter's sight. Very unusually, a cleaning rod is attached to the right side of the stock.

While the SVT-38 is an "update" of the two designs, it is by no means an improvement over the AVS36 series and is just as flimsy as its predecessor. The fragility stems from the design trying to keep the new rifle as light as possible, which unfortunately resulted in its inherently powerful firing action (and subsequent recoil) actually separating the internal components.

Additionally, like the AVS36 before it, the SVT-38 assembly has been subjected to the general rigors of everyday combat, including dust, dirt, debris, and generally accepted abuse. In 1941, the six-blade muzzle brake was refitted with a two-baffle design to compensate for some recoil and muzzle blast, while some were also retrofitted with mounts for sniper roles' scopes.

Note that the SVT-38 was a limited upgrade and was not produced until 1940, when it was replaced by the like-minded SVT-40.

The SVT-40 features a heavy-duty wooden frame (single and dual straps in the SVT-38) with a prominent metal barrel system, integrated ergonomic grip and attached stock. The shortened wooden front end on the SVT-40 is slotted on the sides for better forward grip, and four horizontal ventilation slots are cut into the upper front for barrel cooling.

Further down the wooden front end, the barrel is wrapped in a sheet metal cover for all-round ventilation. The barrel is locked with a six-flap muzzle brake, and the forward sight rod is visible for accurate shooting.

The receiver contains all major working internal components, which are essentially the same as the SVT-38 series. The curved trigger is housed in an elongated trigger guard, and the 10-round detachable magazine is mounted directly in front of it. Spent cartridges are ejected from the right side of the fuselage. A reversible mirror is mounted on top of the receiver before magazine feed.

The cleaning stick has now been moved to a more traditional location under the barrel.

Specification

Basics

Year of Service

1940

Origins

Soviet Union

Categories

Self-loading semi-automatic rifle

Manufacturer

National Factory - USSR

Carrier

China; Finland; North Korea; Russia; former Soviet Union

Roles

Auto function

Has mechanical features to automate the firing process.

Accuracy/Precision

Long-range accuracy/accuracy capability; good for sniping, especially when equipped with sights.

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

1,226 mm

48. 27 inches

Barrel length

625mm

24. 61 inches

Cured weight

8.49 lbs

3.85 kg

Attractions

Front and rear irons; optional optics.

Action

Pneumatic, semi-automatic

Semi-automatic

One shot per trigger; self-loading or self-loading action supported by internal mechanisms; stroke management (and initial cocking) typically required by operators; subsequent shots assisted by unlocking/moving bolts.

Gas Power

proposes a pneumatic system that typically consists of a cylinder and a rear drive piston that directs power to the bolt assembly.