SVT 40 vs SKS?

thumperpaul · 04-02-2008, 04:40 PM

Hi all
I was just wondering if anyone knew why the Russians switched over from the renowned design of the SVT 40 (whose design, I understand was incorporated into the German Gewher 43) to the SKS?
I'm assuming it was ease of production/cost effectiveness?

squirrelbaster · 04-02-2008, 04:49 PM

well im a big fan of both, but the svt40 had a lot of problems. just wasnt as reliable in war time conditions as the mosin nagant wich is what the switched back to after scrapping to svt40. a couple of years later the sks was invented and proved to be extremely reliable, you have to remember that the Russians first priority was a weapon that the most retarded peasant cant screw up no matter what. the svt40 is a very cool gun but could not be counted to not jam becouse of harsh conditions or poor upkeep.

jimkim · 04-02-2008, 04:55 PM

The simonov was easier and cheaper to make. The ammo was also cheaper. The stg 42 probably impressed the Soviets so much that they copied it. If you look at the 8mm kurtz side by side with the 7.62 x 39 you can see the similarities.

thumperpaul · 04-02-2008, 05:16 PM

Thanks guys,
I was just checking online about how the rifle was just too complicated for the average conscript to maintain back then (no offense meant to anyone). I have looked at YouTube and have seen how easy it is to field strip and maintain the SKS, so I can see how that would be a factor in adopting it over the SVT 40. I am eagerly awaiting the delivery of my Russian SKS later this month....Are the SVT 40s even availiable any more to the civilian market?

Big Dog · 04-02-2008, 06:50 PM

Simonov made a 7.62X54R battle rifle, the AVT. It competed with the SVT but lost. Both had reliability issues.
The SKS action was based on a scaled down version of their anti-tank rifle with the tipping bolt design. It's much more rugged.
An SKS beefed up for 7.62X54R would be interesting, a .308 Win would be even better.

allan1898 · 04-02-2008, 06:57 PM

The SVT 40 was not actually scrapped, but was limited in issue after problems developed in field use. You need to keep it clean to keep it functioning. Soviet Naval Infantry as well as some snipers continued to use the SVT 40. I guess their level of training made the difference? After the war, and on into more modern times, the interior ministry troopers on guard duty at the Kremlin continued to carry the SVT 40. At least that is how I remember my reading, but I just finished my taxes and I'm slightly fried. I haven't seen an SVT 40 lately, but they used to show up now and then at local gun shows(Houston, TX). Keep your eyes open, but be prepared to spend a bit. Got mine 3 or 4 years ago, set me back about $500 I think.

squirrelbaster · 04-02-2008, 07:14 PM

well allan you got one in the nick of time, they can still be had but now for at least twice that price, the ones i see that are is ok shape are at least a 1000 bucks or more...thats here in ohio. as of yet i cant get that kind of money together for just one gun, so many others i could buy with that. though i would LOVE to own one.

SwedeSteve · 04-04-2008, 02:02 PM

^+1! There are a whole lot of rifles I would spend $1000 on before a SVT!

Big Dog · 04-04-2008, 06:58 PM

I knew I shoulda bought the one at the gunshow for $450! You snooze, you lose!

impactco · 04-09-2008, 08:41 PM

They are still around but for bigger $ now. I have always wanted one also. I have two SKSs, a Romy and an Albanian, but there is something about the SVT-40 that has always fascinated me. I especially like this poster at this site: Welcome to Soviet Propaganda, comrade!

Well, last night a really nice one became available on CalGuns and I instantly snagged it!

More info here on the rifle:
**SPF**WTS—1941 Tula SVT-40 - Calguns.net

I'll post some more photos when I pick it up this Friday.

freewilly57 · 04-09-2008, 09:03 PM

That's a really nice gun, Congrats!

just_a_car · 04-09-2008, 09:21 PM

I've got a couple of awesome black&white pictures of an SVT-40 being held by a girl... but I can't post them here.

When I call them "gun porn", I really mean it.

squirrelbaster · 04-09-2008, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just_a_car

I've got a couple of awesome black&white pictures of an SVT-40 being held by a girl... but I can't post them here.

When I call them "gun porn", I really mean it.

i accualy think ive seen what your talking about.

just_a_car · 04-09-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrelbaster

i accualy think ive seen what your talking about.

Well, here's one from that photo set that I can show you (artist is Oleg Volk):

squirrelbaster · 04-09-2008, 10:10 PM

yup i have seen those pix!

impactco · 04-09-2008, 10:27 PM

Never mind!

just_a_car · 04-09-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by impactco

His "Girls with Guns" photography is here:

CAUTION: Not all work/family appropriate.

Um, I wasn't going to post that link for a reason... this is a family-friendly site.

impactco · 04-09-2008, 11:10 PM

No problem, fixed.

just_a_car · 04-09-2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by impactco

No problem, fixed.

Good man, you'll fit right in here.

Anyways, if people really want to find those pictures, they can do so by searching for the name of the site... at which point it's the same as if they were searching for that 'art' on their own, in my opinion. (and yes, I do consider it art as much of it is VERY tasteful and the photography is stunning)

...it's as if Hugh Hefner and Charlton Heston came out with a magazine.

squirrelbaster · 04-10-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just_a_car

Good man, you'll fit right in here.

Anyways, if people really want to find those pictures, they can do so by searching for the name of the site... at which point it's the same as if they were searching for that 'art' on their own, in my opinion. (and yes, I do consider it art as much of it is VERY tasteful and the photography is stunning)

...it's as if Hugh Hefner and Charlton Heston came out with a magazine.

+1

04-02-2008, 04:40 PM	#1
thumperpaul Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: vancouver bc canada Posts: 132 Trader Rating: (0)	SVT 40 vs SKS? Hi all I was just wondering if anyone knew why the Russians switched over from the renowned design of the SVT 40 (whose design, I understand was incorporated into the German Gewher 43) to the SKS? I'm assuming it was ease of production/cost effectiveness?

04-02-2008, 04:49 PM	#2
squirrelbaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,069 Trader Rating: (0)	well im a big fan of both, but the svt40 had a lot of problems. just wasnt as reliable in war time conditions as the mosin nagant wich is what the switched back to after scrapping to svt40. a couple of years later the sks was invented and proved to be extremely reliable, you have to remember that the Russians first priority was a weapon that the most retarded peasant cant screw up no matter what. the svt40 is a very cool gun but could not be counted to not jam becouse of harsh conditions or poor upkeep. __________________ "My Shotgun SAYS I AM the POLICE !"--Mooseman684 "I like Turtles!" youtube kid Last edited by squirrelbaster; 04-02-2008 at 04:59 PM.

04-02-2008, 04:55 PM	#3
jimkim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: eastman GA Posts: 1,761 Trader Rating: (0)	The simonov was easier and cheaper to make. The ammo was also cheaper. The stg 42 probably impressed the Soviets so much that they copied it. If you look at the 8mm kurtz side by side with the 7.62 x 39 you can see the similarities. __________________ Jan. 4, 2007...Gasoline $2.10/gallon HMMM? Jim

04-02-2008, 06:50 PM	#5
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,063 Trader Rating: (0)	Simonov made a 7.62X54R battle rifle, the AVT. It competed with the SVT but lost. Both had reliability issues. The SKS action was based on a scaled down version of their anti-tank rifle with the tipping bolt design. It's much more rugged. An SKS beefed up for 7.62X54R would be interesting, a .308 Win would be even better. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

04-02-2008, 07:14 PM	#7
squirrelbaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,069 Trader Rating: (0)	well allan you got one in the nick of time, they can still be had but now for at least twice that price, the ones i see that are is ok shape are at least a 1000 bucks or more...thats here in ohio. as of yet i cant get that kind of money together for just one gun, so many others i could buy with that. though i would LOVE to own one. __________________ "My Shotgun SAYS I AM the POLICE !"--Mooseman684 "I like Turtles!" youtube kid

04-02-2008, 05:16 PM	#4
thumperpaul Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: vancouver bc canada Posts: 132 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks guys, I was just checking online about how the rifle was just too complicated for the average conscript to maintain back then (no offense meant to anyone). I have looked at YouTube and have seen how easy it is to field strip and maintain the SKS, so I can see how that would be a factor in adopting it over the SVT 40. I am eagerly awaiting the delivery of my Russian SKS later this month....Are the SVT 40s even availiable any more to the civilian market?

04-02-2008, 06:57 PM	#6
allan1898 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 110 Trader Rating: (0)	The SVT 40 was not actually scrapped, but was limited in issue after problems developed in field use. You need to keep it clean to keep it functioning. Soviet Naval Infantry as well as some snipers continued to use the SVT 40. I guess their level of training made the difference? After the war, and on into more modern times, the interior ministry troopers on guard duty at the Kremlin continued to carry the SVT 40. At least that is how I remember my reading, but I just finished my taxes and I'm slightly fried. I haven't seen an SVT 40 lately, but they used to show up now and then at local gun shows(Houston, TX). Keep your eyes open, but be prepared to spend a bit. Got mine 3 or 4 years ago, set me back about $500 I think.

04-04-2008, 02:02 PM	#8
SwedeSteve Grumpy Old Fart Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: AnchorTown, Alaska Posts: 9,100 Trader Rating: (0)	^+1! There are a whole lot of rifles I would spend $1000 on before a SVT! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-04-2008, 06:58 PM	#9
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,063 Trader Rating: (0)	I knew I shoulda bought the one at the gunshow for $450! You snooze, you lose! __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

04-09-2008, 08:41 PM	#10
impactco Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern Kalifornistan Posts: 38 Trader Rating: (0)	They are still around but for bigger $ now. I have always wanted one also. I have two SKSs, a Romy and an Albanian, but there is something about the SVT-40 that has always fascinated me. I especially like this poster at this site: Welcome to Soviet Propaganda, comrade! Well, last night a really nice one became available on CalGuns and I instantly snagged it! More info here on the rifle: SPFWTS—1941 Tula SVT-40 - Calguns.net I'll post some more photos when I pick it up this Friday. Last edited by impactco; 04-09-2008 at 08:45 PM.

04-09-2008, 09:03 PM	#11
freewilly57 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Thumb of Michigan Posts: 13 Trader Rating: (0)	That's a really nice gun, Congrats!

04-09-2008, 09:21 PM	#12
just_a_car Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonds, WA Posts: 3,414 Trader Rating: (0)	I've got a couple of awesome black&white pictures of an SVT-40 being held by a girl... but I can't post them here. When I call them "gun porn", I really mean it. __________________

04-09-2008, 10:10 PM	#15
squirrelbaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,069 Trader Rating: (0)	yup i have seen those pix! __________________ "My Shotgun SAYS I AM the POLICE !"--Mooseman684 "I like Turtles!" youtube kid

04-09-2008, 10:27 PM	#16
impactco Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern Kalifornistan Posts: 38 Trader Rating: (0)	Never mind! Last edited by impactco; 04-09-2008 at 11:09 PM.

04-09-2008, 11:10 PM	#18
impactco Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern Kalifornistan Posts: 38 Trader Rating: (0)	No problem, fixed.