Russia's Tokarev Rifles - SVT38, SVT40, & AVT40

Today, we take an indepth look at the series of self-loading rifles designed by Fedor Vasilyevich Tokarev for the Soviet Union. As usual, we go into the history, development, and military service; as well as a bit into the mechanics and production variations.
We begin with Simonov's AVS-36; then get into Tokarev's original SVT-38, improved SVT-40, and finally the select fire AVT-40.
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This video is produced and published to KZbin for historical and educational purposes and to document and make record of the content herein publicly available for said purposes. The Mishaco channel is run by experienced and trained industry professionals and all activity portrayed and content herein is presented with all considerations to safety and in accordance with local, state, and the Federal law of the United States.

[@alanfenick1103]

Remember seeing a photo of a Soviet Sailor with a SVT40 escorting a German Soldier into captivity! That stimulated me to buy one in the 1970’s. It’s loud and accurate at 200 yards.It will sting shots if shot rapidly and gets hot! Recoil is about the same as a M1. Love the magazine capacity and removable! Great review!

[@hoodoovoodooyoodoo]

I have a 1941 Tula SVT40 refurb that I bought in about 1990-91 when they were still affordable. I have only rarely fired it, but man is it fun when I do! It seems happy in the vault, as long as it gets to come out to play occasionally.

[@elpistola1104]

Thanks again for another awesome video, you are by far the best Firearms historian and channel on the internet, thank you for everything you do God bless you, I've been wanting an SVT40 for ever ... someday

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

Thank you much, might have to do a storytime episode one day on how i got these 2. Both really were just happy coincidence.

[@xmeda]

SVT40 used to be very cheap 5-6 years ago, but now they basically doubled their price. Some were used also in Korea and Vietnam wars.

[@memorylane3866]

I found an SVT-40 in my old man’s stuff. I don’t know how much it’s worth over here in Canada but i sure as hell ain’t selling it lol.

[@VexChoccyMilk]

@@memorylane3866 Refurb or war capture?

[@fliegerkorpsx2806]

Love your work, Misha...

[@dustyvancekatzenberger]

Great video. I love the history of this weapon. I've always been fascinated by the SVT. Thanks, Misha.

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

Thank you for watching, cheers.

[@WhattAreYouSaying]

Very informative video. I have an SVT-40 myself, bought it a short time ago. It doesn't have original matching numbers, it's a Soviet refurbished rifle with force-matched electro-penciled numbers. But it's still an SVT-40 and I love it.

[@zacharybatten]

I have a Finnish capture SVT-40, and I am slightly worry about the stock cracking because mine has been sanded down at the wrist to fit a right hand better, so it is a sporter in that sense.

[@kurtistjones6337]

Your 10 times smarter then I'll ever be brother. Holy crap your an interesting dude. Thanks for your vids. You got my subscribe.

[@Inflorescensse]

I found one at an antique store in 2018. He thought it was some kind of Mosin. 550 he said. I got it for 450 cash. Works great. 1943 with an AVT stock.

[@grayflaneur4854]

Yeah, that whole Winter War idea worked out just wonderful....

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

Believe it or not, without it the USSR would ahve been even less prepaired for when the Germans invaded though.

[@copperandradium]

I would be nice to see you compare the SVT-40 to the Gewehr 41 and Gewehr 43.

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

Perhaps one day, but in a nutshell? SVT is better.

[@williamk1060]

The Germans were never very successful with issuing significant numbers of self loading rifles. Many German troops used captured SVT40s (redesignated Gewehr 259(r). Russia was able to produce a couple million self loading rifles between the SVTs and AVS. The Gewehr 41 was produced in very few numbers, and they were never able to get gewehr 43s in the numbers needed to make much of a difference.

[@PaulMauser]

Will Kay Even if the Germans had stg 44s at the beginning of the war it wouldn’t have made a difference.

[@williamk1060]

Absolutely, ultimately it was the allied strategic bombing of German factories and the fact they were fight 2 world wars on two fronts.

[@Front-Toward-Enemy]

@@williamk1060 Yeah, there was nothing Germany could have done to win WW2. Germany Lacked the Natural resources, like oil, to fight a war against all of the major super powers at once. Internet Historians love to come up with "what if" scenarios. But the reality is that Germany would never have won ww2 no matter what.

[@garrisonnichols807]

The Soviets Union was way ahead of most other nations especially Germany when it came to their adoption of the SVT-40. Having a 10 shot semiautomatic rifle would have been a game changer if all Soviet soldiers had one. The Germans captured alot of them and loved the gun so much compared to their K89 bolt action rifles that the Germans started making their own semi auto rifle the G43.

[@JoeyP322]

Yes!!! YES!!! Y E S !!!! Love it!! One of the rifle on my bucket list! Thank you very much

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

Thanks much for watching.

[@keanthegreat]

one of these would really have nothing to do with the mosin collection, my main collection, but OH baby do I want one. x54r is my favorite round, and I love my VEPR in x54r so it isn't much of a stretch to think I'd love one of these. Not to mention they are just good looking rifles. now, as a new viewer, I am going to go back in your videos and see if you might be the first person to help me find out about my Chinese SKS... lots of viewing ahead lol

[@aldangelo149]

Great video! I just picked up an SVT. Something seemed to be jiggling around in the butt stock so I removed the butt plate. I found 2 holes drilled into the buttstock similar to those found on the Garand. I've asked around on SVT forums and have received various possible reasons for these drilled holes but nothing definite. Do you know if this was something done by the Soviets to make the rifle lighter? Thanks for any information you can provide.

[@trevorthefilthyrat3742]

The short stroke gas system in the svt was forefather of the F/N49, F/N-fal, and F/N scar.

[@evandotterer4365]

The accuracy in rifle production you mentioned compared to France is impressive. It’s a nice reflective look that you don’t hear to often. Especially for the Soviet Union which truth tended to take a back seat to government.

[@aldoraine3364]

They are great semi-auto rifles and well made. I’d like to own one without havin to spend and arm and leg.

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

The 1940 in this video cost me $199.87 shipped. That was the price from CAI.

[@aldoraine3364]

When was that Ozark Bear Arms

[@JoeyP322]

Mid 90s... these came in with the Mosins and Soviet SKS. You can STILL get these in Canada for under $500 from what I understand

[@aldoraine3364]

Joey P sounds cheaper than what it is here in the states. Chinese SKS rifles are gettin expensive same with the Nagant rifles.

[@JoeyP322]

Big Ben77 buy what you can now... I was lucky enough to buy a lot of stuff a few years back when it was inexpensive and considered crap by most... my one regret is not getting an SVT40!!!

[@royfr8136]

never helf a gun. never fired a gun. grew up in a country with no guns. why do i watch these. i find this guys voice very relaxing.

[@haroldgeorge4222]

I just love my SVT 40 I take special care of it . Shoots real good with nice group's with good ammo I stay away from surplus ammo . Mine was purchased by a Navy Seal from a living Russian Sniper . I could see the special care of it . In the right hands a truly straight shooter. I was up at rifle range with my fellow riflemen from what I could see they had Remington 700 and other various hunting rifles with scopes . SVT 40 took command of the range. I also love my SKS a true workhorse. Thank you for all that great information you shared. Sincerely HAL

[@tommygun6028]

nice svt 40 misiak !!!! Thanks for Sharing !!!!!

[@zonex001]

What is the difference between the trigger parts of AVT and SVT?

[@el5495]

now that's a rifle

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

Yup, pretty much. They have a good feel to them and are surprisingly light given their size.

[@johnski4709]

That plum bolt. Keep as is or put back into the white? These are refurbed guns anyway force-matched.

[@WhattAreYouSaying]

I would keep it as it is. The plum bolt color may or may not be original to the rifle, depending on when it was made. Some late production rifles actually has plum bolts. But in most cases, a plum color bolt indicates a refurbished rifle. If the rifle is refurbished, the bolt is molt likely "re-plummed", even if it was a plum bolt originally. This is because during refurbishment they scrubbed off the serial number. After that they would have to add new "plumming". If you put it back into the white, your rifle would be one more step un-original. When I got my SVT-40, I was also thinking about putting the bolt back into the white. But I came to peace with that my rifle is refurbished and therefore has a plum bolt, as refurbished rifles and some late production rifles should have.

[@iowa_lot_to_travel9471]

Nyet. Rifle is fine. Mosin-nagant is a spear that shoots

[@Wetwilly87]

I had one of these a 1940 made Finnish captured. I got it for a decent price, around 2006 from a Marine who needed to get rid of it. I had to sell it unfortunately for less than what it’s worth because I needed fast cash to pay for down payment on my house. I kinda regret it now because they are are even more expensive than they were.

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

While I am not one of those types that never sells firearms...do it all the time, i usually avoid selling milsurp if at all possible. Only exception is when i am upgrading a firearm in the collection by doing so. Milsurp tends to always rise in value faster than more modern firearms. Plus they are just very fun and interesting.

[@Wetwilly87]

Ozark Bear Arms Thxs for the reply, yea I hear man, never again will I sell a milsurp.

[@Viinapoika]

Have you ever got your hands on Simonov AVS-36?

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

No, they are NFA firearms so not only rare but require additional paperwork and all that.

[@aamerkhazemalabady]

Perfect from lraq

[@shadowfoxcorp]

"Go fast parts." Lol. So the Russians were really making these things for, the Germans and, Finns.

[@Ingen.17]

Soviets*

[@milsurpmanmauser890]

I watch you I have spent money with you go to full 3o.

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

Thank you for watching, thank you more for spending money, & already signed up at Full 30.

[@milsurpmanmauser890]

Ozark Bear Arms I will add you as soon as your channel shows thanks john

[@Ingen.17]

Soviet*

[@memorylane3866]

Reminds me of how the whole fucking world thinks that America is only US. Not the same thing but i wanted to say it because fuck the US

[@Ingen.17]

@@memorylane3866 Very true.