Soviet SVT-40 Converted to .303 British, Made In Canada

[@chickenslapper4058]

That is absolutely wild. I love it

[@The02seta]

The pin you are referring to is a stock cross pin(bolt). From what I have read there were roughly 50,000 SVT-40 rifle produced. The one I've acquired has rough rifling with rounded edges, shoots okay though. That is a beautiful sporting conversion! Love the sharing you provide.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you - I couldn't tell - what a tank of a rifle - yet with character and in a classic cartridge. Easy to shoot and like - a lot!

[@garysorrells8133]

Great review. Looks like someone created a great semi auto sporting rifle. It's truly unfortunate that ammo manufacturers are not producing some of the older calibers that some of us older shooters enjoy.

[@supersixbravo1610]

I think this is the first time I've ever seen or heard of a .303 semi automatic rifle. And it looks the perfect sort of fit for the cartridge. Very impressive.

[@nerradnosnhoj5122]

Welcome to Canada looks very nice where you are We out in Saskatchewan got a load of wet snow that is a unique rifle there , good for hunting for sure best wishes for your hunt , safe travels

[@Steve_G88]

There's a semi auto 303br called the Farquhar-Hill rifle. It just missed out on use in WW1 and i dont believe it ever hit full production.

[@TheRandCrews]

Canadians also created the Turner-SMLE prior to WWII did better than the M1 Garand with winter tests and shares a lot of parts with the former No.1 Mk III but a lot more expensive than the No.4 MkI

[@garyK.45ACP]

A very Canadian conversion! Looks nice and I am sure very practical. It's attractive in a quirky way. The .303 is a really great hunting cartridge

[@williamgaines9784]

The 303 British and 7.62×54R are very similar ballistically. It would have taken some chamber and bolt face work to convert, but it could be "made from scratch". Cool find. Those deer better look out! The far ejection could be a weak action spring. You may be able to find replacements.

[@hickeyskustomresto]

GLOBECO in the 60's imported a bunch of svt 40 rifles, but weren't able to get a lot of ammo(7.72x54r), they also had a stockpile of 303 cadet rifle barrels on hand, so the built these with brand new barrels, so many of these rifles still have really good barrels and shoot accurate. You just gotta make sure the gas is set low, if set too high they can hammer themselves to death. But it's adjustable so no big deal. Nice little rifles

[@justacentrist4147]

These are very bad conversions of svt40 done in the 60s with guns that came out of Finland captured during ww2. Globe co converted them because 7.62x54r ammunition was basically impossible to get at that time. And 303 surplus was everywhere They are also Not very safe conversions. Like most of what globe co-produced. Some other examples of what globe co produced include. 30-40 krags converted to 308 (unsafe), Swiss G11s converted to 30-30 ( not unsafe but they don't run well), sporterized Lee Enfields (actually not horrible conversions), and a whole host of other military guns butchered. Think of globe co as Canada Bannerman same idea buy old military stuff for pennies convert it and sell it cheap

[@94twentytwo76]

That’s brilliant! Very happy you take the time to share such incredible and interesting things 👍🏻🍻

[@sgtmajtrapp3391]

Never heard of this conversion much less ever seen one. Very interesting really enjoyed this submission course they are all good.

[@captainzeb1969]

“I think I missed”. My hunting buddies always say, “I thought I hit it!” 😂😂😂

[@williamstuart9812]

Very neat rifle Mike. I shot a really ugly sporter in the original chambering. Did not expect much but was pleasantly surprised. They had adjusted the gas to the extent it was very mild recoiling.

[@maritimemarksman5808]

Great video! Always thought these were an interesting piece of Canadian history.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you - unique and a true shooter - a fine rifle to own. Made in Canada is not easy to find - for center fire rifles anyway; although Savage and Winchester and others had some made in Canada.

[@chrismckay9923]

Kia Ora (Greetings)from NZ Mike. What a great shoot you had. Its great when you get a gun that just works for you. The old 303 is a pretty fair round. It's got a lot of fans here & still very well used. Never seen a rifle like that 1 tho. Bad luck on no deer. Lots here as last 2 lockdowns were on the roar.🦌👍 Kind regards Ma te wa ( all the best)

[@froodefroo]

As a Mohawk, seeing an ex-soviet rifle in .303 with a "Mohawk" makers mark sounds like a dream.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

The Mohawk is something else - fantastic I think.

[@morelanmn]

That is a attractive firearm. Building it in 303 is wild.

[@westcoaster7.62]

Wow, what a great find! Very cool rifle, thanks as always for sharing. Hope you're enjoying good heath again (looks like it👍) and good luck with this years hunt!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you WestCoaster! Great to hear from you. I tried to find you last time I was on the island but no cigars. I'll be back. : ) In the meantime - keep up the sensational Instagram pics! My best to you.

[@matthewdeepblue]

Love it... Can you do a video about all your guns that have been "modified". Glad you're feeling better btw

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Great idea - I'll make such a video or three : ) And thanks for the note on my health 🙏

[@cs-rj8ru]

I nearly purchased one at a gunshow in PA 2 years ago. Beautiful checkered stock and in 303. Was built in Canada. Must have been a shop up there that made these up either in small runs or on order back in the day.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi CS - I hope one comes round to you again - well worth buying IMHO

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Watch that gun vibrate in slow motion on u tube . You won’t believe it. The sites jump and the barrel wiggles like crazy shooting 762 by 54 .Any way. Glad you are feeling better !thank you for your videos.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks for the note Jensen!

[@oncall21]

I would love to own that rifle in a heart beat. In the days of plentiful surplus .303 ammo that would make a fantastic pig or deer rifle. Or as you have stated Mike, just a really fun gun to shoot. Many thanks for sharing!

[@farleyjj1]

😂😂😂 “ it’s so warm, the deer are all tanning!)😂😂😂

[@3eeee478]

Very interesting!

[@gordongrice9856]

Thank you again Mike. I'm just getting back into the .303 British rifles again. I have a just picked up P14 Enfield and I'm looking for a Lee Enfield and would like to get a Ross as well.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Good on you! The P14 Enfield is fantastic and not as well credited as it should be - same goes for the US M1917 Enfield. Good luck and good shooting!

[@kornkraker]

That is an interesting and well done modification. I had an SVT years ago that was basically a parts gun. That screw/bolt head you pointed out on the stock actually holds the stock in place. Remove it to pull the stock off. There is also a gate at the very back end of the receiver. Flip the gate out 90 degree to expose a washer or hollow shaped button. Insert the neck of your fired casing to depress this button to remove the fire control group. Pretty slick.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you! I had no idea - these are remarkable fine rifles - as you know.

[@jonlennon3348]

Now your rifle is one I wish I had. Whomever did the rebarrel work and rechamber and stock work did exquisite work. I have never seen one in the states.

[@OldManYelllsAtCloud]

Outstanding content as usual

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you Andrew!

[@89fingerslouieXRP]

Much easier to follow a blood trail and tracks in snow anyway and less chance of spoilage in cooler temps.

[@erroneous6947]

Very interesting sir. Thank you. I like these odd ducks. Like a 1895 Winchester in 7.62x54R made for Russia in WWI. A friend has a Mauser Re-barreled

[@erroneous6947]

In .308.

[@juliojames5986]

Interesting semi auto ! Thx 👍🏻

[@nathanielwowchuk6880]

when he was talking about seeing no deer and the camera started panning I thought the camera man was going to pan in on a buck watching while laying there

[@OpenAirOutdoors]

This is the first time I hear of Globe Firearms other than the one I own. A K98 converted to .308 Norma Mag. A beauty of a gun you have there👍

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hello Open Air - That Globe bolt action you have is a very fine rifle as well - I'm sure you know this - I owned a couple of them over time and both were completely reliable and accurate. Not many know they exist. Thanks for the note.

[@jtmachete]

I always enjoy your videos. That's an awesome rifle, would love to find one in 303

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you Jeff - Hope you get one of these - far better than I expected - excellent actually : )

[@belakkale]

It definately has new barrel, because the original one has a gas block almost at the front end, while in this thing the gas block is moved backwards. Also the folower in mag looks like original, but the mag itself is shortened

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks for the note - much I don't know about this rifle - but I sure like it!

[@davewinter2688]

Hey it's me again Mike. Wow another great video and I actually saw it just two hours after it was posted. I'm somewhat familiar with the Tokarev pistol but know absolutely nothing about the SVT-40 rifle. The only Russian rifles I know anything about are the Mosin-Nagant, AK's and SKS's. I guess I'll have to be researching now. I once had the wild idea of trying to collect at least one representative sample of every primary U.S. military rifle since the civil war along with at least one unaltered '98 Mauser and one British Lee Enfield. The rising price's of MILSURPS have put the KIBOSH on that idea for me.😃

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Dave, I like your plan! You're right though - the milsurps have gone up in price a lot. I'd keep an eye out for the ones that people pass on - maybe some camo paint; maybe some other feature - the core of the gun is all I register - the rest can be improved or replaced or brought back to original - just some thoughts. I hope you get an SVT - real shooters and better than people think - at least IMHO. Good luck and keep in touch!

[@strokersteve468]

I'm far from an expert. But, I was in under the impression that someone from the Montreal area made these from surplus and cheap SVTs in the 50s or early 60s . Thanks for your time making the video Mike.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

I think you're right - several viewers wrote me with similar info. Whoever made the Mohawk : Bravo!

[@strokersteve468]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Best of luck on your hunting!

[@peterisaacs1344]

I'm impressed

[@hillbillyscholar8126]

Globe Model 66/555 "Mohawk" as far as I can tell. Nice find.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

I'm so glad I bought this rifle : )

[@dalanwanbdiska6542]

Its the first day of snow. Yesterday was all ice. Now maybe I could go out for a walk for some deer. Got a moose already. Wow thats a awesome rifle. I need to keep an eye out for one of these beautiful beasts of a rifle. globco mohawks are deadly.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Congrats on the hunt success - best meat that I know of - moose I mean; best of luck for the venison hunt and hope you find one of these Canadian classic Mohawks. Cheers.

[@gordspeiran4520]

Welcome to Canada where even our Nerf guns are in 303 Brit. lol!

[@johannesvanhoek9080]

Super 👍

[@tiltedflip4491]

Fabulous!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you TF : )

[@michaelguerin56]

Nice conversion. I understand that these rifles were issued to Naval regiments because sailors (and their quartermasters) were accustomed to using and maintaining mechanical items. It is a weapon for trained regular force (and reserve) personnel i.e., NOT conscripts trained in wartime emergency conditions.

[@codymayrer5059]

If you find more I would buy one like that!!

[@BL-zi9wb]

Just when you thought you've seen everything.

[@Scrap_Goblin]

I'd love to get ahold of one of them myself

[@thomaskoppel2439]

Well, if a guy contemplated rechambering that Russian rifle, I can't think of a more likely candidate then .303 British. Same bore diameter, already set up to function with rimmed ammo. I'd imagine they they faced off the barrel shank until they had enough meat to ream a .303 chamber. Kind of reminds me of what guys did with 7.7 Jap after the war. The ammo was uncommon, so they faced off the barrel shank til they had enough to cut a .300 Savage chamber. I had one of those sporterized jobs as my first high power rifle. Remarkable, it shot pretty darn well with that undersized .308 bullet!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks Thomas - I had no idea about the Arisaka - glad it worked for them. The .303 is a gem - one of my favorite semi's - excellent!

[@jimf1964]

It’s a monster! It’s burning my eyes! 😀😀. Probably the nicest stock a Russian gun has ever seen. Kind of a neat oddity to have.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

You're right Jim - that is a nice stock!

[@marksmith9295]

Great video Mike and glad to see a homemade conversion of an interesting rifle. Indeed 303 British is what this calibre is called in North America. Others can call it what they want according to their vernacular but Canada ceased being a colony in 1867. Just dont stuff a 303 Savage in a rifle meant for the 303 British or a 303 British in a model 99 Savage 303 (which you have previously covered) 😊

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Mark - Thanks for the note. All things considered these rifle - or at least this one - are fine conversions. People are telling me that they don't work for long - I guess I'll find out : ) Good hunting and shooting Mark

[@marksmith9295]

Thanks for taking time to reply Mike. Hunting options limited this year but hoping I can shoot some targets using the 45 long colt adapter i got last year for my Martini Henry 577/450. My great grandfather lugged one of these around in Burma during the 3rd Burmese war in the 1880s before emigrating to Canada in 1906. He also served in India suppressing uprisings in the Kyber pass with Royal Scots Fusiliers. Military service committment was 12 years in those thankfully past "colonial" days.

[@Perry2186]

Neat

[@jorgechalub8930]

Exelente tu vídeo saludos desde Argentina

[@blindfredy6128]

As usual I start with G’day Sog but now I know your name is Mike I will now start with G’day Mike, really nice rifle, back in the 70s you could pick up an ex army .303 for $99.00 with 100 rounds of ammo, great pig gun. Donkeys years ago water buffaloes and crocodiles in Australia were hunted with ex mil .303s, good cartridge for anything in Australia.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi bf! Always great to hear about Australia and for sure - when I visited the .303 was known and used all over. Great round and great country. Those endless acres in the interior - unforgettable. I guess there is more going on out from Alice Springs now. Anyway, the .303 can do just about anything - with solids it's hard to stop that bullet esp. the 220 gr. long solid IMHO. All the best to you! Mike

[@stephenwhittier6439]

👍

[@balancedfordaylight1]

Man that might be the coolest thing I have ever seen, I love your channel cause I get to see firearms that are not common in the united states

[@davidh2770]

The way I see it, it can't just be a modified original 7,62x54R barrel, because the gasport of this rifle is way closer to the chamber, than on a original soviet SVT 40. I wonder why they did that, does a 303 have a pressure curve that differs so much from a 7,62x54R?! The old Cordite loading may be the reason for that, although it seems to work just fine with modern 303 loads.🤔

[@krockpotbroccoli65]

That thing is an abomination. A beautiful, elegant abomination. A truly professionally done bubba hack job.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you KrockpotBroccoli - we each see things in our own way - all ways are good IMHO Good hunting and shooting!

[@Hunting_Grt_whiteNorth]

Sauer makes a 303 semi, as doe the Titan 6 Austrslian Rossler ( I believe), then there is another I'm thinking of was developed in England by Colonel Moubray Farquhar-Hill a Circi

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you. The Sauer may be 303 by model number instead of chambering - fine rifle though; jams sometimes which seems to happen with just about any rifle from time to time. I'll look up the English rifle.

[@mrgruisinge]

That is interesting. If I see one here in the us I might buy it too.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hope you find one Gary R - great rifle and made for shooting - this one will be one of my shooters - just great!

[@regsparkes6507]

Now that's an interesting rifle! Accurate too, or is that fine talent showing again Mike? :)

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Reg - I guess I can hit the odd thing or two - but this truly is a very accurate rifle : ) Thanks for the note - always appreciated! All the best Reg

[@regsparkes6507]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns I tip my hat to you Mike!

[@pinehtr8730]

A treasure.

[@kenaidog6974]

Send it to Hagn for custom stock, sights, and engraving. It has very fast lock time.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Love the idea Kenai - I can imagine what Martin would have to say about the idea 😂

[@cameronlamb7274]

The barrels were brand new lee enfield barrels I have been told

[@Ade4fish]

Good film and very interesting rifle. i am always amused by you "Colonials" who say ".303 British" It is just ".303" I take it as a compliment but who knows? Keep up the good work and thanks.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks - I didn't know that. Even the ammo boxes identify as ".303 British" - perhaps because we also have .303 Savage, .303 Epps etc... : ) It's all good.

[@realmetis8002]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns yes bingo

[@cs-rj8ru]

Funny I thought when I was a boy in the 80's you Brits were the "Colonials" as we had bases in the UK.

[@Ade4fish]

@@cs-rj8ru Very good c s 👍

[@realmetis8002]

@@cs-rj8ru us brits? Who you calling a brit 🤔

[@forge20]

Interesting that .303 doesn't throw the bolt back far enough to allow it to lock open on an empty magazine. Probably the marginally lighter recoil is part of the reason the conversion was made in the first place?

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Good observation - I didn't notice that - the bolt travle. Recoil was quite reasonable as you can see. Altogether a pretty good conversion.

[@forge20]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Seems like a lot of fun to shoot. You consistently manage to come up with interesting pieces.

[@rainbow2710]

Interesting conversion, final product justifies the work done as it is beautiful. In essence...303 and 7,62 Russian may not be that far from each other, except for the higher energy and velocity of the Russian. Interesting to know how two very different armies adopted the same caliber bullet. Great vid, thanks.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi John - Thanks for the note - which inspired me to look up the cartridge and bullet dimensions for the .303 and the 7.62. I was interested to find that the .303 British is identified as the metric 7.7X56R with a bullet dia of 7.92mm or 0.312/0.311 inches and the 7.62x54R uses .312/.311 as well. And the 7.7 Japanese likewise. I'm sure you know all this. Somehow I thought the .303 British had a minimally larger bore. I learn more clearly every day : ) Thanks Jon

[@rainbow2710]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns You're most welcome. Honored to have been of help. I reload all the ammunition for my guns - that's like two dozen calibers - and it's useful to know which are the matching calibers and which are the no-go's - for example, some think that 7.62x39 is same bullet as 7.62x51 when it's actually 0.311" or 0.312" against the .308". Cheers and thank you for the excellent video.

[@jmichos]

@@rainbow2710very informative and interesting comment. Thanks.

[@jimthefencer5212]

How does it get any better than this

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Life is great Jim the Fencer - and I like your username!

[@jusportel]

Some of those work well, some don’t… A friend had one that was absolutely horrible, wouldn’t feed reliably or cycle properly. They used P-14 Enfield barrels when they converted them.

[@TommygunNG]

Good to convert to caliber more common in North America.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Fair enough Lee - although .303 British is not too hard to find - for sure it isn't as easy as say, 30-06. Cheers

[@TommygunNG]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns You're in Canada. .303 is THE legacy cartridge there. The Canadian Rangers used it as their standard till about 2015, I believe.

[@Oregun44]

Your gun so you do you. That being said, the sporterized hurts my soul. The .303 is fine though

[@joehalligan7497]

Apologies if it has been asked a million times but I’m curious What USOG stands for?

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

United states of guns : )

[@joehalligan7497]

Thanks! Great channel BTW👍🏻

[@edwardweiszbeck1649]

Do you live in British Columbia sir ?

[@joshawageorge2122]

How much do you want for that rifle? Or where could order one?

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Joshawa - I'll hang on to it for now - such a fine shooter and nice to to own; these rifles are scarce but they do show up on used gun sites and gun shows once in awhile. I think you'll come across one. Cheers

[@Pattern51lover]

Gross stop it! 😭😭😭 I wish we could get SVT’s in the US

[@Dmitriy-l1q]

Нормально получилось.

[@jackthompson7019]

I wish you were my grandad

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you Jack; I wish you only the best.

[@willypp13]

Wow, this channel always gets me hyped up,but it’s not showing me the new videos on my list. KZbin against freedom as usual

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hopefully things will get better WP - I just keep making videos : )

[@justacentrist4147]

Its my understanding these conversions are unsafe dudeto the setting back of the gas system causing overpressure whitch basically beats the gun to death. Ifyou have one of these old globe.co's shoot it at your own risk

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you - I had no idea; I've owned 6 of these going back a couple of decades and fired well over a thousand rounds - most of it surplus ammo. I guess I'm lucky - fabulous accuracy, reliability and function. Maybe some owners modified theirs. I still have one - I'll have a peek at the gas system. All the others were unmodified as the gas pressure curve is about the same.Thanks again and all the best.

[@justacentrist4147]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns no problem I really enjoy your channel we have similar taste in firearms. If your gass regulator still works which is rare on these globe co's due to neglect and shooting corrosive ammo. It's my understanding that if you're going to shoot it make sure your gas system is at its lowest setting where it will still function but not be over gassed to minimize ware on the action. The original SVT40 has the gas block out near the muzzle (and it's easy to tear down). Globe co basically cut the gas system in half and set it back on the new barrel (the barrel is a Lee Enfield barrel re-worked to fit the receiver) most of these globe co SVT rifles have not aged well the grass ports tend to become enlarged and the gass adjustments get rusted in place. Iv handled 2 now but have never fired one. The rear of the receivers and bolt carriers on both were beaten to hell (the trigger guard latch plungers were mushroomed in place) and the gas systems were rusted. It's rather difficult to pull apart the gas system on these guns (and impossible to remove the piston if the trigger guard latch plunger won't come out). I figure most people just didn't tear down these guns to clean them and didn't pay attention to gas regulation. These guns didn't cost much brand new in the 60s and like a lot of old semi autos guns owners didn't take them apart to clean them until they stopped cycling. Gun Geek (Scot) has a few videos on these guns and the issues with them