Video: Soviet SVT-40 Rifle

by
posted on September 17, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Until Tokarev developed the SVT-40 rifle for Russia, no combatant military had succeeded in coming up with a gas system for a semi-automatic service rifle that was both light enough and simple enough to warrant adoption for use during World War II. While the U.S. had the M1 Garand, the Germans and the French were far behind. And although Tokarev's SVT showed great promise and was unique to the time—its gas system is still widely copied today—the rifle itself was not considered a success, and during the course of the war the Russians decided to continue using its bolt-action Moisin-Nagant. Thus SVT production throttled down and in 1945 was discontinued altogether. So while the idea of semi-automatic and selective-fire firearms in the hands of Soviet infantrymen was new, ultimately, it was the AK-47 that later fully realized what the idea of the Tokarev could have been.

Learn more in this “I Have This Old Gun” video segment from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV.

Latest

springfield armory kuna
springfield armory kuna

Springfield Kuna: A PDW For The Masses

Small, yet fierce, the namesake of Springfield Armory’s latest large-format pistol is a revered forest dweller in the land of its Croatian manufacturing partner, HS Produkt. The new Kuna is poised to be just as welcome in America.

The Armed Citizen® June 30, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Book Review: Clockwork Basilisk: The Early Revolvers Of Elisha Collier & Artemas Wheeler

The result of a decade of research, Clockwork Basilisk is a comprehensive, two-volume history of the rare revolvers that preceded the development of the well-known Colt guns of the 1830s.

Preview: 1791 Gunleather Cobra Gun Belt 01

Employing the same rugged and rigid 0.25"-thick American steerhide as 1791 Gunleather’s original Gun Belt 01, the new Cobra Gun Belt 01 offers enhanced ease of use by taking advantage of a high-strength Cobra quick-latch/release buckle.

NRA CEO Hamlin and President Bachenberg Hold First Virtual Townhall

In the interests of transparency, NRA CEO and EVP Doug Hamlin and NRA President Bill Bachenberg held a live Townhall event, where both answered direct questions from NRA members.

Benelli Adds New 28-Gauge Models to Super Black Eagle 3 Line

Benelli initially introduced the 28-ga. chambering to its Super Black Eagle 3 line in 2022, but this year, the company added three new models tailored specifically to hunters.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.