Collecting and Shooting the 7.62mm Tokarev Self-loading Rifle (SVT-40)

SVT-40 Rifle Disassembly and Reassembly Instructions

SVT-40 Parts Legend
1	Stock	17	Middle Spring Guide
2	Barrel/Receiver Assembly	18	Rear Spring Guide
3	Piston Cover	19	Rear Recoil Spring
4	Hand Guard	20	Front Recoil Spring
5	Cleaning Rod	21	Piston Rod
6	Cross Pin Screw	22	Piston Spring
7	Trigger Assembly	23	Gas Piston
8	Swivel Band	24	Gas Cylinder
9	Magazine	25	Piston Rod Extension
10	Magazine Case
11	Magazine Follower Spring
12	Magazine Bottom
13	Magazine Follower
14	Bolt
15	Bolt Carrier
16	Receiver Cover
*Numbers correspond with parts diagram above, not steps blow.

Click on any of the small "Figure" images below to see a larger version of the image.

Disassembly Instructions

1) Point rifle in safe direction.

2) Flip safety to safe position (as shown in figure 2).

3) Depress magazine release forward.

4) Remove the magazine from the rifle.

5) Open the bolt and pull to the rear of the receiver to cock. Then close bolt.

Note: Examine rifle to make sure it is unloaded.

6) Push down on receiver cover.

7) Push receiver cover forward.

8) Disengage rear spring guide from slot inside rear of receiver cover.

9) Remove receiver cover.

10) Allow rear spring and rear spring guide to expand and press against rear of receiver.

11) Pull bolt carrier to rear of receiver.

12) Pivot bolt carrier as show in figure 12 (bringing handle towards you).

Note: Be very careful with recoil springs as they are compressed during this procedure.

13) Remove the bolt carrier, bolt, and recoil spring assembly.

14) Figure 14 shows the recoil spring assembly.

15) Remove front recoil spring from spring guide.

16) Remove rear recoil spring from spring guide.

17) Remove rear spring guide.

18) Separate bolt and bolt carrier.

19) Figure 19 shows the separated bolt and bolt carrier.

20) While depressing cleaning rod release button on bayonet lug, remove cleaning rod.

21) Depress swivel band spring.

22) Slide the swivel band forward.

23) Remove the swivel band.

24) The piston cover is hinged at front.

25) While lifting from rear, remove piston cover.

26) Lift hand guard from front.

27) Remove hand guard.

28) Slide piston cylinder down as shown in figure 28.

29) If you do not have SVT tool you can use an adjustable wrench to turn piston counter-clockwise.

30) Once the piston is free, remove entire piston/rod assembly can be removed.

31) Remove the piston/rod assembly.

32) Remove piston spring.

33) Remove the piston rod extension from piston rod.

34) Remove piston from gas cylinder.

35) Remove gas cylinder from piston rod.

36) Rotate trigger release cover to expose trigger release.

37) Depress trigger release.

38) Trigger assembly can be removed as shown in figure 38.

39) Figure 39 shows the removed trigger assembly.

40) If you do not have an SVT tool you can if you are careful to not damage the stock use a pair of adjustable pliers to loosen and remove the cross pin screw.

41) Turn cross pin screw counter-clockwise.

42) Remove cross pin screw.

43) Lifting from rear remove receiver and barrel assembly and set aside.

44) Figure 44 shows the disassembled SVT-40 rifle.

Reassembly Instructions

45) Return receiver and barrel assembly to stock.

46) Compress cross pin screw as shown in figure 46.

47) Install cross pin screw.

48) Tighten cross pin screw.

49) Place piston rod extension over piston rod.

50) Replace piston spring.

51) Insert piston rod extension and piston spring into rifle as shown in figure 51.

52) Replace gas cylinder.

53) Reinstall the gas piston.

54) Attach gas piston.

55) Turn gas piston clock-wise.

56) Replace hand guard.

57) Replace piston cover. It slides under guides at front.

58) Lower piston cover to rear.

59) Replace the swivel band.

60) Depress swivel band spring and slide swivel band into place.

61) Reinstall trigger assembly.

62) Depress trigger assembly and lock into place.

63) Rotate trigger release cover to cover trigger release.

64) Combine bolt and bolt carrier.

65) Bolt and bolt carrier fit together as shown in figure 65.

66) Replace bolt and bolt carrier into receiver.

67) Tighten rear guard screw.

68) Pivot bolt carrier as show in figure 68 (bringing handle towards you). Lay bolt carrier down and into slot in receiver rails.

69) Push bolt carrier to front of receiver.

70) Replace rear recoil spring on rear spring guide.

71) Attach rear recoil spring to middle spring guide.

72) Attach front recoil spring to middle spring guide.

73) Slide front recoil spring into rear of bolt carrier.

74) Compress recoil springs by pressing on rear spring guide.

Allow recoil springs to expand and rest rear spring guide against back of receiver.

75) Compress recoil springs by pressing on rear spring guide. Place rear spring guide into slot inside rear of receiver cover.

76) Slide receiver cover into slots and slide to rear while allowing recoil springs to expand.

77) Allow receiver cover to slide into place.

78) Figure 78 shows the reassembled receiver.

79) Cycle bolt carrier handle to make sure there is no binding.

80) While depressing cleaning rod release button on bayonet lug, replace cleaning rod.

81) Lift magazine lever forward.

82) Insert magazine.

83) Lock magazine into place.

84) Depress magazine lever to rear.

85) Lock magazine lever to rear.

The rifle is reassembled!