{
  "apiVersion": 1,
  "kind": "work-order",
  "purpose": "Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification.",
  "firearm": {
    "slug": "svt-40",
    "name": "Tokarev SVT-40",
    "manufacturer": {
      "id": "tula",
      "name": "Tula Arms Plant"
    },
    "category": "rifle",
    "action": "gas-operated-short-stroke",
    "calibers": [
      "7.62x54mmR"
    ],
    "alsoKnownAs": [
      "SVT-40",
      "Samozaryadnaya Vintovka Tokareva"
    ],
    "coversAlso": [
      "SVT-38 (earlier, with differences)",
      "AVT-40 (select-fire variant)"
    ],
    "page": "firearms/svt-40.html",
    "bundle": "api/v1/firearms/svt-40.json",
    "lastUpdated": "2026-10-29"
  },
  "notices": [
    "This work order is written for the Tokarev SVT-40. It is reported to cover SVT-38 (earlier, with differences); AVT-40 (select-fire variant) — if the firearm on the bench is one of those, check the torque notes: values do not always carry over.",
    "No torque values are recorded for this firearm. Get them from the manufacturer or a gunsmith; do not estimate."
  ],
  "disclaimer": {
    "headline": "Read this before you use anything here.",
    "points": [
      "This is a guide, not an authority. Entries are compiled from manufacturer manuals, technical manuals, published references, and community knowledge. Some of it comes from sources that are not authoritative, and some of it may simply be wrong.",
      "Always consult the manufacturer's manual for your specific firearm and serial-number range. Manufacturers change designs mid-production without renaming the model. The manual that shipped with your firearm outranks anything on this site.",
      "Consult a licensed gunsmith for anything beyond routine field stripping and cleaning, for any firearm you are unsure about, and for any procedure marked as gunsmith-recommended here.",
      "Treat every firearm as loaded. Verify it is unloaded, with the magazine removed and the chamber physically and visually checked, before any procedure in this database. Point it in a safe direction the entire time.",
      "Disassembly can damage a firearm or injure you. Springs are under tension, parts can launch, and reassembling a firearm incorrectly can make it unsafe to fire in a way that is not obvious from the outside. If a reassembled firearm does not pass a function check, stop and see a gunsmith.",
      "Torque values are shown in two groups. Values from the manufacturer or the issuing military are shown as such, with the document they came from. Values reported by anyone else — parts makers, gunsmithing publishers, articles, forums — are shown separately with who said them, how reliable that source is, and their exact words. Those are not specifications. Confirm any torque value with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before relying on it.",
      "Nothing here is legal advice. Firearms law varies by country, state, and city, and some modifications or configurations are regulated or prohibited. You are responsible for knowing and following the law where you are.",
      "No warranty of any kind. Contributors and maintainers accept no liability for damage, injury, or loss arising from use of this material."
    ],
    "page": "disclaimer.html",
    "legal": {
      "summary": "Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.",
      "page": "legal.html",
      "notice": "https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown/blob/main/LEGAL.md"
    }
  },
  "sourcing": {
    "confidence": "medium",
    "verification": "community-reviewed"
  },
  "manufacturerDisassembly": {
    "status": "not-recorded",
    "limit": null,
    "statement": null,
    "source": null
  },
  "recalls": [],
  "shopTier": {
    "tier": 3,
    "group": "rifle",
    "rating": "Pew-Takedown editorial rating (1 easy – 3 hardest), not the manufacturer's",
    "reason": "A complex WWII gas rifle: detachable gas regulator and piston, a two-piece recoil spring that is held compressed while the second half goes in, an extractor plunger that is hard to depress, and a trigger group owners describe as very hard to click back in. Several tensioned parts plus reported misery put it at Tier 3.",
    "confidence": "low",
    "partCount": {
      "value": 63,
      "kind": "line-items",
      "covers": "complete Tokarev SVT-38/SVT-40 self-loading rifle per the Gun Digest exploded drawing legend 'Tokarev Model 38 and 40' (courtesy of Blacksmith Corporation), keys 1-63: muzzle brake and gas regulator, ",
      "basis": "publication-diagram",
      "source": {
        "title": "The Gun Digest Book of Exploded Gun Drawings (975 isometric views) — Tokarev 'Model 38 and 40 Bolt-Action Rifle'",
        "publisher": "Gun Digest Books / Krause Publications (scan on archive.org)",
        "reliability": "secondary",
        "url": "https://archive.org/download/the-book-of-exploded-gun-drawings-975-isometric-views/The%20Book%20of%20Exploded%20Gun%20Drawings%20-%20975%20Isometric%20Views.pdf",
        "page": "book p. 899 (PDF page 900)",
        "pdfPage": null,
        "pageUrl": null,
        "quote": "63 Rear Sight Assembly"
      }
    },
    "painPoints": [
      {
        "issue": "The trigger group is very hard to snap back into the receiver and stock. Owners use a dowel and mallet or a hard palm strike.",
        "during": "reassembly",
        "source": {
          "title": "SVT-40 trigger pack reassembly problem",
          "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz",
          "reliability": "anecdotal",
          "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/goto/post?id=9704812",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "Despite having the little gate at the rear of the receiver at the 9 o’clock position, it is very difficult for me to click the trigger pack into place."
        }
      },
      {
        "issue": "The recoil spring is two springs on a telescoping rod. The inner half has to be held compressed by hand while the outer half is brought in.",
        "during": "both",
        "source": {
          "title": "Mechanical Problems with SVT 40's? (page 3)",
          "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz",
          "reliability": "anecdotal",
          "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/mechanical-problems-with-svt-40s.1349612/latest",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "You use one hand to hold the inner half of the spring compressed while using the other to bring the second portion in."
        }
      },
      {
        "issue": "The trigger-guard latch plunger often will not depress to release the group on first strip, especially with cosmoline.",
        "during": "disassembly",
        "source": {
          "title": "Svt 40 noob question",
          "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz",
          "reliability": "anecdotal",
          "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/svt-40-noob-question.1081270",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "The trigger group can be a pain to reinstall. I carved a groove in a piece of 2x4 the width of the trigger guard that I can double hand slam it with."
        }
      },
      {
        "issue": "The extractor plunger in the bolt is hard to depress to free the extractor.",
        "during": "both",
        "source": {
          "title": "SVT-40 Bolt Disassembly",
          "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz",
          "reliability": "anecdotal",
          "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/goto/post?id=7328482",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "For the extractor, if you look at the rear, there,s a slot, using a pointed tool, the extractor plunger is pushed back then the extractor can be removed."
        }
      }
    ],
    "minutes": {
      "strip": 60,
      "rebuild": 90,
      "basis": "estimated",
      "note": "Receiver cover, two-part recoil spring, carrier and bolt, gas regulator, piston and tube, trigger group, extractor, stock and muzzle brake.",
      "source": null
    },
    "stripScope": [
      {
        "assembly": "Receiver",
        "removes": [
          "receiver cover",
          "recoil spring (two halves)",
          "bolt carrier and bolt",
          "trigger group (latch plunger)",
          "magazine catch"
        ]
      },
      {
        "assembly": "Gas system",
        "removes": [
          "gas plug / regulator",
          "gas piston and spring",
          "pusher rod"
        ]
      },
      {
        "assembly": "Bolt",
        "removes": [
          "firing pin and pin",
          "extractor, plunger, spring"
        ]
      },
      {
        "assembly": "Stock / barrel",
        "removes": [
          "handguards",
          "barrel bands",
          "muzzle brake",
          "sights"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "hardware": {
      "pins": 5,
      "springs": 13,
      "detents": 4,
      "basis": "counted by name in the same legend (line items). Pins: 28 ejector pin, 33 trigger guard latch pin, 37 split cross pin, 56 magazine catch and sear pins, 57 trigger and trigger spring pins (18 firing pi"
    },
    "specialTools": [
      {
        "tool": "brass drift",
        "usedFor": "Trigger-guard latch plunger"
      },
      {
        "tool": "rubber mallet / wood block",
        "usedFor": "Seating the trigger group (owners' method)"
      },
      {
        "tool": "SVT regulator tool (cleaning kit)",
        "usedFor": "Gas regulator"
      }
    ],
    "fitOnRebuild": [
      {
        "check": "Gas regulator back to recorded setting",
        "why": "A wrong setting batters the rifle or stops it cycling.",
        "source": null
      },
      {
        "check": "Function check (safety, trigger reset, feeding, extraction)",
        "why": "Standard after any detail strip. No single source.",
        "source": null
      },
      {
        "check": "Re-zero sights or scope",
        "why": "Sights and optics come off for coating, and point of impact must be re-confirmed. This is a standard check, so no source.",
        "source": null
      }
    ],
    "assessed": "2026-10-29"
  },
  "videos": [],
  "configurations": [],
  "tools": [],
  "phases": [
    {
      "id": "clear",
      "title": "Clear and make safe",
      "steps": [
        {
          "n": 1,
          "instruction": "Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger."
        },
        {
          "n": 2,
          "instruction": "Place the selector on safe."
        },
        {
          "n": 3,
          "instruction": "Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.",
          "partsFreed": [
            "Magazine"
          ]
        },
        {
          "n": 4,
          "instruction": "Pull the charging handle fully to the rear and lock the bolt back if the rifle has a hold-open."
        },
        {
          "n": 5,
          "instruction": "Inspect the chamber and magazine well with a light, then physically confirm the chamber is empty.",
          "warning": "Look and feel. Both, every time."
        },
        {
          "n": 6,
          "instruction": "Remove all live ammunition from the work area."
        }
      ],
      "videos": []
    },
    {
      "id": "disassemble",
      "title": "Disassemble",
      "videos": [],
      "procedures": [
        {
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "title": "Field Strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "configuration": false,
          "steps": [
            {
              "n": 1,
              "instruction": "Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure."
            },
            {
              "n": 2,
              "instruction": "Depress the receiver cover catch at the rear of the receiver and remove the cover.",
              "warning": "The recoil spring assembly is compressed beneath it.",
              "partsFreed": [
                "Receiver cover"
              ]
            },
            {
              "n": 3,
              "instruction": "Withdraw the recoil spring assembly.",
              "partsFreed": [
                "Recoil spring assembly"
              ]
            },
            {
              "n": 4,
              "instruction": "Pull the bolt carrier fully rearward and lift the carrier and bolt out of the receiver.",
              "partsFreed": [
                "Bolt carrier",
                "Bolt"
              ]
            },
            {
              "n": 5,
              "instruction": "Separate the tilting bolt from the carrier.",
              "tip": "The SVT uses a tilting bolt, not a rotating one. Note its orientation.",
              "partsFreed": [
                "Bolt"
              ]
            },
            {
              "n": 6,
              "instruction": "Remove the gas plug and withdraw the gas piston and its spring from the gas cylinder, noting the regulator setting before you disturb it.",
              "warning": "Record the regulator setting so you can return it.",
              "partsFreed": [
                "Gas plug",
                "Gas piston"
              ]
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "refinish",
      "title": "Refinish",
      "components": [
        {
          "name": "Receiver cover",
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "step": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "Recoil spring assembly",
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "step": 3
        },
        {
          "name": "Bolt carrier",
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "step": 4
        },
        {
          "name": "Bolt",
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "step": 4
        },
        {
          "name": "Gas plug",
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "step": 6
        },
        {
          "name": "Gas piston",
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "step": 6
        }
      ],
      "manufacturerPartsList": null,
      "partsDiagrams": [],
      "materials": [],
      "note": "The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks \"factory fit\" should not be swapped or reworked."
    },
    {
      "id": "reassemble",
      "title": "Reassemble",
      "videos": [],
      "procedures": [
        {
          "procedure": "reassembly",
          "title": "Reassembly",
          "configuration": false,
          "steps": [
            {
              "n": 1,
              "instruction": "Reinstall the gas piston, spring, and plug, returning the regulator to its recorded setting."
            },
            {
              "n": 2,
              "instruction": "Fit the bolt to the carrier in its correct orientation."
            },
            {
              "n": 3,
              "instruction": "Set the carrier and bolt into the receiver rails and slide them forward."
            },
            {
              "n": 4,
              "instruction": "Insert the recoil spring assembly and seat it."
            },
            {
              "n": 5,
              "instruction": "Fit the receiver cover and press it down until the catch engages.",
              "warning": "Confirm the cover is latched."
            },
            {
              "n": 6,
              "instruction": "Cycle the action several times and perform the function check."
            }
          ],
          "instruction": null
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "torque",
      "title": "Torque",
      "coverage": "none-recorded",
      "manufacturer": [],
      "reported": [],
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "id": "function-check",
      "title": "Function check",
      "checks": [
        "Verify the rifle is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each step.",
        "Cycle the action by hand and confirm the bolt locks and returns fully to battery.",
        "With the selector on safe, press the trigger. The hammer must not fall.",
        "Move the selector to fire, cycle the action, and press the trigger. The hammer should fall.",
        "Hold the trigger back, cycle the action, and release slowly to feel the disconnector reset.",
        "Confirm the magazine seats and locks positively and any hold-open engages on an empty magazine.",
        "Confirm the receiver cover is latched and the gas plug is fully seated.",
        "Confirm the gas regulator is on a known setting before firing."
      ],
      "videos": []
    }
  ],
  "troubleshooting": [],
  "sources": [
    {
      "n": 1,
      "id": null,
      "title": "7.62mm Tokarev Self-Loading Rifle Model 1940 Manual",
      "publisher": "USSR People’s Commissariat of Defence",
      "reliability": "primary",
      "url": null,
      "accessed": null
    },
    {
      "n": 2,
      "id": null,
      "title": "Small Arms Identification and Operation Guide — Eurasian Communist Countries",
      "publisher": "U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency",
      "reliability": "secondary",
      "url": null,
      "accessed": null
    },
    {
      "n": 3,
      "id": "tier-0f973c9e",
      "title": "SVT-40 trigger pack reassembly problem",
      "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz",
      "reliability": "anecdotal",
      "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/goto/post?id=9704812",
      "accessed": "2026-10-29"
    },
    {
      "n": 4,
      "id": "tier-696bd62a",
      "title": "Mechanical Problems with SVT 40's? (page 3)",
      "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz",
      "reliability": "anecdotal",
      "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/mechanical-problems-with-svt-40s.1349612/latest",
      "accessed": "2026-10-29"
    },
    {
      "n": 5,
      "id": "tier-f63ebd82",
      "title": "Svt 40 noob question",
      "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz",
      "reliability": "anecdotal",
      "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/svt-40-noob-question.1081270",
      "accessed": "2026-10-29"
    },
    {
      "n": 6,
      "id": "tier-98a821c9",
      "title": "SVT-40 Bolt Disassembly",
      "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz",
      "reliability": "anecdotal",
      "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/goto/post?id=7328482",
      "accessed": "2026-10-29"
    },
    {
      "n": 7,
      "id": "tier-41721d1b",
      "title": "The Gun Digest Book of Exploded Gun Drawings (975 isometric views) — Tokarev 'Model 38 and 40 Bolt-Action Rifle'",
      "publisher": "Gun Digest Books / Krause Publications (scan on archive.org)",
      "reliability": "secondary",
      "url": "https://archive.org/download/the-book-of-exploded-gun-drawings-975-isometric-views/The%20Book%20of%20Exploded%20Gun%20Drawings%20-%20975%20Isometric%20Views.pdf",
      "accessed": "2026-10-29"
    }
  ]
}