Tokarev SVT-38
Tula Arms Plant · Sniper Rifle · Out Of Production · 1938
Also known as: SVT-38, Samozaryadnaya Vintovka Tokareva 1938, Tokarev Self-Loading Rifle 1938
Overview
The Tokarev SVT-38 was the Soviet Union's first mass-produced semi-automatic infantry rifle, designed by Fedor Tokarev after over two decades of development. Adopted in 1938, the SVT-38 featured a short-stroke gas piston system and a 10-round detachable box magazine chambered in 7.62x54mmR. The rifle saw its combat debut in the Winter War against Finland (1939-1940), where significant reliability issues were exposed - the gas port was prone to fouling, the magazine sometimes fell out during use, and accuracy was inconsistent. These problems led to the weapon being redesigned as the improved SVT-40 in April 1940, with SVT-38 production terminated after approximately 150,000 units.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3850 g (135.8 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4200 g (148.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1226 mm (48.27") |
| Barrel Length | 625 mm (24.61") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 830 m/s (2723 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3660 J (2699 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x54mmR · primary — also known as 7.62x54R, 7.62 Russian, 7.62 Mosin-Nagant
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Safety Catch
- Features: Gas Operated Short Stroke Piston, Detachable Magazine, Muzzle Brake, Cleaning Rod, Bayonet Lug
Variants
- SVT-40 — Improved Model
- SVT-40 Sniper — Sniper Of Improved Model
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Red Army · adopted 1938 · as SVT-38
- Finnish Defence Forces · adopted 1940
Conflicts
- Winter War (1939-1940)
- World War II (Eastern Front) (1941-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 150,000 · Production years: 1938-1940
Approximately 150,000 SVT-38 rifles were manufactured before production was terminated in April 1940 in favor of the improved SVT-40. Total SVT-38/40 combined production was approximately 1,600,000 rifles.
Origin
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Designer: Fedor Tokarev
Discontinued: 1940
Notes
The SVT-38 represented more than 20 years of work by Fedor Tokarev to develop a practical semi-automatic rifle for the Soviet military. While innovative in concept, the rifle suffered from several design flaws that became apparent in combat during the Winter War. The gas port fouled easily, the magazine retention system was unreliable, and the stock-to-receiver fit was inconsistent, causing accuracy problems. Some SVT-38 rifles were fitted with PU scope mounts for sniper use, though this was not a formal production variant and the rifle's accuracy issues made it poorly suited for the sniper role. Finnish forces captured significant numbers of SVT-38s during the Winter War and valued them highly, as they were better maintained in Finnish service. The SVT-38 directly led to the improved SVT-40, which addressed most of these issues.
Background
The SVT-38's troubled combat debut in the Winter War became a cautionary tale in Soviet weapons procurement. Finnish soldiers, who captured large quantities during the conflict, ironically found the rifles more reliable than the Soviets did - likely because Finnish troops maintained them more carefully and used higher-quality ammunition. The German Wehrmacht was so impressed by captured SVT-38 and SVT-40 rifles that they directly influenced the development of the Gewehr 43, which copied the Tokarev gas system almost exactly.