Gewehr 43 V.S. SVT-40

I apologize ahead of time if this thread has been done 1000x times, I flipped through the section and didn't see one of this exact nature so here I am. First of all I don't want input from anyone who pulls information off of Google and draws a 5 second conclusion. Other than that I'm wanting to know what would have been the better rifle, I don't want any odd comparisons such as "whats better in the -40 degree weather" this is under normal conditions or any condition that you would normally face on the battlefield, yes I am aware that -40 did happen in several places but I'm thinking about more towards the end of the war scenarios, what rifle was better for the normal infantryman?

Consider the factors of Reliability, Accuracy, Ease of acquiring ammo/parts, weight of the total weapon system. Please factor in other variables such as how many were issued as well, though I THINK that they were both issued in somewhat considerable numbers, the only real difference being the SVT-40 was manufactured much earlier than the Gewehr 43 (I'm pretty sure right?) If you can factor in the difficulty of field stripping that would be awesome, since I can't find any videos of it or do it myself because these rifles are like non-existent at gun shows etc... So thanks everyone whose replying!

 

I own and shoot examples of both and I'd have to lean towards the SVT-40. The performance of the rounds are similiar, the magazine capacity is the same, both can mount a very similiar low power optic, basic operation is the same, etc. To me what it comes down to is reliability when not maintained and ease in cleaning. The G43 bolt is much more complex (too many parts) and operates with more friction than the Tokarev design. There are quite a few differences between the two, but to me the bolt is the decisive issue between the two.

 

Two great rifles, a hard choice.

 

Thank god I found someone like you who actually knew what they was talking about!. OK I have a few questions, first of all I would like to know how heavy are the weapon systems? and this includes with ammo in the magazine. So basically I would like to know if you was a soldier, given the choice of the weapon systems in question, which would you chose? this does not include any optics on them at all, just what a normal soldier would be confronted with. Secondly I have heard the SVT-40 has a very simple (relatively) gas system when compared to the G43 (I get tired of writing Gewehr so its now G43). I would like to know if you have heard anything about this "bolt system" for the G43, I read that the NAZI high command ordered that when the 'semi automatic rifle' was being designed by companies to replace the K98 that they was forced to design a rifle that would be capable of accepting a 'bolt action system' for a back up. I laughed when I read this but I swear I can point out where it actually says they were forcing the poor German designers to try to comply with that. I didn't find anything else on this but I can't imagine that anything like that could be created, it just doesn't seem possible without a overly giant, complex, and probably non-working (probably dangerous as well). But that sounds like most German made stuff already (I'm half joking), so try to answer those questions to the best of your ability. And thanks once more, I wasn't aware of everything you told me I will put it to memory and write it down to add to my library, I'm very interested in the caliber both rifles are. I am a shooter and re loader by fourth generation so anything you can tell me about the impact and power of the rounds will be greatly appreciated, Thanks again!.

 

I have a reply saved as a word doc for you. This site is a royal PITA some times about allowing a post with links. Until a mod explains to me why that happens I refuse to waste more time trying to figure it out.
Try googling the "G/K rifle forum" and Gunboards forums has a G41/G43 forum as well as an SVT forum.

 

why don't you send it to me VIA email, or private message, or my website, but i forgot u said they don't allow links

 

The SVT is a little bit lighter than the G43 (noticeably), some other details that effect the comfort level of the weight is that the stock of the SVT is thinner in circumference and allows a firmer grip, the weapon is longer but has a more natural balance point compared to the G43. The G43's balance point is interrupted by the magazine making it unpractical for a one handed carry (German Army practice, they did not carry at "the ready" like US Soldiers). The G43 came with a narrow width leather sling and the SVT came with a wider canvas sling thus making it a more comfortable weapon (remember its lighter too) to carry that the G43. Which one would I choose? Neither, they can't compare to my FAL with ACOG : )

Yes, the SVT is very simple as well as rugged and reliable.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.jaegerplatoon.net/SVT40_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jaegerplatoon.net/RIFLES4.htm&usg=__eXEGjI5537YKmXdgNzfV34Xyqrg=&h=303&w=700&sz=79&hl=en&start=12&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=lRh4ugjg6_0PvM:&tbnh=61&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsvt40%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=WXVBTceTMMfTgQfTwuTHAQ

G43 Bolt and gas system here:
http://claus.espeholt.dk/exploded_view_g43.html

The only rifle that took the idea of working like a bolt action was the G41 Mauser, which charged just like a Gew 98 and fired semi-auto. If it didn't fire semi-auto then it would operate like a straight handled Gew 98. It was a dead end design but its a really interesting footnote in the history of WWII firearms. The bolt is every bit as complex as a MG42 bolt and is independent of the charging handle. The Walther G41 was the predecessor of the G43 and looked and operated very much the same (apart from the gas system and magazine).

For more info and the real authorities out there on the G41-G43 rifles I suggest:

http://gk43forum.com/forum/index.php
http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?92-New-!-The-Gewehr-41-and-43-Discussion-Board

I would highly recommend asking questions of the guys who post there if you intend to shoot and reload for a G43. G43's vary in quality by year and manufacturer and you'll need to reload accordingly. Ammo for the SVT is plentiful and cheap, so no need.

 

The gewehr 43 was a very good rifle but so was the svt-40 i belive the svt-40 was better due to its semi automatic abilities, i know the gewehr 43 had semi automatic however the russians outnumberd the germans making the svt 40 have more RPM

 

I truly think you need to read up on the two semi-auto rifles, and their evolution. The Soviets had the better "system", and until the Nazis adopted the Soviet system of gas return, theirs was basically poor. The "Bang" (that was the man's name) system was a bad design, and not combat reliable.

I will supply you with data on the two if you are really interested.

 

IMO the SVT is better. I don't much care for the G/K43.

Strip an SVT and it looks like a somewhat less refined SKS inside. The stock is a little thinner than I would like, and I recall reading that the stocks are somewhat prone to breakage. Control placement is not ideal. The rifle has a lot of little flaws, but nothing crippling. The biggest problem is that they couldn't be made fast enough.

Strip a K43 and you'll have an enormous pile of parts and no clue how they go back together. The G/K43 is very tricky to disassemble and clean compared to... just about anything actually. The design is perverse and weird. The bolt is locked by a pair of flaps, which are very nearly symmetrical and very nearly interchangeable, except that they have these little tabs on them to prevent being interchanged. The bolt rides outside of the receiver on a piece of sheet metal. The safety is extremely easy to break and reassemble incorrectly. There are two bolt catches for some reason. There is an enormous amount of friction during feeding and in the example I handled the bolt loved to get stuck half way into battery, though that could just have been from 60+ year old return springs. Yes, I said *springs* plural. For some reason it has two return springs, non-interchangeable.

I like that it's light, but it's too complicated and finicky. Definitely not in the same class as the garand.

 

A G43 was a better investment in the 80's and 90's though, not sure if that factors in which is a better rifle. : )

 

Black6, about four years ago a friend of mine, who will go unnamed, picked up a K/G43 for under $500 from someone who was selling off their grandfather's collection and didn't know what it was. That friend still laughs about that to this day. Laughs all the way to the bank, the lucky bastard.

 

I had a chance to buy a G43 last year for 800 bucks. I was a war bring-back, but somebody had drilled it for a scope. I passed.......

tom