S&T Armament SVT-40 AEG Rifle Replica

If you're working on a WW2 Red Army loadout and need a rare rifle to complete the look, the S&T SVT-40 AEG Rifle Replica is a great shout! The first AEG replica of the iconic SVT-40 semi-automatic rifle, S&T has knocked it out of the park with this one, a full metal build bristling with steel, with a gorgeous real wood stock and handguard to top it off. As far as build quality goes, this beauty is museum-worthy!

The real SVT-40 came about as a part of the Soviet Union's quest to find a semi-automatic rifle for mass-issue to infantry, being formally adopted in 1940 but serving concurrently with the Mosin Nagant M91/30 throughout WW2 due to wartime production issues. Favoured by Soviet Snipers, including Lyudmila Pavlichenko, the poster girl of Soviet snipers, the SVT-40 was even slated to be issued with a scope, making it potentially the first semi-automatic DMR as we would define them today.

While its combat life was cut short with the advent of the assault rifle, the SVT-40 was the first mass production rifle which used the "short stroke gas piston" internal system, a system which would go on to be considered the peak of reliable operating systems, used in the modern SCAR, G36, HK416 and almost every piston-driven AR-15 platform available. Whether you're a firearms buff seeking an SVT-40 for the collection or you're working on your WW2 Red Army kit, the S&T SVT-40 AEG Rifle Replica is a beautiful piece you do not want to miss out on!

Starting at the front, we can find the authentically replicated SVT-40 muzzle brake, designed to help control recoil and muzzle rise in the real deal. This is the four-port SVT-40 muzzle brake, issued on rifles manufactured in late 1941, keeping the build consistent with the receiver/barrel shank markings. The barrel is, unfortunately, not threaded, meaning you'll have to run this rifle as Tokarev intended, without a tracer unit or suppressor.

Running parallel to the barrel, we can take note of the mock cleaning rod, a big part of the iconic SVT-40 silhouette. The cleaning rod runs through the mock bayonet lug and all the way back to the real wood stock, just like the real deal. While the cleaning rod is removable, it should never be used to clean an Airsoft barrel, and is merely an aesthetic touch to complete the realistic look.

The front sight block follows after the muzzle brake, featuring an adjustable front sight blade housed in a protective hood, preventing any mid-combat bumps or scrapes from messing with sight alignment. The dummy bayonet lug is positioned just below the barrel, aft of the front sight, with the mock cleaning rod running through.

Moving rearwards, we come to the mock gas block, positioned just in front of the stamped steel heat shield. The shape of the real SVT-40 gas block is flawlessly replicated, including its 5-position gas adjuster at the front, intended in the real deal to adjust gas flow based on ammunition type and ambient temperature. This doesn't provide a function in an Airsoft AEG, other than to mimic the real deal authentically.

Behind the gas block, we come to the stamped steel heat shield/barrel shroud, a part added to reduce weight compared to the earlier SVT-38 design, which used a wooden heat shield. Following the heat shield, we come to the stamped steel barrel band, featuring a steel sling point on the right side, ready to be paired with the rear sling point to mount a two-point sling.

Next up, we arrive at the gorgeous real wood stock and handguard, boasting a smooth satin varnish finish with a shape which perfectly matches the real SVT-40. The handguard features 4 ports on either side, included in the real steel to assist barrel cooling, giving you a glimpse of the realistic mock operating rod inside. The stock features gripping recesses on either side, just in front of the magazine well, helping you keep a firm grasp on the SVT-40 and sweep between targets while keeping the muzzle under control.

The rear sight is mounted to the barrel at the rear of the handguard, offering adjustable elevation by pressing the tabs on either side of the rear sight notch. The sight offers adjustment for engagements at up to 1500 yards; while we can be quite confident that you won't be shooting BBs this far, the sight can still be used to accurately lob shots out to the peak of Airsoft effective range.

Following the rear sight, we come to the receiver, a realistic design with a stamped steel top cover and plum-coloured mock bolt carrier. The plum finish replicates refurbished SVT-40s with re-blued parts, the plum colouration being a result of the metallurgy of the real bolt carrier. Pulling the charging handle will retract the mock bolt carrier to reveal the rotary adjustable HOP-up unit. The HOP-up allows you to tune the amount of backspin applied to your BBs, seeking the flattest possible trajectory.

On top of the receiver, just in front of the bolt carrier, we are treated to realistic markings, including "1941" with the Tula Factory star marking just above. While they are far more pristine-looking than real mid-war proof markings, these markings are a dead-on match for the real thing, which used the smaller Tula Star marking without the arrow in the centre. The date of manufacture matches the 4-port muzzle brake design introduced in late 1941, showing that S&T has done its homework and won't compromise on the finer details!

The receiver top cover itself includes a mock stripper clip guide at the front, just like the real deal, which was designed to have its detachable magazine topped up with stripper clips through the open action at the top. The magazine well is located on the bottom, with a PPSh-style ambidextrous folding magazine release, which can be folded flat against the bottom of the stock when not in use. The magazine insertion method of the SVT-40 is the "rock and lock" technique, requiring that you first index the front "hook" of the magazine inside the receiver, then rock the rear backwards to meet the magazine release.

Behind the magazine release, we come to the trigger guard, made from aluminium alloy with an authentic finish applied. The guard itself is a conventional shape with the safety catch positioned just behind the realistic curved trigger. To lock the trigger, push the safety through from the left to the right so it sits inside the guard, behind the trigger. To unlock the trigger, push the safety through from the right to the left, and you're ready to shoot. While having a safety catch inside the trigger guard simply won't cut it on a modern combat rifle for safety reasons, the SVT-40 safety is rather intuitive and fast to use; just make sure you don't accidentally hit the trigger when attempting to put the safety on!

Moving rearwards, we come to the semi-pistol grip, the conventional rifle gripping location which works fantastically for shooting from the prone position or with a bladed shooting stance. The stock itself follows on from the grip, featuring a sling point on the bottom, made from steel to provide the necessary strength.

The battery compartment is inside the stock, accessible with the butt plate removed. To do this, simply turn the two screws on the butt plate clockwise by 90 degrees, after which the butt plate can be lifted free. Inside, you'll find a Deans battery connector to which you mount your choice of battery. We recommend an11.1V 1450mAh LiPo battery in stick configuration for an easy fit and a super snappy trigger response.

Inside, the SVT-40 uses a unique gearbox shape, with a shell made from alloy and 18:1 ratio steel gears. The S&T MOSFET/ETU is also pre-installed, providing cycle completion to prevent semi-auto lockups and allow for 11.1V LiPo batteries, along with a low-voltage cutoff function which activates when the power source drops below 6V.

Also inside is a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel measuring a whopping 600mm in length, giving the SVT-40 superb accuracy with the right ammo and the potential to be tuned up to be a beast of a DMR; the perfect way to do the real thing justice out on the field. Being pre-locked to semi-automatic saves you most of the hassle with a DMR conversion, a massive perk!

If you're a fan of WW2 platforms, the S&T SVT-40 will make you very happy indeed! The first of its kind to hit the market with a phenomenal external build with all the details a collector will love, the S&T SVT-40 AEG Rifle Replica will be a welcome sight at re-enactment events!

Features

• Full metal construction - Plenty of realistic steel parts in the mix
• Semi-automatic only - A great basis for a retro DMR build
• ETU/MOSFET Pre-installed - Offers cycle control & low voltage cutoff
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - 600mm long, impressive accuracy potential
• Real wood furniture - Incredible quality, feels and looks amazing
• SVT-40 Muzzle brake pre-installed - Completes the iconic front end
• Ported barrel shroud/heat shield - Authentic stamped steel build
• Mock cleaning rod - A big part of the SVT-40 silhouette
• Vented upper handguard - Real wood construction, a perfect match for the real thing
• Single-piece real wood stock - Strong with a phenomenal finish
• Semi-pistol grip - The classic rifle grip angle, great for prone shooting
• Trigger guard safety catch - Push the catch to the left to unlock the trigger
• Adjustable tangent iron sights - Wide field of view, adjust elevation AK-style
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Accessible with the charging handle held back
• Front & rear sling points - Ready for a two-point rifle sling
• Stock battery compartment - Turn the screws on the butt plate clockwise by 90° to access
• Rear wired: Deans connector - Recommended battery: 11.1V 1450mAh LiPo
• Unique gearbox design:
  • Alloy shell
  • 18:1 Steel gears
  • S&T MOSFET/ETU System
• Compatible with S&T SVT-40 AEG magazines

Package Includes

• S&T SVT-40 AEG Rifle Replica
  • 80rnd Mid-cap magazine
  • Speed loader