All the recent custom guns people have produced have inspired me to start my own project. I had originally intended to make something German (G43/FG42) but the possibility of a few eastern front games has swayed me towards a SVT 40 since it is one of my favourite guns.
I've looked into prices and I reacon I can get all the parts I need for under £200 (excluding base gun). I do however need to look into more detail on the legality of some of the parts I would like to use before I try to buy anything. I suspect they're not allowed as the ones I am conserned about are receiver related, slthough they themselves are afaik no working parts.
The main reason I've posted this is to ask for suggestions on what gun to use as a doner for this project. My inital thought was an SVD draganov of some sort as they are of a similar size to the SVT, have a long barrel and the right shaped mags to allow for easier conversion. However the only accurate SVDs are a bit pricery than I'd like and the cheaper ones are all based on AK47s and therefore use the wrong type of magazine. Does anyone have and other suggests for what might be suitable?
Why don't you look into buying a parts kit, not a de-activated weapon, as you can then use the bits that you need without all the legal drag of falling into the trap of making a deac fire again, I've seen MG 42 parts kits available for example, without the barrel and working parts,ie bolts, also seen some ppsh 41 parts kits available on the net. Therefore, its not a deac, just parts of a real weapon, which are fairly usless without the above, being used in a model gun. Your other option is to buy the necessary parts seperately, which I've been doing with my own MG42 project, butt stocks, feed trays, pistol grips and trigger mechanisms, top covers, drum mags flash eliminators all the parts you need are out there if you know where to look, only the illegal parts like barrels and working parts arn't available, but you don't need them anyway. Any how good luck, post some pics when you get started.
I think you misunderstood me. I'm not planning to get a complete gun and strip it but as you suggested get the parts I need seperately. I'm just not sure what constitutes a working component as far as the law is concerned so don't know if the some of the parts I'm looking at are legal.
http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=1930z40
The parts I mean are numbers 10 & 11 on that diagram- the bolt cover and bolt carrier. The recieve cover would also be useful but I think its an all in one part with the chamber & barrel.
I haven't been able to find a parts kit but if anyone comes across one pointing me in the general direction would be very helpful and much appreciated.
I will post pics up as soon as I get started but I don't know when that will be, hopefully not too long!
I don't think any of the AK variants would be suitable as a donor gun because on the AKs the motor for the gearbox is contained in the pistol grip which the SVT doesn't have.
One of the many projects that are waiting for my attention is a mauser G43 which is partly based on the SVT, I'm got a repro stock and will be using an AGM M14 as a doner gun.
You're right about the AK gearbox not being suitable due to the pistol grip. I think I will end up using an M14 too as it seems the most suitable. I guess I'll just have to cut down the mags like the garand conversions, although to a less extent due to the SVTs larger external mag.
