Today's range trip was off to a good start. I got halfway to the range when I realized I left the ammo at home.

I brought with me a SVT 40, TT-33 and a CZ52.

The first up was the SVT40, ammo was light ball Silver tip. I loaded one round at a time for function check. The empty cartridges landed nicely at about 1 o'clock 8 feet away, for three rounds. Function check all is well.

After about 40 rounds, ejection was noticeably weaker, The empty cartridges were landing at 12 o'clock four feet away.With an occasional failure to reset the trigger / hammer. The bolt continued to hold open on the last round. On one of these occasions, I noticed the piston rod protruding into the receiver, instead of returning to its normal position when the magazine was empty.

Having graduated magna cum laude from the WECSOGS, I stuck my thumb in there to right this injustice. The good news is I think l will be able to keep my thumbnail. Nothing at all like Garand or Hakim thumb.


I had the gas setting at 1.3 with a replacement stainless steel gas cylinder and cup. Previously when I shot this gun, I had to have the gas setting on 1.7 with the original gas cylinder and cup.

Conclusion :

After coming home and taking the gun apart to clean, i'm convinced that there is nothing wrong with the gun functionally. I should have tighten down the gas cylinder more, I could remove it by hand.
I believe this was the cause of the week ejection and the hammer/trigger not setting.

Ill write up
more later I'm getting tired