The Tokarev SVT-40 is a semi-automatic rifle developed in the Soviet Union during the late 1930s. It was designed by Fedor Tokarev and was officially adopted by the Red Army in 1940. The rifle uses the 7.62×54mmR cartridge and features a gas-operated action, allowing for faster follow-up shots compared to bolt-action rifles. The SVT-40 was intended to provide infantry with a more effective weapon during World War II. Although it was praised for its accuracy and rate of fire, production issues and the complexity of the design limited its widespread use. It was eventually replaced by simpler firearms like the Mosin-Nagant and the AK-47.