BigBill:
You might remember an earlier post of mine about a rifle I have that is a sporter in .303 British based on a modified SVT 40.
It sounds like you've "taken down" your rifle - at least to some degree.
On my rifle the wooden cover over the gas piston was removed, and replaced by the metal - perforated - cover that is normally located ahead of the piston cover. This cover was modified and bent in some way I can't figure out, and I haven't been able to remove it yet.
The approach I'm hoping to take is to remove the stock, and (hopefully) allow the metal cover to come free. As I understand it, I have to remove the trigger group in order to get the stock to come out of the wood. My current problem is how to remove the stock cross bolt (just forward of the magazine). It appears that there is a Tokarev tool for doing this, but I've been wondering if there's some other tool or source of a tool that can do this job. Have you taken out this bolt, and - if so - what did you use?
I'm a little afraid to "go at it" with a pair of pliers unless I have no alternatives.
Thanks!
Rick