Short version. Basically I agree with GM (scary, I know)
Long Version
SVT-40: It has the history of extensive usage in WWII. They were meant to be a standard issue squad rifle but production wasn't high enough to issue one to every soldier. Originally also meant to be a scoped DMR, like the PSL. Their tendency to be inconsistent from the first 1-2 cold shots to the remainder of the magazine dampened that role. They were effective enough that the Germans borrowed heavily from the design to field the G43/K43s. The SVT-40s are mostly selling for $1600-2000 now, depending on condition, matching numbers (usually force-matched during refurb), etc. Nearly all of the examples imported from the former Soviet Union are refurbs. Finn [SA] marked examples fetch a few extra $ depending on the buyer. In general, I expect their value to climb faster than PSLs, that are of course still being made.
PSL: It's a cool rifle with recent history of interest to Americans, due to its use by various local armies and militias in Iraq and elsewhere in those hot spots. I suspect 30 years from now these will have similar desirability to the next generation of collectors, like the weapons of the Vietnam War are revered by the current generation of collectors. The difference is that the PSLs we have in the US will NOT have been there and done that like our Vietnam SKSs, Type 53 Mosins, etc. The PSLs are mostly new production for export to the US or built from Romanian parts kits in the US and our servicemen serving in the sandbox can't bring BFPU examples home like they could from Indochina.
I recently picked up a NIB (2018 Cugir manufacture) PSL with a Russian lighted reticle PSO-1 4x scope (Novosibirsk) for $1840 + tax from my LGS. It is definitely simple to break down and clean, like the AK from which it was spawned. Market rate seems to be around 2K except for Classic (
bend over the barrel) Firearms, who want $2.9K
Was it worth 2K? I don't know. I guess it was to me. I have my reasons for jumping on it now. Good shop, good relationship building. WA laws on semiautomatics kick into effect on 7/1/19 that accelerated my desire to add one to the collection (we can still buy them, just more strings and another $25 fee. Discussion for a different thread in a different sub-forum). I'm definitely looking forward to getting it out and sighted in and smacking the 200-450 yd gongs at the range. See if it can shoot 1.5-2 moa, which seems to be what they are known for, i.e., not a sniper rifle but a DMR.
PS, the PSL isn't a Dragunov, which is a Russian design (by Yevgeny Dragunov) that is not an AK derivative. The PSL is a direct AK derivative with an RPK style 1.5mm thick receiver, beefed up trunnions, and beefed up bolt and bolt carrier modified to shoot 7.62x54R.