I’m reworking my MG-34 gas gun to fix up some nagging problems. I got this beauty along with the Kubel, an unexpected and wonderful bonus…
One of the problems is the barrel quick change mechanism. On the real deal with a hardened machined steel receiver the swivel pin holding the mechanism together is well supported. As shown in the photo below:
However when you replace the receiver with a cast aluminum part you no longer have the rigidity of the steel on steel. So over the years the joint there had a bunch of stress and the small aluminum mounting ears sheared off making for a pretty floppy midsection.
So after a lot of pondering I figured out how to add back some rigidity, first I’d add a stop plate on the bottom of the receiver that would limit the travel of the barrel. This is a relatively hidden area that I could use a fairly heavy piece to strengthen the joint. So here is the plate fitted and mounted with two AN bolts.
Now to replace the latch there wasn’t much room on the top to drill into so I chose the side and made a plate that trapped the edge of the barrel shroud. It isn’t really as obtrusive as it looks now since it will be covered by the 50 round drum magazine. But it holds the barrel tightly in place.
Now the last thing to do is rework the trigger as the old switch has shattered…
I’ve almost completed my fix for the MG mount. From the previous post you’ll know that the Chinese made part was crap so I elected to redesign it.
I turned my new one out of T-6061 bar. Rather than an undersize pipe this is a size fitted machined piece. The bottom fits down into the elevation shaft, the larger portion prevents the shaft from dropping too low and hitting the top of the sidecar and the top portion is fitted to the MG cradle. The groove is where the machined Allen screw fits to capture the cradle and prevent its coming off.
Here it is all assembled and fitted for testing. Works nice, free swivel without binding like before and also done away with the previous canting because of the undersize shaft. Now it’s usable…
Tonight I’ll cut a groove for the rack from the old part to attach to the new machined shaft. Then I’ll have working elevation too…
As I mentioned in a previous post my friend used my MP-40 at the Waxahachie show with disappointing results. After a little analysis I figured out what went wrong.
I’ve posted my analysis on Fallschirmjager.net; scroll halfway down to “BFNG Ammunition Sensitivity”
…and don’t take someone’s word for it when buying blanks either
I let a friend of mine borrow the MP-40 for Waxahachie. He was looking forward to full auto fun as a change of pace from his Kar98k bolt action. He bought some 9mm blanks that were recommended by one supplier. Turns out not to have been a good choice. He rarely got more than one shot off before it jammed. The first sign of trouble was the he could not get the rounds to load well into the magazines. They didn’t seem to hold more than 20. Previously I’ve loaded them up to capacity; 32 rounds without problems.
After the action I noticed that the rounds only went half way into the chamber without having to use pressure to seat them. Not good! And the rounds were very hard to push out of the magazines, they seemed to be linking together at the extractor groove while in the magazine.
Today I got a chance to take the MP-40 apart and also to take a micrometer to the blanks. The Pri Partizan blanks that he was using are different in size to the SS Room blanks that I use. The key differences in the cartridge dimensions are that the Pri Partizan (PP) have no taper to the shell casing portion; having a constant diameter of almost 10mm until the narrowed portion that simulated the bullet. The SS Room (SS) have a slight taper to the casing portion starting at 10mm narrowing to 9.5mm. The SS drop right into the chamber with no binding.
The other difference is that the PP have a larger ejector portion with a steeper 45degree angle at the base. It seems that this is what causes the ‘linking’ when the next round to feed is tipped up by the magazine lips. So the MP-40 BFNG is sensitive to ammo. I’ll post more with photos soon on the BFNG page.
I’ve been getting the new G43 ready for it’s reenacting debut… the top handguard had been cracked and fixed but was pretty weak. Also at some point in the past someone had ’shaped’ the stock to be more of an Amerikcan sporter feel. So I’ve purchased a stock blank from Poland off ebay and am fitting it to the weapon now. The blank is pretty rough, especially in the through bolt, cleaning rod area, and also doesn’t fit the action nor bed very well. When you purchase one of these be prepared for a lot of fitting work!
I’ve also upgraded the parts with the Apfeltor Waffenfabrik blank adapter, springs and new gas piston. I’ve tuned it now to throw the cartridge about 10 feet. It used to throw it more than 25! Much better now. The last upgrade was a safety from Kreigsende Militaria.
I decided to up the ante in the field so to speak… I’ve started to add some firepower to my impression. I just got a MG-42 parts kit. Now I have to decide if I want to make it static; a dummy non-operational replica, or a gas gun (propane firing) or have it made into a semi-automatic and blank adapted gun… decisions, decisions…
All of the options have their pros and cons. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes…
My parts kit…
One consideration is storage and security for the gun at reenactments… I found a really great place that makes a good looking transit chest replica. The workmanship looks really good… the only flaw I see so far is the irritating music on the web site… makes it really hard to view the site while at work!
Web site owners take note! It’s kind of hard to explain German martial music on a conference call or in a cube farm!
I recently came across some new equipment… all I can say is wow! This guy makes some really fine - hard to tell from the original - way cool stuff!
The company is Kriegsende Militaria and they make a few very hard to find, but necessary items. First off was replica batteries for my field telephones… the Element d (T30) are a great looking copy of the real thing.
The rifle grenade or Gewehr Spreng Granat 30 are great copies of the real thing, right down to the metal plate embedded in the bakelite for launching! Now all I have to do is find a launcher attachment.
I was having a hard time fabricating detonatorsNr. 8 sprengkapseln of the correct type for my replica shu mines… These are close to the real thing and all I have to do is fab the trip mechanism and I’ll have some really great examples to display at events. I can’t wait for the boxes!
I’ve had my Schoessler’s MP-40 Blank Firing Non-Gun (BFNG) for a couple of months now and used it in two reenactments. What fun! The only thing that can be considered negative is that unless your learn to curb your itchy trigger finger you will burn a lot of ammunition.
In order to carry enough ammo (yeah I like to shoot) I’ve gone from a pair of 3 magazine pouches to adding a six-mag pouch on a bread bag strap slung over my shoulder. Now with 12 mags I feel prepared, though I’ll probably still stuff some extra mags in the pockets of my smock too.
The only way you can tell the BFNG from the MP-40 at a distance is the slightly longer chamber area and the cocking handle’s resting position on closed bolt; back rather than forward. It’s a little heavier than an MP-40 too, but an MP-40 would lighten my wallet to a much greater degree so neither of these things bother me in the least.
Here’s the difference between the real deal and the Schoessler’s BFNG…
Here’s more detail of the handsome Schoessler’s BFNG…
