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.
Karl-Heinz
Historiker
Well we’re back home after the Waxahatchie Veterans Day “WWII Weekend”. It was a chance to see all my friends and make some new ones. The Texas reenactors were out in force… Someone asked me ‘who was there?’. Hmm it’s kind of like birdwatching, trying to spot and remember all the various groups you see; so here’s what I saw and can still recall, my apologies to groups I missed…
A nice surprise was the Gebirgsjagers from San Antonio had a new vehicle; a nice replica Leichter Panzerspähwagen 222!
The Dallas Fort-Worth flickr group was out in force as well, all of them dressed as war correspondents, most Allied, but a few “embeds” with the Axis as well! They were a nice addition; thanks Guys and Gals!
One even snapped a flattering photo of me on the R-71!
Photo from Steve 3D“, Thanks!
Here are some links to photos from the day from the DFW flickr group. If you select each individual photographer’s name under the photos it will link you to more shots that each person took there are some really great photos here!
Here are the photos that Lyn took…
All in all a fun weekend, I’m already looking forward to Waxahatchie next year!
Well you can see a lot of strange things on eBay… but this one is wild… A plain Jane 1943 Feldfernsprecher 33 for $800 US! Ouch! I’ve seen a few greedy antique dealers selling FF33’s for $299 and that’s way high but wow!
Ouch… hate to see the farb that bites on this!
I consistently drop out of auctions where some overzealous collector drives the price up over a reasonable threshold. There are way too many of these things available, in working condition to bite. I’ve personally paid as low as $25 but the average price is around $79.
Caveat emptor.
The Battle of Waxahachie is this weekend! Several of my FJ reenactor friends are taking part. The scenario is the battle of Nancy, Allies retaking the city.
From the Waxahatchie city website: “A 2 day event that culminates Saturday afternoon with the “Allies” retaking the Waxahachie Depot from the “Germans”. Military vehicles will ring the Courthouse Square. Shop the “Black Market” vendors. Attend the “USO Show” at the Texas Theater. “Troops” begin arriving Friday afternoon and activities continue thru Saturday evening.”
Here are some details:
Should be a lot of fun!
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.
