WTT/WTB: MG-34 .308 anything

[Franz20]

I'm looking for anything to convert my MG-34 to .308. Im also interested in .308 Blank adapting items as well.

Frank

[Blanksguy]

Frank,
Bergflak over in Norway has a .308 modified Top-Cover and .308 modified Feed-Tray for the MG34 for sale from his web-page. Not my ad....but I have attached photos of his parts below.

Regards, RichardS
US Army, Retired.

[Blanksguy]

Frank,
An alternative source may be "Brian" over at BRP-Corp. He use to make MG34 conversion parts/sets to fire live .308 ammunition as shown in the photos below:

Regards, RichardS
US Army, Retired.

[Blanksguy]

Frank,
The big issues (as I talked about with you through our e-mails) is that the 7.62x51mm/.308 Blanks are shorter than 8x57mm full-length ammunition....with a slightly flat tip due to crimp. The .308 Blanks are also not of the same diameter at the length where the neck would be on the .308 vs. the standard 8x57mm .....this allows them to raise up at the front when using a standard 8x57mm MG34 Top-Cover.

The key issue is going to be that the "Blanks" are going to want to raise up at the front when the bolt goes to push them out of the belt for loading.......then they hit the top-front of the feed-tray just above the opening.
You will have to either use a "Feed-tray-Spacer as I earlier sold to you.......or try using the long .308 cartridge depressor on the .308 modified Top-Covers. I say "try" as I am not sure if the long-cartridge-depressor will work 100% of the time........."but" I do know that the feed-tray-spacer that I made/sent to you will work 99% of the time once it is attached to your spare feed-tray.

Regards again, RichardS
US Army, Retired.

[Blanksguy]

Frank,
Last.......as most 7.62x51mm Blanks are a little on the weak-side (unless you are trying US-Surplus or PPU-Blanks), you will be best served by using a MG34 2-pcs. Blank-Barrel-Assembly. It only requires the movement of the shorter rear piston section/weight vs. the weight of a live-barrel.
These are discussed in more detail in the Thread "Blank-Adapting the MG34/SA34".

Regards, RichardS
US Army, Retired.

[Blanksguy]

****up-date****
I was informed that Bergflak sold his MG34 .308 Top-Cover and Feed-Tray earlier......check back with him from time-to-time as he gets more of these parts in.....and/or leave him a WTB these parts.

Another source may be Bob-Landies over at Ohio-Ordnance-Works.

Regards, RichardS
US Army, Retired.

[Franz20]

Thank you very much sir. I'm going to continue to pursue the 2-pcs 8mm to .308 conversion. I have the .308 head and I was able to remove the 8mm head's "locking pin".

I will call BRP asap.

Thank you very much again!

Frank

[Franz20]

Still looking for a .308 top cover parts.

Also a question: is it better to try and using your existing 8mm belts for .308? It seems the .308 belts break apart when they are processed through the receiver.


Frank

[Blanksguy]

Hi Frank,
Unless they are "new-manufactured"........all belts will usually have to be check before use.

As a "general-note", because 7.62x51mm is usually manufactured slightly larger in OD at the case bottom portion, the 7.62x51mm belts grip 7.62x51mm with slightly less force than the usual 8x57mm belts..

Also as a "general-note", you can find 8x57mm belts that are used and loose......or even spread-apart to hold the cartridges with less force................and you can find tight 7.62x51mm belts.

"Generally", you should try to use 7.62x51mm belts with that caliber and 8x57mm belts in either (unless they are too loose.

Regards, RichardS
US Army, Retired.

[Franz20]

Would you possibly be able to recommend a competent gunsmith who can weld my feed tray spacer and swap the 8mm head for the .308 on my 2pcs blank barrel?

[Blanksguy]

Hi Frank,
Yes I can.........
.......you go into the "Yellow-Pages" of your area Phone-Book and look under "Machine-Shop-Services"........and/or Automotive-Machine-Shops".....(Note: I have used both in the past in the areas that I lived in.). They will be able to fit/adjust the head down to fit into the old front section. They may or may-not be able to make a new piston-section.....depends on the skills of the machinest.

For attachment of the feed-tray-spacer to your MG34 feed-tray........again "Yellow-Pages" and either "Gunsmith" or "Gun-Repair-Shops".........they routinely do small brazing/welding jobs on gun and will have a better understanding of what you are trying to do.............remember to don't go to the cheapest gunsmith ..... quality of the shade-tree will be the game of the day.
A Gunsmith shop will also be able to rent chamber-reamers and chamber your new piston(s) to 7.62x51mm.

Last.....you could try Bob-Naess of Black-River-Militaria.......and a MG42-Board member. I am sure that he can do all of this work at one time (?). He will need a couple 7.62x51mm Blanks to use to "attach and then "adjust" the feed-tray-spacer........and the MG34 Bolt-Assembly that you will be using to adjust "Head-Space". Last, if he is making a new "piston-section" for you, he will need an MG34 Barrel-Extension for fitting and possibly either the front-section (for fitting running clearance) or the old piston-assembly as a template of sorts for measurements.

Regards, RichardS
US Army, Retired.

[Blanksguy]

Frank,
As a "side-note" to go along with your WTB-MG34 .308 anything".......

Bob Naess may be able to take what parts/assemblies that you already have for your MG34 in .308......and make/locate the missing parts so that you can fire live 7.62x51mm.....and finish up the .308-"Blanks" set (?)......you'll have to ask him about that.

Regards, RichardS.
US Army, Retired

[Franz20]

BUMP

WTB: .308 two piece barrel assembly.

I have an 8mm I can offer in a partial trade.

Frank

[messerschmittfan]

For some reason when I try to post a photograph I cannot get it to go anywhere. If someone would post a photograph for me I can send them a photo of my ex-Austrian Army 7.62 NATO conversion unit for the MG34. Yes I know that this conversion is not in the books but the barrel, nozzle and feed tray are all Austrian Army (BH) marked as well as by Steyr. My email h.connors@centurylink.net. Thanks Harry

[Franz20]

emailed you.

[flemgunner]

I think I have a couple 308 barrels somewhere but I dont have any idea what they would cost

[Franz20]

Please let me know! I'd be interested!

[flemgunner]

Let me check it ou tomorrow and Ill let ya know

[horsesoldier1860]

I would be interested in one of those 308 barrels if frank doesnt buy both of them

[messerschmittfan]

Hi Franz20 did you receive the email with the photographs I sent? The parts in the photograph are all the parts needed to convert the MG34 to 7.62 NATO. Harry