Blank-Adapting the MG34.
Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:47 am
I thought that I would start this "Thread" here with basic information on Blank-Adapting the MG34 and the different Blank-Adaptors that are currently available.
If members believe that this information should be turned into a "sticky" for easier access....please talk with one of the MODs or Salt6.
BLANK-ADAPTING the MG34:
(NOTE: These "systems" can be set up using 8x57mm Blanks and/or 7.62x51mmNATO/.308 Blanks by switching out parts and adjusting system).
Methods to Blank-Adapt the MG34:
1: Live-Barrel with:
A: Restricted Booster-Cup/"nozzle" under the flash-hider, or:
B: Guiette Mfg. 1-Pcs. Blank-Adaptor.
2: 2-pcs. Blank-Firing Barrel-Assembly with restriction in the forward half of the 2-pcs. Blank-Barrel-Assembly inside the muzzle. Does not use a booster-cup/"nozzle" under the flash-hider.
Pros and Cons of the different styles/systems for Blank-Adapting the MG34:
1: MG34 Live-Barrel with restricted Booster-Cup/"Nozzle" under the flash-hider:
This system is probable the cheapest to set up and/or make if you are dollars short.
Requires a new-made Blank-Boster-Cup/Nozzle that you can install different allen-bolts from the inside of the boster-cup/nozzle driller for different size restrictions/BFA Hole-Sizes.
Problems are that it does not adapt well to the weaker 7.62x51mmNATO/.308 British/Austrian Blanks. It also does not make as much noise using the same Blanks in the other "systems" due to the requirement to use much of its pressure produced during firing to push the entire-weight of the live barrel to the rear to unlock the bolt and move bolt and fired blank to the rear-most position to eject the fired case. Less noise is also heard with any 8x57mm Blank for same reasons of overcoming the barrel-weight.
2: MG34 Live-Barrel with "Guiette-Mfg." MG34 1-pcs. Blank-Adaptor:
I have not had a chance to test this Blank-Adaptor out with Blanks yet.....it appears well made....and is a complete assembly that replaces the barrel-bearing abd Booster-Cup/Nozzle. It also does not have the four pressure relief holes drilled out on the barrel-bearing rear portion which would indicate to me that less pressure will be lost during operation.....this will require a larger BFA Hole-Size at the front of this Blank-Adaptor than the modified Booster-Cut in #1 above. Guiette Mfg. MG34 Blank-Adaptor came drilled and taped for 1/2x20TPI set-screws in the front.....three (3) were provided with the Blank-Adaptor as was an allen-wrench for changing out the allen-set-screws.
Well-made and arrived in "Blued" finish.
Present costs: $115 PPd (delivered).
Possible problems may still be the barrel-weight to overcome.........but should be slightly louder than the use of a restricted Booster-Cup and a live MG34 Barrel-Bearing using the same Blanks as above.
3: The 2-pcs. MG34 Blank-Barrel-Assembly:
Slightly higher costs due to the cost of the 2-pcs. Blank-Barrel-Assembly.
The ability to be the loudest of the systems listed as it does not have to overcome the weight of a full "live" barrel.....it only moves the rear 1/4 of the Blank-Barrel-Assembly to the rear to unlock the bolt (less-weight=more noise and faster RPM at the front).
Does not use a Booster-Cup/Nozzle as the front 3/4 of the barrel remains still/does not move.
(NOTE: Do not try to use this system with the addition of a Blank-Adapted Booster-Cup/Nozzle restricted......as it appears the forward 3/4 of what is suppose to be the stationary blank-barrel starts to move to the rear while the rear-part is starting to move to the forward position....they bounce together sometimes causing misfires and feed-related problems).
And last for today....
Where can I get these parts?
1: Make them yourself on a lathe (booster-cup/nozzles).....or maybe a "board-member" can do a run of these if you provide the required barrels with "extensions" (2-pcs. Blank-Barrel-Assemblies).
2: I had "Duffy's Gun Room over in Sparks, Maryland make up mine...so that I had one forward barrel-section...and two rear sections. One in 8x57mm and the second in 7.62x51mmNATO/.308. POC is Wilhelm Helfrich. I had to provide the barrels for his use.
3: I believe that some of these are also available from different vendors from time-to-time in "Shotgun News".
Be safe, RichardS.
Blanksguy2001@chartermi.net
PS: Let the "MODs" know if you would like more information posted. We have the ability and information that we can post such as weapon set-up.........information on feed-tray modification........how to test-fire and make adjustments........troubleshooting if needed.
PSS: I went back in today and added photos of the different MG34 Blank-Firing "systems", and parts as shown below.
Maybe someone would like to make these up for us as a group-buy?
If members believe that this information should be turned into a "sticky" for easier access....please talk with one of the MODs or Salt6.
BLANK-ADAPTING the MG34:
(NOTE: These "systems" can be set up using 8x57mm Blanks and/or 7.62x51mmNATO/.308 Blanks by switching out parts and adjusting system).
Methods to Blank-Adapt the MG34:
1: Live-Barrel with:
A: Restricted Booster-Cup/"nozzle" under the flash-hider, or:
B: Guiette Mfg. 1-Pcs. Blank-Adaptor.
2: 2-pcs. Blank-Firing Barrel-Assembly with restriction in the forward half of the 2-pcs. Blank-Barrel-Assembly inside the muzzle. Does not use a booster-cup/"nozzle" under the flash-hider.
Pros and Cons of the different styles/systems for Blank-Adapting the MG34:
1: MG34 Live-Barrel with restricted Booster-Cup/"Nozzle" under the flash-hider:
This system is probable the cheapest to set up and/or make if you are dollars short.
Requires a new-made Blank-Boster-Cup/Nozzle that you can install different allen-bolts from the inside of the boster-cup/nozzle driller for different size restrictions/BFA Hole-Sizes.
Problems are that it does not adapt well to the weaker 7.62x51mmNATO/.308 British/Austrian Blanks. It also does not make as much noise using the same Blanks in the other "systems" due to the requirement to use much of its pressure produced during firing to push the entire-weight of the live barrel to the rear to unlock the bolt and move bolt and fired blank to the rear-most position to eject the fired case. Less noise is also heard with any 8x57mm Blank for same reasons of overcoming the barrel-weight.
2: MG34 Live-Barrel with "Guiette-Mfg." MG34 1-pcs. Blank-Adaptor:
I have not had a chance to test this Blank-Adaptor out with Blanks yet.....it appears well made....and is a complete assembly that replaces the barrel-bearing abd Booster-Cup/Nozzle. It also does not have the four pressure relief holes drilled out on the barrel-bearing rear portion which would indicate to me that less pressure will be lost during operation.....this will require a larger BFA Hole-Size at the front of this Blank-Adaptor than the modified Booster-Cut in #1 above. Guiette Mfg. MG34 Blank-Adaptor came drilled and taped for 1/2x20TPI set-screws in the front.....three (3) were provided with the Blank-Adaptor as was an allen-wrench for changing out the allen-set-screws.
Well-made and arrived in "Blued" finish.
Present costs: $115 PPd (delivered).
Possible problems may still be the barrel-weight to overcome.........but should be slightly louder than the use of a restricted Booster-Cup and a live MG34 Barrel-Bearing using the same Blanks as above.
3: The 2-pcs. MG34 Blank-Barrel-Assembly:
Slightly higher costs due to the cost of the 2-pcs. Blank-Barrel-Assembly.
The ability to be the loudest of the systems listed as it does not have to overcome the weight of a full "live" barrel.....it only moves the rear 1/4 of the Blank-Barrel-Assembly to the rear to unlock the bolt (less-weight=more noise and faster RPM at the front).
Does not use a Booster-Cup/Nozzle as the front 3/4 of the barrel remains still/does not move.
(NOTE: Do not try to use this system with the addition of a Blank-Adapted Booster-Cup/Nozzle restricted......as it appears the forward 3/4 of what is suppose to be the stationary blank-barrel starts to move to the rear while the rear-part is starting to move to the forward position....they bounce together sometimes causing misfires and feed-related problems).
And last for today....
Where can I get these parts?
1: Make them yourself on a lathe (booster-cup/nozzles).....or maybe a "board-member" can do a run of these if you provide the required barrels with "extensions" (2-pcs. Blank-Barrel-Assemblies).
2: I had "Duffy's Gun Room over in Sparks, Maryland make up mine...so that I had one forward barrel-section...and two rear sections. One in 8x57mm and the second in 7.62x51mmNATO/.308. POC is Wilhelm Helfrich. I had to provide the barrels for his use.
3: I believe that some of these are also available from different vendors from time-to-time in "Shotgun News".
Be safe, RichardS.
Blanksguy2001@chartermi.net
PS: Let the "MODs" know if you would like more information posted. We have the ability and information that we can post such as weapon set-up.........information on feed-tray modification........how to test-fire and make adjustments........troubleshooting if needed.
PSS: I went back in today and added photos of the different MG34 Blank-Firing "systems", and parts as shown below.
Maybe someone would like to make these up for us as a group-buy?