Wiselite M53 feed problem

[tbrown652]

I have a new semi M53 from Wiselite. My problem is approx every 2 to 3 rds I get a jam. The round feeds out of the belt but misses the chamber. I have several questions. How do you adjust proper tension on belt holding the rounds. Some appear easier to push out. Also, how do you adjust the guide on the top cover? I am not sure if the rd hits above or below the chamber but the bullet gets shoved back into the case. Thanks for any suggestions

[Blanksguy]

tbrown642.....(?)

Anyway _____(a first-name would be better).....
The problems that you are having with your Wiselite M53 seem to be a common challange...........

First......have you called their (Wiselite's) Tech-Support yet (?)......and what did they say (?).......
If they wouldn't answer your questions........(and this has been covered in several "threads" and anyone is able to read them prior to buying a Wiselite gun).....first question is "why would you buy a gun where the manufacturer will not stand behind their product-?" (??????).

You will probably post under this that you want to try to work the challanges out prior to contacting them due to costs of phone-calls, etc........so we will go into that now......

1: On the belts.......best information that I can give you is:
A: Buy the book "MG34 and MG42 German Machineguns".....much information contained in that.
B: Buy a couple of J-Baum's translated books on that weapon-system (MG-42)......again, much technical information.
C: On steel-Belts....they come in two sizes......8x57mm....and 7.62x51mm/.308 cal............to adjust the belt-tension on each cartridge......use a pair of plyers and a set of "snap-ring" (internal) plyers to spread the pockets.

2: On your "Cartirdge-Depressor" under your top-cover......get a gauge from J-Baum and bend the front of it so that it matches the gauge..............
......"BUT"........
.............................you will probably find out that the cartridge-depressor is good, and that the recouperator-spring-assembly (for barrel-return) is either dirty (Wiselite doesn't clean these well)....or that the springs have taken a "set" and are now weak. This means that the barrel is not being pushed forward as fast as the bolt-assembly is moving to the the rear and forward again w/new cartridges "BEFORE" the barrel-assembly is all the way forward.
Cost here is new springs (Bob at Black-River has new ones....or RTG-Parts may have these)....and a set of recouperator-mounting-bolts from RTG-Parts ($40 plus shipping).
Checking these parts has already been convered several times on the Board (do-search).

You can also check if the barrel is binding in the Barrel-Bearing area during manufacture.

Regards, RichardS in MI.
Blanksguy2001@chartermi.net
US Army, Retired.

[12thWaffenSS]

tbrown642.....(?)

Anyway _____(a first-name would be better).....
The problems that you are having with your Wiselite M53 seem to be a common challange...........

First......have you called their (Wiselite's) Tech-Support yet (?)......and what did they say (?).......
If they wouldn't answer your questions........(and this has been covered in several "threads" and anyone is able to read them prior to buying a Wiselite gun).....first question is "why would you buy a gun where the manufacturer will not stand behind their product-?" (??????).

You will probably post under this that you want to try to work the challanges out prior to contacting them due to costs of phone-calls, etc........so we will go into that now......

1: On the belts.......best information that I can give you is:
A: Buy the book "MG34 and MG42 German Machineguns".....much information contained in that.
B: Buy a couple of J-Baum's translated books on that weapon-system (MG-42)......again, much technical information.
C: On steel-Belts....they come in two sizes......8x57mm....and 7.62x51mm/.308 cal............to adjust the belt-tension on each cartridge......use a pair of plyers and a set of "snap-ring" (internal) plyers to spread the pockets.

2: On your "Cartirdge-Depressor" under your top-cover......get a gauge from J-Baum and bend the front of it so that it matches the gauge..............
......"BUT"........
.............................you will probably find out that the cartridge-depressor is good, and that the recouperator-spring-assembly (for barrel-return) is either dirty (Wiselite doesn't clean these well)....or that the springs have taken a "set" and are now weak. This means that the barrel is not being pushed forward as fast as the bolt-assembly is moving to the the rear and forward again w/new cartridges "BEFORE" the barrel-assembly is all the way forward.
Cost here is new springs (Bob at Black-River has new ones....or RTG-Parts may have these)....and a set of recouperator-mounting-bolts from RTG-Parts ($40 plus shipping).
Checking these parts has already been convered several times on the Board (do-search).

You can also check if the barrel is binding in the Barrel-Bearing area during manufacture.

Regards, RichardS in MI.
Blanksguy2001@chartermi.net
US Army, Retired.

WiseLite Arms FULLY stands behind their products. Why do you think they don't?

[Blanksguy]

12thWaffenSS,
Not to take over his "thread" on his Wiselite M53 "challenges" with this reply.........although we have seen several M53 "challanges" lately......
......but.......
If a product is good/well-built (with good R&D) and is received with a clear set of operating/user instructions "with" a paragraph that states that if you have a problem, "please contact us at#______________and we will correct the problem".......and the manufacturer "fully" stands behind their product........
....please tell me why we are having so many "threads" with people that are having "challanges" with "Wiselite" M53s (?).

At that point, I can only guess that it is either :
1: The individual is not contacting the manufacturer when he has a problem with a new gun.
2: ....or that the manufacturer is not providing a well explained booklet that tells the new owner to do same (contact the manufacturer if you experience a problem with their product). The "manufacturer" is suppose to be the most knowledgeable point-of-contact for a given product........correct (?).

As far as Wiselite's M53s...........I could care less how many they sell.....and I have no interest in if their product is bought or not. My questions concern if they are providing correct/good user-friendly information with their product, and if the individual above (who started this thread) has contacted them about the challanges with his new Wiselite M53, if Wiselite has helped him, and possible what technical-information they told him. Either answer would be useful information here on our MG42-Board.

If you note, I then explained to the above individual points to check on his "new" Wiselite M53.

Regards, RichardS in MI
Blanksguy2001@chartermi.net
US Army, Retired

[JBaum]

I have a new semi M53 from Wiselite. My problem is approx every 2 to 3 rds I get a jam. The round feeds out of the belt but misses the chamber. I have several questions. How do you adjust proper tension on belt holding the rounds. Some appear easier to push out. Also, how do you adjust the guide on the top cover? I am not sure if the rd hits above or below the chamber but the bullet gets shoved back into the case. Thanks for any suggestions

Could it be that you closed the top cover on the belt without having the bolt pulled back first? That seems to be the typical reason for bent/misaligned pressure plates. It's adjusted by bending it. Bend it too many times and it'll get weak. Bend it to the proper place the first time. For that you need the gauge.

Are you sure you're putting the cartridges into the belt with the tab in the proper place? A belt pocket that's a little looser than the rest shouldn't be a problem if you have the cartridge in the belt properly to start with. They'll be held correctly when the belt gets jerked around during feeding. Without being held securely, they won't feed correctly.

Wiselite seems to be lacking in their manual for their M53. If they weren't, a lot of people wouldn't be having the same problems over and over. It probably isn't that there's any less manual than most guns have, it's the fact that there's a lot more going on in the MG42/M53, and without a good manual, it's beyond the abilities of many people who buy the gun. They screw it up, get frustrated, and don't understand what's wrong.

There's a lot going on in an MG42 or clone that is far beyond the mechanics of a normal semi-auto rifle, which most people expect the MG42 to be. It isn't a shoot it first and read a manual later gun, which I'm sure a lot of people try to get away with. It just gets screwed up when that happens. I think that's why some people come here and ask questions. They want it fixed without having to call the manufacturer, because they don't know what they're doing and screwed it up. Depending on the problem, they're readily fixable either with information from here, or by sending it back to Wiselite if it's indeed something that they need to fix. Your problems don't sound any different than most people who ask about fail to feeds.

Recommended reading: MG42 operator's manual HDv 241, then read whatever Wiselite gave you. That way you'll know how the gun works, and the little things you have to do differently because it's not a machine gun. Gauges are available on my Militaria page.

[tbrown652]

First, thanks for all the opinions. Now to address a few of the comments. I did read the manuals supplied and to put it bluntly, they're not worth much. About the only thing I learned was that since it's a semi auto, you start the round to the first position to the left of the center feed channel and then when you pull the bolt back, it moves the round over and chambers it. This differs from the full auto where you have the bolt back to begin with.
Next, I have not called Wiselite because I thought I would get better advice here. I'm a member of the 1919 forum and their members are an incredible help to new folks. I have a functioning 1919 and I learned almost everything from reading other peoples questions and the posted answers. I thought since I have a MG42 clone, this would be the place to go. My intent was not to cause an argument between everyone about whether Wiselite is good or bad or whether it's a good idea to call them and have them try and fix the problem. I simply asked for advice and thanks to everyone who responded.
I basically have learned I need to buy the service and operators manual.
Lastly, I would like to thank Bob Naess who I ended up calling about the recuperator possibly being the problem. He was incredibly polite and helpful.
Tim Brown

[oakrodent]

Wise Lite M-53 = quality workmanship

[oakrodent]

12Waffen, aren't you contradicting your earlier claim?

The only solution is for you to stop being a cheap-a$$ and buy a C&R MG42 that fires from an open bolt and does not use some gimmicky semi-auto adapted bastardization design.

[12thWaffenSS]

12thWaffenSS,
Not to take over his "thread" on his Wiselite M53 "challenges" with this reply.........although we have seen several M53 "challanges" lately......
......but.......
If a product is good/well-built (with good R&D) and is received with a clear set of operating/user instructions "with" a paragraph that states that if you have a problem, "please contact us at#______________and we will correct the problem".......and the manufacturer "fully" stands behind their product........
....please tell me why we are having so many "threads" with people that are having "challanges" with "Wiselite" M53s (?).

At that point, I can only guess that it is either :
1: The individual is not contacting the manufacturer when he has a problem with a new gun.
2: ....or that the manufacturer is not providing a well explained booklet that tells the new owner to do same (contact the manufacturer if you experience a problem with their product). The "manufacturer" is suppose to be the most knowledgeable point-of-contact for a given product........correct (?).

As far as Wiselite's M53s...........I could care less how many they sell.....and I have no interest in if their product is bought or not. My questions concern if they are providing correct/good user-friendly information with their product, and if the individual above (who started this thread) has contacted them about the challanges with his new Wiselite M53, if Wiselite has helped him, and possible what technical-information they told him. Either answer would be useful information here on our MG42-Board.

If you note, I then explained to the above individual points to check on his "new" Wiselite M53.

Regards, RichardS in MI
Blanksguy2001@chartermi.net
US Army, Retired

You're right. All these people (read:suckers) who are buying WLA M-53's should just step up to the plate and buy a C&R MG.42 for 35k or 40k or whatever they are going for.

I'm not a mechanical engineer. Perhaps you can come up with a better way to convert a fully-automatic open bolt Machine Gun to a semi-auto only closed bolt system. Is it perfect, no, I'll admit that. Am I happy with my gun, yes I am.

I'm hesitant to speculate on other peoples issues however, I would be surprised if WLA and their tech support told these people who have issues to piss up a rope. They've always been more than helpful in my experience.

As always, your milage may vary, some cars not for use with some sets, consult your physician before use, etc, etc.

[12thWaffenSS]

Wise Lite M-53 = quality workmanship

Never miss a chance do you? Say, when are we getting the together and going pheasant hunting?

[12thWaffenSS]

12Waffen, aren't you contradicting your earlier claim?

The only solution is for you to stop being a cheap-a$$ and buy a C&R MG42 that fires from an open bolt and does not use some gimmicky semi-auto adapted bastardization design.

You have a great memory.

[Blanksguy]

Tim,

With your initial posting......
If the gun feeds but jams at every 2-3 rounds......you are telling us that it does feed well for 1-2 rounds which should indicate a good condition cartridge-depressor while the barrel-assembly is in the forward position.......

Again.....I would look more towards:
1: The recouperator-assembly needing new springs and/or cleaning/lubrication.....or:
2: Binding of the barrel-assembly in the receiver......at which time the gun should be returned to "Wiselite" for their repair.

Regards, RichardS in MI
Blanksguy2001@chartermi.net
US Army, Retired