Bolt Catch Question

[czerka]

Just wondering which bolt catch version is best to use in a FA MG42/M53. The pre-war design seems to be more reliable but I had heard there were some drawbacks with using that one. Also I am wondering if the post war version I have is correct, the ones I have seen with the flat catch have the anti bounce spring that is flat on both ends.

[K98dkmauser]

both should work fine

[K98dkmauser]

i sure hope you are building a legal f/a mg42 because it could be 10 years if not

[amafrank]

What are you calling pre war? there are no pre war bolt catches.......unless you're talking pre gulf war. Both of the units you've pictured came out after WWII. Read Folke Myrvangs book to see what was used during the war versus what came out after.

either of the pictured types should work. Just make sure you're not preloading the locking piece as that will cause excess wear.

Frank

[czerka]

Yes it is legal I am an 07 SOt and I built the gun in 2010. I purchased the second from a site that had it listed as a post war version. I was told that there was a war time version and the one I have is from a Yugo kit. I just assumed that it was the war time model because I have seen both the later models.

[JBaum]

According to the manual, if you use the style with one flat end, the flat end goes toward the front in the bolt. The skinny end goes toward the rear.