www.MG42.us

Hey, under the circumstances I don't blame you for not coming to the SOS. I'm just glad you're getting better. Sounds like you're doing it right too. Not many folks who can work on the high end antique cars. I do hope to see you soon. Maybe at one of the National Gun Day gun shows when you are able....

If you use the heavy bolt without the heavy buffer it will damage your gun.
I had a heavy bolt, and tried using it with a standard buffer. I got lucky and the damage was repairable, and I only needed a rivet and a new recoil spring.

John, I went to the Show of Shows in Louisville just to see you, and you weren't there. Allegheny told me what happened to you and I was floored. Just because KCR stopped the MG shoots doesn't mean it's time to check out. Bob and I are still working on Kenny, Tracy, and Chad, so don't give up. Besid...

I just picked up 3 of John's manuals at the Military Show of Shows. I highly recommend them. The manuals were on the 1917A1, 1928 Thompson, and the M1 Garand. More information than I needed, but more is better than not enough.

Thanks John.
Guess you'll see me with a set of calibers at your neighbors at the next Creek shoot.

Sounds like you need one of John Baum's manuals on the MG42. He is a member here, and goes by JBaum, and has translated about 180 German manuals to English with a bunch on the MG42. Just from reading your post, it sounds like you may have a weak barrel recouparator, but I can't be certain from your ...

Is there a way of determining the diameter of the muzzle booster opening other than measuring?

As long as the barrels and bolts head space are in specification then I think any issue with Maylaisian ammo is the ammo. Years ago I bought a case of Maylasian ammo for cheap, at the KCR MG shoot. I was talking to a fellow MG 42 shooter, and without any mention of Maylaisian ammo, he told me not to...

Myself and another member here got together yesterday to test the Maylaisian ammo and some other ammo. We both ran the Maylaisian ammo through our MG42s with no issues. I used 4 different barrels including the one that I had had issues with. We both concluded that the ammo was OK to use, but keep a ...

Myself and another member here met yesterday to test different 7.62 ammo in our 42s. I changed mine over to pretty much a MG3 with barrel, flash hider/booster, bolt, feed tray, and top cover. He changed the barrel, and used a Yugo feed tray, top cover and small diameter booster. My gun sounded like ...

Junglewalk and I are going to get together in a few weeks and work on a few issues. One of them is going to be the Maylaisian ammo issue. I'll post results if I survive.

Don't know about Foster vs. German gauges. I would like to know what your results are with the different booster diameters. Just remembering back, it seemed like when I first got the 42 in 8mm, it ran with no issues even though all of the barrels I had would lock on the no go gauge, and I ran all ki...

Okay, I finally got out and shot 200 rounds of the Maylaisian ammo; 1986 lot 2. the first 150 rounds I fired with no issues. The first 50 was in short burst, the second 50 was one burst, and the third 50 was a mix of short and medium burst with no ammo issues. I then changed barrels and tried anothe...

I just bought a can of the Maylaisian ammo. Since I use a MG3 bolt, barrel, feed tray, buffer, and muzzle booster that slows the rate of fire down a bit, I'll have to test John's theory and get back to you. Weather permitting.

Thanks John
I'm sure all of this who reload and want to reload for the MG42 will appreciate this. I know I do.

Hey John, are you going to post pictures of your wire and radiator hose device to prevent dented case mouths that we talked about at the KCR MG shoot?
Oh, and after you walked away I told the lady that if I had a question, I go to you, and that you really know your stuff

Thanks Der Alder.
This helps greatly. I'll have to do some more research, but it does appear to be more difficult than it first appeared to convert a MG42 to use a MG3 recuperator.

Der Alder, thanks for the reply. I was looking at the grip hanger, and I understand now how it supports the back of the 42/53 recuperator and how a MG3 grip hanger would be needed to use a MG3 recuperator. How is the grip hanger attached to the receiver? It looks like it is held in place by the lug ...

Is it possible to use a MG3 recuperator in a MG42, and if so, what must be done and what parts are needed?

When I do instructions on how to use the MG3 for the soldiers I normally do a demo where I shoot prone, kneeling behind a wooden bench with the bipod folded and resting on the bench, from the hip and finally from the shoulder standing up firing it like a rifle. I can hit a group of man sized target...