www.MG42.us

Where can I get these? Size and length? I had some given to me several years ago, but I've misplaced them.

Also, do the rails go butt up against the top, inside of the receiver?

Many Thanks,
Matt

Just do a google search for rail rivet sellers... "MG42 Rail Rivets" ...works every time.

The rails DO NOT but up against the top of the receiver...wow.

Spend A LOT of time reading this forum, buy some books, read A LOT more, do some research. Please, don't rush into - or through - a SA42 build. Take your time and quadruple check everything. Don't ruin a good parts kit.

Well, if my join date is any indication, and I suppose it may or may not be, I'm not rushing into anything. Other builds have back-burnered the '42 and some eyeballing it raised the above questions. Also, "wow" notwithstanding, I think you'll find that the rails do in fact butt up against the inside top of the receiver - otherwise the recuperator will not fit. I answered that one myself. My right side rail is lower, leaving ~ 1/8" gap, if you use the previous holes as a guide - and you can't. However, you may get lucky and not have to weld and re-drill the rail holes - I did on the left side. I may have two left rails. Prior to fitting the recuperator, I didn't know that.

Thanks for the advice on not ruining my parts kit. It is my plan not to.

PS I found some rivets at Tractor Supply today, though I had to buy 100 of them.

I had a longer reply typed out but it vanished somehow. I'll simply say that butting the rails into the top corners of the receiver is not the correct method for positioning them. They must be parallel to one another and they must follow the center line of the barrel.

Good luck and have fun - after all, that's the most important part of this hobby, right?

That's right. I don't know where the rail corners came into play, but because of the receiver design, it would impossible for the ends to touch the receiver inside top. The feed tray area, however, does (on mine anyway) butt against the rails...at least one of them.

Yes,it the feed tray area they are up tight.You already know there is a left and a right,The lower left rail is thinner to clear the re-coup. Good call on the tractor supply.I have been giving them away for years,but am out right now.I get them at McMaster-Carr,or Grainger.
It depends on where I am when I run out.Glad to see you are getting you project going! ---bil