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Hello guys,
Recently acquired a G 43 DUV 44. When i went out to shoot it it would only do a single shot than i would have to manually cycle it. When i would do this it would get a little harder to pull back once the bolt face was about and inch inch and a half away from the receiver. Thinking possibly that the dust cover was catching i pulled it off. This did not fix the issue.
If charge it and let the bolt go at he back it will slide all the way forward without catching and stopping if i ride it it will stop about half way a simple tap on the side of the receiver or a light push on it and the bolt will send it forward. It is cleaned up and oiled. Just trying to let you know everything to help give me a better answer. Um, could the springs be doing this? Would a complete new set fix this issue? Anything else i should get new on it? Thanks for any help it is appreciated!

It's my understanding if your going to fire a G43, the old (orginal) springs should be replaced with a new set of springs.

As far a cycling, ensure that the gas system is clean. I'm sure others will have more ideas.

man_am_boden wrote:Hello guys,
Recently acquired a G 43 DUV 44. When i went out to shoot it it would only do a single shot than i would have to manually cycle it. When i would do this it would get a little harder to pull back once the bolt face was about and inch inch and a half away from the receiver. Thinking possibly that the dust cover was catching i pulled it off. This did not fix the issue.
If charge it and let the bolt go at he back it will slide all the way forward without catching and stopping if i ride it it will stop about half way a simple tap on the side of the receiver or a light push on it and the bolt will send it forward. It is cleaned up and oiled. Just trying to let you know everything to help give me a better answer. Um, could the springs be doing this? Would a complete new set fix this issue? Anything else i should get new on it? Thanks for any help it is appreciated!

I don't know about the extra friction you get as you pull the bolt back, but the hesitation as you ride the bolt forward gently is NORMAL. It has to do with the fact if you hold the bolt carrier from moving freely forward, there is pressure on the rear end of the firing pin holder that if pressing it forward. This causes the locking flaps to be wedged outwards left and right, which means that they drag on the rails. When the bolt is drawn back fully and released free, the bolt carrier and bolt and firing pin holder all move forward free and loose, and there is less pressure on the rails by the locking flaps, so you don't see any hesitation. NEVER ride the bolt forward on a G43 and make sure to draw it fully rearward before you let it go when feeding the first round. If there is too much friction in the system to feed and the bolt carrier hangs up, you can assist it in closing. No amount of lubrication will totally make this inherent friction problem go away.

The locking system has design flaws that inherently rob force from the recoil spring that could be used for feeding because of the flaps dragging on the rails. It's not a great gun design, but it can work under most conditions. You should set the original springs aside and buy a new set from Robert Applegate (Apfeltor) (Google him), and use those, along with a shooter's kit, which consists of a replacement gas piston that has a restriction orifice which brings the gas pressure down to a safer level. Using the original gas piston WILL allow gas pressure that operates the gun cycle to be SO HIGH that after 2000 rounds, your gun WILL start seeing damage in the form of cracks in the bolt housing. LIKE I SAID, this gun has design problems, so it will NOT last a lifetime of frequent shooting if you use it at the original gas pressure. IT IS NOT EQUAL in longevity to an M1 Garand. A new set of springs will provide more force in feeding.

man_am_boden wrote:Hello guys,
Recently acquired a G 43 DUV 44. When i went out to shoot it it would only do a single shot than i would have to manually cycle it. When i would do this it would get a little harder to pull back once the bolt face was about and inch inch and a half away from the receiver. Thinking possibly that the dust cover was catching i pulled it off. This did not fix the issue.
If charge it and let the bolt go at he back it will slide all the way forward without catching and stopping if i ride it it will stop about half way a simple tap on the side of the receiver or a light push on it and the bolt will send it forward. It is cleaned up and oiled. Just trying to let you know everything to help give me a better answer. Um, could the springs be doing this? Would a complete new set fix this issue? Anything else i should get new on it? Thanks for any help it is appreciated!

Sounds like you got ripped off. Hope you didn't pay too much for that POS.

Yeah maybe, but at $650 bucks im sure i can part it out and make money if it came to it.

12thWaffenSS wrote:Sounds like you got ripped off. Hope you didn't pay too much for that POS.

It's premature to call it a total POS. With the right diagnosis and testing, the problems can be isolated and fixed. My own k43 had problems related to out of spec (large neck DIA) Yugo ammo, but it runs really well on Romanian 8mm. The G43 can be made to work well in normal conditions, it has trouble in dirty, below freezing frosted conditions. The design isn't great, but it can work. For $650, even a junker that can be fixed is a STEAL. You just have to pinpoint the problems and replace some parts as required.

man_am_boden wrote:Yeah maybe, but at $650 bucks im sure i can part it out and make money if it came to it.

Are you going to use it for re-enacting?

12thWaffenSS's question is a good one. A G43 is NOT a good rifle for reenacting because it is generally too expensive for use in reenacting as it is pretty collectible, but moreover, shooting LOTS of rounds or blanks will generally use up the rifles short lifespan and it will eventually break an expensive part. Then, you are DONE. The rifle is not built to last, so you are better off NOT using it frequently or for reenacting. It just ain't worth it. Grab a RC k98. Can't go wrong there. If you need to waste more brass in blanks, the next step is an MP-40. The MP-40 is strong and well built enough to last for DECADES shooting blanks or live ammo if you are good about cleaning it thoroughly each time you shoot. The G43 simple WILL NOT LAST.