Basic MG-34 questions.

[Franz20]

This is going to expose my -ness...but I have to know.

I just took the SA '34 to the range for the first time yesterday....hot damn was that fun.

But here is my loading process which tends to be different from "videos" and "how-to" instructions:

-lift top cover
-insert belt lining first round on belt directly over the opening on the feed tray
-close top cover (usually gives me a hard time lining up but shuts)
-pull charging handle back (kinda tough ATM) and let it go slamming forward, chambering the new round.

-fire.


From what I've seen some folks just pull the charging handle back and it remains at the end of the receiver until they gently slide it forward into position.

Is this because those '34's are broken in? Or do SA 34's not do that?

Is my loading procedure correct? Any tips on how to feed the belt without the top cover making such a fuss?


I appreciate any tips/links/wisdom.

Thanks everyone!

Frank

[bbrown]

This is how I understand things to work:

F/A MG34s (and 42s) fire from an open bolt, so when you pull the charging handle back the bolt stays back and you have to manually move the c/h forward. You put the first round in the belt directly above the feed slot in the tray and close the cover. Pulling the trigger releases the bolt, which strips the round into the barrel and fires.

S/A MG34s (and 42/53s) fire from a closed bolt to meet BATFE requirements. The bolt does not stay back when you pull the charging handle back and release it, but rather slams forward into battery. Putting the first round in the belt directly above the feed slot in the tray and closing the top cover will push the round directly onto the top of the closed bolt, possibly bending the pressure plate arm (not a good thing). So, for S/A the directions usually say to put an empty belt loop directly above the feed slot with the first round immediately to the left. Closing the top cover then pushes nothing onto the top of the bolt but the empty belt loop. Pulling the charging handle advances the belt so that the next round is above the feed tray slot. Releasing the c/h strips the round from the belt and chambers it, ready to be fired.

All this is "as I understand it", but I'm no expert.

Clear as mud?

[anjongni]

I think you're causing to charge two rounds at once, so it protests. Here's what I do, not that it's the only way. Let me know if you want pictures....

-Make a 1/4" thick plastic spacer the fits in the ejection port to hold the bolt open
-Pull the c/h back, insert the spacer. It holds the bolt open
-Lay in the belt with the first round against the stop
-Pull back on the c/h a little, let go
-The spacer will fall out, you'll chamber the first round
-Fire away!
Be careful..good luck...Phil

[anjongni]

Little plastic holders to keep the bolt back while you lay in the belt. Length is 3". I didn't invent them...stole somebody's idea!...Phil

[42rocker]

Word file for the above. Nice job of sharing everyone. Thanks for the photos Phil.

Later 42rocker

charging mg34 semi auto.docx

(49.97 KiB) Downloaded 79 times