New M53 owner

Post by **gregg877** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:54 am

Hey folks,

I've been registered with this forum for a while, but spent more time reading and learning rather than posting. After alot of research and looking at comment here, I decided to add a semi auto M53 to my collection.

I recently took delivery of a brand new wise lite M53, as well as a brand new in the wrap post war HK lafette mount from Inter ordnance. To make a long story short, the M53 will not lock into the tripod. The lug under the barrel jacket will not seat into the tray in the front of the pod with the lugs of the trigger housing seated properly in the rear of the top tray. Is there supposed to be some fitting? Before I do anything crazy, would appreciate some advice from veteran M53 owners. Pictures to follow shortly.

Thanks,Gregg

Post by **DARIVS ARCHITECTVS** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 12:53 pm

Post by **drooling idiot** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:02 pm

Both those parts are riveted to the receiver. It would be easy to have them slightly out of ideal location. If the fix is minor, I'd just do it and move on , if its more than you think is a good idea to do yourself then contact wiselite they've been good on issues in the past.

WE LOVE PICS.

Post by **DARIVS ARCHITECTVS** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 2:38 pm

+1

Panzercanuck · Post by **Panzercanuck** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:44 pm

Pictures please.Yum Yums.Apparently I mite be getting a wiselite M-53 through a friend in Canada

Panzercanuck

sinfullm4h · Post by **sinfullm4h** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 12:00 pm

please send pics, sounds like the front of the lug might be a bit to far forward. Had the same problem with mine. 10 minutes with a good file and now she mounts just fine.

Post by **gregg877** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:26 pm

Hey guys,

Sorry about the long delay, I haven't had web access at home for a while and I just started a new job, so I haven't been able to get on for a while. Anyway, sinfullm had it right on, the front lug was a little too far forward, so I ended up measuring the distance and splitting it between the lug and the lucking tooth on the tripod. Got it all mounted up, and it's nice, but apparently I wont be able shoot the gun on the tripod with the butt stock installed, as the recoil system will not have enough travel and the butt stock will end up rapping on the crossbar in front of the T&E. Wish I had researched tripods more, turns out I got a way post post war HK MG3 Tripod, which is way nice, but not even close for reenacting. Anyway, check it out, here are some pics...

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Post by **gregg877** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:29 pm

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Post by **gregg877** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:30 pm

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Post by **JBaum** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 3:39 pm

Allegheny Arsenal (www.mg34.com) used to sell ww2 style lafettes for around $775. The one I got from them has waffenamts all over it, but the range plate was Yugo. Ask them for a hand select if they'll do it for a few bucks extra..... I did. Definitely worth it.

The wiselite receiver is longer than normal, thus your problem with the stock hitting.

Post by **pathfinder** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:23 pm

Don't forget to remove the red tripod adapter for blanks usage if you want your tripod to be a soft mount.

noonxnoon · Post by **noonxnoon** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:05 pm

hmm...thanks for pointing that out JBaum...

I see how a WLA 53's long receiver can cause unexpected problems.

So if you remove the buttstock...what is keeping the spring in place and the bolt cycling?

...or are you removing the wood stock, but keeping that plug in?

Thanks for the pictures...btw...what is the pile of what looks like cotton rags?

Post by **DARIVS ARCHITECTVS** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:01 pm

You can remove the buttstock and leave the buffer spring assembly in place. It's the buffer assembly that acts as the rear end of the receiver. The buttstock is just an ornamental accessory that goes onto the buffer. On most guns, the buffer and buttstock are the same piece. On the MG-42, they are separate parts.

Post by **gregg877** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 7:53 pm

Got the correct Lafette tripod, Sarco is selling them for $445 without the optical sight base, or $495 with it. Fits nice. As far as the Wiselite receiver being longer than the original, I really dont think that's the case, as all of the pics I've found of MG3's show the buttstock all the way back against the crossbar as I mentioned, plus we'd be talking longer by 6 inches, which I doubt is the case. My M53 Fit right on the correct Lafette.

Anyway, debating what to do with the other mount I have, really dont need it...

Pictures to follow shortly.

Gregg

noonxnoon · Post by **noonxnoon** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 8:37 pm

How much did the mount you don't want run yah?

Where abouts in the States are you?

Post by **drooling idiot** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 12:31 pm

gregg877 wrote: As far as the Wiselite receiver being longer than the original, I really dont think that's the case,
Gregg

I assure you, it is the case.
Its subtle but the stretch is there.

Post by **CRUSADER** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 12:46 pm

gregg877 wrote:Got the correct Lafette tripod, Sarco is selling them for $445 without the optical sight base, or $495 with it. Fits nice. As far as the Wiselite receiver being longer than the original, I really dont think that's the case, as all of the pics I've found of MG3's show the buttstock all the way back against the crossbar as I mentioned, plus we'd be talking longer by 6 inches, which I doubt is the case. My M53 Fit right on the correct Lafette.

Anyway, debating what to do with the other mount I have, really dont need it...

Pictures to follow shortly.

Gregg

You bought a German, WWII Lafette from SARCO for $445~495? Please post photos ASAP!!

Post by **JBaum** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:30 pm

gregg877 wrote:Got the correct Lafette tripod, Sarco is selling them for $445 without the optical sight base, or $495 with it. Fits nice. As far as the Wiselite receiver being longer than the original, I really dont think that's the case, as all of the pics I've found of MG3's show the buttstock all the way back against the crossbar as I mentioned, plus we'd be talking longer by 6 inches, which I doubt is the case. My M53 Fit right on the correct Lafette.
Gregg

See the difference in receiver length in the pictures above? Look closely ahead of the buffer rivets. See how the Wiselite receiver is longer in that area? The Wiselite receive is indeed longer, and not by 6" either, but it is enough to cause problems with the MG3 mount, but not the MG42 mount, due to the way the gun rides on the cradle.

The correct mount for a WWII gun is the WWII mount. Sarco sells an MG3 mount, which was used from the 1970's to 1990's. Obviously, that makes it NOT the correct mount, although it does fit a non-Wiselite gun perfectly, even though it is an entirely different design and look. I have an MG3 mount myself... very nice for shooting, and a great piece of hardware for the price. The WWII mount does not have anything riding to the rear of the buttstock, so with the slightly longer Wiselite receiver, the buttstock doesn't hit anything. With the non-Wiselite receiver, the crossmember at the back of the receiver still has enough gap that it doesn't hit anything.

There are other places in the US that sell the mount new in the box with the accessories for less money than Sarco. RTG { http://www.robertrtg.com/mg.html } sells them with optics and battery box for $400 so save $95 and buy it from him. They're also available in Germany for $120-$150. Shipping to the US is what boosts the price. Fly over, buy one and send it home, and it'll only cost you.....what..... $1,200? to get it here.

Also, it looks like the drying cartridge in your scope is pink. When it turns to white, replace it or dry it out and put it back in. According to the scope manual, it's supposed to be blue.

Post by **blackreichswehr** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:21 pm

noonxnoon , if tour looking for a good deal on an mg3 mount, complete and unissued contact I.O. Inc. i got 4 from them last month for $240.00 each

12thWaffenSS · Post by **12thWaffenSS** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:36 pm

jbaum wrote:The correct mount for a WWII gun is the WWII mount. Sarco sells an MG3 mount, which was used from the 1970's to 1990's. Obviously, that makes it NOT the correct mount, although it does fit a non-Wiselite gun perfectly, even though it is an entirely different design and look. I have an MG3 mount myself... very nice for shooting, and a great piece of hardware for the price. The WWII mount does not have anything riding to the rear of the buttstock, so with the slightly longer Wiselite receiver, the buttstock doesn't hit anything. With the non-Wiselite receiver, the crossmember at the back of the receiver still has enough gap that it doesn't hit anything.

There are other places in the US that sell the mount new in the box with the accessories for less money than Sarco. RTG { http://www.robertrtg.com/mg.html } sells them with optics and battery box for $400 so save $95 and buy it from him. They're also available in Germany for $120-$150. Shipping to the US is what boosts the price. Fly over, buy one and send it home, and it'll only cost you.....what..... $1,200? to get it here.

Also, it looks like the drying cartridge in your scope is pink. When it turns to white, replace it or dry it out and put it back in. According to the scope manual, it's supposed to be blue.

http://www.sarcoinc.com/mgmounts.html
Looks like Sarco is selling these now. Hmmm...

www.MG42.us

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