New to group

[Mikesal]

Hello all, new to the group. I'm a ww2 reenactor who gets to play with mg42's (our group leader owns a real one which we shoot 308 blanks thru). Since I live in Illinois, I've started a project to design a blank only version. I'll probably be driving you nuts over stupid questions over the next few months. I've ordered a parts kit (& will be purchasing more parts for prototyping). I have my own machine shop equipment & am used to fabricating parts, so it should be a fun project. I think I've got an idea that will function as well as pass the atf sniff test. We'll see.
thanks,
MikeSal

[12thWaffenSS]

Hello all, new to the group. I'm a ww2 reenactor who gets to play with mg42's (our group leader owns a real one which we shoot 308 blanks thru). Since I live in Illinois, I've started a project to design a blank only version. I'll probably be driving you nuts over stupid questions over the next few months. I've ordered a parts kit (& will be purchasing more parts for prototyping). I have my own machine shop equipment & am used to fabricating parts, so it should be a fun project. I think I've got an idea that will function as well as pass the atf sniff test. We'll see.
thanks,
MikeSal

Glad to have you on the board.

Just to be curious....What re-enactment unit are you with? Did you make it out to Rockford last year?

[Mikesal]

I'm in 5.ss Wiking (the mid-west group). Yes, Rockford is a must go show for us. If you saw any of the villiage battles we were in this year, I was the guy on the MG42. In the field battle, we were the farthest away from the crowd so didn't get much notice (talk about a waste of ammo).

I've gotten a lot of response about the idea of a bfong mg42. I already own a bfong mp40 & have studied how they re-engineered the guts. Although turning the breech around backwards is not an option for this project, I think I've got a good idea that will pass atf guidlines (of which I'm having an awful hard time in locating, btw).
thanks,
Mike S

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Rockford RULEZ. Had a great time there last year. Gotta go again! Greetings from Minnesota!

[Michael J]

Rockford RULEZ. Had a great time there last year. Gotta go again! Greetings from Minnesota!

Look at all them shiny boots, and then look at yours DA. What would hitler say if he saw you like that... tsk tsk .

(I'm jealous of you guys, we don't got reenactors really over here. I'd probably get beat up for people thinking i'm some sort of neo-nazi !)

[Mikesal]

I took pictures of you & your motorbike at rockford! I've always had a weak spot for old small scooters! I used to own harley hummers & those old holland mopeds! Where do you find bikes like that?

My boots are usually pretty salty looking too. I go for that "been on the eastern front" look. I've had a blast in the reenacting hobby. When I first learned about ww2 reenacting, I considered GI, but everybody & their dog wants to be Capt. Miller or Dick Winters.

Back on topic, I'm really looking forward to prooving out my idea of a bfong 42 that still has all the cool features of the real thing....belt fed, changeable barrel, and full auto. Side by side, there will be a noticeable difference to a real one, but by it'self, it should be hardly noticeable. We'll see.
Mike (Fritz)

[12thWaffenSS]

I'm in 5.ss Wiking (the mid-west group). Yes, Rockford is a must go show for us. If you saw any of the villiage battles we were in this year, I was the guy on the MG42. In the field battle, we were the farthest away from the crowd so didn't get much notice (talk about a waste of ammo).

Mike S

I probably saw you and vice versa. I know there are a couple Youtube videos of the event. Is this you on the MG?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VH-Hslm ... re=related

Auf Wiedersehen!

[DDayDog]

I'd love to do some reenacting, but I live in Alaska and it would be difficult for me to travel for it. I really do enjoy watching the videos from that though. You guys have a good time with that.

[Bil]

You could always do the northern front re-enactments-just pretend it is northern Finland! ---bil

[H_Waffenfabrik]

Nice bike you got there DA and great pic, too

[DDayDog]

You could always do the northern front re-enactments-just pretend it is northern Finland! ---bil

Actually, that wouldnt be too hard to do right now given that it's -30 degrees in Anchorage right now and -70 in other parts of the state. I'd like to buy a Waffen SS uniform so I can build my wall display of German WW2 items. Anyone know a good online source where to pick up a very well tailored uniform and assessories? Thanks.

[Mikesal]

I had not seen this particular video. No my unit was not in this battle. It appears that's a mg34 instead of a 42. It also appears the allies had their kevlar suits on until the counter attack!! It's frustrating to be a mg gunner & have no enemy casualties.

There is a youtube of one of our battles & I'm sorta visible as we'd set up in the middle of the street so the crowd could get a good look at the gun in action. The kids mob you afterwards for the shell casings. It's hard to get the mg out of the way to keep them from getting burned on the barrel.
Mike (Fritz)

[12thWaffenSS]

There is a youtube of one of our battles & I'm sorta visible as we'd set up in the middle of the street so the crowd could get a good look at the gun in action. The kids mob you afterwards for the shell casings. It's hard to get the mg out of the way to keep them from getting burned on the barrel.
Mike (Fritz)

Probably this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj5ZXFya ... re=related

[gdmoore28]

I've gotten a lot of response about the idea of a bfong mg42. I already own a bfong mp40 & have studied how they re-engineered the guts. Although turning the breech around backwards is not an option for this project, I think I've got a good idea that will pass atf guidlines (of which I'm having an awful hard time in locating, btw).
thanks,
Mike S

Welcome Mike,
You won't find any BATFE regs regarding BFONGs, there aren't any. I found a letter somewhere wherein the BATFE responded that they do not regulate non-guns -- they only declare a piece a non-gun when submitted on a case-by-case basis. I've been playing with the same '42 BFONG idea,too, and have searched the regs up and down --nothing.

So, if any of us find a workable design (good luck!!! Keep us updated.), we will have to follow the same route as Schlosser's Supply Room -- submitting the design to the BATFE until they are satisfied it will not support live fire.

GeeDeeEmm

[Mikesal]

Ya, if you have to look real hard & listen, but that's me in the street with the 42. You can hear that it was running really good that day too. The russians died too quick before I could move it up closer during the battle.

Yes, I've run into the same regarding regulations. I was supposed to contact Stan at SSR this week to talk to him regarding what he went thru on his MP40 project. The only concern I have is that he got approval in 2004. How much have any rules changed since then? You may be correct that the atf will demand to have final say whether it's convertable to a real weapon or not.

The guy who's picking out my kit is supposed to be at apex tomorrow. Once I have the hardware I'll be able to get serious with the design layout. Right now, the only mg parts I've received is an IMA receiver set, a bi pod, an ammo box, & a hand full of link belts.
Mike S (Fritz)

[blckwlfny]

So what happened?....any luck on the BFONG?
Ive got a parts kit im just itching to convert