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I was wondering how one would go about repairing an MG53 receiver that is bent at the front. I have seen some presses for sale that were supposed to be used to fix bent receivers. Would one of those presses be used to fix a receiver with a bend like this?

Oh, before someone says it, NO, I am not building an FA MG53. Just trying to figure out how I would go about fixing a bent Yugo MG53 receiver if I were to buy it. My goal is to keep it as much intact as possible.

Thanks in advance for any help and assistance!

Tom

The Germans SCRAPPED guns that were damaged that badly. It was not worth fixing. That's why they made the guns from sheet metal in the first place. they were disposable if they got THIS bad. If you bent it back, it would make a non-working wall hanger.

I believe that Robert at RTG had the alignment jig, not really a press. The wonderful thing about sheet metal is its incredible elasticity. It can be easily bent back. Do you know what caused the bend?
I would begin with the basis of the RTG jig-a cylinder that fits into the front bushing. Machine a strong pipe to fit tightly into the front threaded bushing several inches. Put the pipe tight into a big vise. Pull the shroud in the desired direction while hitting on the area of worst bend with a heavy, soft rubber or plastic mallet, until it straightens up. No heat, no metal hammers, yet.
If you send it here, I'll do my best. Got a big shop. I'm no expert, but it already doesn't work.....Phil

Here is the tool sold by RTG. Looks like a jig to verify straightness.

Wow if that's here in the states someone sure did a great re-weld job. Can't see any weld work in the normal places.
Bending it back into a working weapon..... Good Luck on that, but without a factory taking sheet metal and bending it into new fresh receivers avaible why not give it a try. Heat the area then slowly work on the bent area's. Cutting and rewelding in new unbent areas could also be done, hope not. If you have the time why not go for it. A lot of folks on this site started with a cut up, missing area's pile of scrap metal and re-welded etc and ended up with a working SA.
If you don't buy it I'm sure that a few folks on this site would be interested in buying it.

Later 42rocker

Thanks all for the comments! To be honest, the price is so low I don't think I can say no. Just trying to figure out what I am actually getting for the money. The unit is packed in heavy cosmoline and actually has no rust. From what I could discern the only thing wrong with the unit is the bent front end.

anjongni, thanks for the info I had a chance to buy one of those jigs for $50 last year and didn't take it. Stupid me! In any case, I was always curious to see how they worked and what they could actually do so I think this might be a great project. Now I have to cough up the money for the jig

Darius, I hope you aren't right this time, though you usually are!

42Rocker, thank you much I thought about heating it but would the heating of the metal cause it to lose some of its strength, don't know the technical word or description? If worst case were to occur, I guess I could cut the nose off and TIG another one into place. What would you recommend if anything.

Again, thanks to everyone!

Tom

My recomendation is to make sure this is a legal receiver-is this a bad re-weld job or a FA that got bent somehow?
If you fix it,does it become a FA receiver? These are things I would check into. ---bil

Thanks Bill! I'll check, my understanding is it was an SA receiver and has the blocking lug AND trigger cut-out that allows the SA trigger group and SA bolt. Anything else I should check on? I'm pretty sure it is legit but if you can give me other pointers great:) Better safe than sorry! I am new to this, heck, until jbaum told me I didn't know MP40 receivers were illegal so any help gladly appreciated.

Tom

Bil, stated what I was hinting at very nicely, on the legal stuff.
After the legal part is ok, the worst on this you would have a nice rear receiver, from the rear site back. And that part is hard to come by. Ok, easy if you have a lot of money to spend. I would think that if you can get this for under $300 it would be great to start with. Pick up a kit in the $350 range, re-weld the front barrel shroud and you might be good to go. (add the sa mods of course)
I would like to first try to heat and bend back. Don't heat to cherry red, just heat and try to twist and return. Repeat as needed. Don't over heat, but the idea of bending totally cold is something that I might skip.
Go for it.

Later 42rocker

Yes,remember that it is only sheet metal,think body shop,how they can straighten windshield posts,etc.If you mess it up,you can always use the unbent rear as stated above.Good luck! ---bil

Thanks guys! So $150 for the receiver wouldn't be considered a bad deal? I will have to think it over though because the comments have made me a little nervous.

Thanks again for the replies!

Tom

2 feet first all over the deal......... As long as it's true what you stated about the fact it was """an SA receiver and has the blocking lug AND trigger cut-out that allows the SA trigger group and SA bolt.""".
As stated if your not interested and above it true several of us are interested.... PM sent.

Later 42rocker

Taurus454 wrote:Thanks Bill! I'll check, my understanding is it was an SA receiver and has the blocking lug AND trigger cut-out that allows the SA trigger group and SA bolt.

It does NOT have the trigger cut out. You can see that it's intact in the first picture. I'd be careful.

Matt