Need a lesson on belt lubrication

[Franz 1796]

I'm planning on taking the M-53 to the range this weekend and wanted to find out how to lube the belts. Is there a previous post someone can link me to, or just give me a quick lesson? I tried the search feature with no luck.

[JBaum]

According to the manuals, lightly oil the insides of the links before putting the cartridges in (make sure they're clean and undamaged). WD40 gets very gummy when it starts to dry - definitely NOT recommended.

[rocco1911]

I use Rem oil in the spray can works for me

[noonxnoon]

This is a good post...I am curious the same thing.

I always read to run it 'wet'...but I can't imagine it dripping;)

Basically the idea is all moving parts need at least a light coating of oil?

[rocco1911]

Yes they do need lube all moving parts thats why I use the Remington spray oil it gets into all areas & does not get gummy like wd40 & wont increase chamber pressure eighter

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

LISTEN TO JBAUM. He stated the correct amount of lubrication. They ACTUALLY DID use an oily bristle brush and swiped it inside each link. You should brush off all dust and dirt inside and outside the links before oiling the links. It's über-tedious, but it kept soldiers busy when they were just killing time, doing something that may save their lives. Oily film on the outside of the links attracts dust and dirt, which is NOT good for the machinegun to ingest.

[JBaum]

For the record, I've never run mine (FA) wet, or dripping, or with the belts sprayed with anything. A little grease on the rails and feed assembly, no spray or oil on the belts.... runs fine for me.

I think the semi-auto guns are right on the border of having enough power to operate the trigger assembly, and with the short recoil spring, it's close to not having enough power to strip the cartridge from the belt. Lose a little energy from friction, and it doesn't work. Go with what works. If it needs lubed to run - fine.

FA doesn't have that problem.

[rocco1911]

yeah the three re-weld semis I have built all like oil one wont work unless its lubed good had an old GF like that also but thats another story

I shoot in the AZ desert & the dust dont seem to attract all that much to the belts they are up in the air though on the tripod Its to hot laying on the hot sand to shoot from the bipod usually

I dont spray them the belts till they drip I wipe them with a nice pink towel after spraying them lightly

[noonxnoon]

DA, thanks for pointing out 'lightly on the inside' from JBaum's advice.

I spaced right over that. Good to know as a preventive measure as well.

For my normal firearms, I will have a light coat of oil on it and wipe it before, but there is still a small layer behind to help keep things moving. It seems basic principle applies for the moving parts on the 42/53.

[rocco1911]

DA, thanks for pointing out 'lightly on the inside' from JBaum's advice.

I spaced right over that. Good to know as a preventive measure as well.

For my normal firearms, I will have a light coat of oil on it and wipe it before, but there is still a small layer behind to help keep things moving. It seems basic principle applies for the moving parts on the 42/53.

If your using a Wiselite 53 I believe they recommend lubing them also

[PvtJoker]

I was told to use Pam on the belts before loading them.

[noonxnoon]

is that the butter flavored Pam or the extra-virgin olive oil Pam??

[rocco1911]

I think the butter one tastes better

[Mikesal]

The real 42 that a guy in our reenacting unit has never gets any oil on the belts, other than to prevent rust. It runs like a sewing maching.
MikeS

[noonxnoon]

I know what I'll do to run my 53 wet...

at the range, I'll bring the deep fat turkey fryer with me...and before I fire the 53, I'll just dunk it into the oil and then snap off some rounds...dunk it again when it get hot.

then when i am done shooting, I'll throw a bird in the fryer and have something to eat while I am cleaning the 53...

[12thWaffenSS]

The real 42 that a guy in our reenacting unit has never gets any oil on the belts, other than to prevent rust. It runs like a sewing maching.
MikeS

It's funny you say that. There is a guy in our re-enacting group with a full auto MG34 and he swears by running the gun "dry". However, it jams pretty often if you don't spray the belts down. When the belts are sprayed down the belts, it runs like it should.

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Well, I'M A REENACTING GUY (like that's some sort of accolade or something) and I say if you want to keep your belts rust free AND working, do what the Germans recommend. Sure you can run them dry, and they can work. Sure, you can run them dripping with oil, and they work (as long as you don't drop them in the sand first!). It's easy to just toss the belts in the can after shooting and never do any maintenance on them, especially since it's an onerous chore. However, they aren't getting cheaper to find, and if oiled only to the extent the Germans did, they stay rust free and run like a champ. belts are brittle steel and WILL eventually BREAK. I've broken a few starting links myself. The question is, do you want to get the full extent of life out of them or not? I suggest using plain-linked postwar Yugo belts or MG-3 belts for shooting and storing your WWII marked German ones, because you won't be happy if (when) you break one.

[12thWaffenSS]

Well, I'M A REENACTING GUY (like that's some sort of accolade or something) and I say if you want to keep your belts rust free AND working, do what the Germans recommend. Sure you can run them dry, and they can work. Sure, you can run them dripping with oil, and they work (as long as you don't drop them in the sand first!). It's easy to just toss the belts in the can after shooting and never do any maintenance on them, especially since it's an onerous chore. However, they aren't getting cheaper to find, and if oiled only to the extent the Germans did, they stay rust free and run like a champ. belts are brittle steel and WILL eventually BREAK. I've broken a few starting links myself. The question is, do you want to get the full extent of life out of them or not? I suggest using plain-linked postwar Yugo belts or MG-3 belts for shooting and storing your WWII marked German ones, because you won't be happy if (when) you break one.

That's a great response and all but I'm still left wondering what flavor Pam you use to spray on the belts.

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Pam? Is that material sanctioned by OKW (Oberkommando des Heeres)?

[PvtJoker]

Yeah, I know- I had about the same reaction when I was told about it from the guy I got the belts from. But he had 20+ of them still intact and working when I bought them, and he swore that's what he used in his post-sample MG-42 that he had ran them in. At least they ought to smell real tasty when they heat up, I suppose. He didn't spec a particular flavor, BTW. I guess ANY oil is better than just running them dry, though.