MG 53 vs MG 42

[morvedahl]

Can any one tell me the difference between a MG 53 and MG42? From wat I can tell the only difference is the MG 53 is a Yugo reproduction of the MG 42. If this is so how acuratley is the MG 53 represent the MG42?

[drooling idiot]

theres a small tab added to the barrel door but other than that i cant think of any other external physical differences not including Yugo crest and proof marks.

for internal differences the pistol grips are slightly different and not interchangeable , the safety is marked differently , the buffer and buttstock have a very slight alteration that makes them incompatible , seems a lot of the m53's have night sights that are never seen on 42s .

i think that pretty good off the top of my head , members can you think of anything else ?

[morvedahl]

Thanks for the heads up. I want to get a MG 42 parts kit and do a semi build but I cant seem to find an "MG 42" parts kit, at least one that isnt $1000 or more. I have been thinking about getting a Military Gun Supply MG 53 Yugo parts kit but would like some advice if their kits are any good or who has the best parts kit. I cant look in the F/S yet because I have to do my 5 posts.

[Demontrooper]

Yeah, the M53 is basically an MG42 if you want one for shooting and reenacting. There are minor technical differences, but since there are more M53 parts than Mg42 parts available on the market, then you will be better off with the M53. They are the exact same size, lenght and weight.

You can use an MG42 rear receiver from (IMA) to build up an M53 parts set (like I am). In fact, with my MG42 receiver and a MG42 top cover (with waffen markings and no Yugo crest) my gun will look exactly like the German MG42 to just about everyone, even MG42 owners. My gun will be half German MG42, half Yugo M53.

These days, the MG42 is more for collecting, so if you want a gun that will increase in value more quickly than the M53, then the MG42 is it. But for a shooter and reenactor weapon, the M53 is the way to go.
They are both the same things, it's up to you to spend more or less money on what you want.

Also, SOG (Southern Ohio Gun) has kits that every one is happy with.

[URAR1004]

I have been thinking about getting a Military Gun Supply MG 53 Yugo parts kit but would like some advice if their kits are any good or who has the best parts kit.

If you don't have a Receiver It doesn't mater what kit you get, currently no vendors have any complete MG42 or M53 receivers for sale. The MGS parts kit only come with part of the receiver

Just so you know the MGS parts kit doesn't come with the nose bearing as shown in their picture.

Here's a complete MG42 parts on gunbroker with receiver it's not mine but, it's so you can see what a complete receiver looks like It's a 4 cut reciever: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... m=57751579

Good luck, if you have any other questions let us know.

[jet489]

since all the yugo kits are the same i would buy one from sog,last i heard they were $249 verses mgs $350.

[morvedahl]

Sounds like the MG 53 will be the way to go for me then! I definetly want to build a SA shooter. I cant stand having a gun and not taking it to the range. As far as a receiver goes what does everyone thing about the BRP new receiver stampings? Anyone on here every made a SA out of them?

[URAR1004]

It's still cheaper and eaiser to build with an "ATF Demilled MG42 Receiver".

[morvedahl]

How does an MG42/53 build compare to an M1919A4 build. I did one of those and it was fairly easy and it turned out great. I figured if an MG42 is half as easy I should have no plroblem. Im still a little affraid of the SA bolt but the rest looks ok as long as I can get a hold of a tig welder.

[Demontrooper]

Not half as easy at all I beleive. The MG42 receiver requires so much aligning (because the current sets ar so chopped up). The 1919A4, as you know, is just a box, but the MG42 is long and more complicated. Anybody could build a 1919A4, but for this project you need welding skills, milling, and alot of tweaking afterwards. Each MG42 build that you see on this site is unique and different. Most of these guns have custom tweaked parts that are not interchangable with other Semi MG42's. But then again, this is my first gun project, and even I am doing it!

[DieWolf]

I have been thinking about getting a Military Gun Supply MG 53 Yugo parts kit but would like some advice if their kits are any good or who has the best parts kit.

If you don't have a Receiver It doesn't mater what kit you get, currently no vendors have any complete MG42 or M53 receivers for sale. The MGS parts kit only come with part of the receiver

Just so you know the MGS parts kit doesn't come with the nose bearing as shown in their picture.

Hello from Germany!

Well it sure seems funny!
In Germany getting a complete receiver MG42 or MG53 is no real problem they are definitely free parts.
e.g.
http://www.teilesatz.de

However it is impossible by legal terms to get an intact barrel or an intact bolthead.


Different countries different legislation.

So maybe one of You could import a complete receiver housing where a few modifications have been made to prevent full auto assembly?

But I truly admire the skills shown here in this forum as far as receiver re-assembly is concerned - I'm really impressed.


Greetz and congratulations on this expert forum.

Yours
DW

[drooling idiot]

no i doubt they'd allow import of an intact receiver even modified to semi-auto.

welcome aboard DieWolf .
we desperately need more members from Germany. lots of requests to translate this or that , i bet you'd make a small fortune here just selling small parts and accessories once we get to know you better.

[drooling idiot]

How does an MG42/53 build compare to an M1919A4 build.

this has been asked a few times before heres one thread
http://www.panzer46.net/mg42board/viewt ... ght=#24150

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Wilkomme Die Wolf!

[morvedahl]

Damn Im so obsesed right now about this build I think Im going to just have to get started. I have done nothing in the last week but look at stuff on the net about it. It seems that if there are any questions a guy would have that it can be answered here. Is there any other helpfull buid sites out there?

[Demontrooper]

No, I beleive that we are the only MG42 buiding resource. There are websites that talk about problems with their full-auto MG's, but we are the on;y ones who make SA42's aside from BRP and TNW (who are manufacturers).