dumb question, looking for smart answer!

[Michael J]

OK, well this has been tickling my brain for awhile, and I'm going about this extra cautiously, as i only have ONE chance!
I was looking around the APEX online store, and for completing my semi m53, i figured i would need these:
1) Barrel Bushing repair sleeve
2) Semi Auto Shell Blank with Semi Auto Block
3) Set of Buffer Cams
4) Ratchet Plate

Now here comes the brain tickling part ! For following Pirates semi-auto wiselite tutorial, will i need these too? Better yet, what are these?

1) Bolt Rail for the Semi Auto MG42/M53
2) Cam Block Pin for MG42/M53
3) Buffer Cone, MG42/M53
4) Charging Handle Bolt Lug

According to APEX, all these above parts are "necessary", but i don't exactly want to be throwing around cash, for things i won't even need using pirates wla tutorial.

2nd question: Anybody got a tutorial for the stampings? If not, i don't mind holding onto them until one comes out.

3rd question: Would a "beginner" builder just be better off buying a complete rear receiver, or a complete entire receiver? Because i don't have the welding or machining tools (just my trusty dremel, and soldering iron ), and will probably have to hire one. What do you guys think would amount to be cheapest?

[drooling idiot]

Now here comes the brain tickling part ... will i need these too? Better yet, what are these?

1) Bolt Rail for the Semi Auto MG42/M53
2) Cam Block Pin for MG42/M53
3) Buffer Cone, MG42/M53
4) Charging Handle Bolt Lug

According to APEX, all these above parts are "necessary",

2nd question: Anybody got a tutorial for the stampings? If not, i don't mind holding onto them until one comes out.

3rd question: Would a "beginner" builder just be better off buying a complete rear receiver, or a complete entire receiver? Because i don't have the welding or machining tools (just my trusty dremel, and soldering iron ), and will probably have to hire one. What do you guys think would amount to be cheapest?

Question #1
1) I don't know why they have that piece of flat iron bar stock for the picture? You will need rails but you may already have them and i wouldn't buy anything attached to that picture.
2) Cam rivet- yes you will need one.
3) If you really need to buy their buffer nose cone to make their design work, their design for SA has real issues.
Don't buy it, sounds more like bad marketing of existing inventory into a "necessary" item to replacing a common upgrade detailed here long ago. Putting a taper on your buffer nose to guide it into the bolt extension.
4) Plenty of SA42s built long before this small piece of metal was available for sale. I really doubt you'll need it.

#2 Haven't seen a tutorial for them yet. They look pretty self explanatory.
#3 First, this is a complex and expensive build, I would advise a beginner not to attempt this build unless he was dedicated to the project or had deep pockets.
If your still interested and can't weld your own contact Pdstout here on the forum for welding and see what he recommends as your cheapest route.

[Bil]

Where is the dumb question?? The charging handle bolt lug is just a piece of steel,there if probably one in your driveway,it just hasn't been cut and shaped yet.You can make your own.The bolt rail is specific for the wise-lite build,if you have a 53 kit I would imagine you alweady have the rails,or they can be had from several suppliers here.Soldering skills are useful,trade some soldering work with a welder! Pirate does the bolt mods,I am not sure if it is something that can be sent to Canada,though.I would hope there is someone on the board from Canada that could answer some of these questions for you. ---bil

[Michael J]

first things first, thank you to whoever changed my links! I wasn't sure how to do them.

Secondly, thanks both of you for the information! That stock metal bar confused me, i already have the rails with my kit. I suppose i can just make one of these charging handle bolt lugs in my machining class at school, it shouldn't take me long. I'll also be sure to get this cam block pin.

Yeah, it looks pretty self explanatory, by tutorial, i was more worried about the dimensions of the cuts i'd have to be making. I guess i can use the "cam section tutorial" pirate has on his website. I think they give the dimensions of some of the cuts to be made.

I was pretty aware what i was getting into, i don't mind spending the cash for the build. Mainly because, even if it takes me $2000+ to finish it, i think this baby has a resale of about $4500 or so up north of the border here.

Bolt mods, and grip stick mods by pirate will clear the us-canada border fine. As long as it isn't a complete receiver, i'll be fine. However if i were to buy a receiver, i'm not sure how that works, other than its perfectly Legal. I believe it must be sent to a local firearms dealer, or something though. I'll look into that, if i take that route.

By the way, that receiver by Salt6 looks pretty good in the for-sale section, and if i discuss it with my dad, maybe i could buy a similar one in the future (rather than trying to build it with my bare hands, literally, and a dremel...).

[Bil]

While you will certainly need the Dremel,and the bare hands will be useful [wear gloves if you do much welding ! ] an entire receiver would save a lot of time and money.Not to seem like I am pushing salts receiver,but if you have to hire out much work,the fastest,easiest,and cheapest way is to get a receiver like that and use your internals.There is still plenty of work to do,you would still be building it yourself.I am still of the belief that most of the 53 kits will spend their lives in a box waiting for the rear of the receiver. ---bil

[Michael J]

Well, seeing as building the receiver myself, without having ever seen or held a semi m53, would be fairly tough. I wouldn't have a clue as to what a "right build" would look like, and i could very well have the rear welded on upside down or backwards, and not know it until i try to put her together !

I put deep thought into Salt6's receiver, and discussed it with my dad. Unfortunately the cash just isn't there for it right now, so i will have to wait until another full receiver comes by . I calculated it out, and unless i can get assembly and welding done in under $200 (lol, don't think so), a full receiver would definitely work out to be way cheaper. Plus it would give me a reference to look at, for when i decide to build another.

Unless Salt6 doesn't sell his receiver in the next few months or so, i doubt i will have an opportunity to buy it... *kicks self in face for not having money, or a decent job at that!* (yes, i know your thinking what the h*ll, but kicking one's self in the face is quite common among asian gymnast-people).

[drooling idiot]

3) If you really need to buy their buffer nose cone to make their design work, their design for SA has real issues.
Don't buy it, sounds more like bad marketing of existing inventory into a "necessary" item to replacing a common upgrade detailed here long ago.

did some more reading and discovered you really do need this piece, seems they decided to lengthen the rear of the receiver. Why the change from existing designs and to what advantage i don't know yet.

[Michael J]

3) If you really need to buy their buffer nose cone to make their design work, their design for SA has real issues.
Don't buy it, sounds more like bad marketing of existing inventory into a "necessary" item to replacing a common upgrade detailed here long ago.

did some more reading and discovered you really do need this piece, seems they decided to lengthen the rear of the receiver. Why the change from existing designs and to what advantage i don't know yet.

Maybe to extra precaution their design, should any laws change around, or become tougher? Anyways, good to know, thanks!

[Seabee]

Some of the pieces, like the buffer cone, are part of the ATF requirement for US made parts to qualify the M53. Many of the APEX parts are shipped from Wise Lite and are a requirement for that semi auto build. Specific parts are required to make specific modifications work.

Knowing what parts were included in your kit will help answer the question of what else you need to put her together. Can you post a pic?

[Michael J]

Some of the pieces, like the buffer cone, are part of the ATF requirement for US made parts to qualify the M53. Many of the APEX parts are shipped from Wise Lite and are a requirement for that semi auto build. Specific parts are required to make specific modifications work.

Knowing what parts were included in your kit will help answer the question of what else you need to put her together. Can you post a pic?

My M53 kit is full, i just wasn't sure what parts i would have needed to complete the semi-auto build. On the APEX website, it says all of their parts are essential, however if one follows Pirates build tutorial, then i don't think these parts are needed, as he does his own conversions.

I think all in all, i will probably try to save up some spare cash for a complete full receiver, or a complete "rear" receiver. I don't have the resources to build my own here .

[wiselitearms]

Wise Lite Arms isn't licensed as an imported/exporter.
So there is no way we could ship a M53 receiver to Canada.
This is on top of the fact that we can't make any M53 receivers available for sales at this time. Our current production schedule is very demanding.

Richard C. Hamer

Wise Lite Arms
Class II Manufacturer
07 FFL SOT
FAX: (940) 433-8096
WEBSITE: http://www.wlarms.com/
SALES: sales@wlarms.com
INFORMATION: info@wlarms.com

[Boondoggle]

did some more reading and discovered you really do need this piece, seems they decided to lengthen the rear of the receiver. Why the change from existing designs and to what advantage i don't know yet.

Would a lengthened receiver and extended buffer allow the use of an original length recoil spring?

[drooling idiot]

yes it would, but they haven't extended it that far and still use a short spring.