Newbie - Questions on MG42 ownership

[42rocker]

Check with wiselite about that before you do that. I can't recall any statements about a shorter buffer spring in a wiselite build or any posts about anyone cutting one. Check the fitting on the bolt over the buffer spring also. I believe that wiselite was changing something back there and I think that it was the very end "button" like item.

email or call them..

Later 42rocker

[dover7838]

Check with wiselite about that before you do that. I can't recall any statements about a shorter buffer spring in a wiselite build or any posts about anyone cutting one. Check the fitting on the bolt over the buffer spring also. I believe that wiselite was changing something back there and I think that it was the very end "button" like item.

email or call them..

Later 42rocker

Removed the rear buffer stock to check out what you mentioned. Not sure if the spring was hung up in the stock and not seated all the way back, but when I put it back on it seems to be working and I get the full travel. Not sure what I did differently this time, as I had removed the rear stock before to see if the buffer spring was hung up.

On to the next question: Who makes a good cleaning kit for an M53? I see surplus German Army cleaning kits for .308 M3's. Would these work with the 8mm?

[42rocker]

I believe that they would, however you might want to do what I'm thinking about doing. Buy a "Maintenance Kit for Mg-42" from mg34.us for $39.00 plus s and h

http://mg34.com/Maintenance-Kit-for-Mg-42-p79/

I'm sure that everything is post war and yugo but the kit seems to have it all covered plus. Of course a piece of string and cloth and hoppies takes care of the start. Or anything between. I have been using standard rifle rod with jags and brushes.

Now thinking about buying full kit just to have the other stuff.

Later 42rocker

[dover7838]

Took the M53 to my parents land in Michigan and was able to get a few shots off. Need to make sure its well lubricated, as it was having some difficulty feeding the next shell in. I don't think the recoil spring had enough return force, as when it would feed, I don't think the bolt was fully forward. Pull the trigger and you'd get nothing, but pull the charging handle back slightly, and let it forward again and it would work. In doing some reading it appears that the 'cut' spring that came in the gun shouldn't be cut. Going to use the full length replacement spring that came with it the next time I shoot.

Did three shots, and got three hits at 110 yds. I must say, I'm in love with this gun. If it weren't for the 90 degree heat and humidity yesterday, I would have been more inclined to tinker with it to get it running right. As it was, you sweat just standing outside.

Thanks for everyone's help on here thus far, and I look forward to learning more each and every day.

[42rocker]

Might want to go to

http://www.robertrtg.com/mg.html

and check out the price on a new spring if you are thinking about getting one. Also check out his MG Maintenance Kit which has a new spring in it.

Taken from RTG website "Weak recoil spring increases wear and tear of valuable machine guns and decreases reliability of feeding. Countless problematic MG's have been repaired by simply installing a new recoil spring. Countless more MG's have been damaged by not installing a new recoil spring."
There is also info on checking spring length in jbaum's books and also on this website I believe.
Also here in Fla at 12:00 night it's down to 82

Later 42rocker

[dover7838]

Much cooler this week, though considerably more liquid sunshine. Was able to get back out, and got roughly 40 rounds though it before the rain started up again. Was having trouble with the shells getting 'kicked' out at the start. Extractor did its job, but the ejector pin wasn't engaging.

I've read jbaum's manual, but have a question, as its not exactly clear. During the recoil, is the bolt supposed to hit the forward end of the buffer/stock assembly? Is it the buffer that forces the ejector sleeve 'forward' as the bolt recoils? Thereby making the extractor pin force the spent shell downwards? I used the 'full size' spring, and because of the length I don't think it was allowing the buffer to come in contact with the buffer sleeve. It was close, but not fully recoiling to that position. Changed back to the cut down spring, which was in the gun when I purchased it, and it started kicking the shells out. Was able to do probably 30 shots in quick succession with everything working perfectly after that. I just want to make sure that the buffer is supposed to be engaging that ejector sleeve as I've described, and I don't have something else to work out.

Thanks in advance!

[drooling idiot]

nose of the buffer hits the back of the bolt, causing the the ejection like you described.
Is the nose of your buffer the longer than normal version ? you need a longer receiver and the stretched buffer nose to use an uncut recoil spring.

[dover7838]

nose of the buffer hits the back of the bolt, causing the the ejection like you described.
Is the nose of your buffer the longer than normal version ? you need a longer receiver and the stretched buffer nose to use an uncut recoil spring.

From what I had gathered, with the Wiselite M53 receiver, it was deliberately built longer to accommodate a uncut recoil spring?

[dover7838]

Quick question:

Will a .308 belt loader work on 8mm ammo? Doesn't appear to be much difference between the size of the calibers. I see 8mm loaders for around $300, but .308 go for about half that. For $300, I'll continue to load by hand, but it would be nice to have if the cheaper .308 loaders would work.

Thanks in advance!

[drooling idiot]

8mm is longer than 308 , won't fit in hopper. there were conversion kits once upon a time.

[42rocker]

I also believe that there was a post / topic line on how to redo the hopper from .308 to 8mm.

Good Luck

Later 42rocker

[dover7838]

I purchased an M53 off Gun Broker earlier this summer. It came with a stripped down M3 Tripod, no optics, no pads, no boxes, just basically the legs, and rails. Also came with a pretty stripped down AA Tri-pod. Interested in upgrading, and I see M3 tripods available on line. Interested in selling the stripped down M3 I have, and putting the proceeds towards a complete tripod. It works on the range, but again, you'll have to sight it manually, fire it manually, etc. Would make a good work bench for a build I suppose.

Would there be much of a market for such a beast, and if so, what would the value be? I'm thinking somewhere between $50 and $75 in the stripped down state, but frankly have no clue. I can provide photos, if anyone is interested.

[42rocker]

PM sent and if you are thinking about buying a complete m3 tripod try rtg and if you want to go and get a lafette try Mike at Sarco. Or m3 tripod try Royal Tiger.

Later 42rocker

[JBaum]

Could it be you're talking about an MG3 lafette? An M3 tripod is what a .50 ma duece sits on...

An MG3 tripod is the anti-aircraft tripod. The ground mount is called a lafette, not a tripod.

Lafette (German for mount) is not to be confused with Lafayette, who helped George Washington during the revolutionary war.

[42rocker]

Not only does he translate German books in English. He helps us with our words.... LOL....
John is right again....

Later 42rocker

[Gulfstream4]

As usuall John is correct. Lafette translates to gun mount. Sometimes words have different meanings in translation. It would depend on the context. Lafette can also be translated to gun carriage.