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UPDATE #2
For those too lazy to read everything this picture just sums it up:
Shot at 2009-04-10
Original Post
I was able to pick up a K-43 from a member of Calguns a few weeks back and have endeavored to restore/modify it into a somewhat correct period shooter. I honestly did not realize how EXPENSIVE the process would be and I'm using reproduction parts anywhere I can.
This is as I received it:
*See first Image*
This is how it looks as of tonight:
So far I have replaced or added the following:
- Op rod spring
- Long recoil spring
- Short secoil spring
- Extractor spring
- Hammer spacer
- Hammer spring
- Reproduction period stock
- Imbel side door butt-plate
- Cleaning rod
I also bought a scope mount for the rifle and am currently hunting down a ZF-4 scope, if I can't find one in the next two week I will be using a Weaver K-4 in it's place until I find the appropriate scope.
I am currently missing these parts and am looking for them:
- Front band
- Front band L spring
- ZF-4 Scope
- Dust Cover
- Front Sight hood
The most labor intensive part so far have been to properly inlet the stock for the trigger guard plate and butt plate as well as for a more snug fit with the action. I also sanded down and stained the stock with 2 coats of lacquer so far, I might do a third coats but at 1 coat a day I might just call it finish. The sporter stock it came with was bedded and I think I might be going that route. The bedding gives the fit of the action a much more solid feel and definitely strengthen up the rifle considerably. I won't bed it until after I have scope the rifle and do some testing to see if it is needed with the new stock.
My goal is to make this into a semi-period correct shooter that I can take to the range and have fun with. I've been through some expensive and tough C&R projects before but I'll have to say this one will probably top them all. The cost of replacement and accessorizing this rifle will be MORE than what I paid for it. I'll keep this thread up to date so people can follow along on what I'm sure will be an interesting project.
Update #1
A special thanks to everyone that have PM'ed and posted information on this thread, the last few days have been interesting.
I want to the Costa Mesa show with Spiggy in hope of finding some parts. I came home almost empty handed. Spiggy was gracious enough to offer me a front sight hood and I was happy to get it. I was in search of a period scope to mount on the rifle, have my heart set on a Weaver K4 until I took a closer look at it and realize it would NOT work. The scope could not be mounted the correct way since the mount simply does not work with the K-4 oriented traditionally as the turrets gets in the way. If I rotate the scope so that the turrets face the 9 and 12 o'clock position it would work, but than it would be almost impossible to pull back on the bolt carrier. So I scrounged around and found an old 4x Bushnell Sportsman with a steel tube that has the turrets shaped just right to get it to work with the mount.
The rifle with the scope mount, scope and front sight hood installed:
I also ordered all the parts I needed to complete this rifle from the following:
Sarco: Front band, various pars (sling, pins, springs)
Numrich: Some more pins and screws
Apfeltor: barrel band spring and one of his shooter kit
This rifle should be completed by Update #2, I'll have more info when I get it all assembled and dolled up. I will rub the stock down in a few days once the finish have cured enough to give it the appropriate matte look. Also have a range day scheduled in 2 weeks to get everything dialed in.
UPDATE #2
Well she's DONE, this was a hard project but surprisingly quick to put together. Parts are amazingly scarce but my time was the right time and I was able to find everything I needed to complete the project. Before we get to the nitty gritty here are some new pics:
*See top of post for BEFORE/AFTER Picture*
This last pics shows exactly why Meopta's a great brand, I always wanted to own one of their scopes but never had a reason to till now. Late production post-war Czech scope, notice the VZ43 designation and the Meopta logo.
Here's a parts list break down and where I got each part:
What surprise me the most was the cost of this entire restoration project. I ended up spending more on replacement parts than I did on the actual rifle itself.
For those too lazy to read everything this picture just sums it up:
Shot at 2009-04-10
Original Post
I was able to pick up a K-43 from a member of Calguns a few weeks back and have endeavored to restore/modify it into a somewhat correct period shooter. I honestly did not realize how EXPENSIVE the process would be and I'm using reproduction parts anywhere I can.
This is as I received it:
*See first Image*
This is how it looks as of tonight:
So far I have replaced or added the following:
- Op rod spring
- Long recoil spring
- Short secoil spring
- Extractor spring
- Hammer spacer
- Hammer spring
- Reproduction period stock
- Imbel side door butt-plate
- Cleaning rod
I also bought a scope mount for the rifle and am currently hunting down a ZF-4 scope, if I can't find one in the next two week I will be using a Weaver K-4 in it's place until I find the appropriate scope.
I am currently missing these parts and am looking for them:
- Front band
- Front band L spring
- ZF-4 Scope
- Dust Cover
- Front Sight hood
The most labor intensive part so far have been to properly inlet the stock for the trigger guard plate and butt plate as well as for a more snug fit with the action. I also sanded down and stained the stock with 2 coats of lacquer so far, I might do a third coats but at 1 coat a day I might just call it finish. The sporter stock it came with was bedded and I think I might be going that route. The bedding gives the fit of the action a much more solid feel and definitely strengthen up the rifle considerably. I won't bed it until after I have scope the rifle and do some testing to see if it is needed with the new stock.
My goal is to make this into a semi-period correct shooter that I can take to the range and have fun with. I've been through some expensive and tough C&R projects before but I'll have to say this one will probably top them all. The cost of replacement and accessorizing this rifle will be MORE than what I paid for it. I'll keep this thread up to date so people can follow along on what I'm sure will be an interesting project.
Update #1
A special thanks to everyone that have PM'ed and posted information on this thread, the last few days have been interesting.
I want to the Costa Mesa show with Spiggy in hope of finding some parts. I came home almost empty handed. Spiggy was gracious enough to offer me a front sight hood and I was happy to get it. I was in search of a period scope to mount on the rifle, have my heart set on a Weaver K4 until I took a closer look at it and realize it would NOT work. The scope could not be mounted the correct way since the mount simply does not work with the K-4 oriented traditionally as the turrets gets in the way. If I rotate the scope so that the turrets face the 9 and 12 o'clock position it would work, but than it would be almost impossible to pull back on the bolt carrier. So I scrounged around and found an old 4x Bushnell Sportsman with a steel tube that has the turrets shaped just right to get it to work with the mount.
The rifle with the scope mount, scope and front sight hood installed:
I also ordered all the parts I needed to complete this rifle from the following:
Sarco: Front band, various pars (sling, pins, springs)
Numrich: Some more pins and screws
Apfeltor: barrel band spring and one of his shooter kit
This rifle should be completed by Update #2, I'll have more info when I get it all assembled and dolled up. I will rub the stock down in a few days once the finish have cured enough to give it the appropriate matte look. Also have a range day scheduled in 2 weeks to get everything dialed in.
UPDATE #2
Well she's DONE, this was a hard project but surprisingly quick to put together. Parts are amazingly scarce but my time was the right time and I was able to find everything I needed to complete the project. Before we get to the nitty gritty here are some new pics:
*See top of post for BEFORE/AFTER Picture*
This last pics shows exactly why Meopta's a great brand, I always wanted to own one of their scopes but never had a reason to till now. Late production post-war Czech scope, notice the VZ43 designation and the Meopta logo.
Here's a parts list break down and where I got each part:
What surprise me the most was the cost of this entire restoration project. I ended up spending more on replacement parts than I did on the actual rifle itself.
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