m53

[jamesob]

ok i went and purchased a m53 kit today on a whim. i've read up and know i can build it since i have built ak's , suomis and fals. just in case, has anyone here built a mg42 or m53? if so i may need some advise or pics. i will post pics in a few days when it gets here.thanks

[fredieusa]

Ja Huptmann.. A welder and a mill is all you will need.

I have no idea how much you know do i will just throw some stuff out there..

you will need to weld this puppy. Also, it depends on what all you got in your kit. Post photos and we will go from there to determine what all you are missing.. pretty sure you will need stuff like rails, ratchet plate, recopperator parts and such as they are almost always cut up..

http://www.robertrtg.com/ RobertRTG is your best friend for stuff that will be missing. His prices are super and selection for MG 42, 53 MG 03 is just great. this is the link you will need -->> http://www.robertrtg.com/mg.html

Once you have all the stuff.. as almost all kits are missing stuff. you will get down to the semi-mods.

Personally I have plans to get started on a semi FCG housed in the original lower VS. what many use, as that looks out of place and funky. They pretty much jimmy up an AR type FCG there. Read more here


We are getting a bit far. First decide on a caliber. by changing out a few parts you can also shoot 308, that is what the German Army has doing (they call that MG03) and is still in use n a few countries..
-->> http://www.robertrtg.com/mg308conv.html


While you are at it get the lafatte tripod. They go from 300+ and its a killer deal. once the supply run out, they should really jump. Essentially its a soft mount. -->> http://www.robertrtg.com/mg3tripod.html

[fredieusa]

Here is a pictorial ...

http://www.panzer46.net/pirates%20build.htm

ahem... towards the end of the pictorial... It gets fun!


"Needless to say being a gun test dummy is getting very exciting! I took the gun to the range today with a new cocking stud welded on and proceeded to do some testing. I loaded a starter tab with 2 rounds, the first round failed to fire, it had a nice impression from the firing pin but didn't go off. the second round fired and ejected. the primer looked good. A nice dimple with only slight signs of extrusion around the firing pin hole. I loaded another 2 round belt and fired the first round, it fired and ejected, when I fired the third round there was an explosion the gun shuddered and some smoke came out of the receiver. I was wearing heavy welding gloves and felt the concussion on my hand. I opened the top cover and the bolt was open about 3/4 of the way and the blown case was stuck in the bolt, with part of the case wrapped around the bottom. I removed the bbl and saw the front of the case in the chamber. the bullet left the bbl. I removed the bolt and saw the firing pin sticking out about 1/4", way to far. after disassembling the bolt I saw the pin was bent and wedged into the bolt. I had to drive it out with a punch. I am not totally sure what happened at this point, obviously the bolt was not fully closed or locked. the gun needs to be torn down and all parts thoroughly inspected before further testing can resume."

[jamesob]

Thanks. I do have a tig( syncrowave 250) and a mill so that's no problem there.

[fredieusa]

If you want, PM me your e-mail and i will send in some files for parts. They are large files like complete schematics etc.

[APEXgunparts]

Just in case you decide you need this last one....
APEX has left in stock one of the Wise Lite Arms manufactured Semi Auto Shell Blank for the MG42/M53.
$475

Wise Lite Arms produced M53 semi auto shell. This is the same shell that the Wise Lite Arms semi auto M53's are being made from. This is the best option available to build your own semi auto M53. The shell is 17 3/8 inches long.
We can not provide any technical information on building a semi auto MG42/M53 from these parts.

You will need to call the office if you wish to purchase this last remaining set.
The blocking piece is in the picture, but not included.

Richard

[jamesob]

kit will be here monday and i am going with the brp receiver from robertrtg. his receivers come with rails, rivets, semi auto block and new buffer plates all for 375.00. no offense robert but his price is alot better.

[fredieusa]

i would love to see pics when it comes in..

[jamesob]

i will post em.

[APEXgunparts]

kit will be here monday and i am going with the brp receiver from robertrtg. his receivers come with rails, rivets, semi auto block and new buffer plates all for 375.00. no offense robert but his price is alot better.

No worries, I understand purchasing what works best for you!
The WLA semi-auto shell is longer in the front than the BRP stampings, depending on how your shroud is cut, that may mean you will need a "camming section" to bridge that gap.
The BRP back section was made to mate with the front sections that they also manufactured.
The WLA semi-auto shell was designed and used with the available M53/MG42 kits to build over 1,100 production guns.
Both selections have been used sucessfully by the factory and homebuilders to construct these interesting beltfeds.
WLA has been out of production for well over a year now, and APEX is just about out of most of their semi-auto parts.
As I stated that set I posted here is the last one.
I am glad to see that there is another source of build parts.
What I don't see is another source of 8MM barrels.
When APEX sells out of the intact barrels, all that is left will be the holes drilled demil M53 barrels. I will have them listed on the website soon.
Please check APEX often for additional listings.

Richard

[jamesob]

ok, kit arrived and i'm stoked. the kit is better than i expected and it should be a pretty smooth build with what i have to work with. i checked all the parts and it's all there exept for the bolt. they appoligized and are sending me one out tomorrow at no charge. i am going to take pics as i go with this one and will post them up when i get close to the end of the build. the only hold up will be the barrel bushing , nobody has them in stock right now and only one company makes them. here are some crappy pics

[fredieusa]

I might have a spare bushing.. i will look for it and if I find it, i will let you know.. Its a simple piece, not hard to make anyway.

Use the image code bud.. life is simpler that way..

[jamesob]

I meant front receiver bushing not barrel bushing. If you have one of those that would be awesome.