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Posted: 11/11/2024 10:43:27 PM EDT
| I am working on a 1943 MG-42 in 8 Mauser, trying to get all the parts necessary to convert it to fire .308. We have the barrel, .308 feed tray and .308 front barrel bushing, nose cone and booster. Someone said we would need to change the top cover also, is that true? Also is there any parts I have not gotten yet that are necessary for the conversion? I do not want to convert any of the original parts of the gun. |
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Get an MG1 top cover. https://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/MG1-TOP-COVER-COMPLETE-p13686.htm I didn't realize they got so expensive |
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Originally Posted By StevenE: I ordered it, darn that hurt, I hope it was necessary, cannot wrap my head round why the original top cover would not work. Biggest thing is length of the feed tray. I have forgotten the various combinations, but one of the early .308 feed trays would work with a 8mm top cover, but the MG3 feed trays wont work with the top cover for the longer rounds. I dont remember where the MG1 parts fall in that mix. |
" Laziness is an essential part of all walks of engineering."
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Originally Posted By StevenE: I am working on a 1943 MG-42 in 8 Mauser, trying to get all the parts necessary to convert it to fire .308. We have the barrel, .308 feed tray and .308 front barrel bushing, nose cone and booster. Someone said we would need to change the top cover also, is that true? Also is there any parts I have not gotten yet that are necessary for the conversion? I do not want to convert any of the original parts of the gun. What's different with the bushing? My 308 barrel fits fine in my Yugo 8mm bushing. Only things I'm doing for the 308 conversion is a spacer in the 8mm tray and a 308 barrel. Mine doesn't shoot yet, it's a WIP. Got some welding and machining to do still. Once it runs I plan to look into a 7.62x39 conversion. |
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: What's different with the bushing? My 308 barrel fits fine in my Yugo 8mm bushing. Only things I'm doing for the 308 conversion is a spacer in the 8mm tray and a 308 barrel. Mine doesn't shoot yet, it's a WIP. Got some welding and machining to do still. Once it runs I plan to look into a 7.62x39 conversion. Originally Posted By Deerhurst: Originally Posted By StevenE: I am working on a 1943 MG-42 in 8 Mauser, trying to get all the parts necessary to convert it to fire .308. We have the barrel, .308 feed tray and .308 front barrel bushing, nose cone and booster. Someone said we would need to change the top cover also, is that true? Also is there any parts I have not gotten yet that are necessary for the conversion? I do not want to convert any of the original parts of the gun. What's different with the bushing? My 308 barrel fits fine in my Yugo 8mm bushing. Only things I'm doing for the 308 conversion is a spacer in the 8mm tray and a 308 barrel. Mine doesn't shoot yet, it's a WIP. Got some welding and machining to do still. Once it runs I plan to look into a 7.62x39 conversion. OP are you using an MG1 feed tray (won't have the clip on drum slot) or MG3 feed tray? |
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Originally Posted By arfreak223: The MG3 7.62x51 nozzle cone has has a 10mm nozzle hole while the MG42 setup had removable booster cone generally 11.5-13mm. OP are you using an MG1 feed tray (won't have the clip on drum slot) or MG3 feed tray? By all reports the 13mm Yugo slow fire cone works on 308. I'll be able to test this soon. |
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Originally Posted By last_crusader: The cone/booster works by limiting the amount of gas that's returned. Too much and your gun will break itself apart. Too little and it won't cycle. You can always open up a hole, but can't weld it back together without a lot of pain. Welding up a cone is simple. Could do it where there would likely be no machining required. Just make a copper jig on the lathe. |
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: By all reports the 13mm Yugo slow fire cone works on 308. I'll be able to test this soon. I've used the MG42 11.5mm booster cone/nozzle setup in an M53 converted to 7.62x51mm successfully but haven't tried the 13mm cone, thanks for the info. |
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: Should be the same thread as far as I am aware. MG3 308 drum is shorter so it needs the MG3 tray to mount. Originally Posted By Deerhurst: Originally Posted By StevenE: The feed tray has the attachment point for the drum. Also, can you use the MG3 booster system on a MG-42? Should be the same thread as far as I am aware. MG3 308 drum is shorter so it needs the MG3 tray to mount. Yes the MG3 booster system will thread on to an M53/MG42 and work well |
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Originally Posted By arfreak223: If your talking about the black plastic drum (not metal drum) then it's an MG3 feed tray. Yes the MG3 booster system will thread on to an M53/MG42 and work well The MG3 drum is the 308 drum and is plastic. Only fits on a 308 tray. MG42/M53 drum is 8mm and steel. Only fits on an 8mm tray. |
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