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Posted: 4/30/2015 12:07:45 PM EDT
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I know there's a wide spectrum in price, but which order would you put these MGs in the order you would purchase first?
I'm waiting for the right one's to come around, but often times they're all for sale at the same time, and I can only do one at a time. So that being said, which one would you do first? MG-42 (wanting a bringback) Thompson M1A1 (wanting a bringback) Vector Arms UZI |
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They are all so different. Have you fired them or just collecting? The reason I ask is that the Thompson is a somewhat awkward gun to shoot and some people lose their taste for them after some trigger time. For others it just seals the deal.
All things equal, I'd buy the most expensive one first. If MG prices were to appreciate at a common rate (I know they don't), you'd take the biggest hit on the MG42 in pure dollars by waiting. Buy spares now for the others you know you want. Uzi parts are dirt cheap right now. |
If you view a MG as an investment, wisdom is accumulating enough spares so that the next buyer thinks he can keep it running.  I am a spare parts whore. 
Another thing to consider is the provenance of the pieces you want. True uncut Wermacht MG42s only come up for sale so often. USGI Thompsons and Vector Uzis are commonly traded in the marketplace and available for purchase at almost any time. MG-42! (Now I want one...) |
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The MG42 is probably the most expensive and hardest to find so i would jump on that one first.
Then focus on the Thompson Then the uzi which are fairly common and easy to find. With that being said you might want to try and shoot the Thompson and MG42 before buying to see if you like them. Im no expert but i believe the MG42 cant shoot disintegrating links, something that some might find annoying, also i have heard belt feds are more maintenance. As previously stated i have that Thompson look cool but arent always that fun to shoot compared to more modern MGs. |
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You didn't mention how much money you have for ammo. The MG42 has an endless appetite for ammo and you can easily spend enough in one year on ammo that you can forget about that S class Mercedes. Don't ask how I know...and this was when 8mm was dirt cheap.
The MG42 and Uzi would be the most versatile in terms of parts and caliber change. A range trip with a belt gun requires planning while the Uzi is just mainly grab and go. You will need at least 3 barrels at the range for the '42 as they heat up fast. And of course a belt loader, ground mount, and assistant. The M1A1 is a one trick pony. I won't get one unless it's the 9 or 10 MG. The Uzi can run .45 in a variety of speeds. The Austrian marked 308 MG3 feed trays (has an O marking) will work with M60 links (need MG3 top cover too). I personally like to use belts as loading and picking up belts up is a lot easier than loading /picking up links. The cheapest surplus now is 7.62x54R so my choice would be a DP, Maxim, or Vickers. |
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I own an Uzi, a Thompson, and an MG42, and I bought them in the following order.
Vector Uzi, then C&R MG42, then Colt Thompson. The cheaper ones appreciate faster for now. A lot of people also are only interested in the guns they really know, like the Uzi, AK, HK, and M16. There is a smaller market when you go to Thompsons hence the costs staying almost the same for years, and same thing for WW2 guns like the MG42. Personally I think people are missing out....but it's nice when prices don't double in a year like Uzis did. Any one of those guns you'll love, but the MG42 is unbeatable! |
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Thanks for everyone's input.
I'm into the beltfed thing right now so I think I'll go for the MG-42 first. I think the UZI will be next as those prices have crept up in the last few years (I remember I could get a NIB Vector Arms for 5K!  )
The Thompson will be last. Of course, this order may be a moot point as if the "right" Thompson pops up first, then that would be the new number one purchase. |
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I was on the beltfed thing too. M60 was one of my 1st MGs.
But that was when 308 was 14 cents a round. I don't shoot the beltfeds much, even my Shrike or MM23e: I'm too cheap. They only come out for the visiting family. But you have to get it out of your system. It becomes a chore with all the stuff you have to haul out to the range, but for a while it's fun. Get the most expensive first, for sure. The pain of the wallet isn't as bad with smaller hits. |
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