MP40 dumb question

[Alan Smith]

Here is a view of the pin and the matching oval slot in the receiver tube.

[Alan Smith]

Here is an external view of the pin when retracted and locked "open" (i.e. in a position so that the gun can be taken apart).

[Alan Smith]

Here is an internal view, showing the pin retracted so that the gun can be taken apart.

[Alan Smith]

Yet another view of the retracted pin.

I hope that these photos have been of some assitance.

[John Hodgin]

Beautiful bluing on that one Alan!! Interior looks minty1

Rick, please check and see if your pin protrudes as much as Alan's example.

[Lon]

This may be completely unrelated, but check to make sure your recoil assembly is seated properly in the small hole at the back of the receiver. The nice thing about the MP40 is that there isn't a lot that can go wrong.

[Alan Smith]

Ron,

Unfortunately, the blueing on the example I photographed is re-blue from the past 10 years or so. I bought the gun sight unseen from the vet's family where it had been since 1946. The price was very "right" so there seemed to be no need to inspect it and, at the time, I had no reason to suspect that it might have been messed with by the family. In any event, I got a bit of an unpleasant surprise when I first took possession of it and discovered the re-blue.

Even with the re-blue, it is still an all matching fully transferable C&R gun that was bargain priced, so I can't complain all that much (although it still angers me that someone would erase history by re-blueing such a firearm).

[John Hodgin]

Sorry to hear that Alan. Certainly difficult to tell from your interior photos, so it appears the blue job was professional. And still, any 40 with a finish in that condition is a nice 40!

Have seen several re-blued MP38s and the owners seem oblivious to the fact that they have been re-blued. Prewar and early war German bluing has a distinctive look, as does the anodizing of the MP 38 aluminum grip frame.

[Rick C]

Yup. Got that going on. In the locked position however the "gentle twist" spoken of doesn't catch the pin.

[grndevil44]

is there resistance from the button you have to pull to start the dis-assembly? if no then there is a spring missing here

is there any damage to the area where the bolt goes in, then end that engaes to the trigger housing? this could make that area not engage properly

try watching this video too, could help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC1yQaVe6PM

or perhaps you need to give it a bit more force to get the two parts together? did you just get the MP??

[Rick C]

Hi John. Yes the bolt or pin is spring loaded and 'appears' to be functioning (going in and coming out) as it should. It's a conundrum.

As a sidebar - while not familiar with the MP, I have been playing with guns for over 40 years. Guns are guns. Just a bit of a puzzle. Watched the video although I had figured out the field stripping pretty easily without it.

It is a damn strange situation...

[grndevil44]

sorry couldnt be any help, for sure sounds like a head scratcher..good luck with that ! I remember when I took the bolt assembly out of a G43 when I was about 12 or 13 the bits went everywhere, luckly I was able to figure out how it went back together before my Dad caught me!

Cheers

[armorrich]

Hi RC....everyone who's replied has made their points as well as could be short of a hands in inspection. Too bad we don't live closer, i'd love to slide by and give it a look over as does everyone else here most likely!! Sure hope you get it figured out.....the 40 is a really horney weapon but its even hornier if it runs!!!! Good luck.....keep us posted.

cheers.....rich

[Rick C]

Rich & gang - I very much appreciate the feedback & assistance in trying to figure this out.

I'm thinking now that perhaps the slot & pin aren't lining up properly. Why/how I've not a clue. Guess I'll break out the caliper & take some more measurement & try to figure out if everything is lining up.

Again, thanx all.

RC

[armorrich]

Hey RC...here's another thought from a dumb Army puke.....try taking the bolt out of the reciever tube and seating the tube while looking through the ejector port.....maybe you can see whats happening inside and get a better idea if things are lining up properly without the bolt in the way??????

Keep at it old boy....you'll get your tube sorted out sooner or later.......cheers...rich