MG42 barrel change

[Stirling]

Hi guys
I'm not really an expert on fire arms and would like some help.
My question concerns the MG42, how did the barrel change work? I've done some 'Google' searches but found little real detail and absolutely no pictures.

What I've read so far is that the whole barrel and air-cooling jacket swing out from the mechanism on a hinge and the barrel is pulled out that way (by it's base as opposed to its muzzle) is this true? it can't be a very common system.
Don't most MG barrels get unscrewed by the muzzle with a special 'key' and repaced that way? (like the american browning air cooled .30 & .50?)

Some pics of a MG42 having it's barrel changed would be great!

Any help appreciated

Stirling

[Eric K.]

Thats the beauty of this weapon! the barrel change is a snap.I got my schutzensnur(?) and was amazed at how quick it is for a barrel change, much easier than ours (m240B).

Eric.

[kiwicollector]

Hi Stirling,

Check this site for information on the MG-42: http://198.144.2.125/MG42/Machinenge...20-%20Home.htm

Also MG34 - MG42 German Universal Machineguns by Folke Myrvang is highly recommended.

To answer your question, on the right side of the MG42 is a handle that secures the barrel in place. Pull on it and the breach end of the barrel swings out allowing you to pull the whole barrel out of the jacket, and replace it with a new one. As Eric says, this is one of the key features and strengths of the MG-42.

The Browning m1919 and M2HB (.30 and .50 cals) are not intended to have a quick change barrel, which is why their barrels are heavier.

Also check this site for pictures of the barrel change in the MG-34:
http://www.gunpics.net/german/mg34/mg34.html

Hope that helps

[Eric K.]

Those are some great videos!!!!!

Eric.

[Stirling]

thanks for the replys
and such prompt service too
Stirling

[Ostmark]

Hi Guys

Dont forget to pull the bolt in the "rear" position, otherwise the barrel wont
come out

I can post detailed pics next week if you wont ... and i think roughshooter
will also love to see pics of my 42

[roughshooter]

Of course I would !

I think my Austrian friend is having a little joke here at the expense of the Britsh !

The reason is ALL decativated guns here are deactivated in such a way that the barrel is welded in and CANNOT be taken out.The standards of deactivation here in Tony Blairs 'BANNED IT' country are very strict.I must confess I have know that a very limited number of MG42 and MG34 were deactivated in the late 1980's in such a way that the barrel could come out and if you have one they are still legal to own, in theory, but I would not like to put that to the test if questioned by Police and it went to court.

I know a re-enactor who has an MG34 deactivated very early in the late 1980's and the barrel comes out of his gun.I have advised him not to take the gun to shows and display for fear of confiscation by Police because, as I have said, although he has the certificate to say it is completely legal I bet Mr Blairs goverment would not be happy with his ownership of it.

Firearms law here is very complex and extremely tight.The government are even talking now about licencing deact guns and recalling all the old spec deacts (we now have a new specification were all sub machines guns are welded completely shut, but not rifle calibre machine guns) to have them deactivated to the new standards ! I wouldn't buy a deact in the UK now for fear of it losing most of its value.

However I have seen the light and have brought a property in Austria were the gun laws are much better indeed..I am moving my guns out there forever for safe keeping.

I fear alot more guns are going to be banned in England in the next few years...meanwhile guncrime (with illegally held weapons) has gone up 50% since we banned handguns in 1997.

I rest my case.

[stevezz1]

Hi All,

Sadly Roughshooter is correct.
It is a very sorry state of affairs over here in the U.K. regarding firearms collecting.
The only people Teflon Tony's new laws do not effect are the criminals.....
And in these troubled times what do his party steamroller through parliament.....?
(you wont believe this) A ban on fox hunting.
Yes.......what could be more important than that.........!!!!!?????

The lunatics really have taken over the assylum........

Steve.

[Ostmark]

Here we go

First off all the bolt has to be in the rear position, otherwise the barrel
wont come out

[Ostmark]

To make it not to easy i will name the involved parts in german, because i do not know the word in english.

And rouhshooter can learn a little german in that way

This pic shows the "Riegelgriff" which has to be pushed forward to open
the "Laufwechselklappe" which forces the barrel to come out.

[Ostmark]

Push forward ..

[Ostmark]

The barrel comes out ...

[Ostmark]

Coseup of the "Laufwechselklappe"

[Ostmark]

Next coseup...barrel still in the Laufwechselklappe on the right side you can see the Riegelgriff. As you can see the Riegelgriff and the Laufwechselklappe are one unit.

[Ostmark]

I hope everything is clearer now ... in my opinion this gun is the best MG of the WWII

This last pic is only for roughshooter interesting ... (look what was coming
per post this days ..)