Problem with MG34 grips

[bnz. 42]

I just bought new grips for my MG34 because the old ones look pretty "tired". I have a problem now: I couldn't take the old ones off. There are a couple of rivets (or at least they look like rivets) on each side (I marked them with red arrows) that I don't know how to deal with. Please help

[Peter Wiking]

Unskrew the bolts at the bottom of the grip and slide them off. The rivets rest in a slot.

Cheers.
Peter

[bnz. 42]

Unskrew the bolts at the bottom of the grip and slide them off. The rivets rest in a slot.

Cheers.
Peter

Thanks Peter but when I inskrewed the bolts at the bottom and tried to pull the grip off, the rivets won't let it go - it looks like rivets are fixed there. Or do I need to slide the grip off in certain direction? In what direction then?

[Mg34gunner]

Slide the grip UP, towards the receiver. Should slide up and out of the slots.


After that, the studs just press out of the bakelite grips (but be careful, very careful, not to damage the grips).

Harry

[EricS]

Hi BNZ42,

Sorry to contradict MG34gunner, but the grip covers should be slid downwards, away from the receiver. I cannot post pics here but I can send you pics of the grip without the covers showing you the slots. Or, if you can understand this description: On the left side (i.e. the side shown in your pic) the slots point straight down with the open end at the bottom. The slots on the right side of the grip are different in shape, like an upside down keyhole - slots at the top and a wider circular hole at the bottom. In both cases the grips should be slid straight down - NOT down parallel to the direction of the grips, but straight down as per the grip orientation in your pic. You could try a very slight left then right sidewards pressure at the same time if they are stiff but be very careful not to bend the grip covers.

If you intend to take the studs out of the grip covers let me know - I have done this and they can be very tricky if solidly glued in.

Best of luck,
Eric