Mg42....mg81

[ElliottButler]

hello all...need to know the recoil spring length for an MG42, MG34 and MG81...I have an MG81 that is very difficult to unlock the bolt and pull the cocking mechanism to sear lock (fully rearward) using the cocking ring and wire...any help will be wonderful...thanks, Elliott

[Alan Smith]

Welcome to the forum, Elliott - glad to have you on board as a new member.

Your MG81 sounds interesting. While I don't have the information you are asking for, I believe that there are others who frequent this forum who will have this information and will hopefully weigh in.

Any chance you might post some photos of your MG81 (including the spring and internals that are causing problems)? These guns are not all that common here in the U.S., so I would enjoy seeing detailed photos and suspect that others would as well. Plus, posts with photos of the item in question always seem to generate more responses.

Regards,

Alan

[me6_130]

One of my MG34 springs is about 46cm.

Carles

[ElliottButler]

Thanks

Hello Carles and Alan, et al...the gun and all internals are matching numbers and in super condition...if the gun was fired it has been quite some time...and shows no signs of wear at all...having just purchased it i am doing due diligence...my only concern is the difficulty cocking...will not run it till i'm comfortable with its more basic functions...i am not allowed to post attachments on the forum according to the lower left hand "posting rules" on this page...i will try to post some pics on photo bucket or some such and try to give a URL to the pics if that is allowed...not sure why I'm not allowed, have been a member for three years...

[ElliottButler]

MG 81 Pictures

http://s897.photobucket.com/user/ber...ibrary/MG%2081

Here are the pictures of the MG-81. Enjoy

[Rudi Ross]

Mg81

this piece is in a wonderful condition ! In my opinion it is difficult to unlock the bolt as it is in almost brand new condition.

These springs are difficult to get and I would leave this spring in the gun.

[me6_130]

this piece is in a wonderful condition ! In my opinion it is difficult to unlock the bolt as it is in almost brand new condition.

These springs are difficult to get and I would leave this spring in the gun.

I agree.

Oil a lot

Carles

[pitfighter]

It looks straight out of the factory - fantastic condition.
See if Bob Naess chimes in.
I found a dewat MG81 and he was very helpful - they are difficult to find parts for.
But amazing to watch shoot.
I did not buy as restoration was just impractical in my opinion - that is certainly not a factor with yours.

Thanks for posting the pics.

[ElliottButler]

Mg81

Thanks Pitfighter, Rudy and Carles...sounds like my concerns are unfounded and that is great to know...would make perfect sense that things would seat in with some use...quite sure it saw use with the LW, was subsequently gone through at BYF and fitted with ground support acutrements...not sure it saw any action after refitting...has light high edge wear only...no internal wear...not what an eastern front weapon would look like...and yet no signs of any refinish or even touchup...thanks for the compliments and feedback...

[Alan Smith]

Elliott,

I was reading something last night about MG81's and it mentioned the actions being "tight" and that it takes a good bit of force to charge the gun, so what you have experienced sounds like a normal situation with this item.

Nice looking ground version of the MG81 you have there; thanks for the link to the photos. If you want to post photos here on the Forum, you need to pay an annual $25 membership fee (which has been well worth it for me, over the past 8 years or so).

As to the other comments re: parts, such is my understanding as well, i.e. that parts are extremely difficult to find. Also, I have heard (via multiple sources on multiple occasions) that the gun is prone to breaking parts of the feed mechanism and bolt due to the stress of firing. Thus, my understanding is that these are not guns you take out to the range every weekend but, rather, maybe occasional limited firing so that the MG81 is mostly just a display item.

Alan

[ElliottButler]

Mg81

Thanks Alan...my intention exactly...I thought I might fire it once or twice to say I have had the full experience...I understand the gun has many possible issues mostly due to the stresses of the rate of fire! Purchased it for the rarity and collectability...have other shooter material...I also am lucky to have a very nice compliment of spares and several barrels...am always interested in spares if anyone has a line on some i have an interest...hopefully will never have an urgent need...LOL...thanks again for your help, interest and reassurance that the gun is sound...I will pull it down further for evaluation and check my spares to the recoil spring that is in the gun but have all confidence you and the crew here are correct about the tightness...will take pics of anything I find on the takedown...Elliott

[nordbaden]

I have one mg 81 for Sale

Regards

[nordbaden]

The Main spring

[me6_130]

How about posting some pics?

Carles

[ElliottButler]

Mg81

Hello Nordbaden...can you please tell me the length of the spring that you have? Please P.M. me with the price and shipping Deutsche Poste Brief...MFG, Elliott

Carles...I posted a url link to photo bucket (see below)...are there other pics you wished taken...
I have not taken the receiver down as yet...was hoping to get a measurement for the spring before i do...then I'll know if the correct one is in my gun....thanks, Elliott