A Texas built FG42 (semi-auto only)

See this thread (Post #34) for the introduction to this rifle:


Photos of original FG42


First real range session with the FG42. A balmy -10 degrees (Celsius) this morning. Hands hurt so much I had to holler, but after a bit the blood started flowing again and it wasn't so bad. Unfortunately, that was after finishing the brief test firing of the FG42!


One reason for the cold hands is the small trigger guard opening. Thick gloves just won't do. So thin deerskin was it.


Discovered that the PPU pointed soft points only work when hand cycled. Semiauto made a mess of the point and drove the bullet into the case. So big fun doing ten individual rounds, plus a couple more due to light primer strikes. (Possibly due to gloves interfering with the cocking handle on trigger pull. Not sure about that, though.) Remember, no bolt hold open other than the mag follower itself. And lots of force needed to work the action. Big, big fun...


The PPU "Match" FMJ ammo, on the other hand, worked great! Didn't shoot too badly, either, given the impromptu rest, cold, tough trigger, and locktime not much different than a flintlock.


Sight picture is pretty good, given the operator's age and dodgy eyeballs. Recoil is quite pleasant for 7,92x57. No more noisy than usual for a fairly short barreled rifle, certainly less than the FN 17S's thunder!


Didn't try the bipod during firing. Usually best reserved for prone and didn't much feel like making full body contact with the frozen ground...


Still a beast to operate, but it's growing on me. :D


Photos:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...mbt9kygs-1.jpg
Had a mess o' combloc gear to shoot as well.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._zpsbzr5-1.jpg
Wee bit of ice brought down lots of trees and branches a couple days previous.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...jrk9ovak-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5s9uepfb-1.jpg
The entire stash of PPU softpoint expended. Tough on brass this rifle is as well:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...evg7lt4v-1.jpg
Not a reloader's dream.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ckzqgcka-1.jpg
Ten rounds fired by single loading. Which may have a bit to do with the humdrum group. "Wrestle&shoot" session! And I do mean WRESTLE!


The FMJ showed more promise at 100yds:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...wtrz5qjv-1.jpg


Would like to note that cleaning was fairly straightforward, just need a wrench for the gas cylinder plug. Far less involved than the SVT40!


More to come, hopefully.


:wave:

Thanks for sharing. Been looking at these for awhile.

Very nice! Is it made by SMG Guns?

Keep your spirits up, try again in better weather and maybe it'll work a bit better. Can you get FMJ anywhere to use? That might help...

Who made your rifle - Which of the 2 or 3 makers is it???
Sarge

SMG in Texas.


The FMJ ran fine, but the pointed soft points wouldn't feed. Nosler Ballistic Tips should solve that problem.


I'm not disappointed in the accuracy, it was more of a "getting acquainted" session. Also, weather in the 'teens is about as cold as I'll ever use it, so nice to know it'll run when it goes looking for deer. By which point it'll likely be scoped. Mount is ordered and paid for, now to figure what to do for a usable ZF4 scope.

now to figure what to do for a usable ZF4 scope.[/quote] Amazon.com : Mauser 98 G43 / K43 ZF4 ZF-4 Reproduction Sniper Scope : Rifle Scopes : Sports Outdoors[quote=jmoore;324986]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

now to figure what to do for a usable ZF4 scope.


Amazon.com : Mauser 98 G43 / K43 ZF4 ZF-4 Reproduction Sniper Scope : Rifle Scopes : Sports Outdoors

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Yes, but even originals were dodgy. US Army tests sound like they were trying out some of the current trash. Couldn't get zero, elevation adjustments affecting windage, that sort of thing. I'm seriously considering adapting an ACOG to the mounting bracket. (I barely trust ACOGs to do the right thing when adjusting, fortunately their ballistic reticles help eliminate much everyday control fiddling.)

Some of the reasons why I gave up on `original´ looking scopes and went for a Trijicon. Elevation adjustments for 50 - 300 metres are a doddle. Can´t see any advantage in dispensing with more than fifty years of technicla progress. They charge 25 Euros for damage to the target return frame at my local range. My old Zf4 on the Fultons `smithless´ bracket that had to be shimmed to cope with elevation adjustments would have cost me a packet.

Have had some upper back trouble since the beginning of the month. Chiropractor visits have helped, but I can NOT cycle the FG42's action even now! (Garands, AKs, SVT, no problem) Not a rifle for wimps...

How do you find shooting it with the sideways magazine, is it in the way when shooting and does it make it difficult to do drills?

I feel your pain, we're in the same boat. I do most of my shooting sitting down,,Trap too. Got busted up pretty good a few years back, never healed right....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eaglelord17

How do you find shooting it with the sideways magazine, is it in the way when shooting and does it make it difficult to do drills?

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The most difficult thing to work around is the lack of a bolt hold open device other than the mag follower itself. Apparently, the "E" model FG42s had trouble with the hold open, so it was deleted on the "G". Expeditious, but hardly the optimal solution. Otherwise, the side mag is not much bother. Slow on change outs, but that's it.


But I reckon mag changes would be very easily done by an assistant loader whilst deployed on it's bipod in an LMG role.

I've fired a couple of the original select fire 2nd mod FG 42s and did not find the mag location to be a problem.
In later years I've accumulated a couple of Sten Guns which also have the left side mag and also find them not to be a problem.
Sarge