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Hey guys, was hoping someone out there could recognize this part and tell me what it goes to. I'm 99.9% sure it is a firearm part of some kind. It came in a large lot of carbine and garand parts. This piece and another part which has been identified as an M3 grease gun part we're in the mix. Any help is very much appreciated, thanks
M3 / M3A1 Mag Catch Protector
Pic 10:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1056468683
https://www.apexgunparts.com/m3-grea...otector-g.html
:bash:
Wow Charlie you are the man! I even looked at an exploded diagram of an M3A1 and M3 grease gun and didn't see any part that resembled that so I don't know how this escaped me because naturally, after BAR identify the spring as being to a grease gun,, I naturally thought to look at the grease gun exploded diagram But didn't see anything that I thought was even close haha.Thanks brother!
That is correct, mag catch guard for M3 SMGQuote:
Originally Posted by jond41403
a big thank you to BAR and Charlie! Those parts would have driven me nuts without knowing what they were haha. Now they will go in a tiny little bag with the correct labels. Thanks again guys
JD,
It was a late fix after problems in the field were reported of mags accidently being dropped. Prolly why it doesn't show up on the early exploded diagrams.
Found this in WIKI:
After new complaints were raised about accidental magazine releases and failure of the wire buttstock to remain in place in the collapsed position, two additional changes were made to M3 production and approved by Ordnance on 31 August 1944.[12] This included a small sheet metal guard around the magazine release button, and the inclusion of a stop between the two rods forming the wire stock at the butt end.[12]
Thanks Charlie! That is some good information to know. You guys are the best, I always learn something every time I talk to you guys. Thanks again
Initial mod was a simple sling loop wire welded across the button to keep things away from it.Quote:
Originally Posted by painter777
Thx Jim,
I couldn't find a picture showing the 1st fix and struggled how to type it clearly to be understood. So I just stayed on the subject of his part.
That's a pretty cool attempt at a first fix though. Cuz usually the simplest thing works but not in that case I don't guess. Very neat, the M3 grease gun is one firearm I have just not really studied or read about much at all. They are cool as all heck. I would love to have fired one like BAR has
They made a 9MM and 9MM conversion kits. I just read they made a few Prototypes in .30 Carbine using the Carbines double stack mags.
I have a lot to learn about the M3 / M3A1 and variants.
Was surprised they seen use by Armored units in the Gulf War 1991ish.
Would love to shoot one !
I had one some years back now, a Guide lamp gun. It had lived for years wrapped in a grease covered rag, buried in the floor of a greenhouse in a box. I had some work to refurbish it. It shot great and I had ten mags. I used the stock for the loader as it was designed and would go through all ten mags in about fifteen minutes. I originally had to get springs made as the originals had gone punk and the attempt to use FN butt springs was a bit stronger than needed. The gun started back to life at about 1200 RPM like a giant Ingram. Sure was a neat test fire though, all the cases were in the air together. I got some new ones wound professionally and it was back to chugging along.Quote:
Originally Posted by painter777
One of my range pals brings his out to the monthly subgun matches every once in a while. He really likes to bring it out in February, because that's our Valentine's Day match, when all of us with Tommy Guns have our own division. And the cheap-*** Grease Gun will kick a Tommy's *** in a match that depends on hits plus conservation of ammo. I keep looking at the ones that pop up on auctions, but just haven't been convinced enough to do it. Other guns are much higher on the collection list.
I only ended up with it because it presented itself and only owned it for a few years. My 1928 though, I had that one for 22 years and shot it whenever I could. It was the last to go.Quote:
Originally Posted by MAC702