Photos of original FG42

[MJ1]

Wife can still pull a few strings and get classics at her show.

[Garandy]

Nice Corsair MJ1, is that a Howard 500 behind it by any chance?

[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

Hmm, that's a thought. I have a Dewat Czech ZB30J in 7 x 57, but the mags are the same as the 8mm. I will try one of them--if it fit, that would be a good way to go. I was thinking of maybe trying to get one of the repro mags out of the US, but the problem is these stupid stupid STUPID mag size restrictions, so I would have to get the mag pinned beforeit hit the border. Hmmm.....

Ed

Any test results you care to share FG42 and ZB magazines? I sent you a PM about retail original FG42 magazines in Canada. He says he has "a few".

[jmoore]

Five year wait, but got one home this weekend. Fired one round per magazine to check function and ease of operation at the range, but it was late and the usual weekend crowd was about. So further wringing out will be delayed a bit.











I can think of no other rifle that requires as much strength to operate! It's a beast to run. The charging handle requires lots of poundage to get going. And the lack of a bolt stop other than the follower itself means considerable wrestling to do mag swaps. (The semi-auto Bren rebuilds aren't too different (not including mag changes), but not many folk aside from me seem to make a habit of firing them offhand, and the Bren in original form doesn't have near as heavy cocking force. But the FG may have had stout spring from the get-go.)


Weight is just under 12lbs (11# 13oz w/o mag). Heavyish for a semiauto rifle, but very light for a select fire weapon with so much power.


Closest equivalent at hand is an 18 1/2" barreled M1a in a Sage stock:



Only about 2 ounces difference between these two.

Need to do a pull apart and see where the new and original differ. Seemed like this might be a good thread in which to do so.

[browningautorifle]

A friend of mine has one of these in Canada and says it has a couple of extractor issues...don't know, we'll have a look when he brings it to shoot. He pointed out it cost him about 10 grand here in Canada after the dust settled...

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

That would be hard to beat for "cool factor" without a class III. Anixiously awaiting "wring out" pictures & results.

[RCS]

photo show a FG 42 with a MG 42 feed mechanism attached to the side. I believe this is an ordnance photoAttachment 60162

[browningautorifle]

That was out of Aberdeen I'm guessing?

[Paul S.]

You have to give the German engineers full marks for some of the designs they came up with. Of course, some deserved a war crimes trial and death sentence for other 'pearls of wisdom' they created.

[jmoore]

photo show a FG 42 with a MG 42 feed mechanism attached to the side. I believe this is an ordnance photoAttachment 60162

Seems like what MJ1 was describing earlier in the thread (Post #5).