MG42 (some assembly required)

[dlbard]

Barrels are the problem.

None area around these days to be had at a reasonable price.

The barrels, I forget sometimes not everyone has a lathe which makes this problem a non-issue for me. My timing was good when I got into the MG42 thing. I've got 4- 7.92x57 "8mm Mauser" barrels for the M53 and 1- MG3 barrel. I can also make my own.
What you can do is have one made from 1919A4 barrel as they are plentiful and cheap $69.99. Buy a barrel extension with stub from RTG $15.95 and bore it out. Then have the threaded stub pressed on and welded to a turned down barrel to make a good barrel in 7.62 Nato.
I haven't looked at it yet, but I think you can turn a MG34 barrel into a MG42 barrel as well. Israeli MG34 barrels are common and cheap too. That would take care of the 8mm barrel needs.