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How to Assemble a Semi-Automatic MG-42

The MG-42 SA is a reproduction of the original German MG-42 heavy machine guns from World War II. Unlike its German counterpart, however, the MG-42 SA is a semi-automatic weapon in compliance with federal law. All other aspects of the conform to the original design, including the belt-fed ammunition system. As with all weapons, the MG-42 SA must be taken apart periodically for cleaning and maintenance and reassembled.

Instructions

- 1
  Depress the catch on the side of the buttstock and insert the rear cover -- it looks like an overlarge metal peg -- into the round opening in the front of the buttstock.
- 2
  Place the feed cover on a flat surface so the bottom of the cover is facing up.
- 3
  Connect the belt-feed pawl to the connection lever. Make sure the cranked portion of the connection lever is pointing up.
- 4
  Lift the pressure-plate spring near the top of the feed cover assembly and place the belt-feed pawl and connection lever over the two large metal posts in the middle of the cover. Release the spring and check to make sure all the parts move smoothly in their places.
- 5
  Insert the barrel-guide sleeve into the barrel assembly. Ensure the milled part of the sleeve is to the back and facing the right side.
- 6
  Push the barrel guide sleeve all the way forward in the assembly, then raise the lock bar at the front of the assembly and ensure the sleeve slides smoothly forward and backwards in the groove.
- 7
  Raise the lock again and insert the recoil nozzle into the front of the barrel assembly over the guide sleeve. Screw the recoil booster into the nozzle.
- 8
  Slide the barrel into the barrel assembly until it hits the slide stop. Insert the locking pin from the left into the barrel housing, then close the barrel-change flap.
- 9
  Insert the cocking slide into the opening at the bottom edge of the barrel housing, then adjust the slide as needed and push it forward.
- 10
  Insert the bolt into the receiver body.
- 11
  Ensure the hammer on the trigger assembly is depressed, then insert the assembly's front catch into the ejection port.
- 12
  Twist the trigger housing so it is straight underneath the gun and pull it all the way back. Insert the trigger locking pin into the hole at the back of the assembly once the housing is in place to lock it down.
- 13
  Insert the mainspring through the hole at the back of the housing. Make sure the closed end goes in first and that it seats up properly against the back of the bolt assembly.
- 14
  Slip the recoil spring over the buffer -- the large metal plug you screwed into the buttplate in the first step -- and turn the buffer assembly so the buttstock is 90 degrees to the opening.
- 15
  Push the spring and buffer assembly into the back of the MG-42 housing, then press the rear cover catch at the bottom of the housing and rotate the buffer assembly 90 degrees. Release the catch to lock the assembly and buttstock into place.
- 16
  Place the feed cover and feed tray together vertically into the hinge of the curved piece near the front of the weapon. Insert the pivot pin into the small hole on the left side to secure both pieces down.
- 17
  Close the feed cover.

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