The MG34 Repair and Troubleshooting Thread

Interesting thread....I've been a fan of the MG 34 and was seriously contemplating purchasing a TNW conversion, but shied away when I had the opportunity to speak to a few owners who highlighted their problems/frustrations as have been highlighted in this thread.

Just my 2 cents...Looking at the grease on that bolt in the pic above - has anyone tried using Flour of Sulphur as a lubricant? It seems to have cleared up some headaches for the Norwegians -

"Flower of Sulphur The Magic Potion

Although the Germans had discontinued the use of Flower of Sulphur as a lubrication additive for the MG34 long before the war ended. The Bakelite container was dropped from the accessory lists by the HeeresWaffenamt on April 3 1944 because better lubricants had been developed that served the purpose without the addition of Flower of Sulphur. Still, the issue of Flower of Sulphur continued in the Norwegian Army until 1993 regardless of which oils were used with the small arms. This magic potion was regarded as essential for the functioning of the MG34 and Lord have mercy on the MG34 gunner who did not use it. In the test reports from the conversion of the MG34 to .30-06, several of them mention that the guns were sluggish and did not work reliably until Flower of Sulphur was added to the lubrication and VOILA! the guns worked. It is possible that the lubricants used in the Norwegian army in the 1950s may have been sub-quality and actually needed the addition of Flower of Sulphur, but this was certainly not the case in the 1980s and 1990s."

Source - http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=1451

Looking at sources for 'Flour of Sulphur', it seems it can be purchased at Lowes as 'Green Earth Garden Sulphur' - https://www.lowes.ca/lawn-garden-insect-control/green-earth-300g-garden-sulphur-powder_g1494868.html

I looked up the SDS and it appears to be the same stuff (chemically) as what the Wehrmacht/Norwegians used (based on what little I could find).

Might be worth a try?

Brookwood
 
1340 said:
I have an extractor tool luckily. Good chance to try it out.
I thought about tapering the front of the plunger to get rid of the step.
TOO bubba?
I believe I have a spare plunger.
Right now I'm more concern about getting the part I need.
Click to expand...

I checked my two bolts and they look exactly like yours is. If you still want to try another plunger I can send you one
It could be possible that TNW machines the trigger gate you have improperly or the tolerances on the reciever are off
On my one mg34 they machined the tolerance off where the cocking handle slides. No spare cocking handle works other then the one the gun came with
The nub that hooks the bolt is too short
The other one I have I can't use spare ejector plates as the bolt hits them I can only use the one the gun came with
In reality tnw did a piss poor job on these receivers
If your reciever tolerances are off you might have to file the top of the spring loaded part on the trigger gate a bit to make it work
Let me know if you want that extractor plunger
 
I've read in Folkes book about the use of the flowers of sulfur but didn't know that is was still available
The book said something about the advanced properties of the newer available lubricants made the flowers of sulfur obsolete
Not saying it wouldn't be worth trying though! could be interesting
 
Brookwood said:
Interesting thread....I've been a fan of the MG 34 and was seriously contemplating purchasing a TNW conversion, but shied away when I had the opportunity to speak to a few owners who highlighted their problems/frustrations as have been highlighted in this thread.

Just my 2 cents...Looking at the grease on that bolt in the pic above - has anyone tried using Flour of Sulphur as a lubricant? It seems to have cleared up some headaches for the Norwegians -

"Flower of Sulphur The Magic Potion
Click to expand...


There many Youtube videos showing TNW MG34s running very well. It is a very unique firearm, and I think, worth the effort to get working right.

I agree with Myrvang, with all the modern lubricants, I don't think flower of sulphur is needed. It seemed to help with cold weather or desert though.
 
Deathrawt;15348141 you might have to file the top of the spring loaded part on the trigger gate a bit to make it work [/QUOTE said:
Rather than modifying that (hard to get) part, I thought I might grind a taper on the front of the extractor plunger.
Just enough so the plunger doesn't hang up on the trigger arm gate.
Click to expand...
 
Hi 1340. sorry to hear about your trigger gate breaking. It looks like a fairly easy part to make and TNW is charging $100 US for theirs. Are you going to have a new one made or try to import one from TNW?
I think it may be easier to sand down the outside of your extractor plunger were it protrudes.. No?
 
Hi Claven2. I would have to agree with you.

dyBbYsk.jpg


Sorry guys. picture off topic.
 
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GreenBob said:
Obviously you will need someone kool to hang off the tripod while you shoot.
Sign me up.

:cool:
Click to expand...
This is still being taught for some NATO countries that use a 50cal and Grenade launcher mount that goes that high, it provides stability when firing on unstable ground
 
223762 said:
Hi 1340. sorry to hear about your trigger gate breaking. It looks like a fairly easy part to make and TNW is charging $100 US for theirs. Are you going to have a new one made or try to import one from TNW?
I think it may be easier to sand down the outside of your extractor plunger were it protrudes.. No?
Click to expand...

It's my fault for not checking closely enough. At this point I think I will just get the part from TNW.
Yeah, I think it's better to modify the extractor plunger.
 
Is anyone in this thread interested in selling their MG34? Been searching for a very long time and can’t seem to be able to track one down, any help or information would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
 
Musicsetsfre1 said:
Is anyone in this thread interested in selling their MG34? Been searching for a very long time and can’t seem to be able to track one down, any help or information would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Click to expand...

DILLIGAF may just have sold his.

I suggest you post a WTB (want to buy) ad in the Equipment Exchange (you may need to apply for access given your post count) - follow the instructions on the forum.
 
1340 said:
It's my fault for not checking closely enough. At this point I think I will just get the part from TNW.
Yeah, I think it's better to modify the extractor plunger.
Click to expand...

Sometimes I have a pretty bad memory until i get reminded by something. I completely forgot about sanding down my extractor plunger until i looked at it just now. here's a picture of mine.

xv1MV92.jpg
 
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There must obviously be differences from receiver to receiver machining wise as both the ones I have I didn't have to touch the extractor plunger at all
Good idea though to fix the issue
I guess the FA receiver has that channel milled into the bottom for the bolt catch so small variances in the height of the extractor plunger would not matter on the Full auto guns
 
I got my MG34 back from Wolverine and got to test fire it through 50 rounds. It seems to be firing ok.
I wanted to say thanks to everyone for their help on this thread to keep this gun running.
 
Deathrawt said:
Did that new trigger gate fix your issue you were having?
Click to expand...

Thanks for asking.
It did get my gun shooting again, but it's still being temperamental.
Last time I cleaned it, the grease I had handy was too heavy and with the cool temperatures
I only got a few rounds off, and it quit shooting.
I've since recleaned it and used lighter grease. Just waiting for good weather to try it again.
I tend to slather on the lube. That might not help either.
 
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