G-43 needs work

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jamiew

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Greetings all! I finally got my hands on a G-43. However: It seems slightly damaged to where I can't field strip it. The recoil spring guide seems to have fallen inside the bolt. Can't get it out. Now, here's (Among others) my question:
If I wanted to send this G-43 from Victoria BC to Apfeltor Waffenfabrik in the US for repairs, what paperwork is required, and to which office should I direct my enquires? Firearms? Customs?
Any help would be vastly appreciated! I waited a bazillion years to get this thing, and now can't use it.....

Again, annnyyy help appreciated! Cheers to All here-JamieW
 
The paperwork needs to identify the firearm as being 'temporarily exported' for specialized repair services. Start with Foreign Affairs in Canada. Believe it or not they authorize import/exports of firearms. Customs just stamps the forms. The BATFags in the US need to know what is going on so when this firearm appears they don't throw a ####fit and seize it.

Contact the CFC for starters. They are the 1-800-we know guns people. Get their information. Get your destination to contact the BATF about a Form 6 (I think).

So, your G43 is phlucked. Will it ####? The bolt won't engage to the rear with the hold open catch? The safety lever won't turn vertical? The cover won't push forward 1/4" to clear the nubs on the back? The bolt/carrier/springs/ cover won't come up and back by hand?

It might be easier to ship parts that the part that goes bang.
 
He can't ship the part though because it is stuck in the reciever. Who knows what is wrong until you get it opened up....

It is too bad you don't live close to me Jamie, I could give you a hand with it as I had my G43 bolt apart about a zillion times and might be able to help. Those bolts are hard enough to get out when they are working, let alone when something is wrong. As you mentioned on the GK forum, the recoil guide is visible in the housing and it still won't come out after the bolt housing assembly is pulled to the rear and squeezed? Is the safety lever all the way over at 3 'o clock?
 
Gents, My thanks as always! Gads! What an absolute dissapointment. (How may I post pics here, seems diff. than GK forum?)
To sum up-Weapon cocks and dry fires fine. HOD engages, holds bolt carrier back.
However, I'm told the "Recoil spring guide" has failed/Fallen into the bolt? I can actually see it in there, but can't get it back into place.
Further, when I look at the various dissasembly guides, it's obvious that my particular bolt carrier is not going to the rear far enough. Something seems to be preventing this? So, while I can move the bolt carrier to the rear, it's just not far enough to remove it.....
As for shipping it off for repairs. Well, I did contact the CFC today via E-mail, and BCC'd Waffenfabrik. Though god knows he probably won't want my business due to the ammount of paperwork involved....
So, If anyone knows of a good G-43 mechanic I can contact, bearing in mind I reside in Victoria BC, I'd appreciate the Information.
As for the mo' I guess I'll look into the Foreign affairs connection. Much appreciated! Steve-This came from Alberta by the way.... :(
Yes, Wish I could call on you for a helping hand, but seems I'm buggered for the mo'. Anyway, as always, my thanks to all here! Cheers-JamieW
 
OK, if the bolt latches to the rear, what about the safety lever? It has left right and up positions. One is fire, one is safe and one is disengage. I think vertical is disengage. Can you get that far?

The bolt was a small size Pain it the A$$ to get out the first time for me. You have to push it forward a little bit to get some buttons out of corresponding holes on the rear wall of the receiver. There is spring resistence, but not a solid resistence. Once the buttons are clear, it lifts out. I was also very concerned about parts flying apart if the latch came out.
 
Maple_Leaf_eh-Many thanks! Although, In the Guides I've read so far, they all seem to state the Weapon must be in "Safe" (3 o'clock position) to remove the bolt. I'll give the vertical position a try though, what the hell. And as for resistance, believe me, this thing ain't budging. I've been tempted to hook it up to my Firebird and pulling....No, this is some thing that isn't right.....

Cheers-JHW
 
Well,bleeding problem solved, thank the Lord. Recoil Spring guide was upside down, preventing full travel to the rear. Thank God for the Internet, and good Mates from GK forum and CGN! Now, while I'm here-Anyone know where I can get ammo for a G-43, and a sliding dust cover for same?
My thanks to all of you whom took time to reply and or comment!

As always, Cheers to all-JamieW
 
Like I mentioned on the other forum, I didn't know you could even put the recoil guide in upside down!! That is scary if the guy was live firing.....

I would post a WTB on the GK forum for dust cover, one of those guys will have an extra kicking around.

As far as ammo, 8mm surplus is few and far between in Canada unfortunately. Districorp has Igman 8mm fairly cheap in 196 grain rounds. Reloading is a good idea if you want to shoot a lot of 8mm. Better get a Shooter's Kit if you plan to reload though. The G43 kicks the hell out of brass!!!
 
Steve-My thanks-Sadly, reloading is out for me. I Just don't have the time or dough to sink into that. That's a hobby within a hobby. I'd love to, but as I'm going to end up working until 65 +, I think my time will be fulfilled dilligently serving the public. (Airsickness bags are located under your seat. When full, they double as a floatation device.) Well, I've already been told by chuckd to stay away from modern 8mm Mauser, so that rather limits me. I bet the Russians have millions of rounds. I wonder if Marstar has ever pursued this thought? So, your advice for rounds is?....Districorp? Canuck outfit? Forgive my Ignorance. Am ordering Rob's "Shooters kit" next payday.!
No Other Ammo options? I'd also like a scope and mount without spending 2 years pay (That's with NATO pay, danger pay, and overseas allowance Included) so, obviously repro both is fine. Is there such creatures? (Mount Yes, I know those can be had-But scopes?) Anywat Sir, off to rack-et-vouz.
Thank you as always for your help. I sure do appreciate it. Always fun being the New guy, so thanks! Cheers-JHW
 
Modern North American 8mm works fine but it is very anemic as far as load so you won't get the performance out of it but it will go bang. It is pricey also.

The site is:
www. districorp. ca
The Igman they have is loaded to European levels so it is your best bet. It is also cheap and reasonably accurate. Besides that, you will have to hit the gun shows and watch on here for surplus ammo that may come up.
There are no Zf4 copies that I have ever seen out there. You will have to pony up $500+ for a working one unfortunately. Starting watching Ebay for them, they also go up for sale on the GK site from time to time. Repro mounts are fairly easy to find. The hard part is finding one that isn't made of cheap, junky metal.
 
What a wonderful invention this Inter-web !! Glad to help and glad to know a few hours of back and forth conversation saved you months of paperwork and hassle.

Don't get too excited about replacing the dust cover. There seems to been dates when the Germans changed the design and eventually stopped installing them. Apparently they were easy to lose in the field, and not much good afterall.

Finding a scope and base will be another Herculian chore. I lucked into a 1960's repro with a Leupold 4x scope. The scope will go to another shooter in trade, and I am looking for a 1" scope. The Moisin Nagant 91/30 scopes being sold these days resemble the German wartime straight tube scopes, and are infinately more common. I have set up an automatic E-fleece search with email. We'll see what turns up.

I have yet to fire my G43 because I am very hesitant to fire modern hunting loads in a historic piece. I have the dies, so the plan is, in consultation with the manuals and scales, to pull the bullets, ditch the powder and reload with something known.

Don't succumb to the passionate reloaders who will try to convince you that you need 2 of every gadget made. I have only a few bits and bobs, and I use another reloader's fourth (!) press for my work.
 
Consider looking into one of the 'adjustable gas regulator' kits for your G-43

These are highly recommended and go along way towards making the action function less violently...saves brass....saves gun parts

Shooting modern stuff would be OK as well...as most modern 8mm is down loaded under original Germ ammo specs

...I heard, anyway...
 
All-My thanks as always Gents! The day was saved, thanks to the kindness and Patience of strangers! I thank you all! As for Ammo, Steve1973 has suggested a site I'm going to peek at. As for Scopes, I'll have to wait until the bank account Improves! (Bloody Lotto 6/49!) I'm sending to Waffentor Appelfabrik this coming Payday for the shooters kit and new springs, I'll let all know how that goes Installing them. Then, Hopefully, Off to make a fool of my self at the range! Again, My Sincere thank you's to All here! Cheers and Regards from Victoria, BC! -JamieW
 
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