Is it possible to rebarrel Marstar's 1919 back to 8x63?
- Thread starter svt-40
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stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
Yes, it is possible. Many have done it and it works great.
Toughest part is usually finding the barrel. The US barrels are all iin 8X57, so you need one thats not chromed lined so the chamber can be reamed out. A few members on the board (including myself) have the reamers...they can be had as a custom order from clymer as well.
The T slot on the face of the bolt may have to be opened up a bit to accept the slightly wider base of the 8mm cartridge. This can be done by putting some valve lapping compund onto a 762 or 3006 empty case or a chromed training round, and spinning it with a drill up and down the t slot until it is big enough to accept the 8mm freely.
The only other thing that really needs doing is to open up the end of the barrel bearing (muzzle cone/flashider, whatever you want to call it) to .750". Anything smaller will cause real heavy recoil.
Of course, the front cartridge guide has to be removed if the gun was set up for 7.62mm. An origional gun would have had a cartridge stop for the 30-06. I installed that on mine, but have heard from others that it really isn't neccessary other than for the last round from the belt.
Buy your 8mm on the belts. That way the belts are loaded uniformly, and you can sell the belts afterwards to recoup some (or even all) of your ammunition cost.
Toughest part is usually finding the barrel. The US barrels are all iin 8X57, so you need one thats not chromed lined so the chamber can be reamed out. A few members on the board (including myself) have the reamers...they can be had as a custom order from clymer as well.
The T slot on the face of the bolt may have to be opened up a bit to accept the slightly wider base of the 8mm cartridge. This can be done by putting some valve lapping compund onto a 762 or 3006 empty case or a chromed training round, and spinning it with a drill up and down the t slot until it is big enough to accept the 8mm freely.
The only other thing that really needs doing is to open up the end of the barrel bearing (muzzle cone/flashider, whatever you want to call it) to .750". Anything smaller will cause real heavy recoil.
Of course, the front cartridge guide has to be removed if the gun was set up for 7.62mm. An origional gun would have had a cartridge stop for the 30-06. I installed that on mine, but have heard from others that it really isn't neccessary other than for the last round from the belt.
Buy your 8mm on the belts. That way the belts are loaded uniformly, and you can sell the belts afterwards to recoup some (or even all) of your ammunition cost.
Last edited:
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
Are you talking about resleeving a 30 cal or 308 barrel over to 8mm? One thing you will have to watch is that your barrel for this project is not chromed....that will be hard on the drill trying to ream out the barrel. Not sure how cost effective sleeving a GPMG barrel really is anyway. I think it would be cheaper to either buy one of the barrels in country and have it rechambered. You could also buy a 8mm barrel blank here in Caanda and have a GPMG barrel made from that, although that will need a bit of lathework.
You are talking about lining which is on the inside.
I am talking about sleeving, which is on the outside.
Basically, I was going to buy a 8*57 barrel, rechamber and sleeve where it has to be to fit 1919 trunion and booster.
I am talking about sleeving, which is on the outside.
Basically, I was going to buy a 8*57 barrel, rechamber and sleeve where it has to be to fit 1919 trunion and booster.
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
That could work I guess. I was actually looking at various MG barrels for that very reason. Marstar has the ZB37 barrels in 8mm, and there are plenty of MG42 and Vickers barrels floating around in that caliber also. In the end I managed to get a 8mm 1919barrel.
You will have to bear in mind that if you are anything like me you are going to put lots of rounds through the barrel fast. You will want the meat of the 1919 barrel at more than just the bearing surfaces.
Before you spend too much jury rigging something, why not give FNC1 a PM and see if he has any 8mm barrels left? With the price of gunsmithing these days, this could be your best bet.
You will have to bear in mind that if you are anything like me you are going to put lots of rounds through the barrel fast. You will want the meat of the 1919 barrel at more than just the bearing surfaces.
Before you spend too much jury rigging something, why not give FNC1 a PM and see if he has any 8mm barrels left? With the price of gunsmithing these days, this could be your best bet.
