G43 in 7.62x39? What...

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So I'm at my local gun store and I come across what the owner says is a German G43 sporterized and chambered in 7.62x39, $300. Seems really really strange, was wondering if any of you guys could shed some light on it? The tag on it said the make was AA, model was 44. Not sure what that means. I can vaguely see the marking G/43 by the receiver.

DEF20B98-1552-45B7-97AB-6008050C9377.jpg
DDFCAAD4-EC34-4043-A1AD-8F9D87C046AE.jpg
28B7AEBF-5E1E-4F20-A03D-9BA254650DEF.jpg
5C2DFE31-C599-4E7C-BA68-2268EC4800E2.jpg
 
From what I've read, it was never really produced in that caliber. Furthermore, it had a regular length magazine, but flush with the stock (weird). Also-I've read that the barrels on these rifles are pretty much impossible to remove and even harder to re-install a new one. So maybe it isn't even a 7.62x39 like the tag said? The store owner said he tried an 8mm and it wouldn't chamber.
 
Unless it's been chamber sleeved, it's definitely not in 7.62x39 if it's a German gun. Most likely it's 7.92x57. At that price, BUY IT. G43's are worth a lot of money, and, even sporterized, it's guaranteed to be worth more than $300 for parts alone (bolt carrier groups alone are that price on Gunbroker).
 
I'll have to go back and see. The two things that worry me about not being able to restoer it are the muzzle device and the Pachmayr scope mount.
 
The factory code looks to be "ac" which I believe was the Walther factory. The year of manufacture appears to be 1944.
 
The "muzzle device" is unique, the stock totally replaceable, but the chambering......8X33 would have that as an experimental rifle, although the magazine would have been adapted from an MP/stg44 rifle.

Its more likely mislabeled, but as it is, 1,200$ in parts to start......if restorable to a "shooter", maybe more....
 
For $300, I wouldnt have left without it... Even as a mystery gun.
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^. This. That is a good price, even for a sporterized G43. And the weirdness factor even adds to the fun. :D
 
As the OP said 7.92X57 will not chamber and some were made in 7.92X33.

That would make it more rare than the 7.92X57 version would it not?

How about serial numbers? Do they all match?

As someone else said , I would have taken it home for $300.
 
GAF said:
As the OP said 7.92X57 will not chamber and some were made in 7.92X33.

That would make it more rare than the 7.92X57 version would it not?

How about serial numbers? Do they all match?

As someone else said , I would have taken it home for $300.
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Well, the gunstore owner SAID it wouldn't chamber 8mm mauser. Whether or not that's true, I don't know-I didn't examine it too closely. I may go back on monday and have another look. My main worry w/buying it would be not being able to restore it due to the Pachmayr scope mount (drilled/tapped?), the rear sight no longer being present, and the muzzle device (which...looks like it belongs there, or to a similar rifle, never seen one like that before).

Like I said before-if it really was 7.92X33, I think the magazine would be a lot different. It had a flush mag, but was normal length.
 
For $300, it still makes for an interesting conversation piece. I would buy it just for the mystery gun aspect of it.
 
Cal-gun fan,

If you are not going to buy this gun please post name and phone number of place so someone here that is interested can can buy it.

Thanks
 
"My main worry w/buying it would be not being able to restore it..."

For goodness sakes, why? You'll never "restore" it since the stocks aren't original and the metal has been modified, but obviously it's a good shooter if someone went to the trouble to customize it. There's something about that muzzle break, too --I swear I've seen that before on another military rifle

It's entirely possible that a new barrel was scabbed into the "stump" of the original, even if it was not completely replaced. I think the more pressing issue with the gun would be the lack of suitable magazine.

Now, if the G43 has been modified to take AK mags or something, you might have an incredibly cool rifle on your hands :cool:

TCB
 
barnbwt said:
"My main worry w/buying it would be not being able to restore it..."

For goodness sakes, why? You'll never "restore" it since the stocks aren't original and the metal has been modified, but obviously it's a good shooter if someone went to the trouble to customize it. There's something about that muzzle break, too --I swear I've seen that before on another military rifle

It's entirely possible that a new barrel was scabbed into the "stump" of the original, even if it was not completely replaced. I think the more pressing issue with the gun would be the lack of suitable magazine.

Now, if the G43 has been modified to take AK mags or something, you might have an incredibly cool rifle on your hands :cool:

TCB
Click to expand...

Well, not a full restoration but you could get it close. They make replacement, original style stocks.

Can you elaborate on the barrel scabbing thing? That sounds...dangerous?

I'm going back to check out the rifle again tomorrow. Like I said-the magazine didn't look altered. I really doubt it's actually a 7.62x39. My guess is it's 8mm and the store either tried to chamber the wrong cartridge or made some other mistake. Depending on what I find out, I'll probably buy it.


EDIT: Plus-that muzzle brake DOES look super familiar doesnt it?
 
The muzzle break looks Johnson-esque but not enough gills. Johnson's airborne light weight Mauser may have had a muzzle break on some models different than others for his light weight "sniper" rifle/mountain rifle.

Hmm wasn't there a muzzle break something like this on some of the pre WWII BARs?

Going back and actually viewing the pictures and paying attention I completely recant any thoughts of Rashids.

I wonder if this may have been a rifle put together by the guy that did "Cartridges of the world" when he was playing with shortened .308 back around 1960. I seem to recall he did a 7.62x33 and a .308/1.5 inch. As the object was an American AK round he may have had the urge to make up something at least semi auto for it.

-kBob
 
Also like half of that two barrel FAL's that was built for SALVO testing
 
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