GEW 43 vs M1 Garand
- Thread starter MP-44
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Problem is that they are so darn rare. Looks like an interesting rifle, but I don't know anybody who has one. 
Now for a really advanced German WWII gun check out the FG42. Does the same thing as the FAL, G3, or M14 only 10-15 years earlier. I've always wanted to get my hands on one of those.
Now for a really advanced German WWII gun check out the FG42. Does the same thing as the FAL, G3, or M14 only 10-15 years earlier. I've always wanted to get my hands on one of those.
I got to fire a FG42 as a fluke (right place at the right time.)
Even though it fired full power 7.92 from a 20 round mag
I was able to hit targets amazingly well with 5 round bursts.
muzzle climb was not too bad. My only complaint was the gas ports above the handguard. They left little round burn holes
when I let my hand move too far up.
The guy told me there were only few dozen legal fg42s in the IS and it was valued at over 27k even in 1987
I would jump through flaming hoops to get my hands on a G43
for a day with a case of ammo.
Even though it fired full power 7.92 from a 20 round mag
I was able to hit targets amazingly well with 5 round bursts.
muzzle climb was not too bad. My only complaint was the gas ports above the handguard. They left little round burn holes
when I let my hand move too far up.
The guy told me there were only few dozen legal fg42s in the IS and it was valued at over 27k even in 1987
I would jump through flaming hoops to get my hands on a G43
for a day with a case of ammo.
I didn't think they were all that rare. I had a change to buy a G43, Walther manufacture, in No. VA for about +- $500 in 1996 or so. Had a ten round mag. I was less than interested because the Garand and similar are not my cup of tea although I highly respect what our US WWII soldiers did with the M1 rifle.
The biggest innovation of the G43 I could tell was the overbore gas piston. I think the mag was charger loaded. There is an article on this very model in the latest SGN, IIRC.
The biggest innovation of the G43 I could tell was the overbore gas piston. I think the mag was charger loaded. There is an article on this very model in the latest SGN, IIRC.
as a child i was able to handle a GEW-43 before i knew what a piece of history it was...by the time i realized what it was, it had been sold :banghead:
the correct comparision SHOULD be between the FG-42 and the garrand...both using full power cartridges. the G-43 used the shortened, intermediate (reduced power), 8mm for additional control during full auto fire.
the garrand vs. G-43 comparision would be on par with m-14 vs. ak-47 ... apples and oranges
the correct comparision SHOULD be between the FG-42 and the garrand...both using full power cartridges. the G-43 used the shortened, intermediate (reduced power), 8mm for additional control during full auto fire.
the garrand vs. G-43 comparision would be on par with m-14 vs. ak-47 ... apples and oranges
Stephen Ewing
Member
9mmepiphany, I assume you mean the MP-43/StG43, as the Gewehr 43 certainly fired 8X57JS. At least the two I had did.
Compare the two? The Garand runs away with it no matter what aspect you're comparing, unless you want to be the only kid on your block with one.
G&A did a Guns of the Wehrmacht in ~May '84, which may be worth chasing down if somebody wants a gunrag view.
Steve
Compare the two? The Garand runs away with it no matter what aspect you're comparing, unless you want to be the only kid on your block with one.
G&A did a Guns of the Wehrmacht in ~May '84, which may be worth chasing down if somebody wants a gunrag view.
Steve
9mm Epiphany: Au contraire, mon ami. The G43 is an 8mm Mauser caliber autoloader akin to the M1 or M14. It has a detachable mag and overbore gas piston. You may be thinking of StGw/MP44? which is the Sturmgewehr or original assault rifle with the reduced power 8mm ctg. Best,
George
George
my bad, brain fart... you're both right, it should have read Stg43/44
Stephen Ewing
Member
Okay, now I can get on with the serious business of drooling over handling a Stg 43.
Droooooooooolllllll
Steve
Droooooooooolllllll
Steve
Phyphor
Member
Yea, from what I read, the G43 was charger fed (2 clips of 8mm Mauser, ) the magazine was usually only removed for field stripping and cleaning, (as magazines never were plentiful,)
Some G.43's were issued with a carrier with 2 spare magazines, but that was the exception. Mostly, they were issued with one magazine in the gun and the soldier loaded with standard K.98k clips. Almost all were made with a scope mount rail; they are very accurate and with the ZF4 scope make a good sniper rifle.
In yet another goof, Herr Hitler refused to authorize R&D on semi-auto rifles, feeling that the Mauser 98 of his service time was good enough. In addition, the first efforts (the G.41w and G.41m) just were not very good. For having been developed in a hurry and under pressure, the G.43 is not bad, but in overall quality and ruggedness the M1 is far superior, having had a lot more development time. The G.43 gas piston system has also turned up in the Armalite AR-180.
The FG.42 is not really comparable to the G.43. The FG.42 (Fallschirmjaegergewehr = Paratroop rifle) is a selective fire light machinegun, not a true rifle. To compare it to the G.43 is like comparing the BAR to the M1.
Jim
In yet another goof, Herr Hitler refused to authorize R&D on semi-auto rifles, feeling that the Mauser 98 of his service time was good enough. In addition, the first efforts (the G.41w and G.41m) just were not very good. For having been developed in a hurry and under pressure, the G.43 is not bad, but in overall quality and ruggedness the M1 is far superior, having had a lot more development time. The G.43 gas piston system has also turned up in the Armalite AR-180.
The FG.42 is not really comparable to the G.43. The FG.42 (Fallschirmjaegergewehr = Paratroop rifle) is a selective fire light machinegun, not a true rifle. To compare it to the G.43 is like comparing the BAR to the M1.
Jim
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