Strictly Limited B-Grade Masterpiece

Shipped to my house...



This time not a word on the box...



But inside's all the same as previous offers...



Here we go (still inside the bag at the time of writing)!

Have been officially stated this is a B-Grade product so no complaints whatever this will turn out to be...

Not even opened up by customs for a look? I would think they didn't even x-ray scan it as this is made entirely of metal otherwise the shape will definitely shows up even then I don't think they will be interested Hong Kong is really a 'free port' where everything comes and goes freely without problem drool...

So much for our 'free' country where everything is under scrutiny... Even legal I wouldn't like customs to mess around with my 'valuables' as parts might go missing or damaged during 'improvised' handling as these are fragile 'fake' stuff nothing robust like the 'real steel'.

Notice the blue sticker on the first pic? The Japanese Customs acknowledged what was inside so this is the "Check Seal" for Int'l Packages confirming:

1) This is some dangerous goods;
2) The total value inside the package exceeds ￥200,000 (strange as it is only half of this amount)

So - maybe the Japanese Customs did inspected it but then they treated it with tender care unlike what happens to smootik now...

Basically in HK as long as you don't link with real guns and gunpowder (and drugs of course) then it is really a "free port" (at least for the moment - don't know what we'll be when the Communist steps into HK affairs further)...

Strange the US treats replicas in a way much stricter than real steel...mostly due to commercial interests

Don't mind me asking Jim, what's the A grade and B grade things about??

Actually no such thing as A-Grade Shoei guns (as assumed every Shoei gun out to the market is A Grade) - but in this context the normal Shoei guns can be regarded as "A-Grade" and these FG42s are "B-Grade"...earlier Tomio san of Shoei found some NG parts inside their factory so he decided to build some 20 pieces out of it for some of us who keeps asking him to make new Type II (these parts were discoloured/dent/scratches etc...some of the bolts having problems as well making it unloadable): Tomio san stated it clearly before sale...and these sells with some 20% discount ...

Thanks for sharing :-) This really is a limited edition for real collectors =)
Do these come with serial numbers like the normal models?

Sorry to say I still have it in the box - maybe I shall leave it till "Boxing Day" ...

These guns are built out of NG parts so I won't mind too much about the details...will show you all about it then...

Tomio san may explain better than I do - excerpt of original email:

Quote :

We use the parts which were in the factory, and are assembling the second model of FG42 T2 now. The parts used for these are NG (No good) last time at the time of manufacture. (A bad measure, a wound, color fault, etc.)

Please check each attachment picture. Many models have a bad color. And we disliked adjustment of a trigger system and cut the tip of interruptor. (Pic FG42 T2 second model 10.jpg) By this, these models do not make "disconnect" with a semiautomatic mode. However, in the semi automatic mode, it stops in a "closed position", and a bolt stops respectively like real gun in the full automatic mode in an "open position."

No parts have lack except processing of interruptor. The impression of these models is totally genuine FG42 as much as it looks old.

We make the about 15 pcs preparations of this time. Probably 20pcs cannot be prepared...

Then the "official" images:













Jim

I would gladly have one of these, no matter the details :-) Thanks for sharing pictures, I enjoy FG42 as probably the best looking (for me) rifle out there.
Question about serial number was just out of curiosity if these "B-grade" are within normal series, without any numbers, or marked otherwise as different.

Keep it in box as long as you need :-)

If I understand correctly - when it is in semi-automatic mode, the bolt cannot hold back...haven't try if this gun can cycle rounds (several sold on the "Victory" Military Show last Sunday in Japan definitely won't)...

But I strongly believe new ones will be out next - after these old parts were cleared this time...

Here We Go - some of you guys might be still eagerly waiting for the pics of my latest collection (and others might have already forgotten the whole thing since I've dragged so long for this )...


Still OK for me to hold it single-handedly for a while - but this is obviously heavier than Type I...



The first time I've seen a ejection port cover designed as a "gate"...


Opened! Note the cut on the bolt - result of production fault (NG part)...the entire bolt might break in half from there if I dare enough loading dummy rounds then slam it too many times...


Attempted to insert the supplied mag slightly thicker than expected (therefore certain amount of force needed)...



Unlike Type I, this time the bipod can swing left and right in order to absorb some recoil force for real steel (also front & back as well for the much heavier & powerful MG42)...


The black colour on the "hook" already faded out-of-the-box...



Extremely tight selector switch and the not-too-functionable trigger safety switch...


Tried to cock it in both semi & full auto modes - maybe the tip of the interruptor of mine have not been completely grounded, therefore I can still cock the bolt during semi-auto mode (after pulling back I've to push the bolt down a bit).


Finally - Type I & Type II together! Thanks for viewing!

Fine pictures Jim!

Good to see the FG at last! I'm still saving for one!

Do you think you can get the bolt repaired or replaced at some stage?

Kiwigunner!

PS Happy New Year for 2011!

Sweeeeet... =)

On a separate note: when on display, do you protect models from dust?

Thanks again for sharing these detailed photos Jim.

The Fg42 is a beautiful looking gun, I would like one for my collection too

Is it possible to buy spare parts Could you replace the bolt with a new one

I wish you a very happy new year, I'm looking forwards to seeing the next addition to your wonderful collection

Great review! Thank you! Hopefully you can replace the bolt some day. Maybe a skilled mechanic can make a replacement part?

Glad most of you appreciate it - Here I wish everyone of you a prosperous 2011!

Kiwi - maybe I shall leave the bolt the way it is...I'm not too skilled to carry out such acts...for the Mkb42 that you'd spotted: get it while you can!

Smootik - this is a headache for me - I've to wipe the guns hanging on the wall whenever possible (air quality in HK isn't so good and dust build up pretty quick)...

Cerwyn - no problem at all! My pleasure as always ...spare part wise I'm afraid not - if Shoei have fine parts for these guns then he can sell these batch without any discount...Tomio san have already make the most of it...

With new modelgun offer is way less impressive than GBB I'll somehow introduce some great GBBs for all you guys...stay tuned ...

Finally Madmike - quite unlikely for bolt replacement...even if it is possible the bolt will definitely cost me another fortune...

If sometime here (notably from Germany / Canada) who can get their hands on real steel Dittrich WWII repro weapons (basically what Shoei & Hudson already made) I want to find out more about these (basically what I'd gathered now is that the quality of Dittrich guns are less than perfect )...and the wood colour looks ugly (too pale)...

Hi guys, are you sure the cut in the bolt is a manufacturing defect? It seems to me all the pictures of type I and II have this cut on the bolt in them. Jim, does your type I has this cut on the bolt?

Cheers.

Hi Modelgunfan,


The "hole is a normal part of FG42 bolts (Type 1 and 2).....but if you look closely at Jim's photo, you can see defects around it.
The force on the bolt slamming home is very high, so maybe repeated use will cause similar cracks due to metal fatigue of the Zinc alloy.

I've taken the liberty of posting some photos for comparison.


Hope you won't mind Jim!
Cheers,
Kiwigunner

MANY THANKS KIWI you get the points ...unlike real steel, since these Shoei guns are dummies only so they don't have to use the same grade of steel...and it's the cracks underneath that got me worried (it continues to the other side which my photo haven't shown - less seriously though)...

Tomio already stated these Type IIs used better parts among the NG parts prior to purchase...so I cannot complain if it breaks easier than usual - fair enough ...

modelgunfan wrote:

Hi guys, are you sure the cut in the bolt is a manufacturing defect? It seems to me all the pictures of type I and II have this cut on the bolt in them. Jim, does your type I has this cut on the bolt?

Cheers.

Hi modelgunfan,

I'd compared both Type I & II and the cut/hole on my Type I looks more natural than Type II (without mentioning the cracks )...

If someday Tomio decides to make brand new Type II he has to count me in ...

Nice review, I wondered about the B grade guns, thank you for sharing your experiences.

If it is any consolation my Shoei later model Fg42 is clunky in operation, too.
Really tight tolerances - in not a good way - the bolt slowly slides closed. The safety and fire select are just awful!
It is a good looking replica, but certainly not as real feeling as their Mp44 series.

Obviously as you know, in semi auto it fires from a closed bolt, in full auto it fires from an open bolt.

BTW - the MG42 and Fg42 fired the same ammunition - 7.92mm "fur MG" - neither was more powerful.

Thanks for posting,

Pit.