My SHOEI G43 arrived finally.The modelgun cycles rounds perfectly and now wears a K98 sling I had spare.
It took a few days to complete over Christmas, But it's done now.
Enjoy the pics!
A VERY BRIEF HISTORYBefore the start of the 2nd World War, German army had little interest in self-loafing rifles. Their tactical doctrine centered on an infantry squad with the MG.34 machine gun as primary source of firepower, supported by the riflemen with Kar.98K bolt-action rifles.
By the 1941, two companies, Walther and Mauser, submitted self-loading rifle designs for consideration by the German Army. These rifles were designated as Gewehr 41(W) and Gewehr 41(M), respectively. Both rifles were tested in combat and both proved as poor performers. The Bang-type muzzle gas system design (NO pun INTENDED. It was developed by the Norwegian Søren H. Bang) was among the key sources of the problems.
Forced to admit that their enemy, Russia, had a better semi-auto system by late 1943 Walther engineers mated the G41(W) action with the much more effective and reliable gas system of the Russian Tokarev SVT-40 rifle. The resulting design was designated as Gewehr 43, or Gew.43, or G43.
Caliber: 7.92x57 mm
Overall length: 1015 mm
Barrel length: 558 mm
Weight: 4.33 kg
Magazine capacity: 10 rounds
THIS NEXT SECTION IS BEST READ WITH A COPY OF THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE G43 (now in English)
https://mp40modelguns.forumotion.net/t1704-shoei-g43-instruction-manualLoading the G43 is a simple affair (see sequence below). After filling the magazine,
insert it front first (identified by 2 nipples - see pic.) until the bottom nipple hit the bottom of the mag well.
Then push the back end in and cock the weapon. If you have just emptied a mag the bolt is held open.
After cocking the rifle you have to let the action fly so that the bolt sits properly as it is stiff to push it manually.
To make it safe you have to cock it and then flip the flag safety lever at the rear over to the right. Once this is done you can remove the bolt assembly for field cleaning.
Removing the Bolt Assembly: WARNING: THE SPRING TENSION IF FIERCE AND YOU DON’T WANT TO GET A FINGER CHOPPED! OR HAVE THE SPRING AND ITS HOUSING SHOOT ACROSS THE ROOM AND DESTROY SOME FAMILY TREASURE!1. Pull the bolt carrier to the rear
2. Push the bolt hold back lever catch on the side of the carrier (carrier release lever)
3. Push the plunger button above the safety lever, and
4. Lift the whole assembly out of the receiver and carefully release the spring and the assembly components.
The bolt is then ready to be cleaned. With the bolt cleaned, reassemble the unit and reinsert the whole group into the receiver. This takes a little bit of practice. The safety is simply flicked back over to the left and you can carry on as per normal.
SOME OF THE SHOEI G43 DETAILS:The only minor criticisms I have are the lightweight wood used for the stock (a laminated Asian timber) and the thin metal used for the butt-plate (see photo of trap door). Both of these can easily be replaced with the real deal - for a price. But hey! this modelgun costs a fortune because it is so rare: due to low numbers and few production runs.
As it is, is is another tribute to the Shoei Family's fine craftsmanship and attention to detail.
I'm happy with it as it is.
Kiwigunner 
Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:20 am
it's much appreciated
