Making my Shoei FG42 just a little better.

Hi there -

I mainly collect real firearms - but when it comes to the hard to find examples - I still love my model gun collection.
The FG42 is an example of hard to get - at $100k+ for a transferable one, and $7K for a semi auto replica, the Shoei is an awesome option for me.

As luck would have it I found an original muzzle brake in Holland, and bought it quickly - I was a little worried until it arrived and it is for sure an original - I have handled and photographed two original second models so knew what to look for.

I figured there was no way it would fit on the Shoei - but thought I would try anyway - and wonderful things do happen - I gently - read, very gently - got it two turns on before the thread stopped knitting, at two turns the lock engages, and nothing is loose - so, I am pleased.

Here are pics!

Lovely looking model, those Shoei's are something else. Seen a few blank firing ones in WW2 reenactment not sure what they are based on possibley purpose built, take SLR mags i think, very very loud and cool as hell.

Can you please clarify which is the original? The longer or shorter?

Hi
Dont mean to hijack thread, but since Claymore mentioned it, here is one of the Blank fire ones he mentioned, yes custom made, yes SLR mags not perfect by any means, but rare here and cool ! and also yes VERY loud !!

I was standing right next to one when he was blatting off, loud is not descriptive enough!! one was for sale but i could not afford it at the time, pity its impressive.

The real muzzle brake is the one pictured on the gun.

The Shoei muzzle brake is finished in black paint - the real one is finished in an interesting chemical brown finish and stamped and numbered at the front - you cannot see in these pictures.

Ref. The blank firer pictured - there is an extremely well made semi-auto by SMGuns of Texas - so we don't need to make them ourselves

The look of these guns are important to me as we rent them out, although sometimes we're forced to compromise - I have two M53 MG's that are configured with sights and grips to look like MG42's - they run on 7.62mm blanks which are a lot cheaper than regular 8mm - (7.92mm) - and parts are MUCH cheaper when things break, which they do.
8mm is about twice the cost of 7.62mm for me -

I am waiting for the SMGuns first model (early model FG42) that is now in development.
I like it more for my collection than the later model that they (SMGuns) started production with, but neither will ever rent out on productions, the WW2 stuff hardly ever goes out.








This is some of the WW2 collection - which also includes, MG15 air-cooled, Maxim M1910, Sten, MP40, MP34, EMP35, Thompson - and all the basic bolt action rifles you need - although we have a really nice G33/40.

Hey Pitfighter
Wow, I am dribbling!! you have a fantastic collection to be proud of, thanks for the pictures !  

Now own an original Krieghoff FG42, too -

Although it took a dent out of my collection.