Question : Cartridges for MGC S&W M76

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I just purchased my very first MGC; it is a SW M76, and it is awesome.  I wanted this gun since the 80s when I was a teen but had no money for it. Does anyone know for sure if the 2nd gen MGC CP type of carts can be fired in these? I hate to order 30 CP carts from 'mg props' or another vendor and have them not work correctly. The owner prior to me said he only ever fired it 2 times, and it does appear to be pretty clean. He wanted to sell me some MGC blk carts for $9 ea. which seemed high to me. Thanks!

CP rounds can be fired in this model as long as you have the right det pin, they made open and CP rounds for this model.

Thank you all for the fast replies! Yes, I have decided to not fire it. I do have 8 open carts. coming this week from K. Harris; his price was so cheap I could not turn it down. I will just display the carts along w/ the box and gun. I was able to print out the repro. instructions from here (thank you!). I will take pics of it since it so clean with a near mint box as well. I will now pursue a cap firing mp40 so I have something full auto to play with. I do own a TOP mp40 airsoft, which is amazing to hold and look at, but I got bored with that quick and my brother sold his real Sten a few years ago, so I no longer get to shoot anything full auto. I will own a real SW m76 (or MK Arms version) someday, but until then I will have to make do with this replica that I can stare at. lol   I am going to try and make a repro. cart. box, I wonder if anyone has any good scans?

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Please be aware the MGC M76 is known to be a fragile model with a tendency to break the receiver at the Chamber end. They break in such a way the barrel assembly blows off taking the front of the receiver off. Being HWABS, it's pretty much impossible to repair back to firing condition unless you can find a spare Receiver. Being such a scarce model these days that wouldn't be easy.
This is one modelgun best left unfired. I'm sorry to give you such bad news but I well remember my disappointment when my first M76 blew it's barrel off within the first handful of cartridges fired. 
There are numerous tales of others suffering the same fate and even a video of one on Youtube that's linked to in our video category.

Yes, I think I will make an open cart. box up; I guess that is what would have been sold at the time, say 1985, for it. Any scans you have would be awesome! I did see the two photos (MG-BLK w/ red ink on box) in the carts info section. Did MGC ever produce a MG-BLK 10 count cart. box like the CP style green ink box, or was it only the 20 count?

What are the two supplied holes in the M76's styrofoam for? I would assume the second from the left is for the cart. box, but what about the larger left void? (I'm one of those people who likes to know how it looked when it was new, and would love to put all together so it doesnt just look like two empty holes in the box when I slide it open.)  It's hard to find photos of an unused M76 online with the box, supplied carts etc. Maybe they never came with anything in those two holes; I'm pretty sure in the US, this particular pfc gun was sold w/out any supplied carts as far I can tell....   hummmm

So the heavyweight ABS version of Marushin's mp40 is actually weaker than the standard ABS, less expensive version?  That's weird, huh?

Cerwyn wrote:

Glad to be of help   That's why we're all here after all 


Are you thinking of making a repro MGC Open cartridge box for the M76  I think I have one I could scan and measure up. Leave it with me, I'll look through my supply of cartridges.


If you want a full auto cap-firer, you wouldn't go far wrong with a Marushin ABS MP40. Get the ABS version rather than HWABS, it's not brittle and as fragile as HWABS. I've had one example for over 12 years now (my first modelgun in fact) and all I've had to renew was the bolt when the feed rails eventually wore out.

The larger void on the box's left side measures: 63.5mm x 101.6mm x 77.2mm deep.   I'm pretty sure the caps fit in there, and the right most void apparently would fit two of the cartridge boxes, length wise pointing down, side by side.  

Cerwyn wrote:

pedal2metal wrote:

Cerwyn, Thank you for the dimensions and pics! 

It's my pleasure.
I hope you'll be able to make use of them. I'd be interested to see your replica box if you decide to make one.
If you can let me have the dimensions of the larger cut out in the MGC M76 styrofoam box I can tell you if a cap box would fit or not. 
Thanks again

I know you said your M76 came w/ 9x22 carts, but I keep seeing 9x24 size come up while I was researching this particular model. The 1986 catalog I have just states a MGC part #2709DC for the carts, but gives no size. I guess both sizes can "run" through that gun then (?).

Here is a quicky version w/ 9x24... I ended up using a pre-existing jewelry box I had on hand, since it was close in size. The 8 rounds came in the mail today from K. Harris & they do measure 9x24. Its just nice to have a small box to put the shells in now!  

So your carts do measure 9x24? (but they were just in 9x22 box) Somewhere I read that 9x22 can run thru the gun too, but I have not confirmed that info.

Cerwyn wrote:

Right then, it looks like we've got our answers now thanks to HIGUsan in Japan.


The M-76 was originally designed to use 9mm x 24mm Open cartridges that are loaded with a 7mm cap


The 9mm x 22mm Short, .380 Super Open cartridge has a stepped "Primer" that drops into a recess in the base of the cartridge to take a 5mm cap. This cartridge was intended for the MAC-11 Ingram.


My own MGC M-76 was supplied with Open cartridges placed in the wrong box ! 


I'll correct the Library entries now.

Thats okay.  The only picture I have ever seen of a M76 marked 9x24 box was on this site showing the new style CP carts in the green striped box; so I would assume that size must have been designed (and recommended) to run thru the gun. https://mp40modelguns.forumotion.net/t2491-mgc-cal-9mm-9x24-for-m-76-etc