Tag: semiautomatic rifle

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German

7.92 mm Gewehr 41 (W) (G.41 W.): Semi-Automatic Rifle

7.92 mm Gewehr 41 (W) (G.41 W.): Semi-Automatic Rifle

This is the German semi-automatic rifle performing approximately the same tactical mission as the United States, Cal. 30, M1 rifle. It is gas-operated, clip-fed, and air-cooled. It is a shoulder weapon, slightly heavier than the American semi-automatic. Three versions exist, the G 41 (M) which is probably an interim model, the G-41 and the G 41 (W) which are more than likely the final or production types.

The rifle is well made, but quite difficult to manufacture. Stampings are used wherever possible.

In lieu of the customary gas port, a form of gas trap is used, so designed that when attached to the muzzle it makes it necessary for the bullet, after leaving the barrel, to jump a gap and momentarily block the muzzle opening of the cone. The resulting gas pressure then drives a gas piston, in the form of a collar around the barrel, to the rear. The action is imparted to an operating rod the end of which is in contact with the forward end of the retractor slide which is also driven to the rear. A projection on the underside of the retractor slide engages the bolt locking lugs, withdrawing them from the locking recesses in the receiver. The bolt assembly and retractor slide then recoil together for the remainder of the recoil distance. Extraction and ejection are accomplished in the usual manner.

A thorough test at Aberdeen proved the G 41 (W) is much inferior to the U.S. Rifle, Cal. 30, M1, in reliability under severe conditions. It fell down especially in the mud and rain tests, and breakages were very numerous.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         7.92 mm (.312 in.)
Weight of rifle w/o bayonet and sling 10 1/4 lb.
Length w/o bayonet 45 ins.
Length of barrel 21.6 ins.
Principle of operation Gas—semi-automatic
Cooling system Air
Magazine system and capacity
     Fixed vertical box 10 rds. staggered
     Method of feed two 5-round Mauser rifle clips
Sight radius 21.2 ins.
Sights Blade front sight with “T” base and tangent leaf rear sight graduated from 100 to 1,200 meters. No windage adjustment.
Rifling 4 grooves, uniform right-hand twist
Muzzle velocity 2,408 f/s (in a worn barrel)
Trigger pull 7-8 lb.
Ammunition used All 7.92 mm Mauser rifle types
Total number of parts 102
Number of coil springs 13
Number of flat springs 4
Time to fieldstrip 3 1/4 seconds
Time to assemble from fieldstrip 4 3/4 seconds
Time to diassemble 3 min., 57 sec.
Time to assemble         8 min., 32 sec.

German: p. 208

Categories
German

7.92 mm Karabiner 43 (Kar. 43): Semiautomatic Rifle

7.92 mm Karabiner 43 (Kar. 43): Semiautomatic Rifle

The Karabiner 43, a gas-operated, semi-automatic, magazine-fed, air-cooled shoulder weapon, is basically the same in design as the Gewehr 41 (W) described on page 208. Two notable changes found in the later weapon are a modified gas operation and a change in manufacturing policy.

This weapon utilizes a gas vent and gas piston, a method used for the first time in German small arms weapons in the Fallschirmjäger Gewehr 42. The improved gas operation insures more positive operation, and malfunctions due to carbonization are less likely to occur.

A great deal of effort was put into an attempt to reduce the time and expense in the manufacture of this weapon. In order to accomplish this, forgings and stampings were used in as many parts as was practical. Machined or ground surfaces are found only where necessary to insure proper operation. The bolt, bolt channel, and contacting surfaces of the trigger group are included in these. Such surfaces as the outside of the receiver, the top of the retractor slide, and the non-contacting surfaces of the trigger group are left untouched.

Several other slight changes were made, the most notable being the use of a ten-round, detachable box-type magazine; the addition of a threaded section on the muzzle making it possible to attach a flash hider or an adapter which is used with blank ammunition; the omission of the bayonet stud; and the addition of a telescopic sight base indicating that the Kar. 43 is intended for use as a special weapon. The weapon is lighter and better balanced than the Gewehr 41 (W) due to the elimination of the gas trap assembly at the muzzle and the long piston rod.

SPECIFICATIONS


Caliber       7.92 mm (.312 in.)
Weight 8 lb., 9 oz.
Length 44 1/4 ins.
Principle of operationGas
Feeding deviceDetachable box-type magazine
Capacity of feeding device10 rounds
Cooling systemAir
Ammunition usedAll 7.92 mm Mauser types
Type of sightParallel sided, flat top blade type front sight. Tangent leaf rear sight graduated from 100 to 1,200 meters. Telescopic sight base at rear of right side of receiver.
Length of barrel22 ins.
Rifling
   Twist Uniform R.H.
   Form
   No. of grooves4
   Depth of grooves
   Width of grooves
Chamber pressure
Muzzle velocity
Muzzle energy
Maximum range
Effective range

German: p. 208.2

Categories
German

7.92 mm Gewehr 41 (M): Semiautomatic Rifle

7.92 mm Gewehr 41 (M): Semiautomatic Rifle

The Gewehr 41 (M) is a self-loading, gas-operated, clip-fed, air-cooled shoulder weapon. It is basically the same as the Gewehr 41 (W) except for several changes that have been made in the manufacture and appearance.

Most of the parts of the Gewehr 41 (M) are machined pieces with the exception of the magazine well, follower, piston rod and butt plate. The majority of the machined pieces have had no further finishing, but are of a very high quality. The upper band, lower band, magazine well, magazine follower, trigger guard, piston rod, dust cover and butt plate of the Gewehr 41 (M) are stamped pieces.

The differences between the Gewehr 41 (M) and the Gewehr 41 (W) are as follows: the piston rod of the G. 41 (M) terminates in a yoke, the two arms of which extend rearward and contact the bolt head. The piston rod of the G. 41 (W) is one piece and is in direct contact with the bolt retractor slide. The handguard of the G. 41 (M) is made of wood unlike that of the G. 41 (W) which is plastic.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber        7.92 mm (.312 in.)
Weight 10 lb., 13 oz.
Length without bayonet 46 1/8 ins.
Principle of operation Gas
Feeding device Vertical box-type magazine
Capacity of feeding device 10 rounds
Cooling system Air
Ammunition used All 7.92 mm Mauser types
Type of sight Inverted V blade type front sight; tangent leaf rear sight; graduated 200 to 1,200 meters.
Length of barrel 21 1/2 ins.
Rifling
   Twist Uniform R.H. twist
   Form
   No. of grooves 4
   Depth of grooves
   Width of grooves
Chamber pressure
Muzzle velocity
Muzzle energy
Maximum range
Effective range

German: p. 208.1