[tribrothers]

I have the water jacket off the rear brass trunion. It was loose when I picked it up. The receiver looks to be put together by someone with lots of experience, and it looks to be solid.

My question is, will it hurt anything to put the weapon together and shoot it without the water jacket. I cannot think of anything that it would hurt as long as it is not overheated. I would like to test her out, then clean and cold galvanize the inside of the water jacket, finish the outside of the weapon and seal her up for longterm use.

It would be quicker and easier to test fire without the jacket.

Tribrothers

 

[Dave D.]

Yep, it'll hurt. The front of the barrel should be, MUST BE , supported by a barrel shroud or the front muzzle bearing of the water jacket. But if you do shoot it without support, have somebody photographing that and post it here. I'd like to see the results.

...What the hell. You've got three brothers. You can change your name to " Bibrothers" afterwards and keep posting.

 

[MG34_Dan]

Without a barrel jacket of some sort in place, how will you ...

support the front of the barrel? You need something the keep the barrel and barrel extension lined up and squarely presented to the bolt.

 

[TiredIron]

No problem......

Yes......you can do this....but....you will have find a small person (helper) that normally wears a shirt with a 24 inch sleeve length. This person (helper) will have to sit in a chair next to the shooter and hold the muzzel (bearing) of the barrel loosly in their hand while you shoot. For semiauto (slowfire) operation I suggest the person (helper) slather their hand with a bio-degradable product like Crisco....as Vasiline and other petroleum products will be harder to clean up after the shoot. I would also suggest the person (helper) tie a 24 inch lanyard from his (her) wrist to the tripod pintel as to prevent his (her) hand from slipping forward and getting infront of the barrel.
Now for Full Auto or rapid fire a M60 Barrel changing mitten could be worn to allow more sustained fire...ie longer belts. You might wish to have more persons (helpers) on hand and lined up for sustained shooting.....also just in case someone uses a 25-26 inch lanyard and gets in front of the muzzle.
Make sure all persons (helpers) are wearing flame retardent long sleeve shirts.
Good luck and have fun.
TiredIron

 

[tanbo77]

I wouldn't do it . . . .

I'd be wary of doing this for one primary reason - worries about the additional blowback force and possible early (earlier) unlocking of the action when firing. Remember that one big difference between the 1917 and 1919 series is the weight (mass) of the barrel. The much lighter weight of the 1917 bbl. results in a much greater rearward recoil acceleration (remember F=MA) . . . .part of the way this acceleration is reduced is through the friction of the packing glands on the front and rear of the barrel. If these are not in place, the net recoil force is increased quite a bit. Outside of the increased beating on the rear buffer and frame, I'd think that the bolt will unlock a tiny bit earlier, with possible dire consequences if old ammo / weak brass is used (ie case splitting/seperation) . . . . .

just my $0.02

 

[TiredIron]

You actually thought this was a serious post....???

TiredIron

 

[Armorer]

Are you talking about shooting it without the water jacket or just without the water? They are two different things. I can't see what it would hurt to shoot a few rounds to test the gun without water. It sounds like jou just don't want to get it wet.

 

[Dave D.]

.

My question is, will it hurt anything to put the weapon together and shoot it without the water jacket.

It would be quicker and easier to test fire without the jacket.

Tribrothers

...I and others were just funnin' ya, but DON'T SHOOT IT WITHOUT THE WATER JACKET ! It could kill you, or worse, kill an innocent wescoger. Yes, you can shoot it without water, a few rounds. Make sure you verify the headspace before you pull the trigger because 50,000 pounds per square inch are best contained inside the cartridge case.

 

[tribrothers]

Now you all have done it. I must have my BROTHER MONGO come and visit each of you for hurting my feelings.

I was throwing this out as a what have you question. I would never do something like this without a lot of double checking. I have jacket work inside and out to do, and I thought if one could put extra rear packing to test 10 or 15 rounds without hurting anything, then the project would have come together eaiser.

As far as shooting without water, my Grandad seldom used water in their weapon. In combat he was trained to fire 3 round groups, and their are many fewer folks around because of it . They seldom had a siege on Luzon, and never shot indirect fire. Barrels were free .

Tribrothers

 

[TiredIron]

Buhahahahaa.....sorry Trib, from now on I'll add a disclaimer for the "FNG's"
when were blowing smoke.....lol.
I forget if your Grandad is still with us?....If he is tell him I salute him and appreciate his service for our country. We must never forget that "he" and those making the sacrifice today are the only reason we are the "Free" country we all enjoy. Tell him I spent three years based out of Clark Field in the philippines and other areas in Southeast Asia. If I ever win the Colorado Lotto or Powerball, I'm going to take a trip back to some of those places.
Yeah...wait till you have the water jacket rebuilt before you send some
boolits down the tube. It actually could be done....but its not worth the hassle or risk. If there was actually a reason of having to shoot it next week I could send you another complete assembly that would support everything correctly and hold aguia........
Chain Mongo back up and give him some Mangos and fresh water.
adios
TiredIron

 

[tribrothers]

My Grandad is either in Australia or Fiji at this moment. He did not want to go to Luzon or Tokyo. He remarried about 3 years ago after 62 years the first time. They both have enjoyed traveling, and have been all over. I will tell him, and Mongo has calmed down.

Now for all the brainiacs out there. I am one of three brothers, hence Tribrothers. I also have three sons and three nephews by my middle brother. The oldest never wanted kids. Our name will live on in our town, and there has not been a daughter or grandaughter. I would not mind having a grandaughter, but I am not counting on it.

New question, What is my birth order? Give up?
I am the youngest