Product Description
MG42 7.62 NATO Tray Spacer
- Set includes Stainless Steel Spacer and Mounting Screw (TRAY NOT INCLUDED)
- Removable by a 4-40 flat head mount screw with a 1/16” hex key.
- The same tray can be used for both 8mm and 7.62 NATO just by installing or removing the spacer.
Converting your MG42 or M53 to 7.62 NATO is a valuable option given the waning quality and availability of 8mm Mauser ammo. We developed this spacer setup to mimic the function of the early West German MG1-A1 conversions of WW2 MG42s. All you need is a properly-spaced feed tray, a 7.62 NATO barrel, and enough pressure to cycle the gun (see notes on MG42 Pressure System in pdf below). Over the years we’ve found that 7.62 conversions for original 8mm MG42 & M53 using 8mm “long” top covers tend to be more reliable than conversions using MG1-A3 or MG3 “short” top covers and feed trays.
The West Germans welded a spacer to the front of the MG42 8mm feed tray similar to how the Norwegians converted their MG34s to 7.62 NATO in the same era (1950s and 1960s) to compensate for the shorter 7.62 NATO cartridge. The BRP version of this setup uses a similarly designed spacer with the added benefit of being removable by a 4-40 socket flat head mount screw (1/16” hex key). In the BRP setup, the same tray can be used for both 8mm and 7.62 NATO just by installing or removing the spacer.
Switching between 8mm Mauser and 7.62 NATO only requires swapping the feed tray spacer and barrel. The standard 8mm bolt and top cover do not require any modifications to properly function with 7.62 NATO making switching calibers fast and easy.
Installation
The BRP 7.62 NATO front spacer is installed by one 4-40 flat head screw at the front of an original 8mm feed tray. A drilled and countersunk (82°) hole must be added to the front the feed tray. BRP can make this modification for $100. Alternatively, customers can add this mounting hole by the following process: (instructions in pdf below)
Belt Info: The 7.62 NATO case is slightly larger than the 8mm case, so these belt tend to hold 7.62 NATO ammo too tight.
- German 7.62 NATO belts work for both 8mm and 7.62 NATO
- Pre-1941 German solid / loose-type belts work or both 8mm and 7.62 NATO
- Late-War "low friction" Pattern and Yugo 8mm belts work for 8mm.
MG42 7.62 NATO Conversion Info and Instructions
