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MP18 / MP28 magazines


wwiifirearms
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I have an MP18. I think today I found two MP28 magazines. Thinking I might try swapping an MP28 mag well on my MP18 to use these box magazines instead of the luger drums.

The magazines have different followers and springs. One spring is very long and does not function with either follower.

Can anyone confirm if these are MP28 magazines?

Any ideas on a spring that might work as a replacement?

(Adding pictures)

Thanks,

Ray

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Edited by wwiifirearms
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My MP18 uses luger snail drums. Ive heard people mention MP18 box magazines, but It wasnt clear to me if those were just Mp18 marked guns that were converted to MP28.

 

Anyone have details on n MP18 that used box magazines?

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In my experience there are many MP18s in the registry converted to use the box mags which are legitimate period conversions done after the issue of the MP28s. In my opinion, altering a vintage MP18 to use an MP28 box magwell is not really acceptable as original MP18s need to be preserved and not altered just for the convenience of a more user friendly feed arrangement. You can sell/trade the MP18 and buy an MP28 or add an MP28 to your collection. I have had MP18s and learned to use the snail drums and enjoyed the very unique experience. As with many other types of vintage MGs there are always drawbacks which are part of the design and use that can be cumbersome and frustrating in the modern world but that is the story with old machinery.....FWIW

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I agree I will keep the original MP18 configuration, just thought it might be fun to sometimes switch over and try the MP28 configuration. My MP18 is a rewat with a heavily polished reblue, so not too worried about a scratch or two converting it. I was thinking the conversion would just be swapping the mag well which I had off several times during the rewat process. I am also thinking I will bead blast and slow rust blue at some point to try to get a more dull blue original looking finish
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Well first off you have to get rid of the hideous allen screw :wacko: (I'd assume it's just temporary LOL) Really once it's touched up it will look just fine. Original finishes run not really bead blasted, but not high polish either, so I'd probably trend toward some polish? The bad news about the conversion (and it's not an MP28) though similar, the mags are slightly different than MP28 and the original box mag housings are slightly longer running into the stock......which means either modding the magwell (not sure if that will work I'd have to look more carefully) or cutting back the stock, and I'm 100% sure you're not wanting to do that.

 

I started with the snail gun and like Bob says it's "the experience", but if you're going to make it a shooter, frankly it sucks, but that is where it's collector value as original configuration makes it more valuable to me personally. The box mag gun I have is not a conversion, but was made and numbered specifically IMO. Because these guns were effectively the first SMG's and so old, a lot of the info was pretty secret and has never surfaced and there is even speculation the gun started with a box magazine, moved to snail drums, and then back to box magazines. Lots of mystery with these guns since no legitimate records seem to exist.

Spare housings exist on the loose ( I have at least one here) and there was a good sized box of them for sale at the creek years back, so it is a viable conversion should you choose to do it, and before you butcher any original magazines sten mags are a rather easy fit and preferable to lower capacity originals. HTH

 

The other problem with the drum version is you feel obligated to find the box and fill it. Still working on finding ammo to fill it, but if anyone has 30 16 round boxes of WW1 or close vintage ammo, I'm looking.

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Edited by johnsonlmg41
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Thanks, Ill probably just keep it as-is, maybe trade the mags off to someone at some point. That box looks awesome.

Yes the screw is just a temporary thing till I track down something closer to correct.

-Ray

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FYI that screw was the hardest part of the rewat. They removed the screw and filled the hole with a welder, welding the barrel to the receiver. Ended up with a 3/8 hole in the receiver that had to be filled with a tig welder after making a brass backer, then hand filing, drilling and tapping. I also have a really nice custom boring bar made to cut out the welded in breach bushing.

-Ray

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