Replacing MP-40 Barrel Rest

[TSMGguy]

Original phenolic MP-40 barrel resting bars are often broken or missing altogether. A reproduction replacement bar can easily be fitted without disturbing the original retaining pin. Cut a small "V" shaped cut in the front of the replacement bar as illustrated in the photo below. Use a micro saw, and do the final fitting with an emory board, working slowly and carefully.

The trick is to remove only enough material to allow the new bar to be snapped into place with finger pressure only.

The installation looks just right and will not shoot lose. The bar can be easily removed by prying with a thin bladed screwdriver inserted at the front of the bar perendicular to the barrel axis.

This techanique cannot be used with aluminum or steel bars.

Good looking reproduction resting bars can be obtained from Historyarms.com as linked below. If you shoot a lot an original bar is recommended because the Historyarms items will warp with too much heat.

http://www.historyarms.com/rbar.html

 

Edited February 12, 2024 by TSMGguy

[smkummer]

While this looks like it would work well, when I built up my spare barrel assembly for my shooter barrel, the original retaining pin drove out easily and was easily peened when replaced.

[TSMGguy]

My original pin wasn't coming out without a fight, which is why I came up with the above.