DZelenka Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 I have an opportunity to pick up a Charles Erb MP-40 tube gun. I don't know at this time who constructed the actual gun. May be Erb, may not be. I understand that the guns he put together are pretty well done. Can anyone give me a quick lesson on what to look for? I would be especially interested in the telltale signs of a gun that is going to have problems. Is there anything that I can tell from the serial number? Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandman1957 Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 No, Since it is a Charlie Erb gun, it would have been good when it was made. However, what may have happened since it was made is another story. If you can actually look at and test fire the gun that is preferable. It is not a C&R since it does not have the original receiver. The new receiver's serial number will be different than the numbers on the rest of the gun. Charlie has retired, but is still around. He lives up in PA. Normal issues with MP-40s are loose stocks. He may have data on the SN to determine if he made it, or sold registered reciever's to someone else. Hope this helps. Are you getting it from a trustworthy source as there are alot of scammers out there now. I would want to look at the Form 4 as well.Sandman1957 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZelenka Posted July 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 I've seen the Form 4. It is part of a nice private collection. I will have a chance to fire the gun before making a decision. Do you have contact info for Mr. Erb? Thanks Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83Baron Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 I would also check gunbroker. You might get a c&r for the same price or close with as many as have shown up lately. A tube gun is probably not worth more than 11k in this market. Some c&r's are going for about 13k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lone Ranger Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 If you like the gun, the price, and it works, buy it. Things might break later but probably not. Most anything can be fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZelenka Posted July 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I want a C&R, but the deal may be right on this one. If I find a good C&R at a rational price later, I can always pick it up and sell this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandman1957 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Here's some info that may help. Pulled it off of an old FFL Gun Dealer locator. Erb, Charles N Jr65 Willock RdFredericktown, PA 15333Phone: 724-632-6811 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZelenka Posted July 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Here's some info that may help. Pulled it off of an old FFL Gun Dealer locator. Erb, Charles N Jr65 Willock RdFredericktown, PA 15333Phone: 724-632-6811Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoscoeTurner Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I have owned an Erb MP40 and currently own an Erb Sten gun, never had any trouble with either. Current owner of the Erb MP40 has yet to have a problem over the eight years he has had it which is unusual for him since he is hard on guns mainly due to ignorance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lone Ranger Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I want a C&R, but the deal may be right on this one. If I find a good C&R at a rational price later, I can always pick it up and sell this one. Clearly this man does not work for the government. Thought process is far too logical and borderline practical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smkummer Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I have only seen Erb MP40s that were built from Erb. They looked good and shot just like an original. The couple I have seen also had the other parts numbers changed to match Erb's own tubes. I met Charles a couple of years ago at the Louisville gun show and he stated the last MP tube gun he had he sold in the 8K range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertmbowman Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Please take a close look at the ERB tube.Smooth on the inside(?), or I am willing to bet it is ribbed like an original.Feel under the mag well straps, Charles usually welded the original receiver there.Next, FOIA when the gun was first registered, before or after Nov of 1968?I had an ERB many years ago that ERB REACTIVATED, and incorrectly put his name as the manufacturer, not Germany.I corrected the form, now a c&r.Thanks, bob bowman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speeddemon02 Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 Definitely the folding stock portion of the lower. When you do go out to test fire it make sure to try both 115gr to see if those will be cycled properly. I've seen certain mp40s have issues with those loads and others none at all. Only thing I would watch out for in terms of range habits it the initial cocking. All my friends and family whom have been in the military are so use to full charging on M16/AR15s and letting go, even when told not to, still do and have accidental discharges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZelenka Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Thank you for the information. Keep it coming.here is a picture of the gun. I know you cannot see anything. I should have better pictures on Friday when I have the gun in my hands. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZelenka Posted July 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Folding stock is loose in the vertical plane. Problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speeddemon02 Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 There will be some play. The question is how much and how does it effect your aiming. Does it stay in the locked position both folded and unfolded and how well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZelenka Posted July 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Other than the vertical movement in both the locked and folded positions, it stays locked in those positions just fine. Is there anyway to repair this condition? Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZelenka Posted July 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 I decided on the gun. Here are a few pictures. If you look at the two pictures taken from the side you can see how much play is in the stock. Is there anyone who can cure that? Also, I fired the gun with 115 FMJ. It runs great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speeddemon02 Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 I wish I did, but that looks very similar to mine and it's tolerable by me. I prefer the solid feel of a Thompson, but to each their own. Congrats, I'm sure you'll enjoy it, only question is which one will you enjoy more, the .45 or 9mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZelenka Posted July 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 It seems to me that you could remove the stock and put a bit of weld or solder on some surface and reshape it. It is such a common problem, I would think that someone has come up with some solution. Who is the best MP-40 gunsmith in the country? Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZelenka Posted July 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Anyone notice the M.P. 41 Schmeisser patent magazine? I haven't seen one like that before (of course, I haven't seen a lot of MP-40 mags). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kubelspeilen Posted July 22, 2015 Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 Congrats Dan! Beautiful.. Yes I noticed that MP41 straight away. Haenel even includes the patent on the weapon as well... I believe you can lessen the play in the stock by replacing the bushing inside the piviot. My 44 does the same so I'm waiting for the new bushing and ideally it will be in better shape than the original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZelenka Posted July 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 I just picked up a new bushing and button on GB. Sooner or later I will know if that is a cure. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZelenka Posted July 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 What is the best sling to get? A reproduce would be fine if the quality is good. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kubelspeilen Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Excellent... As for slings, I had a couple of post war Austrians for years and lost them during a move.. I'm in the same boat.. I've purchased a couple of different ones and I'll let you know how these do after they arrive. Building two kits right now... I haven't had one for a few years now. I helped a friend build his a few months back and got the bug again! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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