SOLD - Rare Semi-auto MG3 - HK/Rheinmetall Constructed

9/18/17 - This is an original, extremely rare German HK/Rheinmetall parts kit constructed MG3 semi automatic light machine gun offered for sale.  This is not an m53 kit modified with MG3 parts bought separately and installed, this is an original German army demilled MG3 kit, supplied in its entirety through an importer.  One would be hard pressed to find a more original MG3 semi automatic rifle than this offering.  Incorporates the original German army shroud, which was crushed during de-milling, but has been restored and utilized for the build.  Custom KGE milled receiver, fabricated from 1045 cold rolled steel, with in-house cut and heat treated new tool steel rails. The barrel is a KGE turned, Green Mountain .308 Blank, match chambered and head-spaced on match gauges; cut to the original length of 22.25 inches, which accepts the original barrel bushing and trunnion.  The barrel uses the original recuperator mechanism, which still functions as designed originally.  The receiver has a tool steel auto blocker installed and will not accept an unmodified original bolt, charging handle, or recuperator. 

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The top cover, feed tray, barrel bushing, flash suppressor, bi-pod, front and rear sight, anti aircraft sight, stock, stock cup, ejection port, stock locking mechanism, grips, pins, tripod mount, grip stick cross pin, and trunnion are all original and un-modified.  The charging handle, recuperator and bolt are original but modified to function in semi automatic configuration. 

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The receiver has very unique, original markings on the rear left, and the original marking panel was cut off of the demilled receiver and installed on the milled receiver.  The original depot markings are also installed in the same manner over the original charging handle plate.  

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The rifle is coated in Alumahyde 2 parkerizing spray, a very durable epoxy.  Please allow one month from 9/4/2017 before using aggressive cleaners, and use them sparingly, if at all, after this period.  Ensure rifle is lubricated with a light weight fire arms grade lubricant for desired function.  Rem-oil is recommended.

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               PARTS MARKING AND PROVENANCE

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The only marked parts on this rifle are the barrel bushing, the trunnion, and the anti aircraft sight, all of which are marked HK.  All of these parts were included in the original parts kit.  The top cover has a small marking on the inside right, that I believe to be Rheinmetall, and other than that the remainder of the parts are unmarked.  We have many of these kits, and from what we have observed, I believe the following to be true.  The receiver and many of the generic parts are of Rheinmetall manufacture, with the more technically complex parts being contracted out to HK.  About 50% of the kits we have display HK marked parts, and those parts are always trunnions, anti aircraft sights and barrel bushings.  Many of the receiver stubs are either unmarked, marked with plant markings that I am unfamiliar with, or are marked Rheinmetall.  All of the drums are HK marked.  Hence it is my belief that all the original rifle parts were constructed by Rheinmetall or other manufacturers, and that HK supplied many of the more complex parts for these guns when they were originally constructed.  Therefore I think it fair to say these kits are Rheinmetall/HK in pedigree.

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The grip stick has been extensively modified for semi automatic function.  An original grip stick cannot be mounted to the receiver.  The grip stick incorporates a Tapco G2 ak-47 fire control group, with semi automatic sear.  The grip stick is mounted in a solid box in the front, and takes the original stock pin and tripod mount in the rear.  The grip stick is a tight fit, is difficult to remove, and should be left installed unless service is required.  The grip stick incorporates the original safety, modified to work with the semi auto fire group.  DO NOT charge the weapon with the safety on, charge the weapon and then put the safety in the on position.  NEVER USE THE SAFETY TO REPLACE COMMON  SENSE FIREARMS RULES. ENGAGE ONLY WITH THE WEAPON POINTED DOWNRANGE, NEVER POINT THE WEAPON AT ANYTHING YOU DO NOT INTEND TO SHOOT, WHETHER THE SAFETY IS ON OR OFF.  Ensure the safety is fully engaged in the S position visible for safe, and the F position to fire.

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The bolt is an original MG3 bolt body with a bolt tail installed, modified heavily, with a KGE manufactured springed firing pin, and ejector plunger.  It uses an original yugo m53 bolt head, with minor modifications, and an m53 ejector bar.  The bolt head detaches from the bolt body in the original manner.  The firing pin feeds back through the ejector plunger and is hammer struck.  The recoil spring is a BRP semi automatic recoil spring, and it is not compatible with the original spring design. 

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The ejector port door functions the same as the original design, but mounts differently into the grip stick box, and should not be removed.  The trunnion is original HK, and the feed tray, top cover, and HK drum mount in the original fashion, and are un-modifed.  The stock installs and removes as per the original design. 

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The barrel change door is original, and functions as designed originally.  Some degree of force may be required to open the door, and even more to close it over the barrel.  Please ensure that the door is fully closed and in the latched position before firing.  It is not advisable that the barrel is removed unless the operator is familiar with how to change the barrel.  Only use KGE barrels.  Contact KGE to purchase additional barrels.

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Included with this rifle are two 50 round original BW steel non-disintegrating belts, one belt drum made by HK in the original packaging, and one loading link.  The belts included were test fired with this gun and functioned as designed.  Also included is an original BW barrel carrier, the original demilled rails, and a BW original ammo can. 

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This rifle has been hand built, and extensively test fired.  Several hundred rounds have been fired to ensure proper function.  Final test fire was conducted the day before shipping, and the rifle fired 50 rounds without a malfunction.  With that being said, this rifle is warrantied for life, and this is transferable between owners.  This semi automatic design is original to KGE, and we will repair any of our parts free of charge if they fail to perform.  Please send the rifle back to KGE via Legacy Collectibles or directly for service or repairs.  It is unlikely that many gunsmiths will be familiar enough with the basic operating system, much less the semi automatic modified system, to provide satisfactory service and repair work.  This unfamiliarity with the system may result in non factory repairs that will exacerbate the existing issue, or create entirely new and unnecessary problems.  Please understand that we do our absolute best to ensure this rifle will function as designed, but it is a system that was destroyed thoroughly by the original demilling process, and then hand built and custom fitted into new manufactured parts; this is a very complex restoration, and it is possible that there are issues that may have been missed during the extensive quality testing process.  Please give us the chance to make any issues right, we are a very small shop, totally dedicated to our customers; you will find us very easy to work with and reasonable.  Additionally if the problems are limited to occasional failures to feed, eject, or fully chamber, please allow a break in period of 200 hundred rounds for the belts to break in, and for all the various internal systems to being to operate in full harmony.