Have you ever shot it on paper at distance? It is my understanding that the 53 length 1/12 twist barrel doesn't stabilize even a 55 gr bullet very well. It would seem to me that a 1/7 twist barrel would make for better function and for heavier bullet use. Have you thought of buying a HK 53 fore end? I have bought HK original fore ends for the HK cocking tubes, cocking tube supports, and barrels. Since the 53 is with a HK receiver, I'd think it would be worth while to have a HK barrel and cocking tube.
There is a little things to finish two of the three 53s I'm fortunate to own. One is a SW53 AR receiver and a HK53 parts set. One is a SW53 AR receiver and parts set with Adam's US made cocking tube, HK 53 carrier and RCM 53 barrel. The last is a CA53 AR. I bought 53 fore ends and flash hiders for the 33 parts set and the CA53 AR. I also bought a couple of 53 rear sights from Gatewood to replace the surplus rifle sights. I did go nuts with RCM LPs. I got #15 and #3 LPs for all three guns. I think the little things can really "finish" a build. Keep the pictures coming.
Scott
Scott you are spot on on the barrel. That is one of the main reasons I am having it redone. I have not done a lot of paper testing on this gun. Actually for years I did not shoot it and when Jeff finally got it working I was just glad to be able to shoot it. It is in reality a cut down 1/12 twist barrel and yes that bothers me. So yes a barrel change is in the plans also the cocking tube support was cut up from the 53 and is not a true 53 support. Jeff is going to look at that and see what can be done. I have both number 3 and 15 HK locking pieces I can use in the host. To give you some idea what work we did on this to get it to just function.
Replace locking piece, new extractor, new extractor spring, new recoil rod and spring, new stock. The one that came with it was not buffered. It did not have a buffer on the stock and the bolt carrier is not buffered. I also replaced the forearm with a 53 forearm and replaced the flash hider with a 53 hider. The sights are original 93 sights.
So when we meet for the machine gun shoot at Jeff's place this host is coming with me and I will let Jeff do his magic.
Again thank you for your input as I value reading your posts to get good information.
I have one more 223 host today then we move to the 7.62x39 hosts.
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