Fake bake treatment for MP-40

[2nd Bat]

Capt Zak, looks great, a big improvement. I still haven't gotten my MP40!

[stukaace]

My attempt at the fake bake. The slight scratch marks you see is a result of the dull cote drying in a pool, requiring me to sand it off and reapply the black arcylic paint. Heres hoping for spare recievers at some point in the future

[2nd Bat]

My MP 40 and spare magazines arrived today. Incidently the fellow on ASR (Davesstuff) is apprently just an agent for Gunner airsoft as that's who I bought from and the gun arrived with documentation from gunner airsoft $152.00 delivered The magazines were ordered seperately from a fellow on Ebay and they arrived today as well. Just in time for the Long Winter but not enough time to do the fake bake treatment with all the other things I've got to do.

[Guinness]

I discovered something odd that I would like to confirm with my MP40 brothers-

The mag I received with the gun holds 30 rounds-

The mags I got from eBay, the seller I posted here and I'm pretty sure is the same that 2ndBat ordered from, hold 50

Externally they are all identical- and I loaded and emptied them all several times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating, but sure enough the ones I bought off eBay are 50's and the original that came with the gun holds 30.

Is that what you guys found and what does that mean? they have a smaller spring in the 30 round or what? how do they get 20 extra rounds in there, and more importantly, do you think I could make the 30 into a 50?




-G

[mikkel]

I just checked mine. At first the magazine would only take 35bbs, but when i loaded it for the second time, i pushed harder on the loading tool, and then the magazine would take 54, with no feeding problems.
Maybe yours need to break in a bit more?

[davem]

Silly question:

What about the black metal? All of the ones I see photos of appear to just be (metal coloured) stamped steel.

Were they issued in black and the paint wore off? Or should they be metal coloured?

Thanks,
Dave

[indy]

davem said:

Silly question:

What about the black metal? All of the ones I see photos of appear to just be (metal coloured) stamped steel.

Were they issued in black and the paint wore off? Or should they be metal coloured?

Thanks,
Dave

They were issued blued. The "metal color" is due to the bluing being worn down over time. For example, my K98 has some parts that have almost no bluing left, however some other parts are still black. Back them, however, all the parts would have still been black. For a period look you shouldn't wear it down too much, but some scratches and nicks here and there will make it look great.

[davem]

Thanks.. I have a period Gew98, K98 and M1 Garand all of which have the milled steel barrels and receivers gun blue or Parkerized, but I didnt know that they also did that with stamped steel bodies.

So fresh from the factory they were black.... gotcha.

Dave

[indy]

stukaace said:

My attempt at the fake bake. The slight scratch marks you see is a result of the dull cote drying in a pool, requiring me to sand it off and reapply the black arcylic paint. Heres hoping for spare recievers at some point in the future

Looks like you have also done a great job. I can't wait until mine comes so I can also do this fake bakelite stuff. ;D

[2nd Bat]

Guiness,

Like you my MP 40 spare mags say they are 50 rounders but were advertised as 30 rounders. In loading one last night it initially only held around 35 or so. I use the squeeze magazine speed loaders that I find generally load three rounds per plunge) Makes me wonder about the original that came with the gun. Unfortunately I didn't seperate the 5 of them thinking they were all identical. I'll go see if based on loading capcity there is a difference. Obviously would be good to know.

I love the little gun thus far. I will do the fake bake when I get back from Long Winter.

[jimseery]

I only have the one magazine that came with the gun. I have always loaded it with the loading tube that came with my TM M1A1. I took a fine paintbrush and put a ring around the clear tube at 50 (I'm not sure why at the time) and 60 for the M1A1. I just used the loading tube with 50 rounds and pushed them down with the rod and the magazine loaded and shot fine.

[CharleyNovember]

Pictures of my AGM with fake bake treatment. Thanks Schmitty it was easy as pie just as you said. I roughed up the metal on the gun as well here and there but not too much.

[Guinness]

Actually, If we held a beauty contest among the fake-bakers......I'd have to vote for you !! I think yours has turned out the best so far Dan




;D



-G

[indy]

Great work! looks very nice!

[davem]

Very nice job. Ill post photos of mine when its done. Im not going to put it back together until the internal upgrade is done.

I got rid of the selector switch. Ive cleaned out all the petroleum grease and replaced it with a high grade silicone lubricant, swapped out the nylon bushings for metal and upgraded the spring to a M120. Im waiting on a metal piston head and cylinder head.

Now if AGM would just make an MP44, Id be in heaven...

Dave

[CharleyNovember]

I think yours has turned out the best so far Dan

Thanks G' I try.

[jd7]

Davem, can you tell me which bushings u used for the gearbox? I don't like the stock ones, but since this is my first attempt and 'gunsmithing' any advice appreciated

I love all these FAKE BAKES, I need to get mine done lol

[davem]

Deep Fire 6mm Hard Oilless Bushing Set for $10 from Airsplat but I think any 6mm bushing would be fine..

Its actually not a bad mechbox to work with...

Good luck,
Dave

[flectarn]

Where did everyone purchase their mp40s just out of curiosity? Also the mags? Does anyone know if top mp40 magazines are compatible with the agm mp40?

[CharleyNovember]

purchased my AGM MP40 = georgiaairsoft.com(Thier site is down right now)
mags=rsov on ebay
No they are not interchangeable with the TOP

[2nd Bat]

M4Airsoft.com in Washington state has MP40s in stock right now at $119.00 plus US shipping. They are a good retailer. Sam is the guys name. They also inventory a good selction of custom real wood for Thompsons and AKs.

[Doom]

Here is the photo I used for reference on the "Fake Bake". It's a real MP40, obviously well used.

[Tough Ombre]

All these look great! I have one question though, isnt bakelite know to crack? Also if i ever get an mp40 i will most deffinatly do this fake bake
-Cary

[2nd Bat]

Bakelight was an early form of plastic. It was actually quite durable. Everyone should be reminded that the MP40 bakelight was produced in a solid black as well so the replica without the "Bakelight" treatment is quite authentic as well. I think we who did the modification agreed that the contrast from the metal parts dresses the replica up a bit and looks better. It is by no means essential for the sake of absolute authenticity. Weathering the metal a little is also not neccessary but in my mind adds to the look. I swung the sling swivel over to the left side of the barrel once I discovered that it was so easily switched and was likewise done on the real gun. I find it much more comfortable with the sling hanging that way for a right handed shooter.

[Doom]

Everything from radios to dishes were made of bakelite back in the 40's. It was very durable, but much heavier than today's plastics. Old bakelite is prone to cracking just like old plastic. "Fake Bake" is a fun option for the MP40, but weathering the gun is a must IMHO.

[Tough Ombre]

I like the look of the bakelite. Though if i do do it i will go with a darker one, more black, Thanks i just thought i heard somewhere it was prone to cracks, so i was wondering.
-Cary

[Russian]

Bakelite is more prone to cracking under extreme pressures that today's plastics, especialy injection molded plastics, are designed to withstand. This includes extreme warmth and cold, and, of course, microwave ovens.

[click]

LOL! You mean I can't put an MP40 into a microwave for 10 min to heat it up? Dang it! Than I ain't buyin one!

Click

[spitfire740]

Aww, no MachinePastry 40?

[tomp40]

An interesting tidbit about Bakelite.. The Bakelite factory was in my hometown of Piscataway, NJ.. The company merged with Union Carbide in 1939 but some local people still referred to the plant as 'Bakelite'.. There is even a park that still exists called 'Bakelite Park'.. Growing up, I never knew what the hell bakelite was..