M48TANKER

This appears to be a Miltech restoration at a fair price. https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/761459106

Here are some diagrams which I've gathered from this forum at different times. The measurements are very close but as you'll see they differ from one diagram to another. Whether that's due to interpretation of 1.40 as 1&3/8ths inches.....I don't know. This first diagram was originally for a LMG or "Carbine" barrel, so overall length won't be correct for rifle length barrel. The measurements from the breech end to the Barrel guide bushing, and from the muzzle back toward the bayonet lug should work. On the bayonet lug the cross pins will of course be on the bottom. The next view is only of the front: Yet another piece of info from Mr. Joe Scott: Johnson barrel step cut info.eml I've done several barrels myself and found that it's best to use a micrometer to check the I.D. of the bayonet lug, and the I.D. of the front sight which you are going to use, when determining the diameter of the barrel at each step. Some sights and bayonet lugs might differ and could cause a loose fit or too tight. Fit your particular bayonet lug and sight to your barrel.

I really didn't think this barrel would bring this much. With Johnsons you never can tell. If any of you were bidding and lost out....don't despair. I happen to have a very nice Chilean 7x57 barrel which I can sell to you. Just contact me. $1300.00 plus shipping.

I got your private message and have responded.

dagarbuz, I still have the barrel with the shark fin front sight. Thanks for your inquiry, M48TANKER

I still have a nice 1941 Johnson barrel for sale. The price is firm at $700.00 plus shipping. There are pictures of the barrel in the "Gallery" section under my handle: "M48TANKER" The bottom barrel in the picture is the one for sale. It has the "shark fin" front sight like the LMG. I bought both barrels from the same fellow a few years ago. I parkerized them and then sold the upper barrel in the picture. Again.....the upper barrel in the picture...(the JSAR barrel) has been sold to another board member. The barrel I'm advertising for sale is the bottom barrel in the picture. Also, I do have an extra original JSAR front sight and bayonet lug with which I can replace the "shark fin" sight.... if you prefer. You can "have it your way" with either sight option. Of course I'd prefer to sell the bottom LMG/para carbine barrel as it is...... intact with the shark fin sight so I don't have to re-parkerize it. After the bottom LMG barrel sells, I will sell the JSAR front sight and bayonet lug separately, or buy it all and decide later? The barrel is in excellent shape with sharp lands and grooves and a good chamber.

metrotps, Yes, I really like McMaster-Carr too. I've used them for many pounds of rivets for M2HBs, 1919A4's and AKs. Lots of end mills too. Put me in a hardware store and I'll stay for hours. So many toys...so little money!

Many times we get questions about extraction and ejection problems. A lot of problems can be cured by cleaning and/or honing the chamber. If done properly this is not going to hurt your chamber and will keep it serviceable for many years to come. Mr. Joe Scott has advocated chamber cleaning and honing time after time in response to these problems. I've used different combinations of brass brushes, worn emery cloth, and even resorted to a newly purchased finish reamer for one project. In response to one of Joe Scott's posts about the tools being available at online supply houses, I found a place which sells all sorts of "Flex-Hones" .....even some especially made for firearms. So, here is one place to order your chamber hones: https://www.brushresearch.com/ Not only do they sell hones for firearms but they offer videos of how to use them, and have hones for every other purpose on earth. I just placed an order for two hones: a 400 grit hone and an 800 grit hone. They aren't particularly cheap but I suspect they will last me many years. This is what the order looked like:

I believe that I have a few hundred linked rounds of 30.06 blanks. I'll pull a few out of the belt 'to see if they will cycle the action. I'll let you know the results. The only caveat I can think of is you should probably use some type of muzzle deflector in case the blank expels a shard of brass? I believe my blanks are simply crimped on the end of the brass casing.

Joe, thanks for the information. I went to Wholesale Tools of Tulsa's web page and found the hones you spoke of. They are much cheaper than the ones sold by "Brush Research" .com. Next time I'll order from WTT and compare the products. Here is the list on WTT's web site showing the 12mm hones: http://www.wttool.com/index/page/category/category_id/13541/#product_listing=%3Fcurrent_page%3D2%26results_per_page%3D20%26order_by%3D%26search_params%3D

Wishing you all a very Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year. Don't forget the reason for the season!

Jeff, Your photos are excellent! Thanks for sharing. The only problem with collecting 1941 Johnsons is that they don't have many accessories to hunt for. I've got several bayonets if you ever need one. If you don't already have the books and manual to go with the Johnson, then you'll find those useful. Here is the url of our "brother site" with lots more information: http://www.johnsonautomatics.com/ The file below came from that website:

Hello Jeff, It's good to have you here. I'm an old Vietnam Veteran and I too have loved military collectibles all my life. My son David recently retired from the Marines as a CWO4 after 22 years. Helicopters most of the time and finally Ospreys. You'll find a wealth of information on this forum and a lot of very helpful people. We love pictures of 1941 Johnsons too. If you could post a few pictures of your latest acquisition, we will all appreciate it. I couldn't wait.....hehehe.....typed in a search for 1941 Johnson #3188 and here are the results: https://chesterfieldarmament.com/products/1941-johnson

A question for Joe Scott. If the new barrel weighs a bit more than the old Johnson barrel, will this affect the function of the rifle. Specifically, as in using a 1903 barrel to replace the Johnson barrel?

Here is more info on the torch cut demills vs. a "De-Activated War Trophy".......The De-activated War Trophy would have needed to be registered with the NFA before 1986. If you had paperwork showing the firearm is indeed a registered "De-Wat" then there is a procedure to re-activate it. I think that would require the filing of a Form 1 with the BATFE and getting approval to "Re-activate the War Trophy" before you start construction. De-mills on the other hand are considered to have been "destroyed" by the torch cutting or saw-cutting process, so as to render them simply pieces of junk metal, not capable of being readily or easily reconstructed. I hope this helps. Your best bet is to construct a semi automatic firearm which needs no approval.

You might check with Mr. Brian Alpert on the availability of a parts kit. Since May of 1986, it is no longer legal for an individual to build their own machine gun. You must buy an existing one that is transferable on a "Form 4" A "Pre May" or "Post May" dealer sample is NOT illegal if in the possession of the correctly licensed dealer. Only an 07 FFL can legally build a Post May Dealer Sample from a kit. That Post May Dealer Sample can only be transferred to another 07 or 03 FFL holder to be used as a demo unit. It can never be sold or transferred to an individual on a form 4. Even when used as a demo unit, some transactions require a "Request Letter for a demonstration" on the law enforcement departments letterhead. There are strict rules on what can be done with a Post May Dealer Sample. Even the 07 FFL in possession of the firearm can't keep it in the event that he/she gives up their 07 FFL license. The weapon must be sold or transferred to another qualified dealer, surrendered or destroyed. (it might be possible for it to go to the military or other government entity? but better check on that) The only way for an unlicensed individual to own a "Machine Gun" is to buy an existing one already on a form 4. (or inherit one) If you already have a legal SBR and Suppressor, then you are familiar with most of the paperwork, fingerprints, photo, $200.00 for a tax stamp on machine guns, background check, and once you had to get approval from the head LEO in your locality. It's been a few years since I've dealt with having an 07 license and laws do change....so fact check all this info. If anyone can correct any of the above information please do so.

Are there any import restrictions regarding bringing in rifle parts from Canada? I know another company named "Marstar" did ship parts to the USA at one time but I'm not sure if they do anymore? Thanks to anyone who can enlighten us about this.

I've been working on getting set up to produce a few barrels for myself and another board member. We've invested in a couple of NIW 03 barrels, several locking collars, center bushings, bayonet lugs and front sights. I've re-fitted sporter barrels with military bayonet lugs and front sights but this will be the first time for me to install the locking collar and center guide bushing. So far I've removed the front sight from the new 03 barrel so it will fit in my Southbend lathe. I set it up and reduced the diameter of the threaded portion of the 03 barrel and re-threaded with 16tpi threads to match the Johnson locking lug. Now the locking lug will screw on the barrel and snug up against the shoulder area. Next I suppose i need to get some 30;06 headspace guages in order to check that the cartridge will chamber with the correct headspace and modify accordingly. It's probably going to take some chamber reamers to fine tune the chamber. Also have to get the correct depth on the extractor cut? Now, I'm thinking about things which I haven't considered yet. Is the concave opening of the mouth of the 03 chamber suitable to accept the Johnson bolt head and bolt face? Hmmmm.....maybe I should have thought of that earlier? I suppose worst case scenario would be that I'd have to reconfigure the chamber first and then fit the locking collar to that spacing? I think I need some help from the masters. (Joe Scott, are you out there?) (anyone else who can offer some insight?)

This is a bit off topic, but deserves to be announced in a forum where the most people will see it. So I picked the newest comment of the day. Mr. Brian Alpert and I recently had the pleasure of making a transaction. It would be an understatement to say that things went smoothly. Our communications were clear, rapid, and to the point. I managed to get the funds to him quickly and he shipped even quicker. The item was exactly as described and I'm well pleased. If you notice an item which Brian offers to sell, please don't hesitate to enter into what will become the most pleasant transaction of your life. Thanks Again Brian

I don't know how rare the Chilean sheath might be....but I don't have one. Do you want to trade yours for a very nice "regular" Johnson sheath? "michaeleroper@comcast.net"

ArtR, Your story reminded me of my first year of college. The local TV station, WPSD TV Channel 6 of Paducah, Kentucky was a great place to work. The station management would arrange your work schedule to fit into and around your college classes. What an excellent idea. So in the fall of 1966, I was hired as a "Camera man, and lighting technician." One cold winter day the television station received a phone call from a seemingly irate viewer. The man asked to speak with the "Weather forecaster" from the last evening's news cast. The meteorologist wasn't in at the moment so I asked If I could take a message for "Dan The Weatherman." The gentleman caller requested that I inform "Dan The Weatherman" that he,(the caller) had just shoveled 8 inches of "partly cloudy" off of his sidewalk!

I would also love to own a Johnson bayonet with a Chilean sheath....or at least the Chilean sheath! I seem to have accumulated more than my share of 1941 Johnson bayonets and should probably sell some of them. Especially since prices seem to be high. However as much as I could use the extra money, I really LOVE to trade. If anyone out there has something of similar value,($375.00 to $800.00 hehehe), send me an offer to trade. Pistols, rifles, whatever? Just no cats......I have a plethora of cats. I might accept a "Horned Toad" as a partial trade. A Randall model 14 knife or similar would be nice too. Let me know what you have.

Terry, Please stand by. I'm sure that your request will be granted since there is no prefix before the serial number.

Bob, Will Randy Murray be sending the stock out for someone else to bore and install the mainspring tube? I've heard that there is someone making new mainspring tubes and was wondering how to get in touch with him.

I'm not sure but an auction on Gunbroker may set a new record price for a Johnson bayonet. It's 8:25 PM CDT and the current price is $815.00 with 12 minutes to go.........................http://www.gunbroker.com/item/648559613 Edited to announce end of auction: SOLD: $815.00 plus $10.00 shipping= $825.00 Congratulations to: "Cleveland Plumber"