Hesse Arms 1919A4 SA IZZY .308

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John Stiles
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Hesse Arms 1919A4 SA IZZY .308

Post by John Stiles » Mon Dec 04, 2017 12:34 pm

Years ago purchased one of the above to fire blanks for reenactments. Gun would never operate properly. Must push cocking handle forward then put ~25 lbs + pull on trigger to fire. Have disassembled and could never find issue. Seems like it could be a battery issue but have never owned a BF gun. Any suggestions or help will be appreciated.
John
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Re: Hesse Arms 1919A4 SA IZZY .308

Post by Starvingboy » Tue Dec 05, 2017 3:44 am

Yea, something isn't right. Typically problems come down to headspace issues. What does the gun do when you dry fire it? Same thing?

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Re: Hesse Arms 1919A4 SA IZZY .308

Post by John Stiles » Tue Dec 05, 2017 8:36 am

Yes. Not a smith. Have done all I can including pull up kit assembly manual online... Suggestions???
John
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Re: Hesse Arms 1919A4 SA IZZY .308

Post by Starvingboy » Tue Dec 05, 2017 8:56 am

Suggestion: Ask again over at 1919a4.com

Suggestion#2: Assemble the gun without the recoil spring and feel for something dragging/rubbing. Dykem or Sharpie Marker works to find if something is dragging on the bolt. Be mindful of the recoil spring/guide rod, it cost one guy his eye and a lot of painful surgery.

Suggeston #3: Headspace it again (I know, I know). Remove the firing pin. Put spent case on the bolt, and slide it onto the barrel/barrel extension. Lock the locking block to the bolt. (Rectangular thing on the bottom that goes "up") Screw the barrel in until it stops, then un-screw the barrel three "clicks".

I don't know what trigger set-up you have. The most common type, which has become the industry standard, has a "K" stamped on it somewhere. If you have some other proprietary set-up, well, things get weird.

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Re: Hesse Arms 1919A4 SA IZZY .308

Post by John Stiles » Tue Dec 05, 2017 9:01 am

Thanks Sb. Back to the bench. Will let you know results.
John
'42 Script GPW 22040 Swan'song Sold 7/3/2020
'43 Bantam T-3 Quarter Ton Sold 7/3/2020
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Re: Hesse Arms 1919A4 SA IZZY .308

Post by John Stiles » Tue Dec 05, 2017 12:36 pm

Reset headspace. When reassembling, found sear might be problem. It was a modified to SA NOS sear. Link-up to trigger was milled off and a plate with a new link-up was riveted to sear. Rivet on sear side was interfering with trigger pull. it was flattened on edge by about 1/2 of diameter and had a big burr on it. One half of link-up broke off. KMP working on replacement. Thanks for the help!
John
'42 Script GPW 22040 Swan'song Sold 7/3/2020
'43 Bantam T-3 Quarter Ton Sold 7/3/2020
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Re: Hesse Arms 1919A4 SA IZZY .308

Post by Starvingboy » Wed Dec 06, 2017 2:18 am

KMP is Good People. They set the standard for M2 and 1919 semi conversion parts. Typically their stuff is marked with a "K" somewhere ;)

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Re: Hesse Arms 1919A4 SA IZZY .308

Post by Bart1015 » Wed Dec 06, 2017 12:19 pm

I have 2 Hesse arms AR15 lowers I bought just prior to the 2000 AW ban in Ca. The shop had them in stock and the deadline for registration was approaching. There was just not enough time left to order from an established brand name. I was unaware of the poor quality of Hesse Arms.

Those lowers were horrible quality and not anywhere close to being within spec. The company told me they would not warrantee any of their products in California because of the hassles involved with the AW ban. I ended up having to re-mill the mag well and install aftermarket complete drop in trigger assemblies (original pin holes were off).

I suspect your Hesse Arms receiver is of the same horrible quality as the AR lowers I have.

I dont know what is involved in swapping out to a new receiver on a 1919, but I would consider it.

Brett
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Re: Hesse Arms 1919A4 SA IZZY .308

Post by Starvingboy » Thu Dec 07, 2017 5:14 am

I too am aware of the Hesse arms reputation. Any company that constantly changes names is suspect.

That said, the 1919 is a very robust and forgiving platform. These are typically built on USGI parts kits, and as long as the box is square, it's good. If Karma made the semi-conversion parts, the gun is probably fine.

That all said, these are still hundred-year-old belt-fed machine guns. There is a lot going on under that topcover, and it can become an adventure to troubleshoot.

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Re: Hesse Arms 1919A4 SA IZZY .308

Post by John Stiles » Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:10 am

Spoke with Tom at Karma. Probably going to send Trigger assy and bolt to him. $$$ but know will work. If parts were his to begin with, would not be having this problem.
John
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Re: Hesse Arms 1919A4 SA IZZY .308

Post by wreckless » Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:20 am

John Stiles wrote:
Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:10 am
Spoke with Tom at Karma. Probably going to send Trigger assy and bolt to him. $$$ but know will work. If parts were his to begin with, would not be having this problem.
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