Gauge thickness of E-11 or MG-34 barrel tube?

[Yorpheus]

I'm considering replacing my resin MG-34 barrel with an aluminum tube. What is the gauge thickness of the steel in a MG-34 barrel?

In the future, I may do this for a scratchbuilt E-11. I'd be interested in knowing the gauge thickness of an E-11 barrel as well.

Thanks!

 

[motman241]

How did you plan on attaching the MG34 parts to the aluminum tube? I'd think going with PVC would be closer to the original size, a lot less weight than metal (or resin), and the gun's pieces will probably attach more easily.

 

[cheech9898]

I'm not at home atm, but I know the outer diameter is 1.5 inch tube and I wanna say the original wall thickness is 0.083. I'm just going from memory, cause I know I just bought 1.5 OD x 0.120 molly tube to get an inner diameter of 1.260 to use with a parts kit w/ 1.25 inch molly rod piece slightly turned down for a solid slug for a 'bolt'.... so the original bolt couldn't be slid into the tube for the BATFE to gripe about.

**edit**
from the sterling parts kit end piece the tube is 1.5 inch outer diameter & the wall thickness measures around 0.060.... so you could go 1.5 - 0.058 or 0.065 wall in molly or 0.065 in 6061T-6 tube to be close visually as far as wall thickness if thats a concern. But if going aluminum you may want to bump up to 0.125 wall just so its a little more bang & dent resistant.

 

[Yorpheus]

Awesome! Thank you very much!

Do you own a British Sterling? or an MG-34?

 

[Darth Lars]

But if going aluminum you may want to bump up to 0.125 wall just so its a little more bang & dent resistant.

I made my Sterling replica out of 6061 (T6) aluminum, 1.5" OD, 0.06" wall thickness (metric 38 mm, 1.5 mm). I find this to be very sturdy, and I would not worry about this being deformed or bent if dropped or banged around. I would be more worried about glued-on pieces breaking off from rough handling.