HK 53

[srt1112]

I have been trying to find an vollmer HK 53 conversion. Are there any out there? Who has them for sale? (I am looking for a converted HK 93 to 53 with the vollmer fluted barrel extension.) Looking for Pics also.
Thanks
srt1112

[Woof]

I have a Vollmer MP5 sear gun and I believe it to be one of the most desirable conversions, just because it's from "back-in-the-day", it's mint, and super high quality. It's a beautiful firearm.

However, if I were looking to buy a HK53 conversion, I wouldn't seek a Vollmer gun. The way I understand it, "back-in-the-day" HK53 parts were almost non-existent, so Vollmer basically customer made his. I'm sure it would run like a champ, but the receiver, bolt carrier, etc. might be custom made and not interchangeable with some factory HK53 parts.

I'm basing this theory on one example, a buddy of mine and member of these boards who owns a Pre-Sample HK53 that was converted from a HK33. So I could be wrong, but why search just for a Vollmer?

Chris in St. Louis (who I don't know and have no connection to, although I have heard he is a good guy), has a Flemming conversion that has been for sale on sturmgewehr.com for a long time. Probably because of the $5,250 price tag. Although, if you figure $2200 for the host, $900 for labor and refinishing, $1500 for a parts kit, you're looking at $4600. But the parts kits are going to hard to find, too.

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/webBBS/nfa4sale.cgi?read=93525

I realize it's a SBR, which you are not looking for. I might also be concerned this 53 could be custom since I don't think any Flemming conversion have been produced in a while.

Anyway, just keeping searching the boards and you will see a Title i HK53 eventually!

Good luck!

[LongDuck]

I have a Vollmer HK53, and it's built correctly, i.e., it takes all Factory HK53 parts from a kit, and I have replaced the cocking tube, bolt carrier, etc. About the only differences you might see from a Factory HK53 are that the muzzle uses a cut-down '33 barrel so instead of splines on it to hold the spring-retainer on the '53 4-prong, it has a dimple drilled into the steel which allows for a detent for the spring. Also, on the cocking tube support, the rearmost section is not as sturdy as a double-thick welded section which holds the bolt carrier back when up in the slot.

The net result of this is that you'd be hard pressed to notice any of these non-Factory changes which Vollmer created when he built these guns from '93/'33 receivers. All other aspects of the Vollmer '53 are awesome and I wouldn't sell mine for anything, it really is THAT much fun to shoot! Here's a picture of me with my Vollmer '53 at a local shoot - that muzzle blast really kicks up the dirt (j/k);

http://i18.tinypic.com/6275zys.jpg

If you can find a Vollmer-built HK53, buy it. I don't think you'll be disappointed in the build quality and as long as it's not shoddy work (which you won't see from Vollmer's stamped guns), or sub-standard parts like aftermarket, then I'm sure it'll bring you many years of use and enjoyment,

[StG 77 5,56]

My 1st H&K 53 was a Vollmer conversion and I did the same as Long Duck, replaced the cocking tube assist and carrier to factory parts. The gun was really well made and shot great. I sold it about 10 years ago and have since bought an Urbach conversion. I also built a post sample V-53 which after some work on my part, works perfectly.
Vollmer made a top quality conversion and any of it can be replaced with factory parts if you want them instead of the conversion parts.

[HKAZ]

My HK53 was built by Ralph Smith at RDTS (Arizona). It runs perfect all of the time with Federal XM193. I dumped a Beta inside Scottsdale Gun Club and it didn't over heat. His approach is a little different in that his are built to use a full size HK33 or welded 93 carrier. However, if you want a Vollmer, you might look on autoweapons.com (Pennsylvania). They get a few Vollmer's and they are still getting new conversions by Terry Dyer who actually built a lot of the Vollmer conversions. I have a Dyer built G3-never a problem. I am pretty sure they have Dyer go through any HK they get prior to resale. I bought 3 sears from them last December and it went well. Good luck, the 53 is a real flame throwing crowd pleaser!!!

[SturmgewehrXXX]

My (popular Hk smith) 53 utilized cut up Hk 93 parts. When I tried to replace the recoil assembly with factory parts the factory recoil spring was almost 3/4" longer. The weapon was also begining to develop the infamous receiver dimples probably due to the shorter recoil assembly. I had to sell it at a loss due to the non spec parts and the receiver dimpling. It was an expensive lesson; it was my first attempt at buying a Hk that was a former sear host. Yes I got burned. No pain no gain.

Free advice: I would only buy a Hk93 that was mated up to a demilled Hk53. You can possibly buy one from Gordon Miller, or Jayson Cotter as they have both advertised such a 53 conversion for sale on their websites and on this very board. I have no affiliation with either one or the other but I will admit I have delt with both companies and they are reputable. I have no experience with Vollmer, or RDTS, but have heard good things about both.

Bottom line: "know what you are buying."

www.investmentgradefirearms.com

www.hkspecialist.net

[srt1112]

Thanks for the input.

[boomfab]

If you want a factory correct gun, try TSC or Urbach (good luck).

I had a 53 built at RDTS using a demilled HK53 and a HK93 gun. It is currently at TSC getting rebuilt properly.

[kobra]

I thought there was a member here who made cocking tubes for the 53, MP5SD and MP5k. Does that ring a bell for anyone? I saved a pic of a custom made MP5k tube from the net but could not remember where I got it from.

[StG 77 5,56]

Was it member named jfk? IIRC he had posted some pics of these items.
Try PMing him...
Good luck

[AK43]

I had a R/R HK53-Imroved version done by RDTS that ran great but he did do the build a bit differently and used a modified 33/93 bolt carrier. The cocking knob covered up the front site post.

[srt1112]

Guys,
Thanks for the input. You really posted a great amount of information. I really appreciate this.
Best regards,
srt1112