Thinking of buying a Reising

[bips357m]

I've been thinking of buying a Reising. I looked at one recently that appeared to be in good shape. My question is this: I was advised to disassemble the gun to see if the #s matched as the gun is more or less hand made(so I was told) and the parts are not readily interchangeable. Is this an issue? The dealer who had the gun on consignment did not know how to take apart the gun and when he called the owner he said he did not know of any #s other than what are on the receiver. I would appreciate any help I can get on this. And if there is anything else to look out for when purchasing a Raising. Thanks

 

[stenmon]

Ask to test fire it. I would say a couple of 30 round mag dumps should let you know if it runs ok.
Also is it blued or parked ? You have a better chance of having all the original parts on a blued gun rather than a later parked one.

 

[texasvwnut]

You have a better chance of having all the original parts on a blued gun rather than a later parked one.

I don't know if I really agree with that statement, because some of the parked guns were new never sold. I guess it does not matter as long as it runs good like stenmon said.

I've never seen any numbers on these rifles other than the serial number so I don't think you can tell what's original vs. what has been replaced. I think you'll have to get the history from the owner and with the 'test drive' you should get a good/bad feeling from the transaction. Remember to buy the gun, not the story.

 

[bips357m]

Reising issues

thanks-from exploring this site there seems to be lot of problems with part breaking on these. Are they worth getting involved with if I'm not real mechanically inclined?

 

[gunguy45]

thanks-from exploring this site there seems to be lot of problems with part breaking on these. Are they worth getting involved with if I'm not real mechanically inclined?

They're great guns.
If you're not "really mechanically inclined", they MAY not be for you.
The guns are over 60 years old, things do break.
Remember, Machine gun= MACHINE.
Swapping out a firing pin, or action bar is no harder than stripping the weapon to clean it.
There are people who've had no problems.
That's the problem with the forums, you generally only hear the bad stuff.

I would suggest getting Frank's book;

http://home.comcast.net/~iannamico/mgbsite//recov.jpg

http://www.machinegunboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=89

A major purchase should be researched properly.
Find out as much as you can,
Good luck,
Pete A.

 

[stenmon]

I love my Reising and would buy one again. I have had no issues with mine. IMO the Reising is a great value. From what I have read on earlier threads, the issues that some have experiencied with their Reisings are easily remedied. Just test fire it and if it runs and you want it, buy it.

 

[texasvwnut]

I'm going to agree with both gunguy45 and stenmon. They are great values and swapping parts is simple. Go test drive the one you looked at to see if you like it. Do spend some time researching your purchase before you jump in feet first. I'd too buy one again.

 

[phorvick]

I am about as mechanically disinclined as they come...and I have no problems changing parts...very simple (with the manual). For the $$, they are a wonderful entry into the full auto world. Highly recommended.

 

[az paul]

Test drive it and if it runs good, buy it!! They're great guns and fairly easy to hold on target.

 

[willbdavis]

I have had my Reising since late November 2010 and have put approximately 1000 rounds down the tube. Runs like a champ and is a lot of fun to shoot. I did break a firing pin, which apparently is not uncommon with Reisings, but I had an extra, so no big deal.

As for being difficult to dissassemble/fix, nothing could be further from the truth. Basic field stripping for cleaning is a breeze.

Mine is a blued "commercial Reising" with the compensator. I'd recomend getting a spare parts kit. They're still very easy to find.
If you're looking for an inexpensive way to get into full auto I think the Reising is a good way to go.

 

[MGMike]

A Reising is not a good choice for a first-time buyer or the mechanically disadvantaged. Save your money and buy a better gun. Buying a Reising is like stepping on dogsh*t with both feet at the same time.

The Marine Corps should have frog-marched Eugene Reising into the factory courtyard at H&R and executed him with a 250-round belt in a water-cooled Browning, and then burned the factory to the ground.

M

 

[bips357m]

Damn MGMike-are you speaking from your own experience?

 

[MGMike]

After more than 40 years of owning, shooting and working on several dozen different models of submachine guns including a Reising, I think I have enough practical experience to express a well-founded opinion that almost any other submachine gun that I am familiar with is superior to a Reising.

It's a poor design, badly executed. It may be simple to field strip but it's not easy to repair, and it won't stay repaired for very long. It's full of crudely made parts that bend, break or crack with distressing regularity. Its magazine is about the worst ever conceived for a submachine gun.

Its main virtue is that it's cheap to buy. But there is a reason for that.

M

 

[bips357m]

MGMike-thanks-I think you made up my mind for me.

 

[texasvwnut]

bips357m -

The ratio of good purchase vs. bad purchase seems pretty unevenly balanced in this thread so if you want to make a decision based on one poster to each his own.

 

[willbdavis]

I agree. Shoot one and make up your own mind. Also, read the history of the Reising M50, and the reasons why it was inappropriate for the Marines in combat, before decising whether or not it makes a good MG for a shooting range.

 

[phorvick]

I agree. Shoot one and make up your own mind. Also, read the history of the Reising M50, and the reasons why it was inappropriate for the Marines in combat, before decising whether or not it makes a good MG for a shooting range.

Agreed... lousy tool for troops in battle; but very nice for shooting range.

 

[bips357m]

Thanks for all the input, still kicking this around. My decision was basically whether to buy a Reising if I found one at a good price or just get a .45 upper for my RR M16.

 

[smkummer]

What will you do with the gun?

If you ever shoot subgun matches, its a little too fast firing for that (although I shoot one in matches)and for the same money a tube sten would be better. But for wild a*s fun, its a hoot. It does a 3 round burst faster than a M16. The 20 round magazine is being reproduced by Numrich and of course Ken Christie's 30 round is great. I believe Ken also makes a great firing pin. Wolf gun springs makes a new spring kit for $25. It is maybe the most accurate 45 subgun in semi auto. Mine gets fed cast lead bullets and I don't think in my lifetime I will wear out the barrel. It has more moving parts (bolt, hammer and action bar) than an open bolt subgun (usually just the bolt). So keep all moving parts clean and oiled. If you get the chance to fire one, do it and decide.

 

[MuzzleFlash]

Don't count me as a Reising hater.

I've had mine for almost 7 years and have put approx 15K rounds through it. Rarely jams and I've not broken a firing pin or even lost a compensator rib. First thing I did when I got it was replace all the springs with a Wolff Reising kit.

Then again, I've owned a notorious Jeep Grand Cherokee I bought new in 1999 after the model change and have 185K miles on it with no significant problems. And yes, it goes off-road ALOT.

I take good care of both. I'd like to think I'm just lucky, but my Hornady LnL-AP press is a constant reminder of the law of averages. :bang

Try some mags through it and if it works, go for it. Life is short . Guns and ammo will only get more expensive.