K43 ac45 dual guide ribs

The last K43 ac45's were of the so-called dual guide rib type. It appears all G/k43's initially had this feature, but the right side rib was machined off during production citing ejection or jamming problems on these rifles. Some say this was a production short cut, but I don't think so. The extra guide rib added stability to the bolt which could improve accuracy. The dual guide rib type became common from the ac45 "b" block but is also seen on earlier ac rifles.

The extractor location changed from 10 o'clock (right) to 11 o'clock position (left). The cut for the ejector is wider too.

The retainer for the firing pin extention is spring-loaded - the retainer is held by the curved depression in the bolt. This will keep the bolt components securely in place if the bolt is removed. Two half moon shaped cut-outs at the rear of the bolt - for excessive recoil gas venting ? to assist in disassembly ? or to lighten the bolt to reduce safety breakage ? This bolt here is cracked at the top rear. Is this common ?

The crosslug was moved forward in order to improve the support to the action.

The stock was changed corresponding.

All this plus slightly thicker barrel contours was an effort to improve the rifle for the German armed forces. The dual guide rib ac45 was the best they could do with what they had in the final months of the war.

Late war Walther guns may also have the omission of a take down button at the bolt carrier. This appears from ac45 "no letter" block and is a production short cut and no improvement because it then was impossible to hold the bolt back without a magazine on the rifle. The omission of the bolt stop is mentioned in the last issue of the "butt stock" manual from Nov. 1944. The top picture shows the first type carrier without bolt latch - the same casting was used as previously. The picture at the bottom shows the last type bolt carrier.

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