Heng Long 5.3 StuG IIIG Barrel and Mantlet Removal

[OKC_Jim]

Been doing a little work on my StuG and was trying to remove the whole 'gun assembly' (airsoft if that matters?). I removed all the screws I could find, even the two smaller ones that look like they would attach the mantlet. The mantlet still won't come off. Before I apply too much force to something, am I missing something?

How do I remove the mantlet?

Once the mantlet is removed, how do I remove the barrel from the assembly?

Thanks,

Jim

[Jofaur86]

good evening, if it's airsoft? there must be a small screw that holds the barrel, on the mechanism, with some photos would be easier to see?

[Jofaur86]

airsoft recoil constitution HL (principle)

[OKC_Jim]

Ok, so to remove the barrel I have to take the mechanism apart? Thank you.

But, I can't get the mechanism out of the hull due to not being able to remove the mantlet. I removed all the screws I could see including the 2 small screws that seem to attach the mantlet to the assembly but that didn't seem to help. The whole assembly was loose. I just couldn't get it through the hole in the hull due to the mantlet.

[john1970]

Jofaur86 thats the IR version the barrel screws into the sliding part it does on mine anyway. On the BB version there should be 2 screws holding the BB unit to the mantle. BB barrels are a tight fit so try twisting the barrel slightly from side to side to see if it loosens.

[OKC_Jim]

. BB barrels are a tight fit so try twisting the barrel slightly from side to side to see if it loosens.

So, to be sure I am understanding, once I have the two small screws out of the mantlet, try twisting the mantlet?

[john1970]

no the barrel twist the mantle you might break it. gently twist and pull the barrel
if the mantle twists as well stop

[Jofaur86]

maybe I confused? Personally I would say to the view of the attached photo? that there are these two small doughs to take off, (cutter blade below, or removing) had this experience on a PZ III
red circles

[OKC_Jim]

maybe I confused? Personally I would say to the view of the attached photo?

Yeah.....

Mine looks different inside. Roughly where your circles are, mine has two brackets. Each bracket is held in place with 2 screws. Roughly where the circuit board is in your picture mine has a circuit board mounted to a removable piece of plastic. It is held in place with 2 screws also. If I remove all of these screws the whole assembly is loose. BUT the mantlet is too big to fit through the hole in the hull. The mantlet has two small screws holding it to the assembly, but even with those screws removed the mantlet is still tight and will not move.

I'll try to get some pictures later. Have a T90 on the bench right now.

[OKC_Jim]

Been doing some research and wrenching. So just in case anybody else stumbles into this thread with the same questions I had,

On the 5.3 StuGs with airsoft I don't believe recoil was an option. Or, if it was an option, it wasn't something they all had (it was an option lol).

And to take it apart.

1. Remove the top of the hull from the bottom.
2. Disconnect all of the wires from the top to the bottom.
3. Remove all of the silver screws holding the airsoft and elevation assemblies in place.
4. Remove the 2 screws that attach the mantlet to the airsoft assembly.
5. Pull the barrel straight out of the airsoft assembly, It is a friction fit and it might be tight. DO NOT twist it.
6. Unscrew the muzzle break.
7. Slide the mantlet off of the front end of the barrel.

Note that when you reassemble it the barrel has a notch on the bottom that is for alignment of the mantlet. To get everything back into place that notch has to be on the bottom. Then everything will push back together and the two screw holes in the mantlet will line up with the two screw holes in the airsoft assembly. Effectively the barrel is held in place by being trapped between the mantlet and the airsoft assembly.

????Hope this helps anybody else with the questions I had.