Anvil 057: MP 18 After Action Report

The MP18, I back from the range trip, for complete conservation, oiling, and reassembly.
Remember, what we show here is what you need to go learn, not a tutorial. If you do not posses the skills to perform at this level, do NOT attempt.
Support us on Patreon: / anvil
Music: The 9mm Paras, feat. range day 2018 percussion ensemble

[@oftenwrong.]

A real man is a humble man!!!! Egos just get in the way

[@john-paulsilke893]

The more you are wrong, the more you learn. At least as long as you admit to being wrong. Also, a very skilled tradesman knows how to fix his screw-ups. And doctors are tradesmen, don’t let their white jackets fool you. I have many doctors for clients and they absolutely respect expert or even competent tradesmen. (I’m the latter not the former, since I do almost everything and I’m not particularly specialized). The rule is simple: see one; do one; teach one. That a doctor’s motto and is also a tradesmen motto. (BTW doctors are FAR more educated and they have to be much better then your plumber for obvious reasons, don’t think for one minute I’m disparaging doctors.)

[@oftenwrong.]

Doctors? I just don’t see the point of a ego. You can’t learn what you think you already know

[@kevinauld4367]

A man went to the Dr. an sed it herts when I do this . The Dr. reaplied don't do that . My mom's husband told me that . He was a sergen .Do. Richard Turner . R . I . P

[@kevinauld4367]

👍👍👍😁

[@miketeeveedub5779]

Mark is the master of gun conservation, maintenance, and mechanical investigative reconstruction. Mark's next video: "Watch as I restore and rebuild this Antikythera mechanism."

[@marknovak8255]

We put the FUN in dysFUNctional.......

[@austinm.9832]

I wanna see him repair the cannons in the monitor turret.

[@mcloviinz]

I just want to say, I think I stumbled across this channel in my recommended because I watch WAY too much forgotten weapons so thanks Ian :D I know nothing about gunsmithing or much about guns at all frankly but this channel is an absolute treasure. Seeing real history in someone's hands as they not only take it apart and restore it but actually explain their process and the way you approach your craft. Thanks so much for the content this stuff is invaluable.

[@john-paulsilke893]

This is the stuff that Ian watches. 😊

[@adamsowers8957]

Novak's channel is the best.

[@leroyjenkins4811]

When gun enthusiasts want ASMR, we watch Mark From Anvil Gunsmithing!

[@derekdelamar]

I've used this same method to build engines that came as parts in buckets. Watching you work somehow soothes my mind.

[@solidsnake4167]

His videos have been my recent therapy. Very soothing and amazing to see his work

[@Sim.Crawford]

Its cool you gave your apprentice a nod, that was class.

[@tomislavkefecek4443]

The clear explanations Mr Novak gives that frames his rationale for each project he shares with this You Tube audience has taught me a lot about the subtleties and nuances between the various aspects of armoury work. What will be used, campaigned, displayed, restored or modified. It is knowledge that I think transfers to any workshop where functional quality is the destination. What i love about this channel most is that it isn't a competition, or race against the clock, or budget; it is authentic and relatable to what matters most, 'getting it done'. Thank You

[@22cheapster]

i could, no joke, watch these videos all day

[@richardploeser4267]

Thank You for the "Gizmo" comic relief. This ability that you display is just exactly the thing we "old technical instructors" employ on a regular basis.

[@o2wow]

This story of resurrection never get old.

[@Woodie-xq1ew]

That grease trick is also great for holding ball and needle bearings in place while you assemble them and is good for pushing bearings out of blind holes

[@richardslaubaugh2368]

Another quality common sense episode!! This man knows what he is doing and I wish him well in all he does. Thank you for taking the time to teach us all

[@tindoortailgator]

Mark, Thanks for the History Lesson - Nice MP 18 . Every Part Has a Function and Has To Be An Exact Fit.

[@reiisthebestgirl]

I could watch this guy all day.

[@gatmanaug]

i have

[@striker8paints]

I want to thank you for restoring and documenting this process for posterity! Having had the privilege of handling and getting to run many different relics like this I'm grateful there are people keeping the knowledge and appreciation of these historic guns alive for the future

[@michaelrobbins6694]

Hope we are to be inundated with Anvil Videographic content!

[@slowhand1198]

What a joy to hang out in the shop, and learn cool stuff. Thanks!

[@dbmail545]

This is by far my favorite of Mark's videos to date. This is what I go through every time I send a sub-assembly off for repair.

[@bluesman97]

Your knowledge and insight should be on Prime Time TV. Can't thank you enough.

[@0neDoomedSpaceMarine]

Great pleasure to see you work on and mend this poor old gun, like watching a vet fix a problem some dog is having.

[@BrassCatcher]

No, thank you Mr. Novak. It is truly a pleasure.

[@williamsullivan9401]

Regarding screws sticking into a receiver tube- I once bought an old Stevens Model 87 semi-auto .22. The bolt kept dragging, so it wouldn't feed. There were two plug screws on the left side, for a scope mount. This was before grooved receivers. Somebody had screwed them in tight, and they stuck into the tube far enough to drag on the bolt. It was hard to diagnose because of all of the spring loaded parts involved- cartridge guide, lifter, extractors, etc. I finally found it by stripping all parts from the receiver.

[@jeffhoward9186]

Awesome job Mark... not bad for a bubblehead. Fair winds and following seas my brother.

[@davewilliams6172]

Sweet! Yet another great build and good to see a piece of history come to life again.

[@TheGearhead222]

Great video! I learned more about gunsmithing from poorly made and/or maintained firearms than I did from relatively new firearms-John in Texas

[@brucemccreary38]

It always helps to have at least two extras of any odd firearm in order to compare one to the other , when the need arises to manufacture parts.

[@WhitzWolf92]

It would always help, but I would be a bit surprised if anyone has had even two (let alone three) MP-18s at the same time in the last 90 years - especially in the US.

[@richardturk7162]

Always learn something new each episode.

[@DARIVSARCHITECTVS]

The MP-18 shares a surprising amount of features to my MP-40, especially the German practice of using trap screws and needle screws to lock things in place. Mausers use similar fastenings. The bolts are identical in design in most respects. If only the Germans used double stack / double feed magazines, then the reliability would ben even better. That's one feature they should have copied from the Thompson SMG. Thanks for sharing us the insides and workings of the MP-18, Mark!

[@ma61king]

I like how these videos have no dead air, forced humour or unnecessary rambling. Just useful, interesting explanations accompanied with careful assembly from start to finish.

[@ScottKenny1978]

Dang, wish I would have seen that "chasing punch" trick before I reassembled the bolt in my PSL. That spring-loaded extractor is a PITA to reassemble otherwise!

[@EssentialXL]

Always a pleasure watching you work, and get to learn new stuff from you, you're my encyclopedia of firearms.

[@ronsorrentino6207]

Once again, the master has schooled his viewers. Thank you again for the lesson!

[@mathewweathers2788]

...it's got the twisty little groovy things in it. Love the humility and humor of this dude.

[@michaelpascual2731]

I love the way the MP18 sounds a beautiful piece of equipment, nice job bringing it back to life, really like watching a pro work, stay safe, peace.

[@floydblack5282]

It’s always a pleasure to watch you work!

[@vaughtinternational3629]

For screws/bolts I poke them into cardboard and label or diagram them as best as possible. It makes reassembly a breeze and takes a lot of the guesswork out of the equation.

[@jeffreyroot6300]

Now that is a great idea!

[@paulmears5330]

Awesome piece of history brought back to life; excellent job, sir! Bubblehead machinists rock!

[@Verthias]

This is a handsome SMG. I love how controllable the rate of fire is.

[@charlespruett9066]

So nice to watch a real professional at work! Super good job I am blown away.

[@calvindeckert2740]

I watched the C&R vid of this a while back. Super cool to learn the history or the type of gun and now see some of the history of this particular gun. You guys rock!

[@stefanmolnapor910]

Thank you for the entertainment and the lesson!

[@1942rambo]

Very interesting work Mark. Love watching you restore, conserve or repair.

[@alanrogs3990]

Such a high quality older SMG. Very nice.

[@williebulletman5217]

Like I always Saad you are one hell of a wizard to put those things back together my friend

[@MaximMachineGun]

This really is just an absolutely great video. I just bought a MP18 thats going to need some work and this really helped! Thanks!

[@luger_Mann]

Same here comedically enough, good luck with yours!

[@cayminlast]

Another exceptional and detailed video, learned a lot of new things, thank you so much. You are a master, no if ands or buts.

[@joshuahill5316]

I really enjoyed watching you do what you do it's very enjoyable and interesting seeing how you do what you are doing thanks for the time that you put in to make video

[@AdamosDad]

As a former electronics tech/maintenance mechanic, I have done this many times. Sometimes you get a junk box/boxes, and have to make a running calibrated wonder machine out of it.

[@giuseppe4909]

I love the terminology....tighten it just a scrinch..... 🤣🤣🤣 Totally my vernacular ! 👍

[@yeeto_bandito]

Totally fallen in love with your videos, phenomenal work!

[@madmeerkat1158]

Absolutely love your work on the historical weapons. Got to shoot some ww2 weapons on a visit to your wonderful land. SMLE, Webley pistol, M1 Garand, m1 Carbine Moisin Nagant and German Mauser. Never got to try and shoot the infamous STEN! Wishing that I had attempted to learn the fantastic skils of the gunsmith. Please keep up the good work(and videos)!

[@bimmerpooch]

It won't be too long before the marsh out back is converted into a lead mine.

[@kutamsterdam]

Mark this again was a very, very enjoyable episode, thank you very much!.😊👍

[@CrazyPetez]

This video is very informative and for me, educational. Having no idea what an MP18 is, Wikipedia came to the rescue. Then, never having known why a gun would use an open bolt design, again Wikipedia gave me the answers. So now I know a little more about guns like this. Thank you!

[@dirtyd2316]

Yeah a open bolt is the simplest and most effective way to make a submachine gun

[@lilrobi45xxx42]

@@dirtyd2316 yeah, plus closed bolt would be more conplicated

[@bend1483]

Outstanding as always Mark

[@jobr2394]

Brilliant, you are a far better gunsmith than I!!! Beautiful project!!

[@brucer81]

Great work! Interesting magazine arrangement. Your videos are always entertaining and informative. I am appropriately jealous of your knowledge of, and experience repairing firearms. I guess it takes a lifetime.

[@duster0066]

^that.

[@hammersavage5504]

Mark is an absolute national treasure. Protect at all costs!

[@SaberusTerras]

Just love how that little darling sounds when it's firing.

[@Ouch.]

Beautiful gun and excellent work. Thank you!

[@johnblecker4206]

This is my first watch of this video and it seems to be better then many of the other videos out there.

[@ludvigtande1236]

Great craftsmanship. Great instruction. Thank you.

[@triksixer749]

One of the best if not the best 56:50 that I have spent on this video platform. Mark, sir, you ought to be proud of yourself for making such an entertaining show my performing such an important service to the community. God bless you, sir. Liked subscribed commented

[@spacejaga]

Damn that's a sweet action sound when firing :)))

[@foxtrotromeo25]

Outstanding work, sir!

[@brucecraigie4759]

Simply outstanding

[@endofyourlive]

Loved all your videos, Greetings from Costa Rica

[@melvindenny8962]

Very interesting. Like the thought process. Deductive reasoning.

[@VeraTR909]

I'ts nice watching someone work who thinks in kinda the same way as me, repaired guitars for 6 years and pretty much everything is applicable to that as well. parts, wood and metal, fixing other people's mistakes..

[@chipchaffee2416]

Mechanical reasoning is something your born with ? Or not . You sir were born with a great mechanical aptitude . Common sense goes a long way . I enjoy your videos a great deal . Keep them coming. Thank you sir .

[@patrickbass3542]

I think it also has to do with the types of toys your are given to play with OR things that you improvised with as toys!

[@donnyboon2896]

Yes, this is one of the most interesting things you have done on your channel. 😃😃😃

[@eddiealvarez5493]

Mark, your the Man.! Keeper coming.

[@darthtruk7206]

Absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing

[@thurin84]

awesome! thanks for saving this piece of history.

[@texasslingleadsomtingwong8751]

Wow , ... quick take down on a new level .

[@Omnihil777]

I'm restoring old (or not so old) mechanical calculating machines, many parts and a lot - seriously, A LOT - of screws. I make pictures of some parts before disassembling, but I made a system up with short notes and organizer boxes that works for me: North, south, east, west, up, down, numbers and a few symbols for "into" and "around" etc. SOmetimes I have to re-assemble machines that are laying for a year (or longer) on my shelf. It's a challenge. And I too ask myself why people think I know what I'm doing ;) Many parts are just logically on one place, but there are some duplicates, almost (!) similar. And so many non-standard screws. Did I mention the screws? But there are similarities in our processes, Mr. Novak.

[@mohammedcohen]

I have the same technique with MY disassembles of firearms...and the same PROBLEMS with reassembling firearms left apart for a long time...where I failed to take notes/photos or said...I'll remember where THAT goes"...yeah, right...after a long time with a firearm I've taken down only once...and it's NOT a 1911, BHP or other 'common firearm...I completely disassembled the trigger group of my Ruger 10/22...I've done it in the past...but a looong time ago - and did it in a few hours - after replacing all the parts with custom parts...it's been a year - or more - thank God for You Tube...I can pretty much completely strip both a 1911 and AR to the last pin & spring...but the rest...gotta have a schematic...

[@marknovak8255]

Cell phone cameras make us worthless and weak! Seriously, if you were not privy to the engineering of the device (and guns, bicycles, calculating machines, etc are just devices) you are at a serious disadvantage. An adding machine is unique, but it is not special. And this is what the armchair "machininsts" fail to get. We have to spin up on the engineering of the SYSTEM, not just the part.

[@marknovak8255]

@@mohammedcohen I FEEL YA

[@mohammedcohen]

@@marknovak8255 ...agreed...no more taking detailed notes, sketching (as it were)...I completely disassembled my Luth-AR stock for painting and have no detailed notes on reassembly...note, yes...but not necessarily detailed enough to make the REassembly as easy as the DISassembly...same with a Bulgarian Mak I completely disassembled for cleaning back on Mon. 27 Oct 2014...

[@ryanweingart469]

Awesome. Thank you for sharing as always

[@tiortedrootsky]

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge!

[@fredflintstome6532]

Great to watch Mark

[@michaelrobbins6694]

Loved it before ❤️. Love it more now!

[@richardturk7162]

Enjoyed the video very much.

[@spiritoflights]

She's just a nice tidy unit.Awesome job !

[@johnsmith-sw7ii]

Very interesting Mark...Great job!!!

[@marknovak8255]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Stellar12316]

Your a treat mark thank you cheers

[@alantalbot3525]

Excellent..Thank you for the education 🤠!

[@percyolivas1128]

excellent tutorial about MP18

[@JohnDoe-tl1ns]

Love your videos

[@c.j.w.vandalfsen8862]

Splendid episode.

[@garydufton3510]

Always facinating

[@qdean12]

Awesome! Really amazing.

[@patmancrowley8509]

Thank YOU, Mark!

[@hotrodhendrix1]

Fantastic video. Thank you!

[@SaposJoint]

I love the channel, thank you. That little pile of parts ain't scary at all if you ever got a '64 short-door XKE on three flatbed trailers. I got it rebuilt and running, but only after many phone calls to Jaguar engineers and 40 hours on the book. The engineers were horrified, but very helpful.

[@marknovak8255]

BLIVET: noun....9 pounds of crap in a 2 pound box

[@ScottKenny1978]

*Three* flatbed trailers?!? How many cases of beer did you have to send to Jaguar as an apology? 😇

[@SaposJoint]

@@ScottKenny1978 Thankfully none, because they drank real beer, and I'm an American. After their patience, we should all have had a pint. It's really a complicated story unless you know that the man who owned the car was in the middle of a contentious divorce. She churchkeyed it, he sent it to the body shop, she called body shop snd talked them into totally dismantling the entire car, including pulling the cylinder sleeves from the cast aluminum block. They are factory hand-fitted, not meant to be played with.. Long story, short version is above...

[@ScottKenny1978]

@@SaposJoint damn, that's a nasty divorce indeed! I think I would have sent a check for a couple hundred dollars to those Jag engineers for that, holy crap! 🤯

[@SaposJoint]

@@ScottKenny1978 My boss paid me 40 book hours to reassemble the engine. Yeah, after my bills were paid, I had enough left for steaks and beer. So, no, those engineers in England got paid well enough. They had to sit beside a pile of manuals and technical drawings until midnight their time. Peace.

[@krockpotbroccoli65]

When I was working as a gunsmith and making absolutely no money, i used to get bag o gun all the time. What usually sucked about them was that some part or combination of parts were missing and you just couldn't get a replacement.

[@stevezz12011]

superb video....Fantastic!!

[@richardturk7162]

Awesome as always

[@billyanderson321]

I used this method of assembly and now the ikea shelf I was making is full auto...and I still have left over parts

[@marknovak8255]

Did the box say "Swedish K" on it maybe?

[@billyanderson321]

Mark Novak I wish, it did have a handy Allen wrench inside

[@ScottKenny1978]

Eh, it's IKEA, they come with extra parts.

[@jimlab]

This video was better the second time, and it was excellent the first time.

[@markasof]

Wow! Nice work.

[@paulbeck6410]

I've had small coil springs assembled under tension. If they get away, they shoot across the room into never never land. I used dental floss to trap and leash it. Floss strength is increadible.

[@marknovak8255]

A dollop of grease also helps in this regard sometimes