Chuck of GunLab has begun test firings of his VG.1-5 reproduction. He is testing the gun for function and safety, to work out the proper configuration of the moving parts and springs. From GunLab:

It has been a while since we have chatted about the VG1-5 so I thought an update was in order. All the individual parts have been made and the first non-firing copy was made. This last weekend we finished a testing example to try and determine if any problems exist. We looked at everything from the barrel chamber and flutes to the firing pin length. We needed to check the recoil spring length and tension. Is the buffer spring to strong or weak. Will the fire control group work properly. All the drawings showed that everything should work but these are all questions that can only be answered during a test fire.

The test rifle that we made uses all the same parts that the rifles we are going to sell but uses parts that we can not sell. We actually ended up with 2 receivers that did not come out as nice as I would like. One will be sent to the ATFE for approval and the other will be shot to death with proof loads to determine strength and safety.

So a very basic testing rig was made to hook up to the firing tube and testing began.

The gun isn’t done yet, but things are looking good so far. An initial issue with the ejector was corrected, and an issue with the secondary sear will be corrected soon. Then the rifle will be fully function checked.

This is definitely one of the most interesting reproductions I’ve seen in a while; the Gustloff carbine/VG.1-5 is a unique piece of small arms history.

These reproduction Gustloffs are already up for pre-order; if this sounds like your kind of rifle, you can pre-order one from Allegheny Arsenal.