Bowman Arms M2HB

[SNAFU22]

Thanks Daan Kemp. I found Denel when I was looking at guns that had found their way into Rhodesia.

[42rocker]

Due to price and number of kits out there (like zero) I had to build from parts etc. In the end, I build a MBH3. Got parts from over 12 of my friends and dealers. At the end I sold / traded around $10,000 worth of small parts to BMG (Rick, good guy) and got KMP Semi sear and trigger and plates. Tripod from Brian (BRP) and parts from Sarco, Numrich, Lucky#13, TNG, Burnt Capital, MGS (cut plates and some of the kit) and others and Knob Creek for a few things. Still thinking about welding up a set of plates like you did. Cut all of the inside semi cuts myself and finally drove the rivets home. I think I have almost enough parts left to build another, someday?? Others to build first.

Later 42rocker

[SNAFU22]

42rocker, cool story with a who's who of manufacturers and parts suppliers. I welded the KMP style denials first, I struggled to keep the plate flat and to line up all the rivet holes, top cover and back plate fit.

[42rocker]

Keeping the side plates flat is one thing, welding the trunnion up well is a ----- WAY TO GO!!!!

Folks, SNAFU22 did a real GOOD job of restoring a piece of history.

Again -- WAY TO GO!!!!

A 50 is something that you don't almost get right. It's right or problems!

Again Good Job!

Later 42rocker

[Peter Laidler]

Off track a bit but I have a funny feeling in my bones that eventually, the good old L2 series, GPMG FN-MAG will out live the other machine guns. We called it 'The General' I used to invite one or two word comments from users just returned from war zones. I don't remember anyone making a bad comment about it and we were still using old BL64 and 65 guns. BL = Belgium Liege 1964 and 65 guns sent to the UK for trials to replace the Vickers and Brens at Infantry section level. In fact my old boss, Major Fogwell accepted it into UK service.

But it hasn't got that magical name in the title. BROWNING

[browningautorifle]

GPMG FN-MAG will out live the other machine guns

Well, while you folk were using it and we were looking on, we always wondered about it. When we finally got them we asked why didn't we have these things when we were young enough to use them? Where were they when we WANTED to do this stuff?

[SNAFU22]

Lots of history with Browning and FN. The cocking lever and link look like an upside down BAR

[browningautorifle]

The cocking lever and link look like an upside down BAR

The whole bolt looks like an upside down BAR bolt.

[Daan Kemp]

The MAG in South African service always worked. BMG in the armour also. Both weren't subjected to 'improvement'.

Yes, the upside down BAR action mated to the MG42 feed resulted in the MAG. Evidently the trigger mechanism too.

[old tanker]

The best thing that ever happened to the M60 series tanks and the follow on Abrams was the miserable, and much despised M73/M219 series coax machine gun was replaced by the M240. The period between the retirement of the Browning M37 and the adoption of the Browning MAG was frustrating beyond words.