Bowman Arms M2HB

[SNAFU22]

This is cross posted on another forum. I put everything else on hold to get this M2HB parts kit from Bowman Arms. Its an AC Spark Plug, Div. of GM. WWII gun in really nice shape. I bought the parts I needed from Sarco, Apex, BMG, MSG, Numrich, GB, and Ebay. I got the semi auto RSP, trigger and sear from KMP. I decided to weld up and use the original right side plate to keep the markings. Modified the buffer body, bolt, barrel extension, trigger block, bolt hold open, and added denials to the side plate for a semi auto build. I made a rivet setter and smashed them with a 3 pound hammer. Top cover closes nice and back plate slides in. Everything was ready to dry fit and test with dummy rounds. It would not cycle without lube. Got it all wet and everything got cozy and cycled fine I welded the tripod scraps together and made the pintle latch from scratch. I had a lot of fun putting this together and its a blast to shoot.












Click to see video.
20240125_151634 on Vimeo

[Low & Slow]

Nice work. I'll bet it's fun!

[SNAFU22]

Thanks Low & Slow, with all the parts and info out there, its a straight forward build.

[42rocker]

It is an interesting build. Getting all of the parts together is lots of fun also.

Looks good. Enjoy!

Later 42rocker

[Salt Flat]

Fantastic! Impressive all around-- including the machine shop!

[Peter Laidler]

I am also a big fan of the big, bold and beefy 50cal Browning that seems to go on forever. I could never get my head around those different nations who wanted to all manner of things to 'improve' it.

The UK modified it to fire from an open bolt, then a quick change barrel version. The QCB version was a real pig-in-a-poke, The QCB had to be changed from the outside if the gun was externally mounted. NIT a good idea..... Internally it was a chore. I always used to tell them to just leave the bloody thing alone. But the phrase '.....if it ain't broke, don't fix it....' never got through. If the QCB headspace was incorrect the poor gun used to shake itself to bits, eventually snapping the modified barrel extension.

As for the UK L3 version of the trusty old M1919....... words fail me

[browningautorifle]

The QCB version was a real pig-in-a-poke,

Ours was the same, the whole thing had to be gone over and fitted in the beginning, not a good situation straight from the factory. Then we had to use FN ammo which of course we didn't and the higher ups couldn't figure out why the gun wouldn't work with IVI ammo... Thankfully it all came on as I was winding down. That .30 cal, I carried on my shoulder and MG crew for a couple years. I was very, very used to those two guns. I built a .50 M2 HB myself from an old dewat surplus belly pack receiver we salvaged out of a local barn.

[SNAFU22]

Thanks 42rocker. Salt Flat, "machine shop" is a bit of a stretch. Its a collection of used and abused stuff that I waste my time on . Peter, I have seen the Denel (spelling?) South African open bolt 1919s. Most semi auto M2s leave out the bolt hold open. I did the extra work to fit mine. It is an iconic gun and a testament to Mr Browning that it is still in service. I built a 1919A4-A6 and the tripod two decades ago. The first of my little WWII belt fed collection. (addiction).

[Daan Kemp]

Denel is correct.

7,62 BMG was a well loved gun in our army. As was the MAG.

[Sapper740]

Despite the Lee Enfield's headstart the Ma Deuce's service life will eventually exceed it. That says much.