Bowman Arms M2HB

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.

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Click to see video.
20240125_151634 on Vimeo

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

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

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

Looks good. Enjoy!

Later 42rocker

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

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

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 :D. 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).

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

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

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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.

Denel is correct.

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

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

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

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

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.

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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

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

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

GPMG FN-MAG will out live the other machine guns

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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?

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

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Originally Posted by SNAFU22

The cocking lever and link look like an upside down BAR

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The whole bolt looks like an upside down BAR bolt.

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.

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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

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IMHO the Browning .50 cal. MG will win the longevity contest for some very good reasons:

A) It has a near 4 decade headstart.
B) There are other 30 cal. options for a GPMG. Not that the MAG isn't a great weapon, it is, just ask my USMC 0331 Machine Gunner nephew, he'll tell you he loves it but it isn't the only game in town, even for countries friendly to the West.
C) The Ma Deuce is the only game in town for NATO countries wanting a 50 cal. unless you want to resurrect the Vickers.

Next prediction: The Rolling Stones will outlast The Beatles.

That cut-away GPMG just made my day. I enlarged it and just below it was another little stunner........ This time a topless stunner...... More of her please SNAFU!

Peter, you must have some special VIP access. I can't find anything that stunning anywhere near that image. I used Postimage to load it. Not something I did. That I know of. I wonder.....Anyone else find her?