Joined: May 14, 2013 Posts: 201 Location: Between Crosslake and Emily, Minnesota
Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 9:42 am Post subject: M2 .50 cal machine gun mount
I am toying with the idea of installing a replica .50 cal on my M38A1. I would appreciate any, and all, comments, suggests, and/or recommendations from your experiences regarding manufacturers, installation, mounts, etc.
One of my concerns is with the reduced accessiblity to the rear seat from the M31C pedestal. I often drive WWII vets in local parades. Most of these guys are 90-plus years old and have a difficult time even getting in and out of the jeep. If the .50 cal would effectively remove the rear seat accessibility for these gentlemen, I will not pursue the 50 cal.
Another concern is which model mount to use. In various photos, I see both the M23 cradle and the M48 pintle used to hold the gun.
Thanks in advance!
Steve _________________ Steve Stark - 1955 M38A1 MD #85388
Member - MVPA #35153
Member - Red Bull Historic Military Vehicle Association
Joined: May 14, 2013 Posts: 201 Location: Between Crosslake and Emily, Minnesota
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 6:44 am Post subject:
Thanks, Wes. I am going to have to spend some time and go through your entire photo gallery. There is a wealth of information there. _________________ Steve Stark - 1955 M38A1 MD #85388
Member - MVPA #35153
Member - Red Bull Historic Military Vehicle Association
Joined: Feb 20, 2007 Posts: 606 Location: Illinois
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 10:48 am Post subject:
The M38A1 has the mounts already on the frame for a M31C pedeistal. If one hasn't been previously attached, you just drill down through the sheet metal where the floor panels have been dimpled to indicate where bolt holes are. My M38A1 has a M31C, a 30/50 cradle and a semi-auto M1919A4. The 30/50 cradle will work for both calibers. Access to the rear is not all that much more difficult with the gun mount and in some respects is easier as it provides a firm hand hold when climbing in and out. Since the photo below was taken I've moved the radio over to the passenger side and its still not too bad to climb in the back, the antenna gets in the way more than the gun. If the jeep has a top on I would say the mount would make it harder to get in the back. The last vet I was honored to have with me in a local parade was a vet from Afghanistan. He rode standing up next to the gun, I think he liked that!
_________________ 1951 M38
If you have the correct cradle assy for the M31C E10014 then it comes with the D90078 tray attached to either the welded D90045 or the cast 7068880 pintle assembly. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: May 14, 2013 Posts: 201 Location: Between Crosslake and Emily, Minnesota
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 11:19 am Post subject:
Here's the problem I'm having, none of the manufacturers or sellers of cradle assemblies seem to use the Ordnance part numbers (ie, D90045, 7068880, etc). Most of the sellers I have considered refer to them by model number (M23, M48, etc). _________________ Steve Stark - 1955 M38A1 MD #85388
Member - MVPA #35153
Member - Red Bull Historic Military Vehicle Association
Those numbers are the model numbers for the mounting posts not the pintle/cradle. If those dealers only understand the method of relating all pintles to a mounting post model then when dealing with those dealers the only model number you need to give them is M31C the model number of your mounting post.
If the dealer really knows his stock he can supply the correct cradle assembly when you give him the cradle's model and ORD# which is not the same as the mounting post model/ORD #. In your case you want a model E10014 cradle assembly which was originally designed for use with a M24 mounting post but was also supplied with the M31 and M31C and M31A1 mounting posts. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Feb 20, 2007 Posts: 606 Location: Illinois
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 4:10 pm Post subject:
The M1919 was rebuilt by a gunsmith to be a semi-auto, .308 caliber, legal to own in my state. Bought at a gun show at the Knob Creek National Machine Gun Shoot. The 30/50 cradle has an integral ammo can tray that attaches via slots on the side - fits both 50 cal and 30 cal cans. One source is BMG: http://www.bmgparts.com/mount.html _________________ 1951 M38
Joined: May 14, 2013 Posts: 201 Location: Between Crosslake and Emily, Minnesota
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 11:20 am Post subject:
Thanks again, Wes and skyjeep50. I believe I have got it figured out. The only dealer - that I can find - with the correct cradle assembly is BMG Parts. I am afraid to find out what the assembly will set me back! _________________ Steve Stark - 1955 M38A1 MD #85388
Member - MVPA #35153
Member - Red Bull Historic Military Vehicle Association
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