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REVIEW
M2 .50 Cal Machine Gun Body
Maki
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ARMORAMA
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Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 - 03:15 PM UTC
Live Resin offers a number of accessory sets for 1/35 scale M2 Browning .50 cal weapon sets. This review covers their M2 Browning .50 Caliber Machine Gun Body (LRE35144).



Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
KurtLaughlin
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Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 - 06:03 PM UTC
Are the dimensions correct?

KL
accelr8
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Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 - 08:08 PM UTC
I can't speak to the dimensions, although it lines up well with my stock of Tasca M2s. My only warning would be that I ordered six of these some months ago from Live Resin, and all six had broken spade grips due to the design and lack of sufficient packaging. The execution is excellent- crisp and highly detailed. It's just the design of the lower spade grips that is a problem. They are prone to breakage since they're attached to the body and very thin. Boxing this set would probably solve the problem as opposed to the current bagging.
18Bravo
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Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 - 09:24 PM UTC
I wonder if this was supposed to represent an M2A1 as it has the quick change barrel. If so, I really don't see evidence of the new flash suppressor in the photos, nor do I see the J slot for the quick change barrel.
As for the broken "lower spade" it would be worse if the parts (the upper and lower C shaped mounts for the grips) were more to scale, as they'd be even thinner and more even more prone to breakage.
I love Live Resin products. However, I think this product is one of those rare instances where PE would be a real improvement - the mounts and the butterfly triggers themselves.
As for my other comments, I suppose it's possible that this configuration exists, but it does not quite look like the M2A1 that I have used.
Maki
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Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 - 11:34 PM UTC
Kurt, let me get back to you with the dimensions. Don't have the calipers at the moment, although I remember measuring M2 in one of Live Resin's previous offerings and it was good.

Brian, I found it very strange all M2s I received in this set featured broken spade grips in the exactly same spot. Having number of other larger M2 sets without any breakages... it is obviously due to not boxing this particular set.

Rob, I think you are correct. I did write about the suppressor in one of the previous reviews (link) but for some reason missed it here. Doh! Will edit the review ASAP.

Thanks for your comment guys,
Mario
KurtLaughlin
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Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - 07:12 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Kurt, let me get back to you with the dimensions. Don't have the calipers at the moment, although I remember measuring M2 in one of Live Resin's previous offerings and it was good.



Don't bother on my account. I just think that check of the sizes is pretty much essential for any aftermarket item. You are paying a lot for an improvement over a kit part, so it ought to be right.

KL
sgtsauer
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Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - 07:18 AM UTC
Robert, you are correct....All M2A1's use the new barrel with integral flash suppressor. We are replacing all of the M2's in Missouri right now with M2A1's. The TACOM representative is making us turn in all old barrels and he stated the new receivers will not work with the old barrels.
billflorig
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Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - 07:55 AM UTC
I have to ask....is there a Russian DSHKA kit made by anyone? I need it for an AA mount on a T-62...
sgtsauer
#065
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Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - 08:38 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I have to ask....is there a Russian DSHKA kit made by anyone? I need it for an AA mount on a T-62...



Miniarm makes beautiful Russia tank AA guns.
billflorig
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Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - 11:40 AM UTC
Thanks but no DShK on the site.
The_musings_of_NBNoG
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Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - 12:13 PM UTC
are these what you are looking for?

http://www.miniarm.com/enlarge/142120133456362.jpg

http://www.miniarm.com/enlarge/142120130910727.jpg

jasmils
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Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - 12:50 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I wonder if this was supposed to represent an M2A1 as it has the quick change barrel. If so, I really don't see evidence of the new flash suppressor in the photos, nor do I see the J slot for the quick change barrel.



Quoted Text

All M2A1's use the new barrel with integral flash suppressor.



Not all M2A1 QCB's have the flash suppressor or the "J" slot.
Biggles2
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Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - 09:40 PM UTC
Is this M2 a WWll version, or strictly modern?
sgtsauer
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Posted: Thursday, February 19, 2015 - 02:32 AM UTC
TACOM-- M2 & M2A1 Machine Gun .50 Caliber Barrels are NOT Interchangeable.

The M2 barrels are not interchangeable with M2A1 barrels, and M2 barrels should not be installed in the M2A1 Machine Gun receivers. IAW TM 9-1005-347-10, WP 0004 00-1, the note states "All M2A1 barrels are interchangeable without affecting the headspace or timing of the weapon." M2A1 barrels are only interchangeable with other M2A1 barrels for use with the M2A1 machine gun receiver.

The bottom line is, the machine gun set represents an accurate M2 .50 cal if you do not use the quick change handle. The quick change handle, as stated by Robert, is only used on the M2A1 barrel.
billflorig
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Posted: Thursday, February 19, 2015 - 02:58 AM UTC
Mr. Sauer and Mr. Johnson,

Thanks, I must have missed them! That is exactly what i was looking for!

All the best,

Bill
18Bravo
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Posted: Thursday, February 19, 2015 - 03:47 AM UTC

Quoted Text

TACOM-- M2 & M2A1 Machine Gun .50 Caliber Barrels are NOT Interchangeable.

The M2 barrels are not interchangeable with M2A1 barrels, and M2 barrels should not be installed in the M2A1 Machine Gun receivers. IAW TM 9-1005-347-10, WP 0004 00-1, the note states "All M2A1 barrels are interchangeable without affecting the headspace or timing of the weapon." M2A1 barrels are only interchangeable with other M2A1 barrels for use with the M2A1 machine gun receiver.

The bottom line is, the machine gun set represents an accurate M2 .50 cal if you do not use the quick change handle. The quick change handle, as stated by Robert, is only used on the M2A1 barrel.



Well that's exactly what we were taught in the course at Ft. Carson in '13. And the other recognition features to insure you have the correct barrel, ie, barrel alignment guide pin, and the interrupted threads. Of course, you can't see that on the kit, but the J slot definitely is a required part of the mix, which WOULD ne visible. My only doubt (that something new may have happened since '13,) is that they may have decided to put the new handle on the barrels as they're easier than the type on the older barrel. A few talks with some of my colleagues confirms that THAT has not been done. So, bottom line, as we already knew... Leave the handle off.
Live-Resin
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Posted: Thursday, February 19, 2015 - 09:08 PM UTC
I know about problems with damages of thin handle part and correct it. WWII version ready

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