Alabama, United States
Joined: February 19, 2019
KitMaker: 12 posts
Armorama: 12 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 06:45 AM UTC
Hey all-
In pics of '80's era U.S. vehicles (like Reforger), mounted M2 .50 cals are sometimes seen with a set of three rails mounted parallel and full length along the barrels. Often these are on M113s, but I think I've seen them on the occasional early M1 also.
What are these?
I seem to think that it's a blank firing adapter, something to regulate gas pressure in the barrel to ensure that the bolt reliably cycles on blank rounds. But I have no idea why I think that- perhaps just a guess? Really a thread-on muzzle device should do this fine, so what's with the parallel rails? Vismod to make it apparent that this weapon is configured for blanks?
Or is it something completely different? Reinforcement to make the barrel stiffer? Additional cooling? Vismod to make it look like a different weapon, maybe like a tiny little Vulcan? Additional hanging space for wet laundry?
Looks like this-
North Carolina, United States
Joined: September 16, 2004
KitMaker: 1,281 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 06:51 AM UTC
Blank adapter for training.
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 07:05 AM UTC
Quoted Text
it's a blank firing adapter, something to regulate gas pressure in the barrel to ensure that the bolt reliably cycles on blank rounds... Really a thread-on muzzle device should do this fine, so what's with the parallel rails?
It is a BFA (Blank Firing Adapter). The rails connect the adapter at the muzzle end to a collar that attaches to the body of the M2. Due to the amount of pressure an M2 produces, a screw on barrel cap is not enough. It will loosen and fall off after a few shots. The rails ensure this will not happen.
Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
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GulfWarrior
Campaigns AdministratorTexas, United States
Joined: January 05, 2010
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 07:26 AM UTC
Yeah! What they all said!
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Rhone, France
Joined: December 02, 2002
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 07:52 AM UTC
H.P.
"Find the Bastards, then Pile On"
Col. George W.Patton III 's standing order for the troopers of the 11th Armoured Cavalry Regiment
GulfWarrior
Campaigns Administrator Texas, United States
Joined: January 05, 2010
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 07:55 AM UTC
Current campaigns:
I Like Big GUNS...And I Cannot Lie (2S1 Gvozdika)
Operation Snow White (Maultier w/ 37mm Flak Gun)
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Washington, United States
Joined: August 09, 2002
KitMaker: 1,742 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 08:00 AM UTC
Ah, tell the truth! It is the secret Lazer barrel with the fission energy upgrade developed from Area 51 tech.
Msgt Retired USMC
M48/ M60A1/ M1A1
Semper Fi!
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: February 17, 2002
KitMaker: 796 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 01:04 PM UTC
The weight of the BFA will cause the barrel to drop unless you are manning the gun or have it locked in the cradle on M113s.
"Don't get stuck thinking inside the box."
California, United States
Joined: December 24, 2002
KitMaker: 4,105 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 01:04 PM UTC
Is the Legend Production's 1/35 M3D Dragon .50cal in service? The last article I read was in 2014 saying that only one undisclosed Green Beret unit was using it. That news was five years old.
I know the M3 is used by the Avenger SHORAD HMMWV and aboard helicopters, but not as a ground machine gun.
Alabama, United States
Joined: October 21, 2005
KitMaker: 310 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 01:27 PM UTC
I remember having to put cigarette butts in the BFA for the M-60 in order to give it enough back pressure to cycle the weapon.
"Lead me, Follow me, Or get out of my way!" --GEN George S. Patton
Alabama, United States
Joined: October 21, 2005
KitMaker: 310 posts
Armorama: 302 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 01:57 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Is the Legend Production's 1/35 M3D Dragon .50cal in service? The last article I read was in 2014 saying that only one undisclosed Green Beret unit was using it. That news was five years old.
I know the M3 is used by the Avenger SHORAD HMMWV and aboard helicopters, but not as a ground machine gun.
The current Ma Deuce is the M2A1. It has a quick change barrel with removable handle, a slotted flash suppressor, fixed headspace and timing, and other modifications.
https://www.army.mil/article/92130/M2A1_Machine_Gun_features_greater_safety__heightened_lethality"Lead me, Follow me, Or get out of my way!" --GEN George S. Patton
Alabama, United States
Joined: February 19, 2019
KitMaker: 12 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 02:17 PM UTC
Thanks guys!
That makes sense. This place seems a terrific source of info.
Bayern, Germany
Joined: October 14, 2008
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Posted: Thursday, August 08, 2019 - 03:45 PM UTC
CAD Images mean nothing.
What does a rivet counter count on a cast or welded tank hull?
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 09, 2019 - 12:25 AM UTC
It is sold out and anyway, I would have to see the actual product first. This requires very fine parts and I doubt that 3D printed product looks good enough...
Pawel "Vodnik" Krupowicz
Professional Certified Rivet Counter.
#521
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 09, 2019 - 12:38 AM UTC
Vietnam era reenactment some years ago at the Patton Museum, Ft. Knox, Kentucky.
Photo Copyright Mike Koenig - All rights ReservedStandard blank adaptor on the 50 cal.
Model wise it would be just two special cast or molded barrel fittings joined by three pieces of fine wire.
New Jersey, United States
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 09, 2019 - 01:52 AM UTC
Finally fixed head and timing in the ma deuce? Only took them 70 years or so.
You could also use the blank adapter on the M85 as mounted in the cupola of an M60 series tank. It came as part of the MILES kit for the tank.
I could never get an M16 to cycle firing blanks. I felt like I was using a bolt action rifle.
"The only thing a man should take seriously is the fact that nothing should be taken seriously."
Samuel Butler, Victorian satirist
Steve Willoughby
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 09, 2019 - 02:10 AM UTC
If you are looking for one in 1/35, all of the Academy M113s come with an M2HB with BFA on it. Trumpeter's M1A2 also included one, along with some other MILES equipment. The AFV Club M60A3 also has a BFA in it, and other MILES gear as well.
Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
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GulfWarrior
Campaigns Administrator Texas, United States
Joined: January 05, 2010
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Posted: Friday, August 09, 2019 - 03:08 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Finally fixed head and timing in the ma deuce? Only took them 70 years or so.
You could also use the blank adapter on the M85 as mounted in the cupola of an M60 series tank. It came as part of the MILES kit for the tank.
I could never get an M16 to cycle firing blanks. I felt like I was using a bolt action rifle.
We had this one knucklehead in my platoon in Germany who LOVED firing blanks so I'd always give him mine so I didn't have to spend hours cleaning my rifle when we got back to barracks.
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 09, 2019 - 04:03 AM UTC
When I trained with Slovenian SF in 2010, they had a blank firing system I had not seen before or since:
A strong man stands up for himself; A stronger man stands up for others.
Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations.
He is not Khan who calls himself Khan. Afghan proverb
#521
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 09, 2019 - 05:07 AM UTC
Was doing a public event at Ft. McPherson in Atlanta. The rear casting on the blank adaptor cracked and the rest of the assembly landed 40' in front of the tank! Still a testament to the power of that weapons system!
New Jersey, United States
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 09, 2019 - 05:15 AM UTC
That was me in PLDC. As a tanker the M16 rifle was exotic. M60 tankers never saw one after basic training familiarization. So I gleefully fired off everyone's unused blanks. And I loved cleaning the thing because I had just built the LS 1/1 model of the M16 so it was a real learning experience for me to handle a real one.
The LS kit was an exact replica of everything in the real weapon except in plastic with all the pins and springs.
"The only thing a man should take seriously is the fact that nothing should be taken seriously."
Samuel Butler, Victorian satirist
Steve Willoughby
GulfWarrior
Campaigns Administrator Texas, United States
Joined: January 05, 2010
KitMaker: 1,051 posts
Armorama: 1,029 posts
Posted: Friday, August 09, 2019 - 08:09 AM UTC
Quoted Text
That was me in PLDC. As a tanker the M16 rifle was exotic. M60 tankers never saw one after basic training familiarization. So I gleefully fired off everyone's unused blanks. And I loved cleaning the thing because I had just built the LS 1/1 model of the M16 so it was a real learning experience for me to handle a real one.
The LS kit was an exact replica of everything in the real weapon except in plastic with all the pins and springs.
There's always one!
Current campaigns:
I Like Big GUNS...And I Cannot Lie (2S1 Gvozdika)
Operation Snow White (Maultier w/ 37mm Flak Gun)
Stryker Campaign (AFV Club Stryker Dragoon)
1st Gulf War, 30th Anniversary (Dragon MLRS)
