All,
I'm looking for places to get modern US weapons in 1/35. I'm speaking specifically of modern OIF-era weapons. IP-M249's, M249-Para's, M4's, and the various M240s.
I know, for example, that the DML US Special Forces set has the M249IP, and the Trumpeter 101st Airborne comes with nice little M4 carbines. But where else can one find some current weapons? I'm making resin copies of the stock from DML's M249 to attach to the dozen or so old "tubular stock" Desert Storm era M249s that I have.
I sure wish DML or Trumpeter would come out with a new 1/35 weapons set so I don't have to spend $6 just to get 2 of the little M4's.
Can we put together a comprehensive list for all of us to use so we can get the weapons we need for our kits and dioramas?
TIA

Dave Lueck

You can find some at Tank-model. Scroll the page and you will find M-16, M-249 and some support weapons as LAW etc.

Erik

Think-180 Studios also makes a set of M4s. The owner/operator of that company is also a member here (Jeff Meckley (sp?)). Just check out his site and I'm sure you'll find what you need.
Kyle

I have a set of M4s made by Think-180. Details are nice but they are oversized, more like the 1/32 scale.

Well, you hit the nail on the head. I've been asking for new 1/35 modern weapons sets for years...

You named two of the cheapest 1/35 sources: DML and Trumpeter.

For 1/35 resin, choices are limited.

* There's Think-180 already mentioned, which makes the closest state-of-the-art M-4s with attachments. These are one-piece cast...just prime and paint.

* Verlinden's OIF Figure conversion has some M-4 and M-16A2 guns. Some come with hands or arms attached, others do not. A lot of the guns are in pieces too so you have to saw off the pour blocks and assemble them (not fun).

* I would not recommend Propaganda Kompany since those guns are brittle (break off in your hand) and more like 1/30 scale.

* I do not recommend Tamiya. Their weapons may be closer to 1/35 scale, but the detail and size do not match well with DML's.

* There's Hobby Fan...expensive, but you do get a resin M-4, M-16A2, M240 *ARMY* version with barrel handguards, and M249 PIP.

* There are the DML "Machine Gun," "M-16A2," and US "Fire Support Weapons Set." Note that the Rangers are using M79s. Unfortunately, you will be using some, not all of those weapons.

* Italeri's Weapon Set sells M9 and M1911 pistols although I and others do not recommend their rifles due to their lack of detail.

If uniformity in size is the key, I only recommend DML, Trumpeter, and Hobby Fan. Unfortunately, no company I know, plastic or resin, sells the weapons separately or in sets (I asked), meaning you still have to pay $6 for a full figure kit just for two small M-4s (unless you trade or cast your own).

I remeber DML did a US modern weapons set (M-16 family and machine guns) in addition to an AK-47 family and MP-5 family. they may not be in production right now. I definitley remeber them from the mid to late 90s and I have a couple in my stash somewhere.....

If you can find them on evil bay, you could have a weapons set without having to by the figures.

DML's M-16 set contains two each of 23 versions. Of these you would use very few of them:

M-16A2, what they call the M-16A2 carbine (an M-4), XM-177E2 (looks like an M-4 but its not), M-16A2 carbine with M-203, XM-177E2 w/ M-203, M-16A2 w/ bayonet. For everything else forget it. Weapons like the M-16A1 Colt 9mm SMG, the traditional AR-10 model, M-231 port gun (for Bradley's) and many others are not used now and aren't needed.

If you want a SAW to copy, Blast Models weapon set for the Humvee comes with a nice one but thats pretty expensive just for the SAW.

But I agree, we had a blast of OIF figures and accessories come out late last year but its seems to be pettering out.

Jeff

The best bet is probably to buy 1/35 resin OIF figures to being with, such as BLAST, Airborne Miniatures, and Warriors, all of which are equipped with the proper guns.

While on the subject, any interest in an AN/PAS-13B in resin? Or an SPR?

Almost anything new will help...

To me the best M-4s around are DML's and Hobby-Fan's. Trumpeter's are more like 1/32 just like Think-One-Eighty's. DML's are not the SOPMOD ones while Hobby-Fan's is.
I made molds of all of them, except of Think-One-Eighty's, since I'll be needing a lot of them in a future project.

Bottomline if you can, go for DML's M-16 kit and make resin copies.

What about the M240-series light machine guns? The only versions of this gun I've seen in 1/35th was either a coaxial weapon on a tank or APC, or configured for mounting on the Loader's hatch of an Abrams. Are there any infantry or Humvee-mountable versions, like the 240 Golf or Bravo?

DMLs Modern Marines includes one from their machine gun set. It is labled as the British GPMG, but its pretty much the same and be used for both Army and Marine figures.

Jeff

Sorry, Jeff, that's not true. The DML M240 is the "G" model and used mainly by the USMC.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m240g.htm

"G" and "B" are different if you want to show a soldier machine gunner with "G" being a Marine M240 MGer and "B" being an Army M240 MGer. If you want to show M240s on a vehicle, then chances are the "G" M240 model can be OK.

The M240B is used by the Army and the main distinguishing feature is the barrel heat handguards.
http://www.special-warfare.net/data_base/205_support_weapons/mg_fn_m240b_01.html

Only Hobby Fan makes the M240B in their Modern Weapons and Accessory Sets. I kind of wish Hobby Fan would make more modern figures, especially some in Woodland...

So in ways, one can't blame any model company because no figures of an Army M240 MGer ever existed.

I was kind of worried that the two were different (hence the designations of 'B' and 'G'). Thanks for the corrections

Jeff

Actually, the USMC also uses the M240B Model.
Got pics of them in OIF. I made a bunch of copies of the HF MG's for my figs.