M60 for my mutt

[moose53]

I'm almost there, I have the pedestal and cradle, ammo cans with the bandoleers and cardboards, and the dummy belted ammo. What I'm having trouble with is what replica M60 MG to go with... I want maximum realism for a realistic price (I know that might be unrealistic in itself)
The airsoft m60's look pretty good, but so does Joe Scheaffer's replica made of demilled M60 parts. They are both about the same price. In comparing the two, they score about the same in looks. The airsoft gun fires bb's, and is about $100.00 more. The Scheaffer replica comes with an ATF letter stating it is a non-gun. What is the consensus of opinion? I'm curious what you guys would do. I don't want to jump on this too fast, as its a lot of money and I don't want to do it twice...lol Let me know what you think. Here's a pic of a friends jeep that shows where I want to get with mine:



Jim

[Ralph Fuller]

Jim:
Here is a site so you can compare prices:
http://www.vietnamwar-guns.com/shop/pro ... g.php?c=10

A buddy of mine bought the M79 Grenade Launcher from this site and is satisfied with the quality.

[Cobra5]

I personally would go with the real thing. Althtought the airsoft looks realistic enough its not the real mccoy. I've been thinking about getting one for my A-2 when I finish it. I've been looking around for a parts kit that includes everything but the receiver. I'm sure someone manufactures a semi auto receiver for these weapons. Of course I could never drive to the peoples Republic of California.

[Floyd]

Jim: Where did you find the M4 mount. I keep looking but can't seem to find anything.

Floyd

[moose53]

try army jeep parts in Bristol PA they had a few the last time I was there. They turn up every now and then.

Jim

[Mr. Recovery]

Hi. try Sarco, inc. in NJ for M-60 and mounts, check with TNW Firearms
inc. in OR for .50 cal stuff Dan.

[Floyd]

Thanks guys, I called army jeep parts Jim and they have one and are checking on it's condition for the price. Mr. R, TNW may have to deliver by submarine these days. They or that area got hit really hard in the last few days. I hope they are on high ground.

Floyd

[Bob Croce]

I'm looking hard at the airsoft. Buddy of mine put one on his Mutt and from right behind it, couldn't tell the difference. I had just been using a real one several weeks before that as well.
And... it shoots BB's as well.
You do have to modify the bottom a little to accept the mount, but it's no big deal.

Good luck

[m151dave]

I got my M60 some years back from a guy who used to make semi-autos and quit because he got tired of the BATF. Seems the name was Springfield Armory, but I would not bet my life on that. It is built from a real 60 demilled and built on a 80% finished trunion. Only regret is it does not have a rear site or even the dovetail for one. Beyond that it easily passes the 3 foot rule for viewing. That is my jeep in the picture posted by moose53.

Big difference between the airsoft and demilled guns is that I have notice the ammo hanger on the airsoft does not look like any 60 I ever shot. Look real close at pictures and you will see what I mean. Now what you do get is a full set of sights, no welds on the gun to show, working bipod legs (mine are welded and do not extend). and the darned thing shoots BB's. What fun (ahem...when used in an adult manner)!

As mentioned in one of the replies, the forearm of the airsoft 60 has to be modified to fit the vehicle mount. The hole with the metal rod in it that hooks onto the front mount of the vehicle mount is missing. I can not attest as to how strong the material is that the airsoft forearm is made of and can not vouch for how well a modification to this part would hold up. But if I had one, bet your boots I would be putting that square hole and rod in there just like the real one.

As a side point to this discussion. I wanted the jeep to look lived in and real. To that end I went out and talked with USAF Security Police troops from the Vietnam era. Added stuff to the vehicle based on their feedback. Took stuff off (much to my disapointment) that did not belong when they told me that it didn't. I have added a XM177, or in Air Force parlance GAU5 and an M79 grenade launcher.

I consider this accurate but also....call it eye candy for the viewers. If the guns on my jeep will cause them to stop and talk to me more, then I have a better chance to explain what MV collecting is all about and that is the real mission.

[moose53]

Welcome aboard Dave, glad to see you here.... I really like your jeep, its been the inspiration of my own.... The m-60 is about the only major item left I have the mount and cradle, and other odds and ends....hope you enjoy this site and visit often!! How's that B-52 doing?

Jim

[m151dave]

There is a pedistal, complete, on epay right now.

Thanks for the welcome. I have meant to get signed up for a while now and just did not make the time until today.
Looks like a real nice site.

The B52 is about the same. Still trying to get it up on jack stands, money and manpower is always an issue. We have also picked up a B47 to keep it company.

I am currently working on a UH-1H at another museum, you can see pictures of it and my new Vietnam living history group at http://www.lastpatrol.org
scroll down on the right hand column almost to the bottom and there are some even pictures of us and the Huey. That is my M60 seen with the bird. Actually a lot of the stuff in the bird is mine. I just haul it from place to place and set it up.

[halftracknut]

Moose, You are in luck there is a 60 on E-Bay right now for $250.00 and a rock and roll 60 listed in Shotgun News for $46,000. You can't loose ....you know what they say? If it "ain't steel it ain't real"..... HTN...

[toptiger]

great organization- also nice to see a UH-1 H in great condition.
I am sure all the chopper vets have told you by now many times, but in case they haven't, the M-60s on D and H models in the Army in VN were mounted on a pedistal which attached to the metal mounts on the fuselage below the door and under the a/c. you can see 2 of side mounts in your pics.

The C model gunship gunners attached their M-60s to bungee cords from the roof, we called them free guns. also i recall that the gunners used a c ration can to help the feed of the rounds- if you go to the site below you can sort of see an example on my gunners M-60 leaning against the pilot's seat back and the fuselage side.

http://www.68thahc.com/Photos_Old_02/P_Frans_05.jpg

a better pic is

http://www.68thahc.com/Photos/P_GSch_vn_085.jpg

I don't know if this was something special to do with helicopter use of the M-60 what with airstream and the feed distance from the ammo can on the floor, but all or ours had them. Did they get used on jeep mounts? I don' have a clue. In fact while I have never fired an M-60 free gun in my life, nor an M-16 for that matter, but I probably have shot more 7.62 rounds than most....the Mini-gun system of 2 gattling guns on our gunships could fire up to 8,000 rounds a minute, i flew hundreds of hours in them so let me see.....4,000 to 8,000 rounds a minutex900hoursx60 minutes in an hour=? actually this is really bs as we couldn't carry more than 6,000 rounds of mini gun ammo on each mission, and many missions were 'cold' and the guns were never fired. Still, its a nice thought.

While I am at it let me share with you an interesting and quite true story- a friend of mine, also a former gunship pilot in vn- went to a dedication a few years ago of a UH-1 H model that was to be mounted on a platform on public display. The Huey came directly from the NG disposal yard on a flat bed truck. The crane which a local company had donated was called away on an emergency so everyone sat around thinking what could they do now? The truck driver was going to leave and charge them a return trip. My buddy started thinking- the aircraft looked in flyable shape, so he decided to check it out.
All oil, lube and fluid levels were ok, there was even some JP-4 in the fuel tank. Hummmmm
All the various rods, tubes, blades, bearings were attached, present, working, and it looked like the aircraft had just flown. HUMMMMMMMMMM
The only thing missing was the battery. So he thought, WTF, why not fly it up on to the platform? So he got some batteries hooked up in series, untied the blades, ran thru the start up procedure from memory, and had it running in a few seconds.

A quick systems check showed all was 'in the green' so, boys and girls, he lifted off and hovered over to the platform and placed it gently down. {It is now welded down to the platform and won't fly again.}
true story. Stanley Christian is his name, retired Lt Col. {Infantry/SF/ Aviator.}
I asked him why he didn't just do a short fight around the town. He said he really didn't want to risk any more of his luck- he hadn't been in one since 1970!, 34 years before.

[Horst]

hey Top,

I like that story. Here is my friends Huey:


I am heading over to the US today to put my hands on my TH-55...

[toptiger]

nice looking ship
checked av gas prices in USA yesterday- $4.66 a gallon