I got a WWII APC gun turret for my series III, whats the best way to mount it?

[Neil McCauley]

So my buddy went to the SARS show in Phoenix and he's bringing back this German WWII APC turret originally designed for a MG42 belt fed machine gun for my Series III. I just bought a MG kit for $350 online! Were going to convert it to .308 using M-60 links. Cool right? Anyway the ring mounts flat on any roof, but I'm thinking I might have to biuld up some kind of bracket underneath the roof to support it. It weighs about 75 lbs. I'm thinking I should have someone biuld a roll cage underneath and then install this on top. What do you guys think is the best way to mount it? Seems straight forward enough. Pics of the ring and rover below.

[Neil McCauley]

Forgot to mention, you can modify the pintle to accept a 1919, browning .50 maduce etc. Also it spins 360 degrees around. Theres some videos on youtube of this ring in action.

[phoenix37]

Yes very cool but.....ummm dont you live in CA? Somehow I thought machine guns were frowned upon in California?

[Neil McCauley]

Here we go again. :D just kidding. We would biuld the kit to semi-auto, not full auto. Because it dosen't have a detachable magazine (belt fed), you can leave on the pistol grip on. Suppost to leave the belt linked to no more than 10 rounds. Also it's illegal to shoot from/on a vehicle in california (unless your a disabled hunter) but I'm not going to use it for that :) It's a photography/look out turret hehe

[phoenix37]

Nice! bring it to Happy Hour!

[greenmountainrover]

I may able to help. First you are going to have to be willing to cut into your hard top. The hard top should be strong enough to mount the ring. Depending on the weight of the gun you may have to reenforce or it a little. It will be great to see another Rover with guns. I have two L7 GPMG's mounted on mine. You got tom love the looks you get going down the road.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg298/steeltiger22/c43d39d3.jpg

[Neil McCauley]

Especially here in LA :D Actually the hole was already cut into my roof for a 12x12 inch vent thats long been disintergrated from time/heat. So all I'd be doing really is enlarging the hole that was already cut.

[1962siia88]

This looks like a fun project! Does the ring come with some kind of cap you can close up when the gun isn't installed? Good luck with this.

Daniel

[texrover]

So tell me more about these $350 MG kits!?

[Stormer]

Why does this feel like it will end up in a standoff with police outside a bar surrounded by "suspicious-looking military vehicles" somewhere in LA? Where and when is Happy Hour again? I might fly out for this one.

[nathanwind]

Why does this feel like it will end up in a standoff with police outside a bar surrounded by "suspicious-looking military vehicles" somewhere in LA? Where and when is Happy Hour again? I might fly out for this one.

Exactly what I was going to say :).

[Neil McCauley]

Heres a link for those kits.
http://centerfiresystems.com/KIT-M53.aspx


You can also modify the pintle for a spade gripped M-60. Or gripped, depending on which state you live in. Unfortunately it dosen't come with a cover so I gotta make something later on. Mabye an acryic dome or something. I'll figure something out. Anyway, my homies dropping the turret off tonight so hopefully this weekend mabye on Sat I can get started on the measuring and cutting.

[waveridin1959]

Zombie Apocalypse in Cali?

[nathanwind]

Zombie Apocalypse in Cali?

Not to totally hijack, but anyone watch AMC's Walking Dead? So pissed they decided to take December/January off from the new season...total crap!

Sorry Neil :).

[Neil McCauley]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YJSiZblsAk

[rijosho]

Looked like this dude barely fit through that ring with enough room to maneuver the gun.

[texrover]

A Yugo on a Land Rover-this is gonna be a good thread!

[JSBriggs]

You will definitely want to build some reinforcing frame work. I have a 110 MOD top with an unreinforced observation port and it severely cracked the top.

-Jeff

[JBinAlabama]

You better just send that puppy over here to ALABAMA. It will look WAY LESS out of place:)

BUT WHAT A COOL PROJECT!

[phoenix37]

Why does this feel like it will end up in a standoff with police outside a bar surrounded by "suspicious-looking military vehicles" somewhere in LA? Where and when is Happy Hour again? I might fly out for this one.


I feel like ive seen this somewhere before....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVeb_zZdliw&feature=related

[Neil McCauley]

Dropped off my cash for the kit and .308 conversion kit, once the kit arrives we will begin the welding on the 80% completed receiver. Turrey gets dropped off tommorow. I will take pics as the work progresses. Thanks for the help!

[diesel_jim]

Neil, you want to take a look (on google images) for Land Rover WMIK (http://www.google.co.uk/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1440&bih=703&q=land+rover+wmik&gbv=2&oq=land+rover+wmik&aq=f&aqi=g1g-S1&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=422l3094l0l4969l15l14l0l5l5l0l266l1686l0.5. 4l9l0), which is the Weapons Mount Installation Kit, which gives a roll cage and a ring for .50 gun.

Might give you some ideas? I've got a few closer-up pics if you need them, fling your email over.

[Neil McCauley]

Does anyone around in LA know how to weld up a simple rollcage for a series truck? I think the rollcage option is the smart way to go.

[mikeslandrover]

You'll need something dropping down to the chassis for max strength.
What sort of paint job are you planning?

[Neil McCauley]

Not sure yet, mabye monchromatic white n black digital camo. Or desert sand, or mabye just flat blk, still in the air. My gunsmith is comming over to do some test fitting this afternoon.

[o2batsea]

From a practical standpoint a ring mounted MG is about the most vulnerable shooting position I can possibly think of. Accurate fire, unless at a complete standstiil, is impossible. You're in an open vehicle, standing up, making lots of noise. Unless you are waving your arms at the same time I can't imagine how you wouldn't be more instantly smoked. It's only good if your target doesn't see you first.

If I'm trying not to be killed, I would want to be dug in and shooting from behind some kind of fortification.

Other than the certain death aspect of such a mounting, what is the attraction?

[Neil McCauley]

Well see id be driving, and all my expendable buddies would be on the turret :) Its a novelty really, the previous owner cut a 12x12 hole for a vent that has long been dissentegrated so all im doing really is making the hole bigger and useful. Be safer/cooler too with a rollcage in the back. This truck is just sitting there for now, I kinda loss interest in it for awhile, at least this project makes the truck fun for me again. Its drivetrain has been rebiult as well, runs fine. Want to do that disc brake upgrade too.

[mikeslandrover]

Want to do that disc brake upgrade too.
What about 11" twin leading shoes as fitted to late series III lots less hassle and expense, nearly as good as discs unless you plan on going backwards really quickly when you effectively have twin trailing shoe brakes, not so good.

[Neil McCauley]

I just want to do it right the first time, plus my swivel balls need to replaced anyway and with the kit you get new swivel housings.

[mikeslandrover]

I just want to do it right the first time, plus my swivel balls need to replaced anyway and with the kit you get new swivel housings.

:thumbs:thumbs

[Neil McCauley]

Thought I'd update this thread with some pics of my Yugo MG42 kit that finally came. Pics were taken at my buddies yard, he has the exact same kit as well. We are waiting on some assorted parts before the welding starts. We already have the .308 conversion kit which comes with the barrel / bolt. The magazine is a 50 round belt magazine that can use either 8mm or .308. Haven't cut the hole in the roof yet but I will when I get a chance, been kinda busy.

[ArmyRover]

From a practical standpoint a ring mounted MG is about the most vulnerable shooting position I can possibly think of. Accurate fire, unless at a complete standstiil, is impossible. You're in an open vehicle, standing up, making lots of noise. Unless you are waving your arms at the same time I can't imagine how you wouldn't be more instantly smoked. It's only good if your target doesn't see you first.

If I'm trying not to be killed, I would want to be dug in and shooting from behind some kind of fortification.

Other than the certain death aspect of such a mounting, what is the attraction?

That's why you add the armored chicken plates.

The attraction is a elevated position that offers 360 degree coverage and with a M2 machine gun, pin point accuracy is not needed. I once heard it referred to as a great area beating gun :grin

[D90Overkill]

Make it your daily driver and you wouldn't even need the carpool lanes anymore. Everyone's just going to get the heck out of the way. Fun idea and a great way to solve an existing problem! I'm trying to do the same thing, solving one problem area with an out of the box solution (a dent turned to fuel tank filler location). Good Luck!

[greenmountainrover]

I find when I drive my Lighweight with front and rear GPMG's people actually drive closer.

[mikeslandrover]

So how's the project getting on?

------ Follow up post added April 5th, 2012 08:39 AM ------

I find when I drive my Lighweight with front and rear GPMG's people actually drive closer.

Pics, we need pics of this:)