My first machine gun (not a Mac)

[Ian]

Well, I think I'm going to take the plunge and buy my first full auto - a Vickers HMG (a pristine Aussie kit built on a Colt sideplate). I've had a parts kit to build as a semi, but I came across a great deal on a live transferrable one instead. It'll require liquidating about half my collection to finance, but those are guns I rarely shoot. A Vickers will be a better investment, and more fun too. I've been collecting parts for the semi, so I already have conversions for 8mm and 7.62x54R, plus a transit case, belts, condenser can, optics bracket, etc.

Now I just have to make my down payment and wait for the transfer to go through...its gonna be a long couple months...

 

[AlexanderA]

Congratulations! Now you'll be much in demand for WWI/WWII Brit reenactments.

 

[merlinfire]

grats...livin the dream. vickers standard in .303 british right?

 

[Ian]

Yep, .303 Brit.

 

[Ian]

Ain't she purdy?

Now I just have to wait for the papers to clear...

 

[srv656s]

Very neat. Would you mind if I asked approximately how much that cost?

Thanks-

Shawn

 

[Ian]

It cost me $12k, with a tripod and one belt (no other spares). There are some really good deals on machine guns available while the economy is still wobbly. These things were $20k just a few years ago, and I expect this one will be again soon enough.

Fortunately, I already have a condenser hose, can, spare parts box, 8mm conversion, 54R conversion, transit chest, belt loader, and several more belts. This is about the best gun I could hope to find available, because it'll make a great and (relatively speaking) affordable shooter. I really don't have any interest in joining the machine gun club with a tube Sten gun or Mac.

 

[BeltFedEd]

Congrats!!!

No better way to bust your NFA cherry than with a beltfed!




Then again I might be slightly biased...

 

[srv656s]

Very cool! thanks for sharing-

Shawn

 

[cleardiddion]

It's so...pretty.
Total class

 

[kd7nqb]

WAY cool.

 

[chuckdeez]

Game over. This guy just won.

 

[VintovkaMosin]

Do some videos/pics of the thing in action. Also, C2builder on YT has some good Maxim Videos.

 

[Ian]

Oh, I will. Just have to wait a couple months until the transfer clears and I can take possession.

 

[BeltFedEd]

In the meantime, get loading belts!

With the water cooled, you may need a couple of months to load up enough.

 

[VintovkaMosin]

What caliber are you going to use the most? You said you got a 54r kit, are you going to use cheapo corrosive ammo, or are you going to use the original .303 or the extra energy of 8mm mauser?

 

[Ian]

For now, I plan to shoot mostly a mix of 8mm and 54R. The 54R is still cheap to buy, and I bought a bunch of 8mm a couple years back when it was under 10c/rd. I will be getting a .30-06 conversion and maybe .308 as well, so I can either shoot or reload the cheapest available ammo. The exact ballistics don't matter as much to me as the availability.

For accurate long-range shooting, I expect I'll be reloading .303 to match British Army specs - that'll allow me to make use of all the work the Brits did when the gun was in service. I wonder where I can find a range to practice indirect fire?

 

[VintovkaMosin]

I know a few counties in virginia where they have wide, open hills, if you are located in VA. No people in sight for several miles, except for hillbillies, and they make good target practice. (I kid, I kid.)

 

[armoredman]

Very nice, worth double of my car.

 

[Ian]

It's at least quadruple the value of my truck. It's important to know your priorities.

 

[BeltFedEd]

It's important to know your priorities.

+1 Ian.

My buddies say I have a problem, because I relate any expense into terms of how many cases of ammo it would be.

 

[Girodin]

I'd rather have a mac with a lage slow fire upper but to each his own.

 

[WeedWacker]

Sweet. I will never own a FA item due to monetary reasons, but they are still waaay to cool and drooling is free.

Watch your knuckles!

 

[Robert]

Ian,
That is awesome. I'd love to have a Lewis Gun.