Originally Posted By K2enemy:I may be trading WAY up
for a 1919A4. So far, I know nothing about it other than what it is and it has a tripod and a T&E. Are there mfgs to avoid. things to look for? I'm waiting on pics and info at this time. I'm just a lowly FO and never had crew served weapons in a training environment but I have some good field experience with M2s. Are they internally similar/break down similarly? Do they have to be timed and head spaced?
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Manufacturers to avoid. I'm going to say anything home built? I trust mine but not sure I would trust just anyones home build.
Make sure the rivets are all tight. An older build will have some weld on the trunnion to the side plate. Newer builds it was not required. The trunnion is a spot that can wear thin from running links. The groove for the backplate can also get beat up on an improperly hardened receiver.
IMHO a non Israeli kit is not worth a premium even though folks tend to charge one.
You can get caliber conversion kits. 30.06, 8mm, 7.62x51, 7.62x54r, 7.62x39 just to name a few.
A 7.62x51 bolt will work with 30.06. A 30.06 bolt will not work properly with 7.62x51.
They are vaguely similar to the M2 internally but a touch simpler. They do require headspace and timing if it's a FA. If it's a semi it just requires head-spacing. If it's an Israeli barrel and barrel lock there is a simple mod you can do to make head-spacing much simpler so you only need two hands rather than three.
Most importantly. Treat a removed bolt like a live firearm! The driving spring is very dangerous. Over on the M1919A4 boards a member was hospitalized from a driving spring accident. It went through his eye and was mere millimeters from penetrating into his brain cavity.
Top covers are still cheap enough to have a spare or two for the rare OOB explosion. Belts are tougher to load but softer on your trunnion. They also make stainless steel trunnion protectors for running links. If you run links be aware there are 30.06 and 7.62 links.