M-249 (Minimi/C-9) Front-end

[NavyShooter]

Goodday all,

I'm working on a project, and am arms deep in a pile of chips in my machine-shop.

Part of the project involves upgrading the bipod support part of a pair of M-249s.

I've built two of them now, (as many as I currently need) but am wondering if anyone else is interested in a replacement part?

The Airsoft part is made of cheap pot metal, and is rather flimsy.

This piece is made of a billet of steel, and has been somewhat beefed up. Machine time for the first one was about 5 hours on the mill, the 2nd ran me about 3 hours so far, and any further ones would take about the same.

As a note, I have not replicated the swivel holes on the bottom of the piece, that would add about another hour of machining time (or more).

If you're genuinely interested in replacing yours with this piece, let me know.

Materials cost is about $5 for the block of steel.

Machine time at $20/hr is about $60, for a total of $65 + shipping.

Here's a photo of the partially completed part (airsoft original on the left, my part, not yet complete, on the right)



I'm going to be doing a bunch of other M-249 work, and will post updates and open the offer up to anyone who might want some of the parts here.

More photos to follow. Oh, and the available finish will be cold blue, or grey parkerized ($5 extra for parkerizing)

NavyShooter

[ThunderCactus]

That's a fantastic idea, what type of steel?
But bipod legs are still make of chinese metal, I hope the steel doesn't eat through them lol

[NavyShooter]

This isn't the only part I'm building....

NS

[NavyShooter]

Additional photos:









Anyone interested?

BTW, my intent with these is to weld them into the M-249 frame so that it's SOLID.

NS

[jakster]

Very nice work, might hire you to build a front C9 sight. To bad I saw this post now, I just ordered a real steal complete bipod.

[Tankdude]

real steel bipod doesn't fit on the CA/A&K SAW,

that being said, if someone was to machine the proper parts..........

[jakster]

All good, I have a TOP and a Dremel. Shopuld be OK

[NavyShooter]

I'm still working on this....slow progress due to a sick family and other stuff on my plate.

Working in pairs is a good thing.

As you can see, I'm doing up a pair of trunnions as well, and am working up a mock "Gas tube" to provide some real strength between the fore-end and the receiver trunnion.

Adds a bit of weight, but BOTH of the minimis had their fore-ends bent (one a bit, the other a LOT) due to use. With no battery pack in the way under the barrel, there's no reason not to re-inforce this area.

NS