[Latrine_Commander]

What is the difference between a M3 and a M2HB barrel support? If any ...

Thanks,

John

 

[glassmountains]

None that I am aware of.

 

[Latrine_Commander]

The reason that I ask, is I thought this was a M2HB, but someone is telling me it is an M3. I know there might be differences between manufacturers...

 

[L999here]

The reason that I ask, is I thought this was a M2HB, but someone is telling me it is an M3. I know there might be differences between manufacturers...

You are correct....picture shown is an M2HB barrel support. The M3 .50 BMG aircraft gun does not have this part. The M3 has a shroud similar to the 1919 gun and the barrel is a shorter 36". The M2HB bbl is 45" long and has a bushing that is screwed into the trunion and the barrel support is screwed onto the trunion.

 

[belt fed frog]

He is right any M2hb barrel support will screw on to any M3 trunnion (you have to use the HB shim ) and the necessary barrel bearing will thread right into any M3 trunnion ( but you must drill and tap the retainer screw in the top of the trunnion so it does not interfere with the support threading on ) .So it is not hard to format an M3 to look like an M2 and it will run just fine !!

 

[jmdove]

No difference I think. At least my m2gb barrel support doesn't look any different from the pictures of M3

 

[GBYENKO]

As stated above the M3 does not use the barrel support it uses a shroud. If you are trying to build a M3HB hybrid then you can use a barrel support from an M2HB, you will have to drill hole in bearing as stated above. Here is a picture of a M3HB hybrid

 

[jmdove]

As stated above the M3 does not use the barrel support it uses a shroud. If you are trying to build a M3HB hybrid then you can use a barrel support from an M2HB, you will have to drill hole in bearing as stated above. Here is a picture of a M3HB hybrid
View attachment 85325

Well, I'm going to find out the hard way because I just bought an M3 Barrel and I have an M2HB barrel support. However, I also have the
shroud so I could always go that route too. But I think the support looks cooler.