Mkii M249 -> Lewis Gun

i've been thinking about this for my spare M14. My main sticking point is the magazine, as it's such a fiddly bloody shape, and originals cost a fortune. The rest of it's fairly straightforward.

Good luck!

Cheers evo, I'm thinking the Receiver shape is very similar, so might be able to get away with using the SAw's receiver, new wood stock, new feed system, drainpipe on the barrel!

As for the drum mag, i was thinking about making a mould out of wood, and vac'forming over to make the case.

When you look at the construction of the original mags, they're mostly just a stamped case with "rim-grippers" riveted on. Vac-forming would actually look very close to the real thing, and easier to do than messing about with fibreglass.

WRT how it works; I've been wondering if a mechanism like a laid-flat version of the real-steel Thompson drum would work.
The rounds are pushed around a coil/helix track by a clockwork-driven spoked rotor.
I did some rough calculations and concluded that if it could be made to work that way, a single-layer coil/helix that big could hold over 1500 rounds and NOT rattle!

That sounds like a superb idea , best of all I have one of those winding drum mags at home! Would have to work out a way to get the winder off the top surface, otherwise it might occlude the iron sights lol

I found this site a while ago. They do vacuum formed Lewis kits http://www.foxflier.com/lewis/index.htm I was thinking of getting some of the mags from them, I've got a G3 earmarked for conversion

Nice, especially that you can get spare mags on their own.

Webby - I look forward to seeing this project progress.

You may want to try some of the star wars forums - there are custom 'lewis' props made by folks and given the darkside treatment.

You may find the plans you are looking for... or at least some idea's on materials, solutions to issues they came across.

Ask Marsha or Oddball about the who's who and whatnot.

http://www.pbase.com/kalbs/gun_drawings&page=2

2 drawings there. The aircraft variant drawing has receiver section views...

Page 1 of that collection has PPSH drawings...

Webby - I look forward to seeing this project progress.

You may want to try some of the star wars forums - there are custom 'lewis' props made by folks and given the darkside treatment.

You may find the plans you are looking for... or at least some idea's on materials, solutions to issues they came across.

Ask Marsha or Oddball about the who's who and whatnot.

[obi wan]These aren't the plans you're looking for![/obi wan]

Sorry couldn't resist, I'll get my coat!!!!

LOL I knew when I typed it someone would make reference to it

cheers guys

[obi wan]These aren't the plans you're looking for![/obi wan]

Sorry couldn't resist, I'll get my coat!!!!

I did resist! I was going to write that under my comment about the PPSH drawings.

Has this gone any further Matt?

Nope, I've actually selling the SAW, I dont think I could have done the lewis to a high enough standard.

Ah well, just interested. would've looked pretty cool!

Good luck with it - keep us posted with your progress.

Wouldnt it be easier to use a P90 gearbox as well as the hop-unit so you dont have any 'mating issues'.

If you are planning on having a rotating pan mag i wonder if you could have lots of smaller seperate compartments in it. Gravity fed. Fire 20 rounds or so then turn the mag around 'a click'.

Thats a P90 gearbox, standard cylinder length by the look of it. Slap a M100 in there and im guessing you'll be up around the 350 mark.

M14 gearbox -

The relative narrowness of real WWII guns is often an issue, but a few extra millimetres here and there won't be noticed.