M31C Machine Gun Mount

lucianom38a1 · Post by **lucianom38a1** » Sun Jun 06, 2010 10:41 am

Hi fellows.

I'm looking for pictures and additiuonal informations about the installation of a M31C machine gun mount on a M38 jeep.
As far I know, this mount was developed for MB or GPW installation, which have also a special support on the frame. So I would like to check if is possible to install a regular M31C on a M38 or if adaptations are needed.

I have here a M31C (very) detailed description which i got from Jeep draw. But again, only have information from '42 jeeps.

Thanks in advance

Luciano

Post by **wesk** » Sun Jun 06, 2010 10:54 am

Hello Lucianno. The M31 as you have discovered was for the WWII MB/GPW with the crossmember mounted support plate below the floor. The M38 did not have that support plate below the floor. The Army designed a modified M31 just for the M38 and it's model # is M31A1. Then the M31 was updated for the M38A1 and it's new model # was M31C which can be used on the M38A1 and the MB/GPW.

WWII M31
Large photo here: http://img.mypicgallery.com/m38armament ... i-jeep.jpg

M38's design M31A1
Large photo here: http://img.mypicgallery.com/m38armament ... edited.jpg

M31C for the M38A1 but will also fit the MB/GPW
Large photo here: http://img.mypicgallery.com/m38armament ... d-view.jpg

It would not be difficult to modify the jeep draw drawings for the M31A1 mount.

There was a very good article on these three mounts in the Military Vehicle Magazine August 2003.

lucianom38a1 · Post by **lucianom38a1** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:02 pm

Wes,

Once more, thanks for your support

Luciano

lucianom38a1 · Post by **lucianom38a1** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 3:20 pm

Hello, friends

After a long time I´m working on the M38 machine gun mount project. I´m basing my project on M31C Jeep Draw´s project (from Jon Rojers). So I´m trying to compare the M31C (good for MB´s and GPW´s) vs M31-A1 (right for M38).

From my point of view, the main structure looks pretty the same.
But since I don´t have a proper M31-A1 project, with distances, lenghts and quotes (I have only the manual, that I got here in the forum), I´m using a complete M31C as refference. I intend to build the "under floor M31-A1 sub-structure" and use a M31C on top.

So is the M31-A1 based on a M31C mount? I mean, are the main tube lenghts and the three legs lenght/position the same from M31C and M31A1?
Someone told me that the two rear legs have a different angle and a different lenght, and the main tube is higher that the M31C.

This is not easy job (well, nothing related to M38 are easy...), since most M38´s machine gun mount are adapted instead to have an original m31-A1.

Any comment are appreciated.

Thanks!

Post by **wesk** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:59 pm

My understanding is the vertical tube and base assy are the same except for the M31A1 does not have the travel arm or it's brackets and the attach angles for the two rearward legs are different. I don't see why you can't complete the under floor supports and bolt the tube and front leg in place then just fabricate the two rear legs to reach the floor outboard supports and the existing rear angles on your M31C tube. Or if you are fabricating a tube from the Jeep Draw drawings leave the two rear angles off the tub until you establish their positions after they are fitted to the outboard under the floor supports.

bubagun · Post by **bubagun** » Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:47 am

I have an M31C mounted in my M38.... Pics?

I have fired my M2 HBAR Browning MG off of it MANY times. It is quite solid.

lucianom38a1 · Post by **lucianom38a1** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 2:59 pm

Hi Bubagun,

Yes, could you please post some pictures about the position and the fixation on floor?
Are you using the regular M31C?

thanks!

bubagun · Post by **bubagun** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:06 pm

My M38 is in the garage. Here are a few I took of the MG mount this morning...

lucianom38a1 · Post by **lucianom38a1** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:48 pm

Great!!

Thanks!

lucianom38a1 · Post by **lucianom38a1** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 7:59 pm

Hi all,

After a long period I just finished the M31A1 project. It was based on the M31C pedestal (quotes and details), but adapted to Wes M31A1 information.

Here goes some pictures:

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _photo.php

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _photo.php

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _photo.php

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _photo.php

Best Regards