I was looking on your machinegun adventures page.  You didn't list any antiques. How bout some Thompsons, BAR's, 1919's, you know, WWII and Korea, really historic stuff?  MG-42 and MP40 too, they shouldnt be to hard to find, feed, and keep running. That would certainly  bring people in...

Thanks,

Tom

PS have you investigated how expensive it would be to have a replica .45/70 Blackpowder Gatling Gun made? The SASS types would overrun your place for that.

Hello ArmdLbrl,

you've hit the nail on the head - we are expanding the list of machineguns for rent to extend beyond current production and recent MGs to include the "classics" [I must admit that I'd love to shoot a "tommy gun"]. As you stated, these are not that difficult to get; once we have an adequate collection we'll split it into adventure types - military, "mob", WWII, etc.  The .50 cal is underway,  a Lahti is on the horizon and a Gatling Gun hasn't been looked into yet - but I like the idea and I'll contact Dillon since I know they have something along those lines.

-AW.

p.s. The .50cal and Lahti might be a bit tough for the indoor range...

Actually, the place to get a Gatling isn't Dillon.  Here are two places.

[url=http://www.gatlinggun.net/]Gatling Gun Company[/url] makes replica original-style Gatlings using precharged black-powder "chambers".  Prices start at $4810.  Since these are BP only, no FFL is required.

[url=http://www.gatlingguns.net/]RG-G Inc.[/url]  makes miniature replicas in .22LR.  Prices run from $58 (plans only) to $10,900 (complete, finished, fully polished Gatling).  The finished firearms, which I think the club would have to buy on a plain old Form 4473 (a group can't manufacture a firearm for personal use, from my limited understanding of BATF regs), start at $4800.

Dillon makes Miniguns, but since they are electric-motor-cranked machine guns made post-1986, they must be purchased by government/military/LEO only.  I don't know enough about the Class III regs to say whether a corporation or licensed dealer/mfr can buy one and hold it in the name of the club, but I don't think so.

Hello 71-Hour_achmed,

I should have been more specific - I meant to contact Mike Dillon since he has one of those gatling guns that he uses for western-type shooting, they are just a little bit down the road. Their mini-guns, even at a mere 3000rds/min, are a bit to expensive to shoot; and linking is a nightmare as well... We are a Class II/III dealer/manufacturer so have no problems with permitting (heck, we build MGs and suppressors...). I remember seeing the .22 gatling gun at SAR this year and wanting one, but the price is a bit high. I will check out the Gatling Gun Company and perhaps we'll have one available soon.

-AW.

Oh my! Someone built a 1862 patent cap and ball Gatling?[:o]  Are they masochists?

I want one [}:D]

Uhhh . . . was that a trick question?? [spank]

They appear to be beautiful pieces of work.  However, I think the RG-G .22LR scale replicas are just about perfect.

Then there's this one:
[url]http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?id=100503[/url]
[url]http://www.backyardartillery.com/machinegun/[/url]
[img]http://www.backyardartillery.com/machinegun/darkbg1b.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.backyardartillery.com/machinegun/barrels_b.jpg[/img]

Man, that's what *I* want for Christmas! [:p]

Is this the one shown in "Machine Gun Magic"?
Very neat. [:)]  Yes, they're pricey, but they are practically a custom item with a lot of handwork involved.

We probably saw the same one at SAR - when I'm rich and not famous I'll afford one for myself but until then I'll most likely end up with the rubber-band version. And if the California legislation against Spud-Guns is any indication I'll need to fill out a Form-4 for the rubber-band one as well.

-AW.