DIY M231 Project at AR-15.com

[HorseSoldier]

AR-15.com has a huge thread about a guy's efforts to make a semi-auto, firing replica of an M231 firing port weapon. Not sure if it's been posted before, but it's way more information than anyone probably ever wanted on the M231.

[Targan]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting it!

[jester]

Although I have never been a fan of that system. That pic is changing my mind. That is kinda badass! Now I am turn on what to make my next AR, an A1, A4 or something like that. Ah ta heck with it, I'll got ffor the .308 variant

[HorseSoldier]

I've always wanted to do an M16A1 build set up, including paint, like the ones used by the Selous Scouts and Rhodesian SAS late in the Bush War but have never been into it enough to start spending money on the project (though I do have a lower receiver ready to go if I ever get around to it).

[Ironside]

Does anyone know when the M251 programme was brought to an end Does it exist in the V.1 timeline

[waiting4something]

I can't believe how much faster the rate of fire is on the M231. This would be a bad ass build to do. That's one thing that is cool about M16's and AK's is there are so many different types to select from. If you selected this build it's almost a sure bet your gonna be the only guy in your town that has one.

[HorseSoldier]

I can't believe how much faster the rate of fire is on the M231.

Yeah, besides the lack of sights on the weapon, the muzzle rise must be a pretty huge problem for running the thing. I could see units that were formally issuing them might try knocking together some sort of muzzle brakes for them (as well as a front sight of some sort).

[Raellus]

They're full auto only, correct No semi-auto setting I can see ammo wastage being a big problem after the TDM. Not sure if/how they would be employed after that.

[HorseSoldier]

Full auto only from an open bolt, so even if you fitted sights or an optic, accuracy wouldn't ever be super.

[pmulcahy11b]

They're full auto only, correct No semi-auto setting I can see ammo wastage being a big problem after the TDM. Not sure if/how they would be employed after that.

After that, any firearm might be better than normal. Even with the high cyclic rate, you could probably squeeze off five-round bursts with practice. The big problem is that they aren't designed for use with SS-109 ammo (they use the primarily tracers, with the older M-193() as a backup) -- limits ammo availability.

[HorseSoldier]

Good point, though with the accuracy the 231 would probably be bringing to the table the "100 meters and in, wartime emergency only" guidance for 62 grain ammo through 1-12 twist barrels like the 231 and M16A1 wouldn't mean missing out on much.

[waiting4something]

I would love to make one of these, but after researching it, it looks like the parts are a bitch to find. It's one of those projects that would take you forever to piece together. Plus, I'm no gun smith. Now, if they made complete parts kits I would be all over this.

[waiting4something]

Does anyone know when the M251 programme was brought to an end Does it exist in the V.1 timeline

As far as I can tell the M231 is still in use in the U.S. Army. I wasn't in the Army and was never around a Bradley so I can't say for sure. It came into play in 1979, so yeah it would exist in the V.1 timeline. Of course V.1 has the US military using a lot of stuff it never did like the Spas-12's and Viking Smg's.

[Eddie]

I wasn't in the Army and was never around a Bradley so I can say for sure.

Unfortunately I'll be able to tell you sometime in the next few weeks. I start Mechanized Leader's Course on Monday.

[cavtroop]

Unfortunately I'll be able to tell you sometime in the next few weeks. I start Mechanized Leader's Course on Monday.

woah, going from light/strykers to mech have fun

(former mech cavalry)

back on topic, I was a 19D, assigned as a gunner on an M2A2 (not-so-long story, I'll tell it sometime), and we didn't even have the M231's in the armory (I've never laid eyes on one), but we were in a very unique situation.