scarfy
Private
Airborne Impressions, 82nd Airborne Division, 504th PIR, 1st Batallion, Fox Company.
Posts: 14
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Post by scarfy on May 19, 2015 17:58:17 GMT -5
Ok guys, I'm working on a Market Garden themed kit, specifically 82nd Airborne, 504th PIR. What weapons would be appropriate for my use? I'm thinking an M1 Carbine but i have seen M1 Garands, Thompsons, M3 Grease Guns, and in rare cases, BARs as alternate options. It may be interesting to run an M1903A4 with a scope, an M1919, or even an M9 Bazooka. I'm open for all ideas here, any weapon used during this period by this unit i am willing to run, i would prefer something others don't use often. thanks.
Other than that, post your weapons you prefer to run as an impression of any Paratrooper.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on May 19, 2015 19:44:31 GMT -5
Sounds like you are quite clear on authentic option choices. A springfield would be an extremely unlikely choice. The garand or carbine would be your most appropriate choice as they were the most abundant weapons carried by Airborne Infantry. A thompson would be a close third choice but are so over abundant in airsoft that it conflics with your wish to be different.
An M1919A6 would be fabulous but very much a budget killer. (rare, expensive and would require some creativity). A M1A1 carbine with the folding stock would still be expensive to acquire but far less so than the M1919A6. A grease gun would be distinctive and affordable. Though very commonplace back in the day, an ICS, GnG or Conversion M1 Garand remains an airsoft weapon that gets a lot of attention on the field and is a clasic look.
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stuka
Sergeant
The one and only
Posts: 1,205
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Post by stuka on May 19, 2015 20:26:02 GMT -5
Don't forget the m3 grease gun
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Post by OwO Jima on May 19, 2015 21:08:46 GMT -5
If I had to rank your choices I'd rank them as follows: 1) M1 Garand - It's the most common weapon in original photos and veteran testimonies, and can be used for a wide variety of other impressions, but is underrepresented by the airsoft community. 2) M1(A1) Carbine - Would be a good choice, but it will take a lot of work to bring up to snuff - the only ones on the market are the plastic springer, or the Marushin. You'd need to convert whichever one you get into an M1A1, and convert it into a wartime carbine (both are modeled after post war carbines). 3) Thompson, any model - Solid choice, but if you're looking to use something different, this isn't it. They're massively over represented since they're so cheap. Be wary of most of the M1928s - most have M1/M1A1 receivers, with the bolt on the side. 4) M3 Grease Gun - Another solid choice, but less frequently portrayed. However, wartime photos and TO&E show that these were rather uncommon, and they're not particularly useful for early impressions. 5) M1918A2 B.A.R. - Doing an Airborne impression, I'd stick away. like you said - it's the exception, not the rule. If you really want it, I would wait until you have one of the top four weapons on this list. 6) M1919 - Again, it will take a lot of work to either build an M1919A6, or convert the upcoming M1919A4 into an A6. If you really want it, I would wait until you have one of the top four weapons on this list. 7) M1/M1A1/M9 Bazooka - While, as cool as it is, it's terribly impractical. Using it would be highly situation dependent, and you'd still need another weapon along side it, like an M1A1 Carbine. 8) M1903A4 - Probably the least useful option - from a historical standpoint, they just weren't that common, and they were employed totally differently than snipers are today. From an airsoft standpoint, your just going to be outgunned - all for a mere 2.5X magnification. If you really want it, I would wait until you have one of the top four weapons on this list.
My advice to you is to not be concerned with being "different". Too many folks are too concerned with being a special snowflake and adding pizazz and flare to their kits, so the most "unique" thing you can do is to portray the average GI.
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stuka
Sergeant
The one and only
Posts: 1,205
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Post by stuka on May 20, 2015 5:00:42 GMT -5
Well 1903's were also used as rifle grenade platforms as it was easier to load blank rounds or whatever fired the grenade
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Post by OwO Jima on May 20, 2015 5:36:49 GMT -5
True, but the OP specifically mentioned using it in the M1903A4 "sniper" configurment. Also, finding an M1 grenade launcher for the M1903 is a task on its own - the last one I saw went for $300 on eBay, and that doesn't include replica rifle grenades (at least 10, if not more). Plus, by market garden, they were the exception, especially in Airborne units. I definitely agree with you, and if Scarfy was asking about just an M1903, I'd rank it 3rd on the list, but as an M1903A4, it battles for last with the bazooka. An M1903 would still be an exception for an Airborne unit, especially by Market Garden and not in a grenadier role, but I could live with it - we need more standard rifles.
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Post by aj czarkowski on May 20, 2015 20:06:20 GMT -5
Although it certainly was rare back in the day, I use a custom M1903a4 Springfield that I built with my 82nd Airborne impression. I used to use a Marushin M1 Carbine until it broke. My advice to you, if you want something affordable anyways, is either build or buy a second hand custom built M1903 Springfield, or buy a M1928/M1A1 Thompson or an M3/M3A1 Grease Gun. The Springfield and Grease Gun would definitely be unique. I personally would shy away from the M1 Garands or M1 Carbines at the moment given that the companies producing them have given them such a high price tag (although I admit I haven't checked prices in a couple of years, so perhaps they aren't as expensive currently). Also, I can tell you from experience, don't bother with the Marushin models, as they are infamous for low quality parts that break often.
Hope this helps!
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stuka
Sergeant
The one and only
Posts: 1,205
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Post by stuka on May 20, 2015 21:10:40 GMT -5
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Post by OwO Jima on May 21, 2015 2:33:26 GMT -5
Sure, but even it can be done, it's not any more practical. I dedicated myself to the grenadier role (M79, 23 grenades), and it's only useful when using nerf footballs stuffed down the barrel, or in really close quarters - without a tube to hold a foam projectile those grenades you posted can only function as a giant shotgun, making them absolutely useless, especially on an M1903. Still, even if you could/ did use them, you'd need a bunch of the grenades ON TOP of an M1A1 Carbine - and it'd STILL be a far out exception for the Holland jump. If historical accuracy is of any concern, an M1903 really shouldn't be a consideration at all.
"Portray the norm, not the exception"
Though, it's a moot point, since, like I've already pointed out, Scarfy is considering an M1903A4, and I've already stated my opinion on that.
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