Project Reality Forums

Sniper rifles are an exception to the rule, 5.56 is useless over long ranges. I don't see the British Army dropping the GPMG cause of the ammo requirements, no one is going to produce a suitable alternative that uses 5.56 ammo, the alternative is to go the other way... and use .50 calibre weapons.

Either way, the GPMG requires two men to move it, and third to provide regular support. It doesn't make sense to have it as a kit as you can't force two people to run with it.

A certain Mr. McNab, photo taken from Immediate Action.

Ecko wrote:GPMG Is being phased out for the Minimi though, Remember PR is set a few years in the future, by that time GPMGs should be all but gone.

Not really, as they are meant for different roles. The L110A1 (Minimi-Para) is phasing out the L86A2 Light Support Weapon, not the GPMG. The GPMG is still found (and until they find and get the funding for something better it will be for a long time) in the MG platoon of the infantry battalion in the sustained fire (tripod) role, and depending on unit type (light, mechanized, armored) the rifle platoon has a manuever support section that includes two GPMGs in the "light" role (bipod). In the light role, the GPMG is carried and fired by one man, with an assistant gunner carrying additional barrels and ammunition. Also, just about everybody in the platoon is going to be carrying some ammunition for it.

I am devising a squad system and kit system in my little head, to assist me, can you tell me how ammo for the GPMG is stored (belt or box) and how much could the actual gunner carry of ammo (man carriing the machine gun) and how would thsoe around him carry??????

Top _Cat the great wrote:[
Anyway, how could any squad leader turn down a weapon with the power of the m14, but can fire full autmaticaly for long periods, How, long range supressing fire at its most effective and portable!

I don't think you've ever had to carry a medium machine gun. My friend thought his broher was unlucky to have to lug around a m249 until he met the m240.

I would love to see a heavy support kit implemented though. Maybe just one for every 16 soldiers. I like the idea of it having to be in an eight man(or at least in a six man) squad. The gun would have to be very powerful, 1 hit to the neck/head and you're down and chest hits resulting in blurred vision and near death to make it something to fear. If implemented I would also like it to be fairly effective at hurting choppers. Off course, not on the level of the .5cal but still able to scare off a slow flying littlebird.

Pretty much like what the PKM is damage-wise.

I like the idea of a Heavy and Light support kit, especially seeing as how each side has an ideal machine gun for each role.

- U.K
Light = Minimi
Heavy = GPMG

- U.S
Light = M249
Heavy = M240

- PLA
Light = QBZ-95 SAW variant
Heavy = Type 88 GPMG

- MEC
Light = RPK
Heavy = HK21E

Top _Cat the great wrote:I am devising a squad system and kit system in my little head, to assist me, can you tell me how ammo for the GPMG is stored (belt or box) and how much could the actual gunner carry of ammo (man carriing the machine gun) and how would thsoe around him carry??????

Mate of mine was a Jimpy gunner in belize, he carried 2000 rds which weighs a hell of a lot. First contact he rattled off the lot hoping that he wouldn't get issued any more and have to carry less weight. I laughed my arse off when it came to the resupply......

Normal ammo is belts of 200 mixed 4 ball 1 tracer (4B1T).

Did he carry the actual weapon itselft or just ammo???

Top _Cat the great wrote:Did he carry the actual weapon itselft or just ammo???

Both, yes he is a fit bloke.......

He ditched most of his kit out of his bergen to make room for the ammo to save weight. The rest of his section carried his kit for him.

Ammo and water, the way ahead.

Top _Cat the great wrote:I am devising a squad system and kit system in my little head, to assist me, can you tell me how ammo for the GPMG is stored (belt or box) and how much could the actual gunner carry of ammo (man carriing the machine gun) and how would thsoe around him carry??????

Box magazines are used in assault rifles, and have springs in them. The only support weapons that use box magazines are ones that are based on assault rifles (the L86A2, for example)

Support weapons as a general rule use belts, and the boxes you're talking about carry belts.