What is your favorite MG to shoot?

[Slowmo]

Title says it all. Contemplating another MG purchase and would love to know what makes our members happiest when pulling the trigger

 

[skoda]

The MG-42 that I shot was really impressive but it'll cost you an awful lot to buy and run. I love shooting my Sten with the Sterling mag conversion and wooden stock; everything about it is just right. M11/9 with the Lage Versa upper is nearly perfect for an SMG: light, compact, reliable, great ROF (and adjustable with VBS blocks), decent ergonomics; kind of a modernized MP-40. The best was my friend's Sterling; just sweet (see Sten comment).

Also rans that I have fired are: 1928 and M1 Thompson (too smooth and still, you want to feel like you are shooting a gun not holding a sewing machine), M-2 carbine (fun but jumps around), Reising (nice but too many quirks), MP5 (okay, heavy for a 9mm, too smooth, I'm just not getting the love for it), AR-15 9mm (pretty good but had a weird kick to it (might have had the wrong buffer weight)), AR-18 (nice but jumpy), M3 grease gun (far too slow, I can shoot semi-autos faster), Czech Skorpion (cool to look at but it's a dumb gun), MAC M-11 .380 (fun but stupidly fast ROF, kinda useless), MAC M-10. .45 ACP (.45 SMGs are wonderful things but ergonomics on MACs stink, looking towards the Versa upper), Browning 1917 (impressive but it's a system more than a gun (the same for most heavy MGs)), AK-74 'krinkov' (same as Skorpion but with copious muzzle blast)

Honestly, at this point I would save a lot of your money and get into the FRT thing. It's so close to FA and for a tiny fraction of the price of an MG that I'm glad that I got rid of a bunch of my MGs.. Yes the plug might be pulled one day but the cost savings are worth the risk to me.

 

[KickStand]

Slowmo,
I don’t know what MG’s you already own but I’ll go ahead and name two (cheaper MGs) and probably get flamed for it.

I’d look at the MK-760 / S&W 76. Parts that wear are available now (thanks for NavGunner). Plus, the introduction of the 22LR conversion kit by SubGun24, is a rancher for the platform (it’s awesome and I’ve already put 5K rounds down range).

Or

I’d check out a Sten. I really enjoy my two, parts are out there still, you can mod it fairly easily too.


The market is soft and you could probably get a good deal on either of the two that I listed. You could also just buy a ton of FRTs, if you state allows them.

 

[Roaster72]

I've shot many different machineguns but will just give you my perspective on what I own.

M11 - I have three lage uppers, a few 380 and 9mm original uppers, and a Subcal 22 upper. It's like the swiss army knife of machineguns or ass they say, jack of all trades master of none. I prefer the compact M11 to the longer M11/9.

Uzi - I have a fullsize Vector. I have the three major calibers covered 22, 9mm, and 45. I typically shoot it with the wooden stock.

My favorite is the Uzi. It's an iconic gun and the damn things just work. It's a great machinegun for new shooters and kids. I love my M11 and the Max31k upper is an absolute joy but still my favorite is the Uzi.

 

[SecondAmend]

Sort like trying to answer such questions as:
Blondes, brunettes, or red heads?
or
What's your favorite Michael Bolton song?
or
Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Pike, or Janeway?

 

[TSPC]

Uzi
M16
Brunettes
None
Kirk

 

[Nome Nomad]

I find my MP5 and my Bren to be the most enjoyable. Smooth and easy to keep on target

 

[A&S Conversions]

This is such an open ended question. What do you want from the experience? Plug & play, tinkering, versatility, one trick pony, future value, cost, and how much time/money do you want to put into shooting or collecting this new to you gun?

For me personally, my first machine gun was the one I wanted the most. The Colt M16, if I was in harm’s way, that is the gun I would want. My first firearm was a pre 94 that I bought during the National Assault Weapons Ban. It was a Colt SP1. It came to me as a package deal with a Bushmaster six position stock and 16” M4 style upper. The seller also included the original 20” A1 style upper and fixed stock. I would take friends out to shoot, but I wasn’t part of a gun club and I was the first in my friend group to own a firearm. With the extra parts I built a post ban A1 style rifle. With just one rifle, someone would need to wait their turn. That turned out to be quite a rabbit hole.

Down the rabbit hole of configurations I went. I ended up meeting a coworker who owned a couple of M16s. Once I shot that I was hooked. I sold most of my collection to buy a M16. I got into multiple calibers and configurations, but the magwell limits configurations. Then the MGI modular magwell system came out. Over time I was able to find a DIAS, and sold the Colt gun.

During this time I moved to Las Vegas and got to really know “VegasSMG”. I had kitted out the MGI, and started with a”married” Fleming sear converted 94 for subgun matches just before moving to Las Vegas. I had no intention of doing anything with that other than shooting subgun matches. Then the “Going Out Of Roller Locked” sale started. A 9mm reverse stretch, full sized .40 S&W, CA53 AR, and 9 mm SD with a can, along with two .40 SD parts sets with cans later and down the rabbit holes I went. 25 host guns later (most of which are configurations that HK never made), I needed to sell the Fleming sear to fund the dream below.

Vegas was going down the Mac style RR rabbit hole. I got interested when he offered me an Uzi converted M10 and his place in line for a SABER 5.56 upper. Down that rabbit hole I went.

Then the ultimate rabbit hole, what if I were to combine my first love, AR-15/M16 upper with a M10? And the Tenko concept was born.

I will admit that my machine gun journey is not the average. Dealing with the ATF and the whole Tenko saga, has been the biggest challenge of my life. But I am so heavily invested that I don’t feel I can walk away from this challenge. Vegas lobbied very hard for me to walk away. That did put a strain on our relationship. I still miss him very much.

So original poster, what do you want from your experience with your next machine gun? What do you already own? Do you want a pistol, intermediate, or full power rifle caliber experience? What is your budget? Do you want something that you can dump a couple of mags through and then throw back into the safe? Or the opposite end of the spectrum with a crew served style belt fed?

For me, anything with a 100 round Beta C dump, makes me giggle. That could be done with a M10, 53k clone, or a water cooled M16. I am fortunate enough to have most of those options. I do miss my Fleming sear. But I am not in a place where I could kit out my host guns with braces and Super Safeties. Especially when I have stocks to fit them. For me, shooting those host guns with SSs would be rubbing salt in the wound. It would piss me off. Good luck with your next machine gun purchase.

Scott

 

[Galil#1]

Easy...
HK53
Galil M336
UZI SMG
Brunettes
None
KIrk

 

[Slowmo]

This is such an open ended question. What do you want from the experience? Plug & play, tinkering, versatility, one trick pony, future value, cost, and how much time/money do you want to put into shooting or collecting this new to you gun?

For me personally, my first machine gun was the one I wanted the most. The Colt M16, if I was in harm’s way, that is the gun I would want. My first firearm was a pre 94 that I bought during the National Assault Weapons Ban. It was a Colt SP1. It came to me as a package deal with a Bushmaster six position stock and 16” M4 style upper. The seller also included the original 20” A1 style upper and fixed stock. I would take friends out to shoot, but I wasn’t part of a gun club and I was the first in my friend group to own a firearm. With the extra parts I built a post ban A1 style rifle. With just one rifle, someone would need to wait their turn. That turned out to be quite a rabbit hole.

Down the rabbit hole of configurations I went. I ended up meeting a coworker who owned a couple of M16s. Once I shot that I was hooked. I sold most of my collection to buy a M16. I got into multiple calibers and configurations, but the magwell limits configurations. Then the MGI modular magwell system came out. Over time I was able to find a DIAS, and sold the Colt gun.

During this time I moved to Las Vegas and got to really know “VegasSMG”. I had kitted out the MGI, and started with a”married” Fleming sear converted 94 for subgun matches just before moving to Las Vegas. I had no intention of doing anything with that other than shooting subgun matches. Then the “Going Out Of Roller Locked” sale started. A 9mm reverse stretch, full sized .40 S&W, CA53 AR, and 9 mm SD with a can, along with two .40 SD parts sets with cans later and down the rabbit holes I went. 25 host guns later (most of which are configurations that HK never made), I needed to sell the Fleming sear to fund the dream below.

Vegas was going down the Mac style RR rabbit hole. I got interested when he offered me an Uzi converted M10 and his place in line for a SABER 5.56 upper. Down that rabbit hole I went.

Then the ultimate rabbit hole, what if I were to combine my first love, AR-15/M16 upper with a M10? And the Tenko concept was born.

I will admit that my machine gun journey is not the average. Dealing with the ATF and the whole Tenko saga, has been the biggest challenge of my life. But I am so heavily invested that I don’t feel I can walk away from this challenge. Vegas lobbied very hard for me to walk away. That did put a strain on our relationship. I still miss him very much.

So original poster, what do you want from your experience with your next machine gun? What do you already own? Do you want a pistol, intermediate, or full power rifle caliber experience? What is your budget? Do you want something that you can dump a couple of mags through and then throw back into the safe? Or the opposite end of the spectrum with a crew served style belt fed?

For me, anything with a 100 round Beta C dump, makes me giggle. That could be done with a M10, 53k clone, or a water cooled M16. I am fortunate enough to have most of those options. I do miss my Fleming sear. But I am not in a place where I could kit out my host guns with braces and Super Safeties. Especially when I have stocks to fit them. For me, shooting those host guns with SSs would be rubbing salt in the wound. It would piss me off. Good luck with your next machine gun purchase.

Scott

Well as I phrased the original question, I just want to know what each of you likes the most and what makes each of you happiest. I intentionally left out what I already have since that shouldn’t affect your favorite or your answer.

 

[JackFlak]

M2
UZI
Heavy and clunky like my ex fiancee, but magnificent in action

 

[nklf]

The full size Uzi probably gets the most range time with me. To me it is just the way a subgun is supposed to feel. Second are various MAC configurations. Most of the other guns go to the range once and a while. My first MG was an HK and I still love them but they just don't make it to the range as often as the others listed above.

The beltfeds are much different game. The logistics are such that they rarely get any range time. Dragging an 18+ pound gun plus ammo to the range is a chore. And cleaning afterwards is more involved also.

 

[Alaska_Shooter]

MGs aren’t about logic or group consensus. What’s currently on YOUR mind?

Each of my guns was the favorite at one time other than the Sten and 76/45. I’ve never gotten much passion for them

If I was forced to pic it would be the Bren and the m11/a1 CFW 9mm

My advice would be to get a tx22 and M&P 9mm FRT. They’re not MGs but they’re my favorites

Currently 🤣

FRTs open a door for modern guns that hasn’t been opened for decades

 

[NFAnewbie]

My likes:
AUG
HK53
miniuzi with Barrel Xchange heavy bolt and fat man suppressor
hk23 ek
Reising (mines a shorty someone cut down and the rate of fire slowed just a touch and it is NEAT)
Swedish K
hk21
M16 (real fun with Tac innovations AM180 kit)

I will tell you though a 7.5in suppressed genesis shotgun set up right with a SS is a HELL of a lot of fun, but no mg. Barely any recoil difference between 2 3/4 71/2s and 3 inch 00. Need to get the Vickers out to see where it will land on the list.

 

[mattnh]

M2HB
M60
MP5

 

[SecondAmend]

I don't really have a "favorite" MG, and my preferences are caliber and configuration based. For example, using a 9mm upper on the M11-380 lower pretty much sucks; while shooting .380 ACP with the tungsten bolt in the M11-380 is very pleasant, especially with a suppressor. And shooting 9mm in the full-size Uzi and the M16A1 are equally very nice. Shooting .45 ACP in the full-size Uzi and the M16A1 pretty much sucks, while shooting .45 ACP in the '28 Thompson is very nice.

Also, I have observed that current and former military people seem to enjoy shooting the M16A1 with 5.56x45 ammo as it has the non-neutered, true full auto, third selector position.

MHO, YMMV, etc.

 

[Alaska_Shooter]

7.5in suppressed genesis shotgun set up right with a SS

I’ve been thinking about these for a long time. I wish they weren’t so crazy expensive

 

[Hey...]

MP40 no doubt.
2nd place is a Max31 drum dump

 

[Galil#1]

^^^^ Dead plastic ^^^^

 

[Deerhurst]

I really enjoyed the UK-59. Its a violent, ridiculous thing in FA but also one hell of an experience. 18" barreled belt fed in 7.62x54r. Its heavy, loud, lots of fireballs, way more recoil than it should have, the charging mechanism is weird, ROF is way higher than expected,etc. Its just a weird gun. I built a semi which has a lot of the same character, just SA only.

I like the G18 as well.

M16 is definitely up there for versatility.

Pretty meh on the G3, FAL and Uzi.

I really want to shoot a MG42. I love them so much I built a semi. Its a lot of fun in 308.