Some Wednesday BS- MG Ring Mounts

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 12:57 pm

I know many of you CCKW owners are just drooling to find a Ring Mount set up for your truck. I had a NOS M-36 on mine for 15 years, by then the availability of components had become relatively scarce and the prices had risen dramatically. I sold mine for big bucks. The reward was more than just a fat wallet, my CCKW that got its second wind, and suddenly sprung to life. The truck acted as if it had just put on its sneakers. What I am saying is that there is a noticeable difference in power and ride in CCKWs that have Ring Mounts installed, and those that do not. There is also a difference in the construction of the M-49 Rings, it is in the web area of the ring, some are thicker than others, and there is a 40-50# difference in weight of the rings. I believe it is a difference in the manufacturers. Some were manufactured by Baldwin Locomotive in WWII. They are hard to come by today. Something to consider if your truck is an open cab, the M-36 structure is totally supported by the cab of the CCKW, your cab mounts to the chassis in just 3 locations. An inspection should be performed to ensure that your cab is in condition suitable to support the M-36 Ring Mount. An additional note of caution when buying components to install the MG mount on your CCKW, There is a difference in Cradles as used on Ring Mounts, and Pedestals . The difference is in the Pintle portion of the Cradle, the trolly used on the M-49 ring requires a longer pintle(stem) those used on pedestals on Jeeps use a shorter (stem). Be careful, as these things cost.
Joel

armydriver · Post by **armydriver** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:58 am

Thanks Joel, that settles my desire for the ring mount. I have a photo of a CCKW on the beach at Normandy with what looks like a M31 machine gun mount that has been placed in the passanger side of the ring leg holder, with a water cooled model 1917 Browning mounted for the passanger to fire straight ahead.

Actually a very cleavor battle field modification that probably only made the relief driver feel better as the field of fire was limited. I am thinking about doing this to my truck.