Gun Ring on M37

[W3SLAV]

Has anyone ever put a gun ring on an m37? I have seen gun rings on wc63's and was wondering if something similar could be done with an m36/m49 on an m37, thanks.

[sturmtyger380]

The only gun mount I have seen was one that went in the bed. It has a center mount for the gun going down to the bed floor and attaches to a bracket arraignment that goes from one side of inside the bed on the cab end.

[Elwood]

David Doyle's Standard Catalog of U. S. Military Vehicles, 2nd Edition has a good examination of the gun mounts used on tactical wheeled vehicles in Appendix 1. The M24A3 mount (which sturmtyger referred to above) was designed for the G-741 trucks, and differs in detail from the earlier M24 mounts which were designed for the VC and WC trucks. These earlier mounts are not directly interchangeable onto the G-741 beds.

I've never seen any reference to a gun ring for the G-741 trucks, but the M50 ring, which was designed for the WWII G-507 Dodge 6x6 might be adapted.

If you haven't already seen it, https://bmggunparts.com would be worth browsing.

[NAM VET]

I think it would be difficult to mount a "ring" on an M37, as there really isn't any sturdy place to do so. Plus, a "ring" would take up half the bed, making it pretty useless for hauling cargo. There are lots of pictures of M37 vehicles "up-gunned" and armored for escort duty, but they have MG's mounted in the corners and sides of the bed. I have a de-milled 1919 30 cal on a pedestal in my truck's bed. I only mount it for shows and such, and people just love to climb up and swing it around. I made up a belt of dummy rounds, and mine is in a cradle with an ammo box on the side. There are all sorts of "dummy' guns available fo this, and in my mind a 50 cal would have had far too much recoil unless it was really braced in the bed. I have plenty of real firing experience with assorted MG's, and a 50 has a big, pounding recoil. Plus, a smaller MG like mine would be a lot easier to handle than a huge M2 50 cal.

I paid about $2500 for my set up, gun, cradle, pedestal and about $600 or so for a ground tripod and small pintle mount, and T&E mechanism for the ground tripod mount. Plus more for a real canvas zipper cover for my gun, came in a wrapping dated 1952. Later than this pic I got some ammo box paint stencils for the ammo cans from Rick Larsen.

NV.
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[W3SLAV]

Could something like this be done? I would be willing to modify/re-enforce parts of the truck to do it.

[k8icu]

The answer to your question is yes if you have the skills and the money to do so. First the ring mount with all the parts to hook it to a WC are expensive and then you will have to modify it to work on the M37. Remember WCs did not have doors and M37s do so I think that would be the biggest hump to get over as far as where to mount etc. But, yes, if you want that on your truck go for it! It just takes time and money.