Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 (edited) Many do not know it, but long long ago you could buy .223 Conversion kits for M60s. The kits consisted of the following: - Feed Tray -Barrel -Bolt -Top Cover The parts are very easy to install. All of the conversion parts were made from original M60 Parts.... They just had to be modified. The conversion kits were made by John Weaver "JRW", who sadly passed away a long time ago now. Parts are almost non existent. I was going to put these parts into production years ago but found that some of the parts, such as the barrel collar, would be very very costly for me to have made. I passed the project on and haven't heard about it since. I regret it now.... I did manage to pick up a .223 feed tray. Some pictures below. I will be having the blocks and feed pawls produced...so that's a start... Al;so pictured below is a early M60e4 Ammo Hanger, which SAW pouches attach to. Which is what would hold the ammo load for the .223 M60. Anyway ... Just sharing with the board.. I am trying to acquire the other .223 parts so I can get this project up and running and into production. Aaron - Mohnton, Pa .223 FEED TRAY - The long piece coming off the front goes into the trunion and guides the round into the chamber. Here is a video of a .223 M60 Running Edited April 5, 2018 by Aaron in Mohnton Pa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DINK Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 My checkbook is standing by for when you start selling them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waffen Und Bier Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 (edited) Aaron, what happened with the more recent company that was supposed to make these? Edited May 26, 2018 by Waffen Und Bier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted April 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2018 @Waffen Und Bier , They were suppose to put these into production and I was supposed to become a distributor of them. From what I heard the kit went on a shelf and to date no action has been taken with it. Unfortunately. That was in 2015 that they acquired it and still nothing. I'm not optimistic that they will go into production. - Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waffen Und Bier Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 (edited) Bummer. One of our customers keeps threatening to come by the shop with some JRW pieces. Still holding my breath. I'm busy with Stoner related stuff, so no hurry, I suppose. Edited April 15, 2018 by Waffen Und Bier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted April 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 @Waffen Und Bier , post some pictures up here if he does come through with them. Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waffen Und Bier Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Will do. Could the barrel extension for the 7.62 M60 be used for the 5.56mm? I haven't looked or experimented yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted April 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 (edited) @Waffen Und Bier , Yes the barrel collar (pictured below) threads onto the newly made barrel. The small tooth on front of the feed tray guides the round into the chamber. I have heard John Weaver made his barrels out of Remington 700 barrels. The problem is finding these barrel collars and gas cylinders. They are near impossible to find the e3 ones. I do not know if standard gas cylinders will work. The barrels are machined into the shape of an e3 barrel. Barrel collar torqued on and barrel latch notch cut in. Then everything is installed and lined up based on the barrel latch cut. To ensure gas system is straight and front sight post is straight. -Aaron Edited April 18, 2018 by Aaron in Mohnton Pa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike todd Posted April 26, 2018 Report Share Posted April 26, 2018 Aaron, I think a lot of ANYTHING that will add to the limited choice's we have to look forward to in todays market place and its a fantastic thought. I had heard there were running issues that was a big factor with it moving forward. I would think the pressure curve of the round and the 60K + actual chamber pressure is a big culprit with the design. Has anybody attempted a Russian short conversion? mike todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BPinFL Posted April 26, 2018 Report Share Posted April 26, 2018 Now you're talking about something interesting, a 7.62X39 - M60 running RPD links! Linked .223 is a PIA to clean up after, and I already have a Shrike. Sure hope someone can figure this out. Thanks for the Boards! BP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted April 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2018 @mike todd Mike, Yes, JRW's initial design had its issued. He was working on the project with Eric Grimes. After John Passed Eric continued to work on the project. He was able to get the gas port size adjusted correctly so that the weapon ran consistently. I don't believe anyone has attempted a 7.62x39 conversion but that would be neat. Since I made this post, I have been talking back and forth with Michael Dresner at Law Enforcement Sales in TN. If anyone is capable of completing a x39 design it is him. That round may actually feed better than the .223 round. Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike todd Posted April 28, 2018 Report Share Posted April 28, 2018 Aaren, lets hope someone takes the bait and gives it a shot. I enjoy my 60 more than I can relate but not so much with full power ammo. I managed to get 3 extra guns in a agency order back in early 80 and we ordered a full 28ft pup of that EARLY west German .308 . it was on the low side and the guns just purred with it. what little I have left I cant bring myself to shoot, so an option would be very welcome. we have the rifling machine at the ready so brls would not be any problem. if only my hands would allow me to run the mill ,or steady the TIG torch, I would be on it now instead of this keyboard. the biggest hurdle is anyone with the ability has no time because of all the demand for quality work. so it will require quite a sacrifice for anyone to get into. lets light the fuse and get something going! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike todd Posted May 1, 2018 Report Share Posted May 1, 2018 Aaron, next time you talk to Michael Dresner, tell him if he gets a bit going , we can produce a barrel, and provide it for the project but would need help with the collar. if we could get our hands on some from demil brls , we should be able to do something with them. other than a few target brls all we are doing right now is trying to produce a Breda 30 brl in Russian short for our AK mag conversion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted May 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2018 @mike todd, thanks man! That’s great to hear. I can get gas cylinders for sure. I was thinking the same thing as far as getting collars off demilled barrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waffen Und Bier Posted May 26, 2018 Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 (edited) No sign of the M60 parts yet. Did John/Eric change the gas system much? According to Cadilac Gage's Interim Report on the Stoner system, they "had little success in developing a straight expansion cut-off system similar to that used in the M60 machine gun." The M60 bolt, op rod, piston and recoil spring would seem like a lot to overcome by the 5.56mm. I was thinking 7.62x39 for the M60 and MG42 as well. Edited May 26, 2018 by Waffen Und Bier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDMERC Posted May 26, 2018 Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 If you are looking for investors in the project, count me in. What about the 6.5 Creedmoor? I bet the Military would give a second look at the M60 in that chambering. Interesting that I recall the Brits were looking at a .260 when we were testing the .223. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVA Posted May 26, 2018 Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 The .308/7.62x51 is the parent case for the 6.5 Creedmoor. Price is not as affordable as the .308. Really the MAIN thing on a conversion to 6.5 would be the barrel. The m60 links, feedtray, top cover, bolt etc would all work. Other than working out the round feeding into the chamber. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted May 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2018 @Waffen Und Bier, After John Weaver died Eric Grimes continued working on the project. John had not finalized a working design as his original design had issues running. The modifications that Eric made to get it running properly was: - Bending the feed cam a few degrees - Adjusting the gas port size When I last spoke with Eric years ago, the biggest issue he was having was the gas port size and the feeding issues. I still do not know what his finial gas port size was. But his final adjustments got it running perfectly consistent. @BDMERC, Thank you for that offer!! Funding is there and I can get that done, its getting my hands back on the final design so I can reverse engineer it. I believe, especially with all the people interested in this with manufacturing capabilities like @mike todd, that it can be done. I think Rental ranges would like something like this as well to keep ammo costs down. Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted May 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2018 @SVA, Good info! I will certainly look into that round. figuring out how to get round in chamber would be pretty easy. Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDMERC Posted May 27, 2018 Report Share Posted May 27, 2018 its getting my hands back on the final design Do you know who currently has it? If you do and he knows it has value it seems like he would be willing to attach a price to it and sell it, given he apparently has not (or does not plan) to do anything with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted May 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2018 @BDMERC, I believe the same person still has it. I will inquire this week. He knows its a unicorn so he likely wont sell it but I may possibly be able to borrow some components to replicate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted July 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2018 Recently, with the help of Brian Borg, I purchased the remaining M60 Parts fromthe John Weaver (JRW) estate. While there was a lot of small parts... the most interesting thing in there was all johns tools, jigs etc... there was also a couple .223 extractors and the Jig John made to modify them , which had an extractor in it still that was in the process of being finished. Looks like a .223 feed cam and feed tray belt pawl as well. Some other unique things were the semi auto parts (firing pins , 525 firing pin springs, Sears , sear pins, etc. Some pictures below. Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted July 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2018 @BDMERC, Sorry for the late reply. I was recently told the person is considering selling it back to me. Will update when / is that happens. Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDMERC Posted July 27, 2018 Report Share Posted July 27, 2018 Good deal! I hope that you get it! I'd love to be part of your marketing or production effort if you wanted help. I have some of the best machinists and welders who are always doing special projects for me! Thanks! Tom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted July 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2018 @BDMERC thanks Tom! I’ll keep you in the loop and welcome all the help I can get if I can get my hands back on this thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JECIII Posted July 30, 2018 Report Share Posted July 30, 2018 You all do realize that Eric Grimes is now a convicted Felon, so I dont think hell be working anymore on it. I hope he is not the one with the parts Its ashame he fooled us all never even was a FFL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted July 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2018 @JECIII , I am aware of that. He is not the ones with the parts. It is a complete tragedy what happened with that. I hear a lot of people had items seized and never got them back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JECIII Posted July 31, 2018 Report Share Posted July 31, 2018 good to know because if it was tht would be ashame. I believe the hk 93 press and dies for flats were also lost in the process. Right before the bust he had purchased the press and dies to start stamping recievers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewmanArms Posted August 8, 2018 Report Share Posted August 8, 2018 After spending the last couple years getting the MG42 running 7.62x39, I would say the M60 would be a good candidate to convert to the x39. Knowing what I know about making the 42 run it and what I know about the 60, I agree the barrel collar would be the hardest part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted August 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2018 @LewmanArms, I agree the x39 a much simpler conversion. A guy offered me a running conversion kit. Pictures below. I did not get it yet but plan on it. I’m told the gun runs with just the below modifications. The .223 requires a ton of modifications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewmanArms Posted August 8, 2018 Report Share Posted August 8, 2018 (edited) Spacer in the feed tray, the 42 belts are the way to go for feeding. No need to mod to RPD belts, just adds extra steps. Maybe slight mods to the extractor. Barrel. And maybe tweaking the top cover. The 42 the round has a long jump so the top cover is modded to accommodate that. Tuning the gas is probably the biggest thing, but all and all not impossible. you may need to mod the feed chute area of the feed tray if the rounds want to fall out of the tray early. That may not be an issue in the M60 though. It is in the 42. Edited August 8, 2018 by LewmanArms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike todd Posted August 9, 2018 Report Share Posted August 9, 2018 AARON, I called the shop to see if the rifle tooling was open and we can get it in anytime. someone needs to start scrounging barrel collars. maybe there is somebody out there that can deal with MG DAVE at SARCO better than me all I get is BLANKS on my orders and lucky if an email is returned. I do know they have a ton of demilled 60 parts. I am trying another source also. I CAN PROMISE ONE THING! I WILL NOT REQUIRE A DEPOSIT IN ADVANCE FOR FUTURE MACHINE WORK for any conversions I'm part of. we already have all the equipment on hand to do the work and its waiting. cheers guys lets do it! MIKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted August 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2018 @mike todd , I can likely get some barrel collars in. I will definetely take you up on your offer to help! Just need to get a barrel in to reverse engineer. The gas port size was a big problem on the existing kits I know. I think Eric Grimes in the last kit had finally got the perfect port size cause it ran flawlesssly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DINK Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 Time to resuscitate this thread. Anyone have any progress reports on either the .223 or 7.62x39 conversions? My checkbook is still ready and waiting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambonee Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 I too, am interested in this topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted January 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) Lewman Arms (posted on this thread) is actively producing or attempting to produce a 7.62x39 kit I believe the 5.56 kit too... so they are in the works .. Aaron - Mohnton, Pa Edited January 12, 2020 by Aaron in Mohnton Pa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambonee Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 Aaron, Thank you for the heads up on this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron in Mohnton Pa Posted January 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 @Rambonee , No problem. I look forward to them as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike todd Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 JUST A THOUGHT, I HAVE done a lot of caliber conversions to countless designs. once the feed is worked out which is just a mechanical hurdle, the MAIN challenge is the pressure curve and port size. in the past the way I handled port sizes was to drill and tap the brl port then you can drill various size's in the following plugs and work your way down to the right level. not that I would KEEP that in the final design, it is safe enough and allows a quick adjustment. gas is NOT always the culprit its that danged curve that will hang you up. when I went to .410 shotgun I learned the most about that as it does not EXIST! many designs required a expansion area in the chamber much like COLT used for the 1911 .22 conversion to start the initial unlocking . the brl machine is still waiting for something so lets get moving ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewmanArms Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 The x39 kit is feeding and we are working through cycling. The 556 kit is cycling but only runs 10-15 rounds before closing on an empty chamber, also working through this. Also have a 240b x39 kit in prototype phase, an MG34 x39 kit in planning.. Fun stuff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DINK Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 Thank you for the update. I hope you will swing by and keep us updated once in a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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