Do Shrikes count as support weapons?

[MJKramer]

even the MG36 doesn't count at places as a support weapon.
Then again, they might let you use it because like John_234 said, most game coordinators are reasonable.

strange... because in a previous post

General rule is, if it's a support weapon in real life, it's a support weapon in airsoft.

though possibly the MG36 you're reffering to is a G36K or G36C with a drum and "its a elem jee, hurr hurr" though a specifically built and dedicated "it will only ever be a MG36 because thats what it is from now on" should be allowed.
people use XM8's and those got tossed out by the military, as is the XM8 sharpshooter, XM8 compact and XM8 LMG

as for the Shrike thing, I think many hosts here would allow it. if they didn't, it might either be because they dont know what they're talking about themselves or the most likely case its a strict gear rules milsim and maybe that weapon isnt used by the army you're playing that day.
exceptions get made all the time.

[Matt]

Most game promoters are smart enough to figure out if some n00b just slapped a box mag on an AR and tried to call it a support weapon. If you have some type of custom kit gun like a Shrike, they're going to allow it and designate it as a squad support weapon.

[MJKramer]

the shrike looks OK enough. though the original post asked if it were more expensive would it be allowed... alot of people are going to trick you into thinking that the more expensive it is, the better. that is false.
if you truely converted a gun into an existing system that exists (or almost existed) then sure, why not.
I have posted about the MG36 and converting it. but not buying a kit for it. rather a specific set of performance and durability upgrades. since people are going to be firing an LMG harder than an assault rifle or an SMG, it needs to be ready to withstand that sort of torment.
the Shrike conversion kit is easier to identify. around here, it will pass faster than my un-started MG36 project.

[Rentax]

Generally when I have seen comments about LMG conversions on event threads they say the conversion must be 80% complete. This is to keep people from taking a G36c slapping a longer barrel into it and a box mag on it and calling it an LMG.
So if you were to buy a conversion kit and assemble it, then anyone posting 80% or better would have nothing to complain about.
Now I would still check with the event promoter before hand to make sure they will allow it. But the way it's been worded in the past they should allow it.

[MJKramer]

Now I would still check with the event promoter before hand to make sure they will allow it.

YES! I'm glad people are getting this main point right here. regardless of which model you are making or getting a kit for, this is the main factor. some event staff might not want ANY LMG at all at their game, so a 100% pure M249 can fail if thats the case.
it is almost always up to the host... no thats a lie. it is always up to the host.

[BlacksunshineGAAS]

Why is that important? Unless you are attending a strict era specific milsim event it doesn't even factor in. There's plenty of guns out there that weren't adopted by military. But they are still guns that were produced or designed. So the design or rather the concept of their role is what it should be based off of. Rather then nitpicking "this gun is, that gun isn't" Lets just define what should be required to be classified as a support weapon.
Longer barrel, box mag, fixed stock, bipod. Slap all that shit on an M4 and you are taking the weight up and it becomes less maneuverable. If someone chooses to use a gun with all that stuff and doesn't take the time to re-enforce the internals to take the higher and sustained fire. They will learn real quick that their gun doesn't cut it. If you limit the number of support weapons per team then the team will work out who should represent them with their weapons.

[Junto]

I'd choke a grocery cart full of orphans for that Stoner 63. :I

[wurger]

AFAIK, real world RPK's don't even use drum mags. They use an extended AK mag (40ish rounds).

A Shrike conversion would be money down the drain, unless you want a unique gun. The last time I looked, the Hurricane Shrike conversion was something like $800-900, plus gearbox and all of the other bits. If you want to be different, look at the E1 Red Star RPK, or the G&P Stoner Mk23. I have both, and both are strong guns, worth a look.

[MJKramer]

Oh, and to preempt any L86 arguments; the British military did/does not use the L86 as a support weapon.

well, even if it wasn't adopted by a real military it does exist. the only reason the MG36 and L86 didn't go into service was because they had better options for the role.

which leads into an actual point worth making:
-there are better options than something that's just an assault rifle modified into a machinegun. (though someone favoring the RPK will point this out, but the changes were enough that its a different weapon).
-my original point: changing the mag for a drum, and ONLY THAT... won't qualify. only if you put the right "gonna shoot alot and survive forever" parts in, put in at least a 6.04mm barrel (because LMG's are meant to reach further than Assault Rifles), and when appropriate attaching a support optic... when you actually "change the gun" is when its an LMG or a support weapon.
-a point others might have missed: the Type 95 was transformed into an LMG (and is used, check the PLA of China)... the AK series was successfully transformed into a support platform (because they didn't care about looks or originality) and the G3's roller lock system exists in HK's roller lock support weapons. so even if a certain weapon individually (the MG36 or XM8 LMG) were not adopted, the concept was.

but this isnt about proving kramer wrong. its about the Shrike and if that particular gun is a good idea. to answer that question, look at how much of the weapon is changed when you use that conversion kit. can it do the job? if you're satisfied, then it doesnt matter if you encounter one or two places that dont let you use it. the idea should be that YOU are happy with YOUR weapon.

[Sixxgun]

I'd choke a grocery cart full of orphans for that Stoner 63. :I

+1
I've always liked the stoner 63 the fun was ahead of it's time.

Also the RPK came with a 30, 40 round mags and also a 75 round drum (my source is from Military small arms of the 20th century 7th edition by Ian Hogg)

[John_234]

AFAIK, real world RPK's don't even use drum mags. They use an extended AK mag (40ish rounds).

A Shrike conversion would be money down the drain, unless you want a unique gun. The last time I looked, the Hurricane Shrike conversion was something like $800-900, plus gearbox and all of the other bits. If you want to be different, look at the E1 Red Star RPK, or the G&P Stoner Mk23. I have both, and both are strong guns, worth a look.

So does the Mk23 have any weak points, structurally? One of my buddies is trying to find a support weapon he likes, but he's also very hard on his gear, so he was afraid of busting up a beautiful gun like that.

[wurger]

I've only had the Mk23 for a week, so I don't have any field experience with it. Out of the box it is solid, feeds well, and easily hits my 150' target. The only obvious weak point so far is the stock. It just doesn't feel as solid as my other full stocks do. There have been problems with stocks breaking off. G&P has strengthened the stock mount, so time will tell on that. The gun is light, and not as long as the RPK, so I expect it will field well.

[Millwe5]

I like mp5ks with.... drum mags.

done it........twice....

[Ivan Daylovich™]

No one ever said anything about my Skorpion's drum.

[pulsipher]

I like mp5ks with.... drum mags.

done it........twice....

With style if i remember