In the 21st episode of the Silah Report Podcast, an Iraqi gunsmith talks to us at length about his experiences in aesthetically converting a functional 7.62×39mm RPD Light Machine Gun into what could easily be mistaken for an FN Herstal Minimi, or the US-designated M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, 5.56×45mm light machine gun. He takes us on this journey of tinkering and acquiring spare parts, sometimes even carving items like the buttstock out of wood to make it appear to be a plastic one from afar.
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If you missed the previous episode, you can find it here.
Check out the podcast here and listen along with the photographs below!
https://soundcloud.com/silah-report/v21-marwan-the-iraqi-gunsmith
Podcast Running Order:
Presentations:
Why Create the “RPD249”?
Skills and Parts Involved
Future Small Arms Projects
Calibre Obscura’s Recent Updates on Syria
Why Create the “RPD249”?
A question asked by many who saw Marwan’s creation was ‘why?’ Why not just purchase an M249? Why go through all of this hassle to modernize a older Soviet firearm when there are better alternatives available on the market?
Marwan explained to us the reasons behinds his creation; first of all, it was as a challenge for him, he saw videos of American gunsmiths modifying firearms and he thought he could do a better job than them. He wanted to show everyone that an Iraqi can do a much better job of modifying a firearm than his American counterparts. But that is just one aspect, he also stated his preference for “Russian ammo” – the 7.62×39mm round, and stated that he sees it as ‘stronger’ than 5.56×45mm. Finally, acquiring an M249 in Iraq is extremely difficult and expensive, almost reaching $10,000. So, he chose to make his own ‘M249’ instead.
The customization carried out, as stated by Marwan, focuses on functionality and purpose, not aesthetics.
Here’s a video of the gun in action:
Skills and Parts Involved
Marwan was actually a carpenter before joining the ‘Popular Mobilization Units’, the PMU which fought ISIS. He used the skills gained as a carpenter to replicate plastic parts especially the Buttstock. He also gained experience dealing with firearms due to his time as a PMU militiaman. Original M249 parts are extremely expensive and scarce on the black-market, hence he had to make do with whatever he could get his hands on. It is worth mentioning that he modified the RPD with just simple hand tools and no complex machinery.
Future Small Arms Projects
Marwan informed us that lots of people in Iraq have requested his gunsmithing services but unfortunately, due to his lack of specialized equipment and machinery requested modifications often do take a very long time to complete. The strict gun laws in Iraq also make his modifications somewhat legally questionable. Therefore he decided to carry out custom-ordered modifications for his friends but that is about it. The ‘RPD-249’ was not intended as a “business concept” rather just for personal use. He does not – as of now – want to produce more RPD-249s or customize any other weaponry as it takes so long it actually impacts his livelihood.
Calibre Obscura’s Recent Updates on Syria
Another guest on the podcast, Calibre Obscura, gave us an update which at that time, was considered critical news. The Turks had just begun ground combat operations alongside Syrian Rebels against the SAA and its allies, which led to much materiel and vehicles falling in the hands of the rebels. That was before the Syrian Airforce killed approximately 35 Turkish soldiers in an airstrike, which resulted in a devastating retaliation by Turkish UAVs bombing hundreds of SAA and IRGC targets.
Patreon Shoutout
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