Description

The M134 Minigun entered US Army service in 1960 and still flies on attack and transport helicopters, firing up to 6,000 rounds a minute from its rotating 7.62 mm barrels. It is the gun from Terminator 2 and Predator. In real life it is far too heavy to carry, so this laser tag version sits on a turret tripod, where a machine gunner can dominate the field.

Body and electronics

An airsoft replica on a tripod, about 20 kg and almost entirely steel. Only the barrel gearbox housing and battery cover are light alloy.
Stationary electronics, not paired to a player headband.
A 1,000-round belt at 1,500 rounds per minute gives about 40 seconds of continuous fire, followed by a 30-second reload. Ammunition management matters.
Two speakers, one facing the gunner, so the shots are heard over the barrel noise.
Separate power: a 3 Ah lithium battery for the control electronics, and the barrel drive runs from a built-in extra battery or an external supply. Both sockets are at the rear, under the handle.

Controls

Two toggle switches under the handle. The left one powers the gun. The right one sets the barrel mode:

Middle: barrels still, firing electronics active.
Up: barrels spin from the built-in battery (mobile use).
Down: barrels spin from an external supply (fixed position).

The trigger has two stages: a light press spins the barrels and a firm press fires. When the belt is empty, the thumb button starts the 30-second reload. Until it finishes, use your own weapon.

A centrepiece for any field, and the starting point for plenty of scenarios.

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