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Browning M1919



Overview


M1919A4

A M1919A4 in service with Canadian forces who designate it the C5 machine gun.
Source: US Army (photographer unknown) - © public domain

Origin
United States
Type
Machine gun
Entered service
Early 1920's
Status
Limited service
Development
1918
Developer
United States
John Browning
Production
1919 - 1957
Producer
United States - Rock Island Arsenal
United States - Buffalo Arms Comporation
United States - Colt
United States - General Motors
Belgium - Fabrique Nationale
Sweden
United Kingdom - BSA
Unit cost
$ 579 for M1919A4 in 1978
Number produced
Over 430.000 in the USA
Designations
C1 (Canadian service)
C5 (Canadian C1 in 7.62mm NATO)
Ksp m/42 (Swedish service)
L3A1, L3A3 (UK service fixed version)
L3A2, L3A4 (UK service flexible version)
MG A4 (Austrian service M1919A4)
Mg M/52-I (M1919A4 in Danish service)
Mg M/52-II (M1919A5 in Danish service)
Mle 1938 (FN produced M1919 in 7.5mm French)
Wz 32 (Polish M1919 in 7.92mm Mauser)

Description


Introduction

The M1919 is a machine gun of US origin. It was developed after World War 1 by John Browning for the US forces. The M1919 and its derivatives were the standard medium machine gun during World War 2 for the US forces and was produced in very large quantities. Nowadays most M1919 are replaced or relegated to reserve use, although small numbers remain in service.

Design

The M1919 is an air-cooled development of the Browning M1917 water cooled machine gun. It uses that same short recoil mechanism but replaces the water cooled barrel with an air cooled barrel covered in a shroud. The M1919 fires the .30-06 round from cloth or linked belts that are inserted on the left of the weapon. A pistol grip and trigger are located on the rear of the receiver and a swivel point at the front of the receiver is used to mount the weapon on a tripod.

Firepower

The M1919 fires the .30-06 rounds from belts of various lengths. Foreign models were also produced in 7.92mm Mauser, .303 British, 6.5mm Swedish and 7.5mm French. The cyclic rate of fire is rather low at 400 to 550 rpm. When used on a tripod the maximum effective range is 1 km. The M1919 proved it was a reliable weapon during its use in World War 2 and many Asian and African conflicts.

Users

The M1919 was widely used throughout World War 2 and the Korean War. Many nations with ties to the USA acquired the M1919 and used it in many other conflicts. In US service the it was replaced by the M60 for infantry use and by M73 for vehicle use. In most other nations it was replaced by the MAG general purpose machine gun. Nowadays the M1919 is mostly in reserve use or phased out, but a few nations and irregular forces still use the M1919.

Variants


M1919A4

A M1919A4 machine gun mounted on a M2 tripod.
Source: www.browningmgs.com - © copyright lies with original owner

The M1919 was first developed for infantry use and was later adapted to various other use. The M1919 was to be used on a tripod and was operated by a two or three man team. The M1919A4 is by far the most common variant for infantry use.

Title of new table Item

M1919
First production model with heavy barrel to mimic characteristics of water cooled M1917.
M1919A1
M1919 with a light barrel that did not make the weapon that easier to carry but impaired the sustained fire ability significantly.
M1919A2
M1919 with a medium thickness barrel that was used between World War 1 and 2. The M1919A3 is similar with minor differences.
M1919A4
Mass produced improved version of the M1919A2. The A4 model is the most common M1919 variant.

Details


Facts M1919A4
General
Origin
United States
Type
Machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
.30-06 Springfield
Feed system
Belt fed
250 round belts
Barrel length
610 mm
Rifling
4 grooves, 254 mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
860 m/s
Operation
Action
Short recoil, closed bolt
Locking
Locking block
Fire selector
0 - F
Rate of fire
400 - 550 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
None
Length
964 mm
Weight
14.06 kg empty
3.33 kg spare barrel
6.35 kg M2 tripod
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, blade front and leaf aperture rear
Sight radius
354 mm
Optics
None
Accessories
Tripod
Quick detachable M2 tripod
Tripod weight
6.35 kg for M2 tripod

Related articles


Browning M1919A6

The M1919A6 is a redesigned M1919A4 with shoulder stock for infantry use. The A6 model is more mobile than the A4, but proved of limited practicality.