BAR M1918
Browning Automatic Rifle
Overview
M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle
Left side view of a M1918A2 pattern Browning Automatic Rifle with bipod in stowed position.
Source: Rock Island Auction House -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Light machine gun
John Browning
United States - Marlin-Rockwell
United States - Winchester
About 250.000 M1918A2
M1918 | United States service
Automatic Machine Rifle Model 1919 | commercial model
Fusil-mitrailleur 7 mm 62 (C. 30) M. 18 (B. A. R.) | French service
Description
Introduction
The BAR is a pre-World War 2 era light machine gun of US origin. The BAR was developed by John Browning in 1917 and was actively used until the mid 20th century. The name BAR stands for "Browning Automatic Rifle", but it is also known under the US military designation M1918. Aside from the M1918 pattern various law enforcement and military derivatives of th
Design
The BAR is a magazine fed gas operated automatic weapon. Although classified by modern standards as a light machine gun, it was conceived as an automatic rifle, just as the name implies. The BAR was to bring man portable and highly mobile firepower, whereas machineguns at that time were still It features a large metal receiver with a short wooden forearm. The long barrel is fully exposed for better air cooling. Most BAR have a wooden stock, but the latest models were fitted with a plastic stock.
Firepower
The BAR fires the .30-06 round from a 20 round magazine. Early versions were select fire. Later versions were fully automatic only, with a selectable slow and high rate of fire of about 400 rpm and 650 rpm respectively. Due to the weight and limited rate of fire the BAR is quite controllable. The effective range is well over 400 meters against point targets.
Users
The BAR was widely used before World War 2 and was actively used by various nations during World War 2, most notably by the United States. After World War 2 the BAR quickly became obsolete with the widespread introduction of battle rifles and general purpose machine guns. In some nations the BAR was used until the 1980's.
Variants
BAR M1918
Original US military version of the Browning Automatic Rifle, first adopted in 1918. This original version was fully envisioned as an automatic rifle, being fired from the shoulder or the hip. The M1918 is also the only model without any bipod. This version is also select-fire, firing semi-automatic or fully automatic.
BAR M1918A1
The M1918A1 is a modified version of the Browning Automatic Rifle that is designed to make it more suitable in the light machine gun role. A spiked bipod is added just in front of the handguard and a hinged butt plate is added as well.
This version of the BAR was not produced new, but was converted from existing stock of M1918. Being adopted in 1937 relatively few M1918 were converted to A1 standard before adoption of the M1918A2.
BAR M1918A2
The A2 model is known as the World War 2 variant of the BAR, being adopted in 1940. With a quarter million produced this is the most common variant of the BAR.
The M1918A2 has a foldable bipod attached to the barrel and is no longer select fire. The M1918A2 has the option to select the standard rate of fire and a reduced rate of fire.
Details
Media
M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle
A US soldier in France demonstrates a Browning Automatic Rifle in November 1918.
Source: Imperial War Museums
Copyright: Public domain
M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle
US soldier taking aim with a M1918A2 pattern Browning Automatic Rifle in 1951 during the Korean war.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle
US marine firing his M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle in 1944.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle
Vietnamese irregular forces armed with M1918A2 BAR light machine guns traveling by boat in 1966.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
Derivatives of the BAR design
Colt Monitor
The Colt Monitor is a derivative of the BAR for law enforcement use. This iconic weapon was produced in limited numbers
FN Type D
Further development of the Browning Automatic Rifle by FN of Belgium as a light machine gun. Features a quick change barrel.
Related articles
Browning M1919
The BAR was used alongside the belt-fed M1919A4. This tripod mounted machine gun is much less portable than the BAR.
Bren
The Bren fulfilled a similar role during World War 2 for Commonwealth forces as the M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle for US forces.