[natedog]

Was the Browning M1919A4 .30 machine gun used as a mobile machine gun, or just something for fixed emplacements? How heavy was it, and how heavy was the tripod? Was the BAR used as the squad based machine gun, instead?

[Nightcrawler]

It was used as a squad machine gun. One guy carried the gun, one guy carried the tripod, lots of guys carried the ammo. Wasn't perfect for that task, but the Soldiers and Marines of the Second World War made due. The Bar was issued two per Army squad, three per Marine squad, usually.

[natedog]

Was the guy who carried the tripod armed with just a pistol? Or, did he have an M1 Carbine? Folding stock carbine?

[BluesBear]

Neither the Browning M1919A4 or the M1919A6 were standard squad machine guns. They were more used at the Platoon level.

Even though the A6 version had a shoulder stock and bipod it was still considered a two man weapon.

[Nightcrawler]

The tripod guy usually had a carbine (later in the war, anyways).

Technically, even modern guns like the M240 are two-man weapons. Theyr'e still crew served.

The M1919 was more of a platoon issue than squad issue, but if you've got two M1919s in a platoon with four squads, one squad in each section is going to be responsible for humping that beast.

[bogie]

Whatever you do, don't admit to knowing how to change barrels and adjust headspace.

My father (325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd) made that mistake.

[jdseven1]

Bogie That reminds me of the time we took off the barrel on the 30 cal and we had a problem getting it to fire. Good thing we found someone who was trained on the 30 and he was able to get it to work.

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
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Neither the Browning M1919A4 or the M1919A6 were standard squad machine guns. They were more used at the Platoon level.
----------------------------------------

In the 50s and early 60s, there was a machinegun squad in each platoon, which had two M1919s. Later on, they were absorbed in platoon headquarters.

[Double Maduro]

Natedog,

This should answer some of your questions.

a4
http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/30cal.htm

a6
http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/30cala6.htm

DM

[natedog]

Thanks. All of the 1919 series MG guns look most at home on a tripod, in a fixed position. How much did the MG42 series weigh? How portable was it?

[Double Maduro]

What you thought you could stump me?

LOL

mg42

http://www.fact-index.com/m/mg/mg42.html

DM

[Double Maduro]

Natedog,

Here is an incredible site for U.S. weapons,

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/index.html


DM