Browning 1919

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WALKERs210

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Today while visiting my favorite gun/pawn shop before I even got in the door good the owner was calling me over. He had a gentleman that has a Browning model 1919 for sale and wanted to let me have first shot at it. From what I understand one of the side plates is missing but everything else is there. Biggest thing is what would be an average price for it, I know there are many factors that go into value of anything but just wanted to get an idea before I even go look at it.
 
It's a parts kit, is all. That's all he's selling - not a gun. I wouldn't pay more than $600 or so for it, period.
 
As I understand it, that sideplate is the key part of a BMG, legally and mechanically. Without it, you have a set of spare parts. With it, you have a machine gun subject to all the laws and regulations from 1934 on.
 
I have a good pal who's shopping for a 1919 kit right now, with the aid of another pal who built his kit gun a couple of years ago. They're saying a reasonable price is in the $400-600 range at the moment. Wear/condition play a big role with these, as do the number of accessory parts that come with it, and a few other esoteric details I'm not familiar with.

Check out http://1919a4.com/vbc/forum.php for all the info on what to look for, current pricing, what parts you'll need to complete it into a Title I semi-auto, and where to get them.
 
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Thanks everyone this will put me in the right park to start with. Think this will be a good project for me and grandson and a lot cheaper than what my wife wants. She is into field artillery
 
The going price for 1919 kits is for Israeli ones - which are recognizable by the big front cartridge stop for .308 (instead of .30-06) and the upside-down "U" mark on the top cover. An original US kit would be worth quite a bit more.
 
Which side plate is missing? The RSP is the one with the number. And that's the expensive one (relatively).

A parts kit is worth around $800 these days. If you find any for $400 please let me know where. A complete semi 1919 will bring around $1200 or so, but they are around for $1000. Remember if you buy a parts kit you still have a LOT of work to bring it into shooting condition and it can be difficult if you've never done one and don't have the proper presses and machine tools.

A FA 1919 will fetch around $12,000 but some do bring more. I've never ever seen one for more than $20K and that was like new.
 
IMO, building a 1919 is fairly simple. You can buy complete or 80% sideplates as well as semiauto triggers and sears. If you're not up to milling your bolt, trigger frame, and barrel extension, there are several reputable folks who will do it for you for $150 or so. Assembly of the gun requires nothing more than pressing rivets (and drilling holes, if you use an 80% plate). The receiver is just a big square box that holds the operating parts in place. Less tooling required than an AK build, and no 922(r) issues since all the parts were originally made in the US.
 
The the orginal poster:

Go check out 1919a4.com there is alot of info there, you will need to machine the internals for the denial island that is required of semi builds in addition to purchasing a semi trigger, sear and trigger return spring for this you need to talk to the people at KMP "karma metal products" they are the standard for 1919 semis parts.

http://www.karmametalproducts.com/KAR_FIREARM_PARTS.htm
 
From what I understand one of the side plates is missing but everything else is ther
Click to expand...

Which is, as mentioned, THE main part of a 1919 and the piece considered a "firearm" by ATF.

Without the sideplate it's not a firearm. Some sideplates are available to make that kit semi, a "real" sideplate with a tax stamp is Cha-Ching$$
 
Again thanks to everyone for the information, made a call back to the owner of gun/pawn shop and just my luck he can't find the man's phone number. Hopefully the gentleman will return and I will pounce on it like a cat on a mouse. S.W.G. yes sir I have a keeper she is the best thing that has happened to me in 62yrs.
 
MGpriceguide is over rated, watch subguns and strum for a few months and you will see that 1919s are not bringing 14k-16k any more, in the last year I have seen 1/2 a dozen go 10-12K. Hell there was M2HB that went for 12k locally. MG prices are falling, until the country turns around they will continue to fall.

Great time for the "little guys" to get in, collectors / investors are dumping them for capital.
 
Get the kit. You can do it. There are a ton of step by step instructions out there. Prices on kits are going up very fast. I paid ~$500 for mine plus $ for SA parts, machining the internals, and a 80% RHSP. It came out to around ~800 delivered.

I just finished building a 1919 from a parts kit from KMP (semi of course). I had no prior experience building anything except AR's. I was able to do it with a drill press, a ton of files, a dremel, and a 4# hammer. KMP (karma metal products) supplied the SA trigger and sear. I had KMP mill down my internals to ATF spec semi auto only.

Now parts kits are going for $650-850.

And then you can get the crankfire (http://www.crankfiresystems.com/home.htm) for around $230. According to the web site you can crank the thing and get the gun firing around 450rpm, just shy of the FA cyclic rate of ~500rpm.
 
Yes, because they were made in the US and just exported to Israel. Not actually made in Israel.
 
If you're not up to milling your bolt, trigger frame, and barrel extension, there are several reputable folks who will do it for you for $150 or so
Click to expand...

Can you please point us in the direction of these people? Id like to get mine done as well.
 
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