"Browning M1918": description, specifications and reviews

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The Browning M1918 automatic rifle was designed in 1917. The engineers, led by the gunsmith, after whom the model is named, took into account the flaws in the weapons used during the First World War. First of all, the changes affected the fire mode controller and the interchangeable magazine, which were not on previous models. In army units, this weapon was transformed into a light machine gun with the maneuverability of a rifle served by one soldier.

General information

The design of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) machine gun is based on the Vickers-Berthier version of 1908 with some modifications. The barrel in the box is fixed with a thread, which does not allow a quick replacement of the element in combat conditions. The same assembly was equipped with a muzzle smooth sleeve-type extension. Initially, the channel had five, and then four grooves to the left, the stroke of which was 254 mm.

Automation functioned by removing exhaust gases from the stem channel. The working chamber is a closed configuration, the regulator has three holes, it is screwed directly in front of the guide tube. A clamp is attached to itswivels and handguard made of wood with a notch.

Sliding mechanism

The Browning M1918 bore is locked with a lever hinged to the eye of the middle part of the bolt. A special ledge is provided in the upper part of the milled receiver. The shutter is attached to the frame by a hinged earring. A combat return spring is located in the guide compartment. The shutter, when moving the movable assembly forward, reached the hemp of the barrel and stopped. At the same time, the frame continued to move, turning the earring while simultaneously raising the rear of the locking lever.

The support surface of the handle is wound up behind the ledge of the receiver, after the shot the frame is thrown back, lowering the lever and unlocking the receiver channel. The liner under the axis of the earring prevents early opening, preventing the earring from lowering until the bolt frame goes into place. The sleeve is removed by means of a slide ejector and a rigid reflector of the trigger assembly. The frame hits the buffer. When firing, the loading handle remains static.

Trigger system

The design of this block in the "Browning M 1918" provides for single and automatic fire. After locking the bore, the liner strikes the striker in the bolt. The locking lever prevents the passage of the drummer before closing, and after opening it is retracted. Thus, a set of the above parts forms a kind of automatic fuse.

Trigger mechanismequipped with a buffer spring mounted on the frame. It is located in the middle of the trigger box. After pressing the trigger, the uncoupler connected to it raises the front edge of the lever, removing the bolt carrier from the combat position.

"Browning M1918 BAR": description of other details

The transfer fuse box is located on the left side behind the trigger guard. In the frontal position, the uncoupler rises and jumps off the release lever. At the same time, he returns to his original position, intercepting the shutter frame. When the flag is in a vertical position, the safety pin limits the rotation of the trigger lever. This prevents the disconnection to repeat the automatic cycle. If the element is turned back, the trigger is blocked by a check.

"Browning M1918" is equipped with a folding type frame sight, which is mounted on the receiver. The butt of a semi-pistol type is put on a shank in the form of a tube and fixed with a screw, reinforced with a metal nape. The swivel of the belt is attached to it from below.

Food is carried out from a two-row box-type magazine with staggered cartridges. The clip latch is controlled by a button placed inside the trigger bracket. This allowed the shooter to depress the latch using the finger of the working hand to speed up reloading. The fighter wore spare magazines in canvas pouches on his belt. In total, the design of the machine gun in question includes 125 parts, 11 of which are springs.

Features

The following are the parameters of the Browning Automatic Rifle:

• Modification - 1918.
• Calibre type – 7, 62.
• Main charge - cartridge 30-06.
• Weight with full clip - 1.8 kg.
• Total length - 1.19 m.
• Number of grooves 5/4.
• The starting speed of the ammunition is 823 m/sec.
• Rate of fire - 600 volleys per minute.
• Sighting range - 1460 m.
• Clip capacity - 20 rounds.

Interesting facts

Winchester and Colt have finalized the design of the Browning M 1918, providing a good weapon finish. Its weight made it possible to release bursts with good accuracy, however, only from the stop. The combat rate of fire was 60-180 volleys per minute with the ability to quickly replace magazines.

In 1922, an improved version was released under the index 1918A. The main difference is the presence of the Enfield M1917 sight.

Just before the American army entered World War II, a radically modernized version of the M1918A2 was adopted. The automatic and single fire modes have been replaced with the possibility of continuous firing at different rates (from 300 to 450 volleys per minute).

After this, the early production Browning M1918 BAR returned to the mills. There, the weapon was finalized to the level of M19182A. Since 1942, they began to mount butts made of plastic, reinforced with a nape and a metal plate, on machine guns.

In order to unload the weapon in question,it is necessary to disconnect the magazine by pressing the latch button. Then take the charging handle back. The chamber is examined through the nest of the receiver. The front handle is returned to the front charging position, the trigger is pulled.

Incomplete disassembly

Below are the manipulations for the incomplete disassembly of the "Browning M1918":

• The submachine gun is being unloaded.
• Turn the contact flag (element is removed) to the lower position.
• Disconnect pistol grip and trigger box.
• Retract the charging handle slightly back, until the axes of the earring and the hole on the box are aligned.
• Push out the axle, separate the loading handle.
• Remove the recluse insert.
• Take out the recoil spring rod.
• Lower the tube closure flag.
• Flag removed, bipod element removed.
• The bolt carrier is removed by moving forward.
• The latch is retracted to the left, after which the shutter is removed.

Assembly in reverse order.

Weapon Browning FN

Combat revolvers like 1900 were no longer relevant. The new model was designed by the legendary gunsmith John Browning. The pistol is chambered for the 7.65 mm cartridge, which was developed by him in 1896. The sample replaced the obsolete predecessor, combining compactness, low weight, excellent balance and ergonomic shape. In the complex, the parameters of the pistol, along with an affordable price, broughtthe huge popularity of the modification in the civilian weapons market.

Description

The following are the characteristics of this sample:

• Length/thickness/height - 163/22/115 mm.
• Barrel length - 122 mm.
• Number of rifling in the bore - 6.
• Weight with empty magazine - 625 g.
• The launch speed of the ammunition is 270 m/s.
• The lethal action of a bullet - from 10 meters the charge pierced four 25-mm boards placed at a distance of 25 mm between them.
• Cartridge caliber - 7.65 mm Browning.

The cylindrical brass sleeve has a special groove. Its bottom has a slightly larger diameter than the sleeve itself. A primer of the central type of ignition is also installed there. Ammunition weight - 7.6 g, bullet length - 11.7 mm, its diameter - 7.85 mm.

Application

Pistol "Browning FN" in June 1900 was adopted by officers of the armed forces of Belgium. A year later, the weapon began to be used by the gendarmerie, and a little later - by artillerymen and non-commissioned officers. Some time later, the pistol entered the armies of Denmark, Norway, Finland and some other countries. Also, "Browning FN" was widely used as a civilian weapon. Such popularity is due to high quality, good stopping power and compactness.