06/06/2026
The Legendary M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle.
This fearsome machine, designed by John Browning, was originally intended to sweep trenches during the first World War. The BAR is a gas operated, air cooled open bolt magazine fed Automatic Rifle. originally designed as a light machine gun as a counterpart for crew served heavy machine guns familiar with the world war I battlefield. This weapon was instead intended to be highly portable. as this design did not incorporate a barrel that could be exchanged to mitigate heat buildup.
However the US Government was not able to start production until Febuary of 1918, and full production was not in place until june of that same year. some BARs found there way to france but not enough for the US to devolpe new tactics and uses of this new platform. This prevented the BAR from much use on the battlefield until World War 2. This wouldn't stop everyone from seeing its potential. Gangs and criminals of the late 1920s, and 30s quickly realized how this combination of firepower and mobility outclassed local police and even the FBI at the time, who were still mostly issued pistols. Bonnie and Clyde were said to have a modified BAR as a favorite choice.
As the United States was plunged into yet another world conflict in December of 1941. A later model designated as the 1918A2 deleted the semi-auto selector lever and instead created two different rates of firepower. 300 rounds per minute or 500. The A2 also was given a bipod, flash suppressor, and a hinged buttplate intended to help keep the the stock firmly on the shooters shoulder in sustained Automatic fire, and a carry handle. these additions were great, but a wepon that weighs in at 19 pounds unloaded was alot. most ditched the bipod as it saved 2 pounds.
the gun would go on to serve in korea, and prove its worth over, and over again.
