Field improvised extended magazine on the M1918A2 BAR
Posted by EdM240B@reddit | ForgottenWeapons | View on Reddit | 6 comments
Posted by EdM240B@reddit | ForgottenWeapons | View on Reddit | 6 comments
EdM240B@reddit (OP)
Taken from Bruce Canfield’s book on American WWII Small Arms. The Marine in question is William Curtis of the 2nd Marine Division armed with his modified BAR. The modifications included the removal of the bipod and flash hider, slightly shortening the buttstock (not seen well in picture), and the most notable modification, two magazines brazed* together for bigger capacity.
So far, I can’t find any information on this Marine and his unique BAR. Any extra info would be greatly appreciated, because this was something completely new to me and isn’t even present in the Collector’s Grade BAR book.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
While I can understand them not adopting a BAR with removed attachments, why did they never adopt an extended round magazine, it seems that 20 rounds would be too little for any suppressive Fire situation
2tsundere4u@reddit
Short magazine better for firing prone, which is what you usually should be doing with a gun that sized I would assume.
VoodooChild68@reddit
Late reply and you’re right about short mags being better for prone, but that was the last position the BAR was designed for. Designed for suppressing fire yes, but what was originally called “walking fire.”
Browning envisioned entire units equipped with them, walking across “No Man’s Land” and just laying down a wall of lead, simultaneously suppressing the enemy and covering their advance.
I believe some prototypes reached France, one even used by Browning’s son, but to late. It’s kinda like the British Lee Enfield, and fell into service with WW2 starting.
iTakeCreditForAwards@reddit
Smh they needed the drum mag for this situation then
EquivalentDate7055@reddit
Drum mags are very hard to use, they cost more to produce and they have more complicated feed system. Only squad leaders used drums (generally), they immediately switched to standard mags after drum is over.