peashooter85:The Browning M1919A6,First introduced in 1943, the Browning M1919A6 was an attempt by t
peashooter85:The Browning M1919A6,First introduced in 1943, the Browning M1919A6 was an attempt by the US Army to created a light machine gun that would have the portability of the Browning Automatic Rifle with the sustained firing rate of the German MG-34 and MG-42. During World War II, the MG-34 and MG-42 were the best man portable machine guns in service throughout the war, and Allied armies struggled to match their firepower and portability.The M1919A6 was built off of the M1919A4, which was a medium machine gun which was either bipod or tripod mounted. The M1919A6 was lightened and more portable modification of the M1919A4. The most notable modification was the addition of a buttstock, giving a profile that was more of a rifle than a mounted machine gun. A carrying handle was also added to make it more portable. Since the M1919A6 lacked proper mountings, a buffer tube was added to absorb the recoil of the gun and make it more easier to control. Finally a lighter 4 pound barrel was used, 3 pounds lighter than the M1919A4. The barrel could be removed and replaced in the case of overheating. The M1919A6 was made for a two man crew, one how was the gunner, the other who handled ammunition, changed out barrels, and served as spotter.Despite the lighter barrel, at 32.5lbs, the M1919A6 was 1.5 lbs heavier than the mounted M1919A4. Regardless due to its setup and ergonomics it was faster to deploy than the M1919A4. However it was still no match for the German MG-34 and MG-42. Both were much lighter, more accurate, and easier to use. More importantly the M1919A6 could only manage a firing rate of 400-600 rounds a minute. The lighter barrel also caused the gun to overheat quickly. The MG-34 and MG-42 could manage 800-900 rpm and 1,200-1,500 rpm respectively. Regardless of its flaws the M1919A6 saw more and more combat as the war dragged on after 1943. It was also used extensively during the Korean War. It saw limited use in the Vietnam War, but for the most part was replaced with the newer M60. -- source link