M1918 BAR: America's Walking Fire Assault Rifle

[@mondaysinsanity8193]

Browning, makes an assault rifle in ww1 when machine guns were new. Makes the m1911 a handgun that after a century is still in arguments about what's the best handgun in the world, makes the m2 50. machinegun. After a century is still in service. Everything browning made lasted almost a century without going completely obsolete during one of the highest rate of advancedment times in history. Dude was a time traveler or could see the future

[@abolishguncontrollaws5689]

Don't forget the a5. 93 years before browning discontinued it only to bring it back in a butchered version.

[@NeedForSpeed.2004]

the only gun of his that isn't as well is probably the Auto 5 shotgun

[@Richter-89]

@@NeedForSpeed.2004 The auto 5 saved FN though. FN just happens to make the majority of US small arms today. The M4s, 240s, 249s, the M2s, loads else. All but that hunk of shit Sig pistol they adopted. With the auto 5, John Browning effectively ensured all the rest of America's small arms today.

[@celeroon89]

I think the 1916 Federov is cooler

[@Page-Hendryx]

Anyone who thinks the 1911 is the "best handgun in the world", is deluded. If you like that gun for whatever reason, fine. I have four of them. But this idea that an old single-action pistol which the US gov't hung on to for decades is the "best handgun in the world" just doesn't hold up. The US military retained the BAR and we all know that they should have dumped it after WWI. By the way - the 1911 was never meant to be carried cocked and locked; Jeff Cooper or whoever popularized that idea because they wanted to find a way around the antiquated single-action design, to justify civilians carrying the thing.

[@PurddyBirddy]

My granduncle’s favorite joke was literally just “3 Germans walk into a BAR...”

[@brikC]

You get a like for that.

[@MitchellCH]

And suddenly there was plenty of shredded cabbage for the sauerkraut

[@ahuman2695]

..to get a Colt beer

[@bokehintheussr5033]

@@kane357lynch you are like a granduncle to him.

[@Netanya-q4b]

My Grandpa would have liked your granduncle a LOT xD

[@krzysztofkolodziejczyk4335]

BAR is cool, but the most impressive is immaculate condition of this100 years old canvas belt

[@bwhog]

Yeah, there's a certain look to that old canvas gear with those "lift the dot" fasteners, as I've often heard them called, that just draws you right in.

[@Big0Boss4]

I couldn't imagine firing that .30-06 round full auto from the shoulder. That sounds like you need a medic near by to relocate your shoulder in place.

[@philgiglio9656]

Heard stories that a good BAR man could chop down a tree with a German hiding behind it...took a couple of magazines.

[@banjobill8420]

The weight, and fact that it was select-fire and not bolt action, assist with recoil.

[@MCTales89]

You should see Karl on InRange fire a BAR from the hip on full auto. He couldn’t stand in one spot, and had to step back a bit.

[@williambrownstone2346]

The BAR had a buffer mechanism. Built into the stock. There was almost. no recoile when firing this weapon. Former U.S. Marine grunt.

[@CJ_Brim]

Joshua Owens what’s so special about the 30-06 cartridge? it’s just a 5.56 cartridge

[@Agorante]

I went to a Catholic Military High School (St Johns ) in Washington DC. One of our instructors when asked about the BAR said, "I had one in Korea. The Chinese guy went up the hill with his Chinese gun. I went up the other side with my BAR. I'm here today. I left him on that hill". I found that to be a very effective gun review.

[@reymiguelperez6643]

LOL!

[@paulmorales3815]

Well said!

[@andywindes4968]

My best friend's dad was a Marine who served in Korea. He had a similar sentimentality for the BAR. In the context of competing designs of the day, it's hard for me to understand all the respect for this weapon, but it clearly existed.

[@itshunni8346]

@@andywindes4968 I heard that it was a love hate relationship, apparently the weight and challenge with cleaning made you unable to give it all your love.

[@genericpersonx333]

​@@andywindes4968 I also had a friend who started on the BAR back in the 1950s, His explanation was more or less the following: 1.) If you used the gun within its limitations, it was the most reliable and consistent weapon in the squad. Thanks to the weight eating that .30'06 recoil, you could be putting two or three aimed shots down range for every one from the M1 Garands. As long as you resisted the urge to shoot too fast and too often, you could count on the gun going bang and hitting close enough to the target to notice. 2.) You were the most important man in the rifle squad and everyone made sure to help you in any way they could because they didn't want you to stop shooting. Feels real good to be loved. Nothing makes that gun feel lighter than always having a hand held out to help you on your feet or get over that wall.

[@shadowfeather5248]

Gun Jesus raises the BAR.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

@Shadow Feather >>> I SEE what you did there...😊

[@kladjflkjdflj]

Amen 🙏🏾

[@srobertweiser]

God created man. Colt made them equal. Browning made them more equal. lt probably ain't a coincidence that his middle name is Moses.

[@JW...-oj5iw]

@@srobertweiser ... Hey Bud.

[@jimthomas723]

A short true story. WWII one of my uncles was awarded a Silver Star using his BAR. He fought in the Italian campaign and this is what he told me about how it happened. By the way my Uncle was a Texas panhandle farm boy 5'10" tall and weighed around 180lbs. He and his "buddy" were ordered to recon a hill prior to the rest of the unit attacking. He did not mention a third or fourth asst. gunner by the way. He said this was standard procedure for his outfit and him. He and his buddy would sneak up the hill and shoot as many Germans as possible before the rest of the unit came up. Results varied. He was awarded the Silver Star when the rest of the unit made it to the top of the hill when all they found were a lot of dead Germans. I asked him if he wouldn't have preferred a rifle. He chewed on his cigar a moment and said kid if you have a rifle you need to be a good shot. I just walked the rounds in on them with the BAR. He passed away a few years ago but he was one hell of a man.

[@JayVanSaxman]

Sorry for your loss thanks for his service

[@mrinmoymukherjee3523]

@@channelchannelchannelchannel it doesn't matter everone served their role in the war. Myne grandfather was an maintenance crew man of indian air force mig 21 and hunter planes in 1965 indo pak war

[@theacademictaskmaster6481]

@@channelchannelchannelchannel the radio man are lifesavers in every war.

[@DatBoi-mo9vc]

That is the coolest statement i have ever heard in my life

[@INSOMNIACification]

Running down fascistswith a Bar in hand, salute to a real one

[@sololobos6969]

My Great Great Grandfather used a BAR in World War II. I sadly never got to meet him, but this is what I was told. He got shipped to the Pacific theater, fought the Japanese until he got shot in the arm. He was cleared for duty, then shipped to the Eastern Front to fight the Germans. That's where he stayed until the end of the war. The day he got back to the States, there was a warehouse on fire on the wharf where he stepped off. He then ran into the building, pulling out 4 people before going back in, only for the building to collapse on him... I wish I could've met him...

[@robertellison2851]

Damn, they don’t make many Men like that anymore. Appreciate his Service to our Country, sounds like he was a helluva a guy, someone I would have liked to have met. Wish you could have met him!🇺🇸

[@wisemankugelmemicus1701]

Western Front, the Eastern Front was in Eastern Europe. Unless your grandpa was Joe Beryle then it was the Western Front.

[@devindalton4688]

@@wisemankugelmemicus1701 He most likely fought in France if he was shipped out to Europe after fighting in the Pacific. Maybe even fought at D-Day, depending on how late into the game he got there.

[@TRKEWEENAW]

@@wisemankugelmemicus1701 Or unless he was under lend lease to the Russians. Ha.

[@wisemankugelmemicus1701]

@@TRKEWEENAW heh

[@Khoros-Mythos]

Voluntarily forfeiting millions of dollars to help your country and designing some of the best and most influential weapons of all time. Name a bigger badass than John Moses Browning. I'll wait.

[@birdjims4788]

Kalashnikov

[@billdyke9745]

John Pershing who voluntarily forfeited many thousands of American lives. 11,000 on the last day alone because he chose not to tell anyone that the armistice was coming.

[@caseyhall2320]

I wouldn't say badass, but his actions were definitely very commendable to his country.

[@connoissuer_of_class]

Theodore Roosevelt

[@crodsbye]

Alan Turing

[@spartansheep459]

HOW IS THIS NOT AD FRIENDLY ITS ACTUALLY EDUCATIONAL AND NOTHING MORE

[@Clay3613]

Some videos have ads, some do not. Ian does well off enough from donations and his normal job.

[@KamikazKid]

KZbin has shown significant bias against gun channels with ad demonetization.

[@douro20]

The short answer: Politics.

[@josephdillard9907]

Because KZbin hates anything to do with guns, unless of course they are in video games, or music videos, or pretty much anywhere but news and gun channels

[@Red-S-267]

Joseph Dillard 6 months in the future where video games with guns are targeted

[@Matt_The_Hugenot]

In WW1 the BAR was a light machine gun pretending to be an auto rifle, by WW2 it was an auto rifle pretending to be an LMG.

[@dfwai7589]

And by Korea and Vietnam it had found its perfect roll along side belt fed MGs until it was replaced by the M14

[@곰돌슨]

In Korean war, it was rather a heavy machine gun pretending to be a auto rifle. Corrupt south korean officers used to put a single BAR shooter inside a bunker and report they mounted a heavy machine gun. That was one of the reasons why the commanders' tactics against enormous Chinese invasion forces failed many times. They built stratagies on maps based on those bullshit reports faking BAR into HMG. Corrupt ally is always the biggest enemy for sure.

[@AussieLiam93]

Welcome to asia.

[@robertgiggie6366]

unfortunately theres nothing light about this gun. its so heavy and unwieldy. Fully automatic fire with a 30-06 is useless from the shoulder and the magazine is spent in only a couple bursts as it only holds 20 rounds. It is a perfect example of the US ordinance department not upgrading a very out of date design.

[@Wipa4]

Robert Giggie as far as I know, they tried to improve magazine capacity, but the attempt wasn't successful

[@thomastheeck5519]

In 1968 in I Corps Vietnam, my army detachment used a BAR as our squad automatic weapon. I had never seen it fired. So I dragged it out to the range to prove to myself that it worked which it did. I remember it as being really heavy and very accurate. I can't give you any manufacturing information, so this is just for historical reference.

[@Yabuddy53]

Interesting, why not an m60? Was it just not available ?

[@TheGregstorm]

We fam fired the BAR during ITR in '65. 10 rounds in bursts of 3-4. Although we were warned to place our left hand on the receiver and not the Bakelite forearm, I, of course, put my hand on it, briefly. Whitened the skin on my palm. I wonder if the wooden forearm would get hot enough to burn you like that.

[@filmandfirearms]

@@Yabuddy53 You'd have to ask the guys at logisitics. It's very rare that a soldier knows how or why the weapon in his hands got there, he just fights with what he's given. Given how bad the corruption was in other areas in Vietnam, I wouldn't be surprised if there were some shipments of M60s that just didn't arrive because some congressman took a bribe from a shipping company

[@williamgunnarsson]

This was a fabulous invention by Browning when one considers the times. It was actually a miracle gun back then. My brother was stationed in Iceland in the 60s and his assigned weapon was a WW2 BAR. He said it was his favorite gun of all time. I can believe it.

[@khiem1939]

Yep, the BAR was a great gun to carry and better to shoot!

[@leeham6230]

I think that people overlook that the USA had a semi-automatic rifle with 20 rds capacity by the end of WW1, with full-auto capability as well. Very impressive technology for the time.

[@dsan8742]

Many nations had that same tech, it’s just that the US were the only ones with the industry to field em in practical numbers.

[@leeham6230]

@@dsan8742 That's a better way to put it.

[@themilkman6969]

it wasnt semi auto, the fire selector switch just lowered the firing rate (seriously, look it up)

[@GuyWithInternet.]

​@@themilkman6969 So the firing selector was just "Bullets" And "Lots of bullets" Because if so I find it unbelievably funny

[@khiem1939]

Unless my information is wrong, it was NOT utilized during WWI by American Forces! I carried one for two years in the 1950s in Okinawa, loved that weapon even though it was considerably heavier than the M-1 Rifle, since on the "hump" it would balance perfectly on top of the Marine Corps' Light marching pack! Was accurate in the hands of a trained marksman up to 1000 yards! Later back on Camp Pendleton trained a Marine from the North Dakota Sioux Tribe to fire this rifle so well, that he won the entire BAR Championship for that year for 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment! At the end of that competition shoot my battalion had the responsibility for clean up on the range, we found a BAR that was left on the firing line, took it back to our base and checked to see who made a claim that they lost a BAR. In those days we kept our weapons in our wall locker, not in the armory. My Squad Leader put it in his locker, NOBODY claimed to be missing a weapon, before we redeployed back for another tour to Okinawa, we all took leave...later my Squad Leader said he took it home! In those days it was "possible" that some units had "unregistered" weapons in their units, apparently this weapon was being illegally held and it was purposely left on the firing line of the range that day!

[@McRocket]

This is why I like this channel so much. It's not just the weapons themselves. But the backstories of them as well. Which Ian seems to cover at least as well as anyone. ☮

[@riseld4]

John Browning’s son carried one of these in WWI

[@spitfiresz0g176]

Augustus I think he was the first person ever to use a BAR in WWI

[@mcqueenfanman]

Being a Lt. he probably had someone carry it. He then shot it. LOL.In the novel From Here To Eternity said something similar, as the barman was excited to finally shoot it. Before he just carried it for officers to shoot it.

[@nindger4270]

Which one? I think there were about 12 of those.

[@riseld4]

Val

[@tabletoptrilobite9816]

He son used a weapon he designed, if that aint cute...

[@reedpond6867]

My two problems with the BAR's in Vietnam were: Magazines and the lack of a quick change barrel. I loved the BAR's for ambush and defense.

[@Davidautofull]

I salute you. thank you for your service.

[@griz312]

REED POND correct me if I am wrong you must have served from the early years of the US's involvement

[@mcqueenfanman]

A favorite weapon of the VC.

[@reedpond6867]

YUP! From 1967 til 1970 'n' 1972 - 1975... I got left behind and walked out thru Laos to Thailand.

[@williambell7763]

REED POND damn, that's probably one hell of a story

[@jeremystewert4303]

Why is it that every European nation tries to put the magazine in the wrong spot? Verticle, sideways, cockeyed. If they were supposed to be that way than God would have told John Browning to do it.

[@prd6617]

i would say it depend what role the gun was design/intended for, having the magazine on the side means u can have more cartridge inside magazine without worrying when u use it on prone position. most of this gun from what i see have light machine gun role on it, so having the gun not sit to high on prone position because not having a long a magazine sticking at the bottom or no need to lift the gun and losing aim when reloading are more benefit to that role.

[@Billy-I-Am-Not]

Ronald Pradesya shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@codemiesterbeats]

lmfao agreed

[@ross.venner]

The Bren had the mag in the right spot. Far easier to change when carried at the hip, or in the prone position.

[@sergeantmarcusstackerM1903]

You have Gravity on your side with a top mounted magazine

[@feliperodriguez6885]

John Moses Browning deserves a statue in the Smithsonian And a plaque that reads gun god

[@nikson666]

In doubt it will happen under Biden or when democrats are in charge.

[@cullenpinney2997]

Damn straight

[@Klaaism]

Lo did Gun Jesus saw it was good, said it was good, and it was good.

[@StopMakingEveryoneDumb]

I'm sure it would be torn down by now anyway.

[@anderewisp1]

Go support him on patreon to help him keep it so.

[@josharpe5802]

The M1918 BAR also had 40rd box mags available to it, for AA use. M1918 BARs were also manufactured by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori, FN Herstal, IBM, New England Small Arms, Państwowa Fabryka Karabinów, & the Royal Typewriter Company.

[@lrmorrison999]

I fired one when on a 1943 troop transport, going to Vietnam in 1968, USS McGoffin, APA 199. The ship had many old WWII weapons. As I recall, I really liked firing the BAR. It seemed to have little or negative kick back. In automatic mode it pulled forward.

[@edbecka233]

That's due to the long-recoil cycle of operation. The barrel goes back at first, then is released and slams forward, which trips the bolt release, and then the bolt comes forward stripping the next round from the magazine.

[@khiem1939]

I spent some time on the USS McGoffin in the early 1960s from Okinawa, to Japan to the Philippines!

[@leoduf6019]

In 1962, I was issued a BAR that was Marked Browning Machine Rifle. and was Semi and Full automatic. Later models had two automatic cycles. Safe, Slow auto, and a faster automatic cycle. This was at Marine Barracks Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

[@tedgalacci8428]

Thank you for that explanation of the WWI thinking about not issuing the weapon until sufficient numbers were available to make an impact. It's one of those things I've always wondered about.

[@johngergen4871]

In 1961 I was in the USAF Air police and had the opportunity to fire the BAR . It was only for teaching how to operate the rifle . Everyone in the Squadron had the opportunity to fire it full auto at night at 50 gallon barrel drums with back lighting. What struck me was that it fired with very little recoil and was also easy to hit the target. The BAR I fired had a bipod and we fired from the prone position. Our metal drum targets were set about 200 yards. When you fired there was this delay before you heard several rounds hit the metal .

[@c.u.e6972]

Literally an automatic M1Garand with a detachable box magazine.

[@demon515]

Invented before the Garand!

[@Lockbar]

I remember back in 1971-72 Class III dealer LES in Morton Grove IL (of Rogak fame} were offering Live, transferable Winchester 1918 BARS for the price of $250 each. Yes, Two Hundred and Fifty smackers. Get me that time machine, please.

[@minisciencedude]

There was a time where you could buy a firearm for 20 to 80 dollers so yeah.

[@JayRaxter]

According to the US Currency Inflation website. in 1972 $250 is equal to $1426.58 today. STILL CHEAP!! Would love to have 2 or 3 or 10....

[@Davidautofull]

like the P-51 Mustang? in 1955 they were selling "in the crate new" for $5000.

[@Wipa4]

Davidautofull During the Great Depression, you could buy a car for like 500 dollars.

[@baronobeefdipyes5181]

Jay Raxter I don't keep up on prices, but willing to bet that's cheaper than a semi auto version even with the included tax stamp.

[@Lurker1954]

In the mid 70's, the "Walk and Shoot" was still being taught in USAF combat training.

[@SamFisher338]

Fantastic historical exposition of a classic weapon, as always. Thanks for the videos!

[@888Longball]

I'll never forger Steve McQueen flipping up the sites on his BAR in my favorite movie of all time, The Sand Pebbles.

[@888Longball]

@@UHK-Reaper I hadn't noticed, but, I have to say that I have seen this movie at least 15 times since I was 12 and everytime I see it, I see something new and different

[@brandtbollers3183]

Showed the BAR in several Scenes

[@1bert719]

The British trialled BARs with a conversion to the .303 round with an adapted barrel and curved magazine. It saw limited service with home guard units to free up the Brens for front line duty.

[@puma51921]

LEE Marvin Actor Lee Marvin carried a BAR during WWII in the Pacific he loved the gun and was shot in the rear end, I think in Tarrawa. You don't see actors like the older ones who fought in the war

[@Davidautofull]

one of my favorite movies is "The Big Red One".

[@mordecaieagle4240]

puma51921 Well Rob Riggle, Adam Driver and Jim Beaver were marines, Jon Huertas was in air force and Ice T was in the army. I have to correct myself a bit, i apparently misread puma's post (not too uncommon when reading comments in the middle of the night after work) and read actors who served instead of actors who fought in a war, of the actors i listed only Rob has seen combat action as far as i know.

[@VRichardsn]

_he loved the gun_ Unfortunately for Lee Marvin, MG 42s weren´t available for the US Army. Or MG 34s. Or FM-24/29s. Or Bren LMGs.

[@monroetoolman]

Marvin was wounded on Saipan.

[@chrisloUSA]

Richardsen They seemed to do just fine killing the enemy and winning the war with the so called "inferior" BAR...

[@edbecka233]

Ian - there is a gunner’s belt at the TX Military Forces museum at Camp Mabry. I was fortunate to be tasked with demonstrating walking fire to the remainder of the TX Small Arms Readiness Training Section, flanked by a Garand shooter and a Thompson gunner. One of the coolest assignments I ever drew.

[@dogboy0912]

Ah yes, it is Ian's favorite gun. Ian's gun that he always says he likes very much. The firearm that Ian often expresses his desire and interest toward. This gon' be good.

[@msotil]

I shouldered one of those in the US Army (WWII version, with bipod and flash suppressor). It was an impressive gun by its power but impractical. It was too heavy and unwieldy to carry around or for jungle warfare.

[@maximthemagnificent]

IMO by far the best part of this video is the discussion of Pershing's decision to delay BAR use.

[@RubyBandUSA]

belatedly, great job Ian - as always! As a WWII affectionado and big supporter of our military I have my "favorites". The B.A.R. is my fav of the rifles. In case anyone is interested, here are my other Top 10 favorites: (1) airplane: B-17. (2) general: James Doolitte. (3) air group: 8th US Army Air Force. (4) army or marine group: Patton's 3rd Army. (5) European theater battle: D-Day. (6) Pacific theater battle: Guadalcanal. (7) TV series: Combat! (8) movie: Saving Private Ryan. (9) C.M.O.H. winner: John Basilone. (10) rifle: B.A.R.

[@m2dv_]

Some Dude: "I think is dangerous to have a safe position so hard to set" Browning: "Yeah! it is... for the enemy"

[@angelvalle9963]

The finest rifle ever made in my opinion, the weapon was so versatile.

[@TheSaintArmando]

When you think about it, that gun is more then 100 years old, amazing.

[@Page-Hendryx]

Yeah and it was obsolete soon after it entered service.

[@jonathanhoup9988]

@@Page-Hendryx The gun literally lives on in a belt fed form called the fn mag. Or the m240 in us military service. It’s an upside down bar.

[@ЧичоКуре]

Greetings from Bulgaria,me and my friends are great fans of your videos! Keep making such nice videos mate !

[@miken2213]

my cousin was over in Vietnam and right before he came back he was sending my aunt all kinds of small boxes and he told her not to open the boxes and he would when he came home, he took apart two weapons , one was a bar and the other was a custom sniper rifle he used , he still has them and the bar , wow'' what a gun''.i seen him litrerally cut a hole in a concrete black wall with it. and it was deadly accurate also what a gun.

[@warshipsdd-2142]

The BAR is a fine weapon and as one who had to shift from the BAR to the M-14 Modified, the BAR beats the M-14 on auto hands down. Tight beaten zone and easy on the shoulder make the BAR a joy to lay fire with.

[@Privat3Kag3]

There is a reason this Masterpiece is my background. I Truly believe this, to be THE pinnacle of all the Browning designs.

[@Page-Hendryx]

LOL you gotta be kidding.

[@badsnapebadsnapebadsnape9506]

@@Page-Hendryx dude quit making fun of his admiration for this gun. Just bc you don't agree with his opinion doesn't mean you have the right to mock him. I think this gun is absolutely amazing

[@waynenuss3185]

Something to be said for large caliper weapons. I was a boarding officer on my minesweeper off the Vietnam coast in '68. Mainly sanpans & small boats. Was nice to have a guy w/ a BAR looking down from the 01 level, and another at the rail resting a Thompson. Both are knockdown weapons. Still, I felt I was the expendable one, standing in the sanpan during a firefight.

[@colinandrew89]

The words he uses and delivery are so great . love hearing this guy share this info. Editing and camera are well done too

[@buddafingaz9403]

Awesome! This was also one of Bonnie's favorite firearms, and Clyde also used the Browning BAR, and my personal favorite, the M1928 Thompson, & also the M1A1 Thompson, as well. But these are 2 of my personal favorites, myself too! Great video man, yout appreciated.👍🙏

[@Mongo63a]

Ian, there is not an interchangeable locking shoulder on the BAR. The top cover is there strictly for access when machining the receiver. The locking shoulder was broach cut from the top. The head space was adjusted by changing the bolt lock link (the link attached to the rear of the bolt). The bolt lock link is not field removable from teh bolt to keep them from being switched between guns.

[@longrangengagements]

Amazing how in 1918 John Browning knew what fn still doesn't... that charging handles shouldn't reciprocate.... looking at you SCAR.

[@smith7602]

@@justforever96 They have another video about how the forward assist is a solution looking for a problem. In short, if the spring can't put the gun into battery, you have other problems that slamming it shut would just ignore.

[@musicauthority7828]

Clyde Barrow loved the BAR, he would always cut the barrel down and make them into whippet guns. that could be concealed behind a trench coat. he would usually have two or three of them. on the back seat of his other favorite weapon a V8 Ford. he was very knowledgeable about his weapons. there were even some photos of Bonnie carrying a BAR. and she couldn't have been more than 120 lbs soaking wet.

[@davidpatterson9840]

My father entered service in the middle of the Bulge. After a couple of days the BAR gunner got killed, so they gave it to him (served him right for scoring sharpshooter in boot camp.) He was not a big man, 5'8" and maybe 150 lbs, so he definitely did not use it for walking fire. Most of the time it was used on the bipod to provide cover fire, and rarely in full auto. BTW: SOP was to load only 18 rounds. The magazine spring was a bit weak and the last two rounds were known to jam. At least that's what he told me.

[@sergeantmarcusstackerM1903]

My Great-Great Uncle’s brother James had a BAR issued to him during the Battle of the Bulge. He was just out of the hospital from trench foot and he and the other men with him were attacked by Stukas (so Gene tells me). he leaped into a shell crater with another man just before that bomb fell. After it blew, his left hand felt really hot, he then noticed that shrapnel from the bomb chopped the barrel and gas tube off right down to the foregrip. James almost lost a hand. He was wanting to take that BAR home, but he was so eager to get back to the states he left without it. It’s probably long since scrapped by now.

[@reinbeers5322]

This gun reminds me of the FAL. Not very controllable in full auto, but enjoyable in semi auto. Also designed as a rifle first, and full auto as a more "good to have it" than "the effectiveness of the gun relies on it". Many people think this was the first assault rifle, conpletely forgetting about control in full auto.

[@kenneth9874]

Not very hard to control a BAR due to the weight and method of operation

[@Yabuddy53]

After shooting a .30-06 Springfield in a standing position I cannot imagine the recoil of a fully automatic rifle with that cartridge. Wild. The noise alone would shake your teeth loose.

[@Andrewsky347]

"The countdown begins with a beast of a gun, commonly known as the BAR...Number 10, the Browning Automatic Rifle."

[@iainmackenzie6379]

Ive always thought the BAR is one of the most elegant gun designs ever made.

[@rs52594]

I'll always have a soft spot for the BAR, my late grandfather carried one in WWII in the US Army 2nd Infantry. He was only 20 and carried one from the beaches of Normandy (he was not there on D Day, he arrived like a day or two after) to the end of his tour in Czechoslovakia.

[@stephenbowden4766]

Thanks for the EXCELLENT and very informative video. That is beautiful BAR.

[@arealmaniac2885]

Imagine this. A massive medieval like table filled with food and guns and all the gun channel youtubers sitting around talking about gun and you sir at the head of the table. if anyone is a artist please paint this lol

[@robertmurphy6043]

A Real Maniac Instead of the Last Supper it's the Last Gunshow

[@dscrappygolani7981]

🙄 you want another 'last supper' followed by Mr Maccullum's crucifixion ? What in the hell is wrong with you, boy? What has he ever done to deserve that?

[@austinirwin2868]

Thank for a little bit of history on this gem!

[@camsmeltzer9388]

During the Korean war a US Marine who used a BAR made the comment. " The M1 carbine always had issues. The Garand was a excellent weapon with little to no problems. The BAR never failed!

[@edbecka233]

The Carbine's problems were usually magazine-related. The magazines were viewed as disposable. Having spoken with WWII, Korean War and VN vets who carried the Carbine, I can tell you that when you encounter a good magazine, treat it well and hold onto it. The current Korean 30-round mags are excellent but work the best when loaded a couple rounds short.

[@raysmith7543]

Ian, I really enjoy your the detailed history that you share with us. Thank you.

[@KJ4RMZ]

One of the guns on my "Guns I want to shoot list".

[@coochieemporium4851]

It’s been 3 years, any luck yet?

[@KJ4RMZ]

@@coochieemporium4851 nope

[@coochieemporium4851]

@@KJ4RMZ damn this is sad

[@davo2003hd]

It's a thing of beauty! J.M. Browning was a genius.

[@jrooney58]

The problem with the theory that Pershing’s delay in using the BAR was to prevent reverse engineering is that the Germans had captured copies of the Lewis Gun very early during the war, loved the gun and made use of captured Lewis guns whenever they could, yet they never developed their own version of the Lewis Gun. So if they hadn’t developed their own Lewis Gun in three years, I doubt that they would/could develop their own version of the BAR in less than a year.

[@markm.9458]

How awesome. This excellent man understands the concept of "but what if" That is very important in all facets of life.

[@fdmackey3666]

Among the various reasons even WWII-Korea War BARs can be hard to find in anything approaching serviceable condition was the mass destruction, by way of first crushing and then melting down, of such firearms by the many HUNDREDS at the, by then, former Charleston Naval Base in Charleston, S.C.. BARs, Thompsons, "Grease Guns", among others were laid out on a dock at the former base and were crushed to junk by a "steam roller". The event made the news nationwide on TV and in newspapers. I recall watching it on the evening national news and reading about it the next day in the morning papers. I've often wondered, since then, if similar "events" occurred elsewhere in the nation. On a side note one my uncles trained with and utilized a BAR across Europe in WWII (and later in Korea when he was recalled to duty) spoke fondly of it often stating that the only real problem he ever had with it was that once his German opposite numbers realized they were taking fire from a BAR position they often shifted thier fire to where he and his assistant were set up which made their lives a bit "interesting" to say the least.

[@Davidautofull]

my fathers nick name was "Shorty". he worked at the Charleston Navel Base as a sheet metal worker being too short to be enlisted. sadly his 10 year stroke veg state and death were attributed to lead paint from the Navel Yard.

[@silverwarrior8294]

I've read things about the guys in Afghanistan and Iraq finding old crates of m16s and m2 machine guns having to destroy them even though they were in perfect condition

[@fdmackey3666]

Davidautofull I'm truly sorry to hear about your Dad. Those of us that lived in other parts of the state would sometimes hear rumors or rumors of rumors about civilian workers and Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard Service Members who were stationed there for long stretches who "got sick" and passed away while the base was open for "apparently no reason". An acquaintance of mine owns a small demolition company and once did an pre-bid inspection of some buildings on the old base and discovered that he was looking at losing money if his was the winning bid because of the lead and asbestos contamination prevalent in the old, former Naval base buildings in question. He could not get off the property fast enough and later told several of us it would cost many millions of dollars for ANYBODY to demolish those buildings because of the high contamination levels that had built up over the many decades the base was open and in use. He did withdraw his unopened bid and has never summited another for any former military installation or building.

[@muskokamike127]

asbestos: what eventually killed Steve McQueen when he was "punished" by being forced into the double hull of the ship he was serving on and cleaning it out without a mask of any sort..... But it wasn't just military buildings: asbestos and lead were used everywhere. In all lino floors up until the 80's asbestos was used to make the colours more durable. In fact, asbestos is STILL used today in lino floors but it is encapsulated so it can't be released into the air. Lead paint (and kids eating the flakes) was a big problem in the 60's and there were all kinds of ads out about the dangers of having flaking paint around the house....and kids. The shit we did due to simple ignorance. (not intentional but simply for lack of foresight). You should check out Thalidomide sometime.......People harp on building codes etc and how they're all bullshit. Well, they aren't bullshit and they are due to mistakes made in the past......

[@LuistheABF123]

My grandfather had a BAR too in Korea, sniper shot him and the BAR caught the bullet.

[@Pyke64]

These videos are so interesting ! Thanks a lot Forgotten Weapons. I'd love to hear more about the development of the SKS myself ;)

[@jerimeyperry3282]

My great grandfather carried a BAR in the pacific in ww2 then again in Korea. I never met him. I found his ww2 discharge or demobilization papers in my great grand mothers jewelry box after she died. He made landings and fought in the battles of PNG, South Phillipines and Luzon in WW2. I don't know what he did or where he served in korea.

[@Page-Hendryx]

....So?

[@brooks274]

My buddy Larry has a .30-06 Browning semi-auto hunting rifle from the early 70s, it looks a lot like one of these. Its heavy, but I like that it looks and feels like a BAR.

[@SlovakianLynx]

I'm still hoping the day will come when Ian will present the vz.58 and UK-59 to us.

[@markhubanks3715]

My Dad was 82nd Airborne 509th PIR B company and carried his BAR from North Africa to Germany. He said the Germans hated the BAR men and would try to take them out. My Dad loved his BAR!

[@googiegress]

8:23 When you gleek a tiny bit saying "companies" and it's immortalized on a million-view video.

[@EnRiCo45100]

my favorite BAR of all the variantsss thank you for finding thisss

[@rexmundi3108]

Until this video It had never crossed my mind that the BAR was one of those rifles that foreshadowed the assault rifle. Interesting. I always thought of it as filling the LMG role, which it did later of course.

[@centexan]

The BAR was incredibly popular in WWII and were talked about with great affection. Every school kid in the late 50s knew what a BAR was.

[@PatrasPhantom]

that spit at 8:22 though

[@jamesgeorge6367]

that's my favorite weapon Browning Automatic Rifle good weapon very good I held the BAR during my fall festival in Cherokee North Carolina it was heavy but I like it

[@TheTiberianWolf]

My great grandfather was a BAR gunner in ww2, and ive always loved these weapons as a result, he told my grandfather (who told me since i never got to meet my great grandfather) that when he was serving in the Pacific, all the other soldiers carried all of his ammo and relied on his support fire against the Japanese.

[@djolley61]

Another example of delayed introduction was the proximity fuse. They started using them in AA rounds in the Pacific which caused a huge leap in the effectiveness of AA. They delayed using them in land artillery for a while because of the worry the Germans would discover an unexploded round and copy it. When it was finally used it was devastating, causing hundreds of casualties with the rounds exploding at a certain height above the ground to maximize the deadliness of shrapnel.

[@12345NoNamesLeft]

Typo game = same While it filled the game role as the Chauchat, the BAR was a much more refined weapon and much easier to use effectively

[@Tonetwisters]

Browning Automatic Rifle. I remember my father telling me about these, way back in the early '60s or even further back. As I recall, these had to be kept very clean. I couldn't carry the ammo for these or the Tommys, much less the loaded guns ...

[@boruff68]

"This WW is in part sponsored by John Browning" :) GOD BLESS John Browning and John Garand !!!!. ;)

[@jasonsantos3037]

John Moses Browning as an innovative man of his time created most iconic guns.

[@GBRyker61]

There are two weapons from WW2 that I think are the absolute coolest, the BAR and it's variants and the Thompson M1A1 SMG.

[@Page-Hendryx]

What's so "cool" about them?? They both were heavy mediocre weapons with low mag capacity.

[@justincase4892]

PPSH 43

[@davenag957]

My dad was drafted by the army in 1952 and was in Korea until after the armistice. 2nd infantry, 2nd to None! Exited a staff sergeant. His first squad patrol weapon was the BAR. He said the newbie was usually made to carry it because of the gun and ammo weight. Other guys helped with the ammo carrying but it was a brute to haul around. He was 22, 6' tall and maybe 160# at that time. Everyone wanted that weapon to be there on patrol, but dreaded to be the one carrying it. He said that when you opened up with it in a firefight, it definitely drew all the enemy fire in your direction, as soon as they emptied their underwear! Kinda like a big bullseye! There was no mistaking that sound! One of those weapons where you shot and moved to avoid getting hit. Later in his service his unit was asked for a volunteer. He raised his hand. Turned out they needed an assistant to the head cook. He figured it was better than getting shot at on patrol but could be equally as dangerous by friendly fire if he made a bad meal! He survived to 87 and passed in 2018. He was a good man!

[@edm240b9]

So, would the BAR pass the InRange mud test? I would think the Op. rod, locking shoulders, and non-reciprocating charging handle would cause some problems, and maybe even the gas ports. I could be wrong though, the entire reciever is literally a giant chunk of steel that was just hollowed out to fit all of the parts. But, you never know. Also, were M1918 .30-06 Chauchats used in large numbers? I remember your Chauchat video where you said they were so bad they were only trained with them and went to combat with 8mm Lebel.

[@CGRstudios1]

Chauchat machine-guns were used a ton by the AEF. The 30-06 version was basically crap (according to first hand accounts) so I'm assuming they just used the Normal French version. They also used M1914 Hotchkiss Guns more then the M1917 Browning (because of production difficulties)

[@MattMerica76]

War Helmets You are correct as Ian covered the Chauchat in a previous video

[@nathanheitritter7085]

So he said that in WW1 the BAR light machine gun was used more like an "assault rifle" yet described how they would use it while at the same time practically defining the use of light machine guns. Keeping the enemies heads down while advancing on a position and when you got to where you needed to, they would use it to rain lead. Keep in mind I'm not hating or anything, all I'm doing is pointing out something I managed to notice. Other than this little bit, I loved the video. Thumbs up man

[@nathanheitritter7085]

Before anyone mentions how the BAR most likely wasn't used in WW1. I am fully aware, the establishment of the BAR was too late to be used effectively in the Great War

[@greatestcheeseofswisinswit3932]

THis man needs to do a video on the Winchester M1897 Trench Gun.

[@normansilver905]

I was in the USMC from 1956 to 1976. I was in an Aviation unit. All Marines are riflemen first. The BAR was the mainstay from 1942 through 50 years later. This is a tribute to the Browning superior designed weapons. Many Browning designs are still considered a premium weapon today. Look at the Browning line of semi automatic rifles.

[@DefunctYompelvert]

Did your unit have it until the end of your service?

[@dex6147]

Did you know that the Real Time With Bill Maher channel follows Forgotten Weapons? Weird

[@nindger4270]

lmao I fully expected this to be just a troll comment, but it's actually true. XD

[@MRblazedBEANS]

I wonder why Ian early shows the evil black rifles. Idk if bill and the lib's hate these old guns as much as the modern black assault rifles. Which is funny I would rather be shot at with 5.56 m4/ m16 then a 30-06 BAR

[@steveeab2364]

BPS fan too huh?

[@coreyg7575]

bill Maher is a gun owner.

[@Mrdudeman]

You can't. Ever since 1934, a fully automatic weapon requires months of waiting, stringent background checks, and a 200 dollar tax stamp, and after '86 no new transferable machineguns have been registered. I really do hope that was hyperbole, because that fallacious idea needs to be shot, cremated, and atomized.

[@nickbuckley4371]

These are so rare I can’t believe you found an original one

[@alanpassat6759]

More Battle Rifle than Assault Rifle?

[@thelol1759]

Paul Passat the terms don't mean anything anymore.

[@thelol1759]

Earl Lee note how I said “anymore”.

[@jeffreyskoritowski4114]

Neither.

[@sorrenblitz805]

Its more like a Landscaping rifle. Don't like that there's a Nazi encampment over there? Get your crew give em some BAR's and a bunch of ammo and watch it get paved over.

[@_Shootist_]

I would believe the original M1918 BAR to be an oversized Battle Rifle. A "1st Generation" Battle Rifle if you will. I'm putting it that way cause I remembered Ian's "SMG Evolution" video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3nVl6urlLBsfrs&ab_channel=ForgottenWeapons The "traits and commonalities of" if it makes sense. 1st generation being that it was a new firearms concept that no one fully understood and was figuring out how to implement on the battlefield. SMG examples: Bergmann MP-18 or possibly the M1921 Thompson. Battle rifle examples would be (as mentioned) the original M1918 BAR and very questionably the M1916 Fedorov Avtomat?

[@Mike193Inf]

My great-grandfather was one of the first BAR guys- Co. H, 7th Inf. Rgt., 3rd ID, 1918. I have his discharge and his position is listed as "Auto Rifleman". He only had it for a few weeks before the war ended though. He lived to a 105 so I actually got to know him and he was sharp as a tack all the way to the end. Funny thing- he called the magazines "clips". "Did I correct him" you ask? Nope! Hehe. If somebody survives The Marne, St. Mihiel and The Argonne, they can call them whatever they want. He said he had a "helper" as he called him, who followed him around with a big bag of loaded mags and just kept passing them to him. And yes, he hated the "Sho-Sho" with a passion- the hate was real not some urban legend. He recalled seeing many of them dumped by the side of the road after moving back for a rest after one battle where so many of them jammed that they nearly lost their position. He then dumped his as well and acquired a Springfield until the BARs showed up. The 3rd ID or at least his regiment was one of the few that had 1903s vs. P17 Enfields. Their officers didn't mind the dumping evidently.

[@totalvvar]

I was getting a huge Déjà vu and wondering why, then I remembered the Colt Monitor video and it all made sense.

[@xltrt]

Your videos are very interesting. Enjoy watching them. Thanks!

[@NEPAGUNTALK]

The BAR was Clyde Barrows' weapon of choice.

[@_Shootist_]

@N.E.PA. GUNTALK If I remember correctly, he also shortened the barrel and buttstock on his so as to conceal and carry it better. Has also did the same to a Browning Auto-5 shotgun.

[@NEPAGUNTALK]

@@_Shootist_ Ahhh... The good old days... Lol... I love any B&C stuff ! Thanks

[@Varth_Dader.Twitch]

I’ve always had the sinking feeling that the BAR would find it’s way back into modern combat. The gun was ahead of it’s time

[@jonathanhoup9988]

Actually the m240 is basically a belt fed upside down fnd bar.

[@Varth_Dader.Twitch]

@@jonathanhoup9988 pretty much is.

[@anthonydeluca6966]

Imagine if the BAR had a drum magazine. It could actually be uses as a machine gun in that case

[@bluecaptainIT]

Say goodbye to your arms and back.

[@sergeantmarcusstackerM1903]

bluecaptainIT and your barrel

[@psackett1000]

@@sergeantmarcusstackerM1903 and the reliability of a standard magazine

[@mikeburch2998]

This is my very favorite rifle of all times! Total badass.

[@5chr4pn3ll]

So was there any reason why the magazine was so limited? It makes little sense if it was to be used in the manner suggested...

[@simonlamoureux5440]

5chr4pn3ll Best I can come up with is 30.06 is a big bullet and a larger mag would have been unwieldy or put too much weight or similar on the magazine lips?

[@joedonnelly387]

Simon Lamoureux too much weight in general

[@joedonnelly387]

And difficult to lay in a prone position with anything longer

[@ericsteenbergen9470]

Spring pressure issue. Building a larger magazine would have led to feed problems, namely pressure would be far too high when the magazine ran low. Causes feed issues. Also, makes it way too hard to load without a helluva lot of leverage.

[@edm240b9]

They did test with 40 round magazines and 56 round magazines for the weapon in between the wars. The former for AA purposes and the latter fitted for a coaxial MG version of the gun mounted in a tank. Nothing came out of either of them. But, when it comes to the infantry, the bottom feeding design of the weapon made it impossible to have because the weapon would be too high off of the ground when firing from prone.

[@Shaddowbanned]

I did not know that Mr. Browning did that for the USA. God bless him.