M1944E1/M1945 Johnson Light Machine Gun

[@Rico-v7r]

You can see alot of the design elements that got carried over to the AR-10 and AR-15 when Johnson worked with Stoner on the AR design

[@yo.mama100]

I've always liked the very distinctive front sight on the Johnson

[@kalebwait1651]

Yours came with a front sight?

[@xcd87]

whaat?? i just aim my johnson instinctively, and yours came with sights??

[@hugopepe1722]

@@xcd87 no, you aim with the yellow tracer rounds.

[@mikelockey2857]

By " Johnson ", I am assuming that is in reference to the firearm ?

[@magisterrleth3129]

​@@mikelockey2857 Mostly.

[@ThatOldWarthog]

"Manipulation of the Johnson" Ohhhh myyy

[@binbashbuddy]

Did you say that in your best George Takei voice?

[@jjssousa81]

11:10, you beat me to it. Lol

[@AtholAnderson]

Goddamn it Takei!

[@cardboard_shaft]

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )

[@NoGufff]

I paused immediately and scrolled down to see if it had been mentioned already.

[@pavelthefabulous5675]

Holy cow this Johnson guy not only invented the proto-AR rifle, but also the grip pod!

[@kjknight99]

"There's a cool Christmas surprise for you in the buttstock of the Johnson." -Ian, 2016.

[@Hostile_Design]

I love all the intricate shapes of of Johnsons guns, they are aesthetically very cool. The fact that they all seam to work well and be of high quality only strengthens my interest.

[@fluffywolfo3663]

I've always thought it might be cool to see these in Star Wars as, like, a Bigger E-11.

[@Tunkkis]

"Emma"? That's a funny coincidence. We Finns used to (and still do) call the DP28 "Emma".

[@drunkenfinnpeltsi5968]

Eetu Tunkkari hyvä että joku muuki huomas :D

[@NortyLukey]

Eetu Tunkkari machine guns were codenamed ‘Emma Gees’ during WW1 by the British, so that’s why.

[@TheThingInMySink]

What? No, that's not why, the reason it was called ''Emma'' was because of the record shaped magazine, and the fact that there was a popular song back then known simply as ''Emma''.

[@jessicasimp4459]

Now it's the grandparent of the AR-15, because of the features that are inspired to create the AR-15, especially the selector switch and the buttstock :)

[@warlordgonagy143]

Don't forget the bolt design.

[@warlordgonagy143]

Yeah, it's got most of the internal features of the johnson, just using an intermediate cartridge like the sturmgewer.

[@wolfehoffmann2697]

@@warlordgonagy143 There's more features taken than just the intermediate cartridge. The buffer tube, the method of taking the gun apart, the dust cover, extractor system and a few other bits of design were borrowed and improved upon. All by admission of Stoner of himself. It's funny that the AK is called a copy of the Stg-44, and yet it has absolutely no design features in common, but it's always just ignored that Stoner points out exactly what he took from the Stg-44 design for his own works and how he improved them.

[@JugglerLou]

Thank you so much for your details about this invention. Keep up the amazing work that you do.-Lou Johnson (I’m the grandson of the inventor)

[@DementiaGaming69420]

Really?!? That’s amazing!!!

[@compwiz101]

Yes! Excellent to see a video of the Johnson. Kind of sad it never saw wider use/refinement, but at least Johnson went off to work for Armalite

[@mikelockey2857]

Yeah. Think of how many more it could have killed.

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

Ugh, such a worthy weapon. Should have replaced the BAR, or at least found its way into service for Korea.

[@seanmac1793]

Problem was spare parts. It's the same reason the p51D was used Korea and not the P51H

[@Intrspace]

You know, funny thing is that when I played Rising Storm (WW2 Pacific theater semi-simulator game) back in the day, I remember having the exact same thoughts. If you wanted to go fire support, you had either the clunky M1919 which turned you into a turret, or the BAR which was also too heavy and pretty much just a glorified semi-auto rifle (like the Soviet AVT-40) and you had nothing inbetween. The Japanese were in a better position in this regard with their ZB-26 clones

[@trollmastermike52845]

@Evan outdoors its not but we can have our own opinions

[@merlemorrison1346]

not really - it wasn't all that reliable when in dirty conditions...

[@anonymous8780]

@@Intrspace Nambu Type 96 and Type 99 are based on Hotchkiss machineguns, not ZB or Bren.

[@carlfasnacht9777]

Ian it would be really cool if you did a review of a nerf gun. Including it province and its design the year it was build and that stuff. Also something about its maker. Just for fun.

[@sillygoose210_6]

Lol

[@matthayward7889]

Expect it at the beginning of April ;)

[@hermanwessels9546]

Wonderful video if you are interested in the Johnson guns. First time I've actually seen the details of the gas assist system. This gun would have made an excellent basis for a 7.62 x 51 assault rifle, with a conventional, bottom feeding, 20 round magazine. It would have been superior to the M14, I believe. Compared to the M14 the ergonomics are better, with its straight line lay-out and pistol grip, the barrel can be changed easily to allow longer or shorter barrels to be fitted and the monopod is ingenious and useful.

[@ThePandoraGuy]

Can you imagine Private Paula shooting first GSgt. Hartman and then himself with a Johnson LMG?

[@rasheverak]

‘Sup dawg, I heard you like heat shields, so we put a heat shield on your heat shield.

[@notsoserious0944]

That is so dang cool! Melvin was amazing.

[@lankey6969]

That front sight is VERY Star Wars looking!

[@honorguard7616]

star wars weapons are all based on WW2 weapons

[@nickirmen6671]

It's kind of crazy if you look at the receiver and pistol grip and magazine and release in these old guns, like the bar as well they look almost like pre-ARs

[@starcoloneldunadansonoft501]

Please never, ever use the words 'surprise' and 'Johnson' in the same sentence again.

[@thescharfchannel]

I don't know why, but I'd say this is one of the coolest guns ever made.

[@colsoncustoms8994]

I usually just get my wife to manipulate the Johnson.

[@andreawars]

The Canadians Devil's Brigade used this weapon! It's badass!

[@MrReded69]

Canadian-American Devil's Brigade to be precise. They actually traded the US Marine Raiders a half ton of C4 for them(the Raiders found the M1941 version a bit too sensitive to sand).

[@tomlawrence3991]

1st Special Service Force About half Canadian Half American My Uncle served in the Force He was wounded in Anzio His most prized possession His Force knife

[@bensigl3766]

​@MrReded69 the sensitivity to sand was further exemplified by Israeli experience with the M1945-derived Dror LMG.

[@Purpmaster]

Wow this thing is a beauty! Such a shame that it was not further developed and adopted.

[@williamprince1114]

IIRC the Israeli military of the late 40s or early 50s developed these further and fielded some.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/enaypWCnjr1lacU

[@KriegsMeister27]

Come on Ian, I'm sure someone would have paid extra for those plastic flakes that you just casually swept away.

[@Shepuz]

as in E M M A ? Finns used to call the soviet DP light machinegun back in Winter War and Continuation war as "Emma". And even today when talking about weapons and you mention just "Emma" most people will recognize it as the Degtyaryov DP-28. Although finns didn't call it as LMG, we had/have our own word to describe such low ROF automatic rifle and literal translation would be "Quick-rifle" or "fast-rifle" from Pikakivääri.

[@jeffsartain2395]

The Johnson was a far superior to any rifle or LMG in service at the time. The ordinance dept. was deeply involved in other programs and could not allow the Johnson to replace other rifles due to misappropriation of funds. The M1 could not function with machine gun ammo without epic failure thus M2 ball with was a downloaded round for the M1. The Johnson could easily function with ammo up to 75000psi which would destroy an M1. The Johnson was a 10 round weapon that could be topped of at will as opposed to the M1 which had to fire ALL 8 round before reload. THANK YOU for an excellent video and review on an epic weapon.......

[@Liamthecomputernerd]

it looks like something out of star wars

[@bladehunter90]

well to be fair, most of star wars weapons were world war 2 weapons with a few gizmos added to them

[@FIREBRAND38]

Actually the Stormtrooper blasters were L2A3 Sterling submachine guns that weren't adopted by the Brits until 1953 and Han Solo's blaster was based on a 7.63mm C96 Mauser that is more of a WW1 kind of weapon

[@peterson7082]

+John Simpson C96 predates WWI... It's in the name "96"... 1896

[@FIREBRAND38]

Right, I said more of a WW1 weapon since it saw service in WW1 and although first designed in 1896 it was produced from 1896 to 1937. The point is that they weren't "hacked up WW2 guns".

[@lavrentivs9891]

Star Wars also features the Lewis gun and MG34 from WWI and II respectively.

[@armedbrit493]

Now you too can bid to have another Johnson to play with...

[@sierramike5259]

looks to be ahead of it's time. That being said it also looks a lot lighter than a BAR. So then one wonders about shoulder fired full auto fire control-ability, especially considering the lack of muzzle break / compensator.

[@Boeing_hitsquad]

still at 0:00, much anticipation for this video as I've & generations of my family on both sides have had personal experience with it (type, not exact individual firearm)... on with the show! EDIT: the monopod at a range, place a pale/bucket full of range soil/sand on the table/bench/stall and 2 sandbags in a U shape around each backside. this works 100%.

[@johndoe-vo6wl]

so cool! thank you for showing us this unique piece 😀

[@act4306]

What an awesome rifle! Great video, as always.

[@mr6johnclark]

"Melvin Johnson"... Did his parents hate him?

[@MrReded69]

Remember i his generation men being named Maynard and Edsel was normal.

[@davidsolyom5604]

At leadt not Evelyn (Owen).

[@rocketman8476]

Gorgeous gun. Can’t believe it was crafted in the 40’s.

[@StPaul76]

The Russian DP-27 was called "Emma" by Finnish troops because of it's disc shaped magazine on top and a very popular Finnish war-time ballad was called "Emma" thus the name.

[@EzraeL91]

Let's see a new episode of "The American Army totally ignore the best weapon for the worst one!"

[@Justicer3792]

Ah yes use the BAR in korea what could go wrong

[@huntclanhunt9697]

I wouldn't call the BAR the worst. It wasn't the best, but it wasn't awful either. The bipod was awful, but the gun itself was pretty solid, if somewhat outdated.

[@EzraeL91]

@@huntclanhunt9697 I meant the worse, not the worst. Sorry, english is not my first language!

[@xcd87]

just because of the johnson name, the whole commwnt section turned low key garand thumb here, lol.

[@GamersBar]

I would have liked to see inside the action but good video, I also like the semi gas piston design its nice and compact (well for the time the entire gun is not super fat)

[@tillmannfischer]

As Ian said, he already did an in-depth video on the predecessor of this gun (M1941), which is basically the same internally. The Link is in the video description (right at the bottom of it).

[@havareriksen1004]

Gas assist on recoil operated weapons are nor really that uncommon. We find them on everything from shotguns to machine guns. The most widespread use of the gas assisted unlocking on recoil operated guns is the MG 42, MG 3 and other versions of this gun. Underneath the flash hider there is a cup that traps gas as it exits the muzzle. This pushes the barrel backwards. After a short travel the cup clears the gas vent holes at the back of the flash hider, and the barrel (that now has unlocked from the bolt) is driven forward by a barrel return spring inside the receiver. This is rather like the gas trap system one found on early semi automatic rifles, but the bolt is moved by the force of the recoil, so it is labelled as recoil operated.

[@gauth421]

Love all your reviews Ian!

[@Tophet1]

The US has never really 'got' lmg's.

[@wastedangelematis]

the johnson light machinegun is playable in Heroes n` generals for paratroopers, but its the first model , check it on youtube,

[@EDSKaR]

I'd find that front monopod more useful if it was hinged further back (just in front of the magwel) and then folded forwards as it would give you a much more handy front grip for 'walking fire'/hip fire and still give good stability when rested. 9:20 11:30 I fear the Forgotten Weapons Precision Disassembly Tool has been replaced... I want a copy of the testing done and the reasons for the replacement and who the high brass idiot that made that decision was.

[@CallMeJayBoi]

Oh boy. Id love to get this.

[@paulshayter1113]

Ian @ 11:24 you said plastic punch but that is in fact a Universal Disassembly Tool. Glad to help.;-)

[@JonneTopiRausku]

Fun fact: during WWII, the soviet Degtrajev DP 27 was called "Emma" in the finnish army.

[@mobilegoat1]

Would love to see you fire this weapon .

[@BobtheHobo324]

Why did Johnson use a long single-stack magazine instead of a double-stack that could be shorter and still provide the same amount of bullets per magazine? Does the single-stack magazine distribute the weight off to the side in a way that balances the firearm better than the more centralized weight of a double-stack would?

[@williambefort5327]

See Johnson's book "Automatic Weapons of the World". The gun was to be used by a 2-man team, like a Bren. The side-mounted mags could be swapped very fast by the AG, and the single-column design w/o feed lips was cheap & efficient, and would also have lent itself well to disposable magazines.

[@Tunkkis]

Ah, so there are two magazine-fed light machine guns nicknamed "Emma". We Finns gave the nickname to the DP 27 Degtjarjova light machine gun, because the rotating pan magazine 'lid' reminded soldiers of spinning records, which in turn reminded them off a popular iskelmä song of the same name

[@Rico-v7r]

The hybrid between the Johnson Rifle and LMG was the Daisy Mae.

[@tamahawkins2815]

great videos lately ian,keep it up.I have a non gun related question where you are what is the time I'm only asking as I'm in new Zealand and it's 12:07 am

[@_yellow]

The Rock Island Auction is in Rock Island, which is in Illinois, so I assume he is in Illinois.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

I am 5 hours ahead of you.

[@tamahawkins2815]

+Sᴏᴄɪᴇᴛʏ Pʀᴏʙʟᴇᴍs Sᴀᴛɪʀᴇ thanks. it makes sense

[@tamahawkins2815]

+Forgotten Weapons thanks for putting early upload work in for our entertainment

[@keithmoore7390]

that was filmed in Illinois but I believe he lives in either California or Arizona, but don't hold me to thatt

[@timothylevin2661]

It seems to help a lot in common with the FG-42

[@Davidautofull]

that has AR malite all over it. spring in tube with castle nut...

[@FabledHeroes3351]

Now this is an interesting light machine gun

[@mr_ThreeEight_1776]

"Private, whip out your johnson!"

[@fatman.reviews]

the history channel needs to give you a show,

[@TheWhoamaters]

Wait did I hear that right? A gun was actually improved and modified based on the recommendations of the people using it in combat, instead of what generals and politicians thought was needed?

[@stevemiller6766]

Good day Ian. Do you ever get your hands on Soviet weapons? Curious to see you evaluation of the WWII automatic weapons of the day. Cheers

[@farmerboy9029]

+Von Mualka it works like a sten

[@RogueVigilante]

Hey Ian how are you doing? What was the sound at 13:51? lolz sounds like Star wars or a star trek Phaser or something lolz I think its amazing those Exacto bullets the farther away you are the better the accuracy

[@smartlp3010]

To sad. They maybe could have had a awesome weapon for the Marines. Tell me Ian, did you ever fired one of These guns and if so did you like it? What are your thoughts on it?

[@dak4465]

I really want one of these. Theyre sooo cooooool

[@tonyangelo9916]

Beautiful

[@stevotv6457]

Ian, are you sure the monopod foot doesn't do a 90 degree to present the base piece in a broadside to the line of fire? Would be more stable that way....

[@ForgottenWeapons]

I am quite sure that it doesn't.

[@KennyCnotG]

Ian, why did you not use your Universal Gun Disassembly tool? that punch looks much less universal, unless the UGD was too flinsy. ;)

[@DETHMOKIL]

Just coming from the Dror videos!

[@jhaffel]

So that "monopod" doesn't spin 90 degrees to give a wider stance? Seems weird that it could, and that it makes sense that it would, but that it doesn't...

[@Martinlegend]

8:55 good to know when youre fighting in Hell

[@fidelismiles7439]

13:08 Looks like a Sterling SMG, not bad at all.

[@jasonsantos3037]

There's a lot interesting World War 2 guns never get talked about.

[@johnyyonehand]

I've been following Ian's channel for the long time, but there is one thing that puzzles me when old lmg is presented. Why did they use small magazines? Breda used a fixed mag that was fed by stripper clips, BAR had small mag as well. Could they not adopt a belt fed system? Were there any advantages to using magazines? A lighter design?

[@sillygoose210_6]

For dirty conditions a mag protects the rounds from getting filthy.

[@ununius7436]

Awsome weapon..

[@BigMikeOregon]

Ian, the teeth on the monopod base imply it can be rotated 90 degrees to give more side to side stability. Is that the case?

[@chriswp2311]

the MP44, M3/A1 Grease Gun, FG42, and Trench Gun combined into one gun.

[@francislematt7079]

Wouldn't that monopod foot also turn 90 degrees sideway to work more effectively on not so soft surfaces?

[@joshmeads]

Cool and solid machine gun but why wouldn't they make the mag double staked?

[@olppano]

During the war Finns called DP-28 Emma too :D

[@ArfurFaulkesHake]

Can you actually flip the monopod all the way forwards ? To rest the gun in a window frame for instance.

[@kenibnanak5554]

Curious which parts broke in the endurance tests. LoL, I have a suspicion the firing pin would be/was one.

[@christhedrinkerofbleach.822]

Great video

[@Darthdoodoo]

"smith grab your johnson and give it to charlie !"😂😂😂😂

[@BubblewrapOracle]

awesome! I wish you would mention the cartridges the guns take, though.

[@KebeQ]

BubblewrapOracle 30-06

[@painmagnet1]

Most of us appreciate Ian not 'dumbing down' the information. One would typically have seen other Johnson rifle videos and know they are 30-06.

[@alexm566]

The specs and even external like the magazine placement ane bayonet are very similar to the fg42. anyone notice that?

[@Spearfisher1970]

Beautiful platform. How many of the previous version were actually used in combat? Looks ahead of its time, and it's a shame the reliability wasn't up to par. That barrel sleeve though ... that looks like an easy-to-drop part when changing a hot barrel.

[@longdarkrideatnight]

Would it come off over the sight? Would there be one on each barrel, or would you remove the site during each barrel change, in which case you have another part to drop.

[@Spearfisher1970]

That's a great point - they may be integral to the barrel. I totally forgot about that super-sight up front when I typed that. That our actual fighting men liked the platform tells me that you're probably correct, or that they had little trouble with it. I'm not sure, but I'd venture a guess that our guys didn't change out barrels while hot, and in the middle of fire-fights, as much as both sides did on the Russian front.

[@Boeing_hitsquad]

the front sight acts like a handle for ungloved & lightly gloved hands, in both changing the barrel and carrying the hot barrel as the assault moves forwards/is forced to move. it also allows the soldier to use a stick, handle of knife or shovel to pull, hold, or carry the hot barrels, and to hang a ready barrel on a branch beside the position, or the hot changed barrel on the branch, up and out of the dirt. these were used by singular troops, not a team, so barrel changes run differently. and if your position is stormed, that at-the-ready barrel, is now an at-the-ready mace/trench club. a ton of thought and feedback from assault troops went into the design of every part of the firearm, including the front sight... which was likened (affectionately) to a Viking axe.

[@Spearfisher1970]

Phil Verhey Neat, thank you for the historical info

[@benjaminhart4354]

I love lmgs so much

[@IchBinJager]

If Operation Downfall happened; would this have seen adaption and combat use possibly? Does the barrel change still work on this, with a spare .30-06 round?

[@blackguard5181]

Was the rifle the daisy mae? I thought that was the carbine and the rifle was betsy.

[@XBLArmory]

How heavy was that barrel? That front sight post looks like the whole thing could be used as a makeshift weapon if the need arose.

[@michaelgraves9462]

I remember this one from Medal Of Honor - Pacific Assault

[@NoGufff]

Is it not possible to rotate the monopod 90° and take advantage of a slightly wider footing?

[@aaron042671]

The mono pod twists 90 degrees. It doesn’t sit like u have it.

[@DanielSvensson666]

That one looks so cool.:D

[@유준-n2j]

So it comes with grippod, neat.

[@jonmurphy9424]

Do you think that, had Johnson been given the funding, this gun could have been improved upon enough to be a reliable front line weapon?

[@PW.6060]

Seems like since the monopod was so long and the sights were so high that the gunner would be pretty exposed when firing while prone. Very interesting gun, though!

[@clydebalcom8252]

It's a beautiful weapon. Marines are notorious for using equipment that nobody wants.

[@tankninja1]

Considering how much the US government wanted to find cheaper guns for the war, I'm surprised this didn't end up beating out the BAR.

[@dak4465]

Its the same mindset as the stoner 63, lightweight automatic firepower for the few willing to take care of it

[@Astandane]

A beautiful gun :)

[@monkeyfarmer1138]

Regarding the historically accurate flags used for the thumbnails of these videos lately, shouldn't the US flag here only have 48 stars? Either way, I love the videos. Thanks Ian.

[@douglasfulmer5483]

For some reason this is just plain cool. I wish I had 50k or 80k to drop on this.