ww2 AHC: ideal automatic rifle...

Can you add a detachable barrel (say from the FN derivatives) and reverse the bi-pod and fit it to the gas block, so you don't have to carry one on each barrel?
BAR with threaded barrel for quick change and shortened the barrel some too. Bi-pod reversed.

mTeGeef.gif
 

Deleted member 1487

The caliber here is smaller than 30.06. I'd say its closer to 7.62 (308).
I was thinking more the overall length and weight being the issue than a marginal bullet diameter difference.
 
The RPD was belt fed. Is this version of the BAR as well?
Full.auto_.review.of_.the_.RPD_.belt_.fed_.light_.machine.gun_.VIDEO_.jpg
Yes but I also added a 30rd mag for a non belt fed version.
BTW the RPK can take a drum and its not belt fed so I believe a bel-fed and a non belt-fed BAR could take a drum but I'm not a gun expert so hopefully someone who is will chime in with some info whether these ideas would work or not.

I try to find OTL designs that show the ideas I use are workable but I can and do get things wrong.
 

Deleted member 1487

Yes but I also added a 30rd mag for a non belt fed version.
BTW the RPK can take a drum and its not belt fed so I believe a bel-fed and a non belt-fed BAR could take a drum but I'm not a gun expert so hopefully someone who is will chime in with some info whether these ideas would work or not.

I try to find OTL designs that show the ideas I use are workable but I can and do get things wrong.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RPD_machine_gun#Feeding
Feed system Non-disintegrating 100-round segmented belt stored in a drum container
The RPD was only belt fed. The M249 was IIRC the first interchangeable magazine-belt fed system.

The German top-feed drum mag used for the MG-15 was a system designed specially for that weapon, though that might be an option for your BAR:
mg-15_ground_mount.thumb.jpg.31904ebe71c6468bcaff0203c9f975c8.jpg
 
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The German top-feed drum mag used for the MG-15 was a system designed specially for that weapon, though that might be an option for your BAR:

That shows the MG-15's aircraft machine gun heritage. It was not a good idea. Either pure column gravity-feed or side-pull pawl from a linked belt is the recommended mechanical way to go.
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RPD_machine_gun#Feeding

The RPD was only belt fed. The M249 was IIRC the first interchangeable magazine-belt fed system.

The German top-feed drum mag used for the MG-15 was a system designed specially for that weapon, though that might be an option for your BAR:
mg-15_ground_mount.thumb.jpg.31904ebe71c6468bcaff0203c9f975c8.jpg
Nice. I think something like this drum mag for the G-36 would work better for the BAR but only because it feeds from the bottom, same principle being used here I'm pretty sure.

g36_3.jpg
I'll try to find some line drawings later and try to add it to the BAR but I doubt the US would've thought of something like this in WWII, unless maybe they got the idea from someone else?
 

Deleted member 1487

That shows the MG-15's aircraft machine gun heritage. It was not a good idea. Either pure column gravity-feed or side-pull pawl from a linked belt is the recommended mechanical way to go.
Plus those drums are like 2-3 kg each!
 

Deleted member 1487

Nice. I think something like this drum mag for the G-36 would work better for the BAR but only because it feeds from the bottom, same principle being used here I'm pretty sure.

I'll try to find some line drawings later and try to add it to the BAR but I doubt the US would've thought of something like this in WWII, unless maybe they got the idea from someone else?
The problem with the C-mags are that they generally don't work very well and with heavier rounds and pre-plastic magazines are extremely heavy with the bottom feed, so would create major problems. The top feed is to take advantage of the layout of the normal belt feed system (the PK machine gun for instance uses an adapted inverted AK-47 mechanism as the magazine feed is from the bottom) while avoiding the issue with gravity for the heavy metal drum mags and the catch mechanism. So you could probably invert the BAR mechanism to get it to work from the top (I think the Mle24/29 did that, as they basically ripped off the BAR mechanism to make it).

I'd say your best bet would be to have the BLMR dual mag system to have a quick swap out.
 
The problem with the C-mags are that they generally don't work very well and with heavier rounds and pre-plastic magazines are extremely heavy with the bottom feed, so would create major problems. The top feed is to take advantage of the layout of the normal belt feed system (the PK machine gun for instance uses an adapted inverted AK-47 mechanism as the magazine feed is from the bottom) while avoiding the issue with gravity for the heavy metal drum mags and the catch mechanism. So you could probably invert the BAR mechanism to get it to work from the top (I think the Mle24/29 did that, as they basically ripped off the BAR mechanism to make it).

I'd say your best bet would be to have the BLMR dual mag system to have a quick swap out.
I think it be best to keep it simple and just stick with the 30 rd mag.
I think there's only so much one could do with the BAR, it is a WWI design after all.
 
One knows that the birth father of the RTL FN MAG is the BAR operating system turned upside down and equipped with a pawl for belt feed as Wiking just suggested? (^^^^) It was about to be op-evaled until WW II interfered.
 

Deleted member 1487

I think it be best to keep it simple and just stick with the 30 rd mag.
I think there's only so much one could do with the BAR, it is a WWI design after all.
It used a 20 round mag BTW :)
Though there was a 40 round AA magazine that was withdrawn in 1927:
Image953.jpg
 

Deleted member 1487

One knows that the birth father of the RTL FN MAG is the BAR operating system turned upside down and equipped with a pawl for belt feed as Wiking just suggested? (^^^^) It was about to be op-evaled until WW II interfered.
They 'borrowed' the MG42 feed system.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_MAG
The MAG uses a series of proven design concepts from other successful firearms, for example the locking mechanism is modeled on that of the Browning M1918 (BAR) automatic rifle, and the feed and trigger mechanisms are from the WWII-era MG42 universal machine gun.[5]
 
It used a 20 round mag BTW :)
Though there was a 40 round AA magazine that was withdrawn in 1927:
Image953.jpg
Yeah I know it took a 20rd mag, I made a thirty as an improvement. I didn't know about the 40 rd mag though, cool for AA but I think a little too long and cumbersome for infantry use.
One knows that the birth father of the RTL FN MAG is the BAR operating system turned upside down and equipped with a pawl for belt feed as Wiking just suggested? (^^^^) It was about to be op-evaled until WW II interfered.
I did not know that.
 
The pan magazines worked well even in ww1. It was an option for the Bren, also used on the Degtyaryov machine gun.
 
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