| Operation |
Fully automatic, recoil operated, air-cooled |
| Caliber |
.30 (".30-06") (7.62 mm) |
| Ammunition |
Ball M1; 174 gr bullet, 50 gr charge |
| Muzzle velocity |
853.4 mps (2800 fps) |
| Capacity | 250-round belt |
| Weight |
32.5lbs with bipod |
| Overall length |
53 in |
| Rate of fire |
400 to 550 rounds per minute |
| Effective range |
800 yds |
At 41 lbs for gun and tripod, the M1919A4 was much lighter than the
water-cooled M1917A1 (93 lbs for gun and tripod). On the other hand, the air-cooled weapon was unable to maintain the same level of sustained
fire as the water-cooled M1917A1, and did not have the steadiness of
accuracy as the heavier weapon. Also, some combat units criticized the A4 as being too slow to get
into action, and that the crew was too vulnerable.
The result was M1919A6, which featured a detachable shoulder stock, folding bipod, carrying handle, and
a lighter barrel than the A4. Although only 43,500 A6s were produced in WWII, compared to 390,000 A4s, and although the A6 was even less steady in sustained fire as the A4, some experts argue that
the A6 was the most unique weapon in the M1919 series.
The M1919A6 did see much service in Korea, and later in Vietnam.
The Chinese captured many of our machine guns during the first 6 months after their entry into the war. Here they use an A6 in one of their forward positions. Note the camouflage to conceal them from air attack.
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