[Jarhead0331]

So I see tons of technical data and tutorials on disassembly and maintenance, but I haven't found much information on the proper operation and function of 1919s...for example, linking ammo, loading, firing, using the T&E on tri-pods, etc. etc.

What is the best source for this kind of information, both free on the website and commercial (ie. books, videos, etc.).

I tried looking at some of those sticky threads in the tech forum, but for some reason I could not view them.

Thanks...

S/F

 

[Armorer]

A lot of this information was covered on the old Tech forums which at present seem to be lost. Some of these topics take up a lot of space but are covered more effectively in Army Technical and Field Manuals. There have been great changes in the philosphy of machine gun use in the last 60 years. For example the use of the T&E. In the old version of FM 23-55, Oct 1955, (BMG Cal .30) half of the manual seems to be taken up with the subject of laying the gun, techniques of fire, cone of fire, beaten zone,the use of clinometers and the T&E. In the most recent (July 1965) version of the FM only one page is devoted to the T&E. Of course the older manual also covered the water cooled version as well. The machine gun today seems to be regarded as a point and shoot weapon. In the old days it was used more like a small artilery piece and used at ranges up to 2000 yards, at least in theory.

There has been a lot of information on linking ammo, types of links and belts, how to make linkers and belt loaders, proper headspace and problems encountered in firing the guns, which hopefully has not been lost from the old site. I am told people are working to restore this information.

 

[bittwiddler]

When I started out I used a combination of some of the howtos on the website (for things like headspace checks) and the Army technical manuals. Do you have any specific questions?

 

[Armorer]

Other manuals on the M1919A4/A6 that may be helpful are:

TM 9-1005-212-25 Organizational Maintenance, June 1969 (available on this site).
TM 9-1005-212-35 (DS & GS and depot Maintenance) Sep 1965.
TM 9-1005-212-12P Operator and Organizational Maintenance ,July 1964. TM 9-1005-212-10 Operator's Manual 1919A4,A6 and mount M2 April 1969.

You will probably have to do a search for these but reprints are available from several sources.