[iyaayas84]

Ok what is the slit for that has been cut into the end of the cocking handle? The end where you grip it, just to make it clear. Also i was wondering if this was an izzy thing or were these found on USGI 1919s of the ww2 timeframe? Thanks in advance.
Jason D
USAF

 

[loboslanding]

Jason, this has been a mystery and I've yet to hear anyone come up with a reason why it's there. The cool thing about those is that they are usually the only one with a screwdriver tip on the other end. Why a screwdriver tip...who knows. You can't use it to lock the driving rod because the charging handle is still in the gun during that step.

My personal guess about the slot is that it's just there for gripping enhancement when using the screwdriver.

 

[blkbd]

Does the screwdriver tip also fit the barrel shroud screw? If it does then the driving spring rod could be combined to form a T handle to unscrew it.

 

[Sydwaiz]

Bottle opener!

 

[ttpete]

How about loosening the front sight screw for adjustment?

 

[loboslanding]

I personally don't like them because after a long day at the range that slot tears your hand up pretty good and I'm way too delicate for that .

 

[Abwehr]

I sure would like to have one of those with the knurling on it. Yea, they are probably rough on the hands, but it looks cool! Anyone know where to get one?

 

[30calmachinegunner]

I had to say it, the slot is to help hold the shoestring in place

 

[loboslanding]

30cal LOL.

Ab, find one without knurling and send it to one of our guys on this site and have it knurled. I haven't bought two kits yet with the same handle in them. I don't use them anyway, I use the extended handles because of my big, clumsy ham hocks.

 

[Taber10]

Who is a good source for the extended handle? That sounds like a good idea!

Taber

 

[loboslanding]

taber, just go over to the 1919 ad forum and do a WTB and you'll get several responses. You can get them knurled, unknurled, parked, in the white, etc.

 

[Armorer]

Slotted handle - possibly for use in some armored vehicle with a retracting lever. Possibly to allow another devise to be attached to gain leverage for clearing jams. Possibly made just to confuse 1919A4 buffs.

 

[belt fed frog]

i vote bottle opener after all the IZZY galil .308 had one built in so the guys wouldn`t bugger up mags opening bottles

 

[blkbd]

Slotted handle - possibly for use in some armored vehicle with a retracting lever. Possibly to allow another devise to be attached to gain leverage for clearing jams. Possibly made just to confuse 1919A4 buffs.

Those that have the retractor That I have seen use a even shorter cocking handle that is painful to retract do to it's stubbiness.

 

[Finalygotabeltfed]

I personally don't like them because after a long day at the range that slot tears your hand up pretty good and I'm way too delicate for that .

I thought of that too and replaced mine with the unslotted type just for that reason. The ones I had that came with kits had burrs on them and although they could be filed off, they would likely burr again and cut you if not careful.

The knurled ones look good and I'm sure it adds to function if wearing a glove so it doesn't slip off. Someday I'll have them knurled but in the meantime, I'll settle for just not being cut by the large slotted ones.

As far as the extended ones go, That will be a machine shop project for me to do sometime when I'm hanging around my friends shop and feel like being creative. Maybe do one and have it chrome plated.....just for the "BLING" factor.

 

[loboslanding]

When machining your own, be sure and hollow it out like the originals to keep it light so it doesn't effect cyclic rate....really.

 

[brassmagnet]

When machining your own, be sure and hollow it out like the originals to keep it light so it doesn't effect cyclic rate....really.

I have some extended ones that are narrower than the originals but not hollowed out. I guess I can't say for sure if it has adverse effects on cycling since I only shoot semi, but I know with my Emory crank I would still over crank the guns cycling ability. I suppose the larger diameter extended ones should be hollowed though.

About that slot in the originals - I think someone once mentioned that it was to aid in the use of the screwdriver tip - kind of like the booster slot, a place to add a leverage bar. Not sure if that's true - just thought I'd mention it.

 

[DeadTrainGuy]

extended handles

KMP sells a nice one. Not hollowed out though. Jim

 

[iyaayas84]

i vote bottle opener

I will see if 30 cals idea works for a bottle opener this weekend. well thanks for the input guys i will continue my research looking at old photos.
Jason D
USAF

 

[BigEdDouglas]

Hmm, could it possibly be for the extended cocking device when they saw limeted use as Door Guns on the Slicks???