Weapon Name- BAR Machine gun
Round Type- .30-06 Springfield
Over-all length- 44 inches, 40 inches
Barrel length- 24 inches, 20 inches
Weight- 13.2 pounds
Rate of Fire- 540 RPM
Feed Mechanism- Detachable Box magazine, belt fed
Round Capacity- 20, 25, 50, 60, 100+ with belts
Effective Range- 600 meters
Range- 1300 meters
Accuracy- 1.5 MOA
Accessories- Scope rail
Quick switch firing mechanism- N/A
Scope/Sights- Finned buckhorn sights, raised sights
Muzzle Velocity- 840 m/s, 800 m/s (11.3 grams) - 4000 joules, 3600 joules
Firing System- Long stroke gas piston
Miscellaneous/electronic information- The weapon is essentially a browning automatic rifle with a detachable barrel, pistol grip, carrying handle, semiautomatic and fully automatic firing function, muzzle break, two iron sights, a scope rail, shortened stock, belt fed, and fundamentally based on the polish BAR.
Basic Information
The weapon is essentially a browning automatic rifle with a detachable barrel, pistol grip, carrying handle, semiautomatic and fully automatic firing function, muzzle break, two iron sights, a scope rail, shortened stock, and capable of being belt fed. The firearm is fundamentally based on the polish BAR, where many of it's improvements and changes come from, and is a mere 13.2 pounds unloaded, far lighter than the 18 or more pound M19A2's. The cyclic rate is lower and the firearm possesses a hydraulic recoil buffer in the stock, which substantially reduces it's felt recoil, in addition to the muzzle break which also acts a flash hider. The weapon's weight is cut down, partially by shortening the receiver, lightening the accessories, and lightening the barrel. As the barrel is replaceable, sustained fire capabilities are higher even with a thinner barrel, and thus it can afford to be smaller when carried. The barrel is free floating, and thus does not heat up the hand-guard and increases accuracy somewhat; however due to it being detachable, accuracy is decreased over the standard BAR. The weapon is designed to be a lighter, better balanced, more easily carried and handled version of the firearm, being easier for the average soldier to carry.
The firearm can utilize 20 and 25 round magazines, as well as 50 and 60 round drums. The 60 round drums, while holding slightly more ammunition, are substantially heavier than the 50 round drums given their construction design, and thus 50 round drums have become the preferable drum of choice, despite their slightly reduced capacity. Drum magazines are heavier, more expensive and less reliable than standard magazines, which is why they were rarely used in the war. Proportionately per round carried, a drum is far heavier than most magazines, and magazines are slightly heavier than belts. A .30-06 cartridge is 27.5 grams, which for 20 rounds in a magazine is 20% heavier (1.2 pounds, 1.45 pounds in magazine), for 50 rounds in a light drum is 40% heavier, (3 pounds, 4.2 pounds), and for 60 or more rounds is 70% heavier (3.6 pounds, 6.2 pounds). Thus, while more rounds can be carried per magazine with drums, less rounds can be carried total given the total weight requirements. 20 and 25 round magazines are also more compact, making them easier to carry on the person than drums which do not stack well. This weight is also added to the firearm, making the gun itself heavier and more unwieldy. As a result, the firearm is typically used with 20, 25, or 50 round magazines, as heavier magazines become proportionately far heavier and reduce total ammunition load-out. The weapon can also be belt fed, with most 60 round drums instead being filled with belts, which substantially reduces their weight, to the level of magazines, being only 20-30% heavier per round carried. With canvas belts, the individual round are lighter but are more likely to jam when the canvas is exceptionally wet or muddy, which can be partially remedied by using water proof canvas belts and the somewhat waterproof external carrying drum which protects the canvas from direct contact with mud or the elements. With steel belts the weapon is more reliable, but is slightly heavier, especially if using a heavier drum meant to carry canvas belts. Given the inherent weight restrictions, 60 round belts are typically used by soldiers, as adding 60 rounds to the weapon only increases it's weight by 4.3-4.6 pounds, but more can be added if necessary. The weapon due to it's thinner barrel and smaller frame as well is not ideal for long term sustained fire at several hundred rounds per minute, also eliminating the need for 100+ round belts, however they are available.
