M37: The Ultimate Improved Browning 1919 

*makes 1919 to be used as a tank gun US army: yeah that’s cool can you make one for tanks?

My brother served in the Delta from 1968-69 and tells me some of the M37E1 guns in 7.62 were mounted on convoy escort jeeps and supply trucks to keep the heads of the VC down when traversing dicey spots. He was an artillery gunner at a firebase, and he took one off a damaged truck and mounted it on an ARVN M1919A2 tripod for firebase defense. The guys liked it better than the M60 because it could fire all night long while never needing a barrel change, and all they had to do was dump a bucket of water on the barrel when it started glowing red.

7:20 Ian technically isn't wrong, the whole gun is a shoot ejector. It's designed to eject all your shoots in whatever direction you point it when you pull the trigger.

Bob Hillberg's 'adventure' reminds me of something that happened to my late uncle. He was working on small arims training simulators at the time, so he took a company van to Interarms in Manchester to collect some samples for them to work from. Driving back down a narrow side street with lots of parked cars, he found his way blocked by a delivery van which stopped suddenly. Looking in his mirrors, he then saw another van pull out from a side street and block the road behind him. At this point, something dawned on him. He was in a van full of guns, and two vehicles had just blocked him in: this is how a robbery/hijack starts... He was just starting to freak out when the van in front drove off again, and everything proceded normally...

This is a great machine gun to shoot. Huuuge fun. I had my chance during my national service back in 1987-89 with the Greek army. My unit had M48s and M38s jeeps as scouting vehicles - and this was the standard M48 coaxial gun, on our M38s we had the standard M1919. During our training we were shooting all the guns of the unit so I had good time apart of my own 1919 also with this. My impressions: It is great when shoot from a vehicle or from a fortyfied position. The points of impact spread on an wide pattern so you can "shower" an area with bullets without moving the gun much. We used to have a spare 2nd barrel ,a special tooling wrench and a heat resistant (asbestos) glove for barrel changing. I remember that our training involved closed eyes barrel changing timed for under a minute. The hard thing was to properly screw the barrel on the bolt receiver. You had to count "clicks" to get it alligned (otherwise the gun could jam) but I realised that you could sense the alignment just by finger touching the end of the barrel while screwing . As long the barrel was aligned correctly the gun could fire for ever. The usual part to fail was the back plate with the pistol grip. My unit had a few guns with shattered back plates and no spare ones to replace them. The piece I see in the video looks like new- no way like the guns I shot back then. Great video, thank you!

Definitely has more dakka.

Ian, your story about being pulled over while transporting the weapons was a nice anecdote, but you might be surprised to know how often it happened over the years.... Back in the early 80's I was in the ARMY National Guard in California. I was the NCOIC of the shooting team for my unit, the 570th MPCo in Concord, Ca. One year the state matches were being held at Camp Roberts down around the town of Paso Roboles Ca. Anyway, it was my responsibility to transport the weapons to the match from our armory in Concord. My orders were to take an M880 truck from the Walnut Creek armory and transport the teams 6 1911's and 6 M16's to the match and back. Since the time of my return might be late, I Was to lock the weapons in the Walnut Creek armory vault when I drop off their M880 truck. Well the match went fine but just south of Walnut Creek I got a flat and was broken down on the freeway. When I tried to change the tire I found the jack didn't work. So I sat in the center of Hwy 680 without a way to change the flat or to call for help. Hwy Patrol finally stopped for me after 2 1/2 hrs and called me a toe truck to change the tire, but by the time I got to the walnut Creek armory it was closed and locked up tight. So I parked the M880 in the lot slipped the keys through the mail slot after transferring the weapons to my truck and was just starting my truck when WC PD pulled into the armory parking lot to see who was there after dark after closing time. So as I got out to talk to one of the officers, both were reserves, the other cop walks around the other side and looked into my truck and sees all the M16's in the front seat and says rather loudly, " wholly shit". Any way they decided they would take the weapons, but I wasn't allowed to turn them over to anyone outside who my orders allowed. As you might think, it was an interesting little deduction, especially since my written orders authorized my use of deadly force to keep them...... I convinced them to call their boss who told them I was under orders and outside their jurisdiction, but for a short time there, two reserve cops thought they had the bust of the century.... And weren't happy when they had to let me go on my way with my dozen charges in tow...... Oh the good old days. Today I would probably have been shot..... Especially in the state of Kalifornia, People's Republic of..... 😄😜😄😜🎃

I marvel at the modernity of the 1919. I think it is something of apples to oranges, but I finished watching the Project Lightening just the other day. And while most of those guns were designed a decade or so before, what a leap forward the 1919 seems to be.

They used to have these in UK Ferret armoured cars as late as the the late 1980's (maybe even later), we used to use the canvas belts used to hold the rounds to clean the fume extractors on Chieftain tanks, it was the quickest and probably best way to do it :)

Based on annual reports from Rock Island Arsenal, total production of the M37 Machine Gun at that facility was 7,340 units, between 1955 and 1957. As far as I can find, no one has managed to access the manufacturing records of Saco-Lowell Shops, but there seem to be more parts of that manufacture found in the surplus market. Likely they made at least as many units as RIA, perhaps more. Rock Island Arsenal also manufactured 8,402 new 1919A6 Machine Guns between 1953 and 1955. Thanks, Ian, for another fine video.

Gun Jesus may upload early in the morning, but I'm always up because he's worth it.

In Canada we were still using M1919s in 7.62 (designated C5 GPMG) until 1987 as a platoon GPMG and until approx. 1994 in the turrets of our APCs. Oddly enough, we'd had FN MAG 58s on our tanks since 1977, though. It worked, I guess. Bitch to carry. No quick change barrel and had to be head spaced and timed.

A herd of buffalo, a pack of wolves, a pride of lions and a gaggle of Massachusetts highway patrolmen. Now you know the correct nomenclature for different groups of animals.

Nice! Growing up working on the big brother model shows how it all shared parentage together and how some parts have reverted to old school.

Can't believe our little Bobby Hill worked on such a dakka gun.

Thanks for the info. It helps sort out where the M37 was in the pantheon of Browning MGs. It's interesting that the Army went from the reliable and well-liked Brownings to the generally despised M73/M219 coaxial MGs. Always fascinating that a nation with a long and proud history of small arms design messed up so badly on a weapon that is so essential as the co-ax machinegun in a tank. M85 was in .50 cal, so it's really a different story. M85 seems to have an equal number of defenders and detractors. Any of the later tank machine guns would be of interest, especially in learning how they screwed up.

In my childhood I remember having received a GI Joe with a low tripod mounted browning. I distinctly remember that charging handle, which to me indicates that they modeled it after an M37 but had it stand in as an M1919.

Excellent presentation Ian. I plan to bid on this weapon; and with any luck it will remain within my financial means. Thank you for your time and support sir! Your dedication to firearms history is unmatched.

Hell yeah a Browning 1919 !!!!!!!! Thanks for showing this Browning Ian

I'm fully aware of the tragedy the recoil spring on a 1919 and M2's. A good friend of mine didn't get the spring fully captured on a Ma Duece and caught the spring guide in the face. Punctured the sinus cavity between his eye and nose. Almost brained himself doing a budget lobotomy.

I thank gun Jesús for all these early morning sermons 🙏

Thank you , Ian .

Thanks for another interesting video.

I was actually surprised to discover the co-axial weapon in Swedish designed turrets (CV-90 et al) are licensed M1919A4 weapons known as the m/39. I mean we all know that the Browning M2HB is BEST. MACHINEGUN. EVER. and but to see that the smaller M1919 is still around on new designs was an eye opener.

They were still in service after 1977 with national guard and army reserves who still had m48 and m60 tanks. The armories included the m3 grease gun and 1911 and m2 that they trained and qualified with.

That gun looks so buttery smooth and clean, I loved the original M1919 that is a nice version

Just got back to watching RU-vid again after being offline for a little over a year... Soo good to see Gun Jesus again !!

That is some slick engineering there. Bob Hillberg was pretty gifted that way I guess.

First.... to point out this was the gun (well, an E1) carried by the original Roadblock G.I Joe figure.

I had no idea until watching this video that Browning MG's were closed bolt, always assumed they were open like alot of other machine guns.

We did a similar conversion to the 1919 in Canada but resized to 7.62 and the cocking handle was a D ring!

Had 1 of these as a child, what a blast.

I've spent 3 days looking for the video with this anecdote.

Some fine machinery right there.

thanks bob! wish the army still thought it was a good idea to have sights on tank mounted machine guns when i was in.

Oooooooooohhh hell yeah! One of the most cool looking guns ever.

I picked up a 1919 parts kit at a gun show turned out to be a 1919A4E1, I built it as a semi auto but it still needs a finish to be applied but she runs.

It's my birthday and I got a better Browning, thanks Ian! :)

Interestingly I managed to work out in my head how they did the 'either side' option with the switching action rails and spinning block before you got to it. No doubt this is years of learning by stealth from yourself and engineers such as Mr Pete 222, Keith Fenner and Abomb79 and the like. For working this out I am going to let myself feel smug for the rest of the day :)

A secret dream of mine is to see a machinegun in a hunting cartridge,like 45-70 or 600 nitro express,with corresponding wooden stock and furniture and decorations,like the engravings on a drilling

Ah yes, my concealed carry weapon of choice. The backpack mounted tripod mount is very stealthy.

When you said this was basically a tank gun I got it mixed up in my head with the M73. I have read some engineering horror stories about that weapon.

Basicly, It's a .30 cal version of the M2 HB. Nice video.

Could you do the Cetme Ameli? Love your videos, keep it up!

We used these into the 21st century in Australian Army mounted in M113 turrets co-axially with M2 .50 Cals We called them simply "the 30". They were much more reliable than the 50 cal

The 0.3 Browning 1919 was still in use by the IDF during the early 2000's, maybe even today. I found an operating procedure online referring to it, dated to 2014. Used only on vehicles, of course. The infantry uses FN MAGs and IMI Negevs.

That is soo badass

Very cool

I would need a second one, and a DB5 for what I have in mind.

I had a 1/6 scale version of this as a kid.

The other advantage of that big charging handle is that you can use it while wearing big winter gloves. This is something that troops found out fighting in the colder theatres of WW2.....

@Forgotten Weapons. Your point on removing the return spring on the previous models is incorrect. A long screwdriver is most definitely not required on earlier M1919s. The stripping sequence starts with cocking a cleared weapon . The slotted screwhead of the return spring poking through the upper left of the back plate is just pushed forward and twisted through 90 degrees clockwise with a suitable flat bladed screwdriver.(Forward pressure required) This locks the lugs on the return spring into the rear of the bolt, push bolt forward a little and remove back plate. NIce informative video by the way. Thanks.

Shit, now I need this one to compliment my Saginaw 1919. Thanks a lot.

Actually a the Army replacement was the M73 and the M219 (not M85). The M73/219 was probably the worst family of MG the Army ever built. The M85 was the .50 cal replacement in the M60 for the M2 in the commander's cupola. As an M60 Plattoon Leader and TC I liked the M85 but it required maintenance. Fortunately my Platoon Sargent taught us how to disassemble it beyond field manual limits so we could keep some tiny springs clean and lubed. I like the M2 as I moved on to that when I became a Scout Plt leader but the M85 was fine. Now the M219 was an absolute piece of trash that would quickly jam no matter what you did. Interesting If we had kept the 7.62 version of the M37 as the coax gun, the Army would never would have had to go the M240 route.

Even though it's frowned upon, at 8:17 I was really hoping he'd pop that handle up, and let that huge bolt slam into battery.

What a fricking gamer move.

Ian, must you upload this at 5am? I ALMOST went to sleep.

While you are exploring Browning variations, take a look at the L3A1-A4, which is an open-bolt modification used in Australia, UK and, I think, Canada. Then there are the South African 7.62 NATO conversions and I recall the Canadians had a go at something similar.

Bucket list machine gun

Huge 1919 fan here, I've built 4 in the last 30yrs. With one remaining kit to go. I ran into a deal of 5 for $1000 years ago. Funny the last remaining kit is worth more than I paid years ago. These things get real hungry & we're economical to shoot when military surplus was 5-8 cents a round. Where a hundred rd belt used to cost $5 its now @ $100.

That thing would look great mounted on my car, and I bet it would make traffic a lot easier getting to work. Lol

The 1919 will always be my favorite machine gun :) How many of these M37's are still around? You didn't mention that in the video.

I'm wondering what kind of price crash on belt fed weapons will occur when the NFA gets repealed. I hope I live long enough to watch this in person.

Wait a damn minute, that's a barrel shroud? I thought it was a shoulder thing that goes up!

Won't they let you try Walk and Fire lol. Loved #projectlightning . I hope you can do something like this again. ThankQ. TkEZ>UK

Such a beautiful machine gun, wish I could buy it ^^;

Yes! The 1919 always felt like a juuuuuust not quite good enough lmg. As a vehicle weapon it was fine. But as a troop weapon not so much

He told them, “ I’m going to a tea party in Boston”.

This is mechanical genius!

It's a lil m2. How adorable.

Technically the M-85 replaced the M-2 .50 cal. But there was a later version of the M-73 called the M-219 was used on M-60 tanks as their co ax machine gun. God only knows why. It's not like they needed to shave a few pounds off a tank machine gun.

Carve away everything that doesn't look like a machinegun. Eugene Stoner's M-63 went a step further: turn it upside down and backwards and make it out of titanium.

The Catalog is up

Instead of .30-06, would it not be a .30 caliber M2? Interesting article. Some friends of mine who were tankers complained the M37 jammed "to much," "unreliable. "They were M48 and M60 tankers. Thanks for the video. I enjoy your articles.

Hey Ian, I've watched your videos for a while and there are all extreamly interesting. I have a question though. I have a Yugoslavian M48 rifle but the bolt handle is straight instead of bent. It doesn't have any m24-47 markings on it. Is it possible this isn't the correct bolt for my rifle? I doubt you'll respond but if you do I'd appreciate knowing more about my Rifle!

"M37 is for tanks only." Coked out South African mercenary in the 60's: " I AM THE TANK!"

Hilberg entering Springfield with his police escort, shouts "Freeze, FBI!"

Got an advertisement for something WW2 related on this video see there are still advertisers that will support your content

The Portuguese still use the 1919s mounted on their armored cars. I used to see them all the time in Bosnia. The coax machine guns used in the M-48A5, M-60, M-60A1, CEV and Sheridan tanks when I was commanding them was the M-73/M219 piece of crap. I wish we had something like the M-37. It was a God send when the M-240 came in.

You think we can get a video on the glorious unobtanium, the VSS Vintorez?

They put so many of these in so many tanks. Some of them had more guns than Crew! At some point, they started taking them out, paneling boiler plate over the weak points, and piling an ammo rack in the gunner's seat. (I assume they rigged up some sort of tripod, or bipod "Field Expedient" for the infantry.) They got positively stupid with these things for a while there.

I think this might be able to handle going squirrel hunting with.

Got back from exercise and see gun Jesus uploaded 4 minutes ago. Am blessed

LOL. I had a similar interaction with police, transporting a few racks of M16 rifles covered up with a blanket and the windows down (no AC). Cops were convinced they had popped a couple of gun running terrorists. Good times, good times...

JMB would approve!

nice impovment

4:58 there is no hydraulic buffer in the 1919 series weapons.

Ah the good ol 30 call, a venerable gun

oh sorry i might just messed this up with m73 tank coaxial machine gun

Mounted coaxially with the main gun. I'm thinking that they could be fired by the gunner aiming through the main gun sight. I also think the gun was set up with an electric trigger. It was replaced by the M73 which as chambered for the NATO 7.62. The M73 is obsolete having been replaced by the M240 currently in use on the M1 Abrams.

Very cool gun. What happened to posting forgotten weapons page in the comments?

Yd love to see a video of the 1919 that was mod in the pacific during WWII to be like a LMG with a rifle stock and a bipod .

national guard units would use these in helicopters for quite a long time after the m60D was adopted by regular army units. National guard kept them until they fully switched to the standard the regular army had.

Does the location of the trigger make it awkward to shoot? It looks like it's in a strange position.

This is my SHTF gun. Also, works well on zombie apocalypse!

Do you have a piece on the AN/M2... Stinger?

Looks like a sturdy construction. Though the charging handle demands space in the rearward direction to be engaged, which can be inhibitive in confined spaces. Surely that's where the shooter usually is and shouldn't be a problem in most cases, but a suboptimal "solution" to the regular lateral position of the charging handle.

Why would having 12 belt fed machineguns be an issue? I thought they were in 'Merca?

Looks like something a Gundam would hold like a pistol.

Anyone know if these ended up on M113s? A model kit I built a few years back had them.