WTK - 7.62mm Conversion of Browning 1919A4

[Peter Wells]

I am interested to know if the other Browning users around the world who converted their .30 cal guns to 7.62 NATO also converted the mech from firing 'closed bolt' to 'open bolt'.

We in SA (probably in conjunction with Israel) developed ours into 'open bolt' to obviate cook-off/over-heating problems but have found no reference to anyone else doing ths.

Any first-hand info or sources where I can check will be appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation

Peer Wells

[woodsy]

Hi Peter

The NZ Army used M1919A4's in .30/06 up until the mid 80's with rear sear conversion. These were last used in Mk II Ferrets. My own gun (ex NZ Army) was made in WW1 by Remington as an M1917, converted about WW2 to M1919A4, then converted again post-war to a rear-sear L3A2, then again to L3A4. If it had stayed in service any longer it probably would have been converted to 7.62 as well! For all its work, age, and conversions it still runs nicely! ;D

[missingsomething]

Canada converted their guns to 7.62 and then called them a C5. We used them up to the early 90's then converted to a Mag 58 and called them a C6. I cannot recall off the top of my head if they fired from an Open or Closed bolt. I will have to get back to you.

[cmpman]

The Canadian guns were closed bolt.
The first conversions of the Cdn 1919 to 7.62 started in 1967. In the late 70s, shortcomings were upgraded, and at that time the gun was re-designated C5A1 (because we already had a C1A1 with the FN rifle). I was still being issued one (mounted to the top of a M113A2 APC) in a regular force artillery unit until early 1997, when we completely changed over to the C6

[Peter Wells]

Thanks Guys - that helps sew it up as far as NZ and Can are concerned.
Rod, it may be interesting to compare the NZ and SA conversions to guage the degree of worldwide collarboration (if any) on the project.
Any inputs from USA and Israel?
Regards to all