1919 Semiautomatic Manufacturing Notes

US GOVERNMENT MODEL 1919 A4/A6

Standard and Semiautomatic Manufacturing Notes

(Updated 05-27-02).

The following information is for legal manufacturers only. You must have your Type 7 FFL and Special Occupation Tax (SOT) to legally manufacture a 1919 right side plate in standard (full-automatic) configuration. You must have a Type 7 FFL to manufacture a semiautomatic for purpose of resale. You do not a license to manufacture a 1919 modified to fire semiautomatic-only provided it is for personal use and not for purpose of resale. You do not need a license to maufacture a sideplate for a non-firing display gun. Please consult BATF technology branch for rules on making your 1919 a non-firing display gun.

Required Modifications from Standard (Full Auto) to Semiautomatic

Arizona Response Systems remanufactured this Browning Model 1919 A4/A6 in semiautomatic configuration. This firearm complies with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms rules as we understand them. We have made the following modifications to the standard model 1919 machinegun in accordance with the January 20, 1998 letter from Edward M. Owens, Jr., Chief, BATF Firearms Technology Branch (F:SD:FTB:EMO 3311).

1. The right sideplate is thicker than a standard model 1919 right sideplate.
   a. it is slotted to permit assembly and function with a redesigned barrel extension, lock frame and bolt.
   b. it is permanently attached to the trunion, top plate and bottom plate with deep, penetrating TIG welds.

2. The trigger is redesigned to permit only a single shot to be fired each time the trigger is pulled.
   a. the trigger incorporates a return spring.
   b. the forward engagement surface of the trigger is incompatible with a standard model 1919 sear plate.
   c. the forward portion of the trigger arm is spring loaded to act as a disconnector.

3. The sear plate is wider than a standard model 1919 sear plate.
   a. the trigger engagement surface of the sear plate is wider than a standard model 1919.
   b. the trigger will not reengage the sear plate unless the trigger is released after each shot is fired.

4. The bolt is machined to accept the above described sear plate.
   a. the machining prevents the installation of a standard model 1919 sear plate.
   b. the bolt is slotted to permit assembly and function with the redesigned right side plate.

5. The lock frame is redesigned.
   a. a spacer is used to mount a trigger stop.
   b. a trigger return spring and a redundant trigger return plunger mount to the spacer.
   c. the lock frame is slotted to permit assembly and function with the redesigned right side plate.

6. The accelerator is redesigned to permit assembly and function with the redesigned trigger arm.

7. The barrel extension is redesigned.
   a. it is slotted to permit assembly and function with the redesigned right side plate.
   b. it is relieved to permit clearance of the trigger arm.

Materials

1/4" x 28 tpi tap, tapered (acceptable)
1/4" x 28 tpi tap, helical flute, tear-drop shape tap (preferred)
"E" drill bit (.2500"), high speed steel or cobolt (acceptable) "E "drill bit (.2500"), 2 flute carbide (preferred)
"3" drill bit (.2130"), high speed steel or cobolt (acceptable)
"3" drill bit (.2130"), 2 flute carbide (preferred)
1/4" x 28 tpi x 3/8" button head socket screws (18)
1/4" x 28 tpi x 1/2" button head socket screws (2)
1/4" x 28 tpi x 1/2" socket screw with 45 degree v-neck (3)
trunion bolt (2) or trunion washer (2)
trunion nut (2)
trunion drill size
pintel drill size
lock frame plunger drill size
top cover hinge drill size
AR-15 trigger spring

Standard 80% Sideplate

Semiautomatic 80% Sideplate

Note the semiauto sideplate is thicker and incorporates a rail
to prevent use with unmodified lockframe, bolt, and barrel extension.

Semiautomatic Trigger Modifications

Standard trigger on top, old style semiauto trigger with single cross-pin on bottom.

New design semiauto trigger uses two cross pins for greater support.

Old design used this internal spring to "push" trigger and cause disconnect.

New design uses this external spring to "pull" the trigger and cause disconnect.

Semiautomatic Sear Plate Modifications

Standard sear plate on left; new manufacture semiauto searplate on right.

New manufacture semiauto searplates under construction.

Semiauto searplate installed in bolt. Note wider cut to accomodate the semiauto trigger

Semiautomatic Bolt Modifications

Standard bolt on top, semiauto on bottom machined with two slots for old style sideplate.

Old style of semiauto bolt cut for sideplate with two rails (shown with barrel extension).

New simplified cut on bolt for sideplate with single rail (Lee Tool Style).

Semiautomatic Lock Frame Modifications

Modified lock frame with barrel extension showing machined area to fit modified sideplate.
Note spacer for mounting trigger return spring and second spacer for mounting trigger disconnect spring.

Modified lock frame showing trigger return spring and redundant plunger; spacer, and second spacer for trigger disconnect spring.

1. redundant trigger return plunger. 2. trigger return spring (AR-15 trigger spring). 3. spacer. 4. set screw to retain spacer.

Semiautomatic Accellerator Modifications

semiauto accelerator on right widened to accomodate wider trigger

Semiautomatic Barrel Extension Modifications

Barrel extension machined to fit semiauto sideplate.

Barrel extension relieved to clear semiauto trigger.

Semiautomatic Safety

Optional cross-bolt safety prevents trigger from depressing.

Welding Sideplate

Modified sideplate must be welded to the trunion, top plate, and bottom plate.
Replacing these two bolts with weld didn't turn out as pretty as planned
Subsequent guns are welded between the sideplate and bottom plate.

TIG welded trunion. Note rivits. V-neck screw used to fasten to trunion.

TIG welded top plate

Completed ARS Semiauto 1919

Buy an ARS 1919 A4/A6

You may purchase an ARS 1919 A4/A6 Semiautomatic for $1850 delivered to your FFL. Price includes Doscacil case, A6 bipod and stock, headspace gauge, and 100 new metal links. Price reflects a 4% discount for cash or certified funds. Actual price is 4% higher. ARS will give you $275 credit on a 1919 parts kit (.308 ONLY) providing it is complete and in serviceable condition. We will consider other 1919 parts and accessories for possible credit.

After intense debate, the ARS staff has concluded that it is impractical to accept customer supplied parts kits, sideplates, and previously modified componants for building. There are simply too many variables. Since we are responsible for the finished product and our lifetime warranty, we must have control over the componants to guarantee the results. Some of the stuff we've seen is of dubious quality at best. While this may come as a disappointment to those who have purchased modified parts, we hope you understand our position.

Improper Assembly is a Bad Thing

Detonation originally thought to be poor quality French ammo may have been due to improper assembly.

Rails sheared off.

"Double bevel faces up and forward." Battered bolt from installing locking piece upside down.

1919 Full Auto (Post 1986 Dealer Sample) in Action

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My 6 year old daughter chewing up the desert

note the muzzle blast