Chapter 512: After modification: Chapter 512 M1 Semi-Automatic Rifle
Shire has been seizing the time to train the troops, especially in the use of new equipment.
Browning has simultaneously produced the BAR and the M1 semi-automatic rifle.
Everyone thought that the BAR would be equipped earlier because it was relatively mature. Its prototype was a light machine gun, just improved into an automatic rifle. Additionally, Browning had already produced samples and conducted simple tests.
But surprisingly, the M1 semi-automatic rifle was the first to be presented in front of everyone.
In less than half a month, Browning delivered the first batch of one hundred rifles for the soldiers to test.
He specifically went to the command center to find Shire, and asked in shock:
"Major General, it was perfect as soon as it was produced. I want to know how you did it?"
"The magazine capacity, length, and gas system, everything fits perfectly."
"This is almost impossible unless you considered every detail, even potential future problems and proactively avoided them!"
His self-designed BAR was found to have too thin a barrel wall during testing, which could cause a burst barrel during rapid fire, requiring further improvement.
It’s like on a 500-meter track, Browning started running first, and just when he was about to reach the finish line, Shire casually got up and suddenly crossed the finish line, raising his hands to receive the audience’s cheers.
Browning always felt something was wrong but couldn’t figure out why.
Shire casually replied, "Perhaps it was just luck, Mr. Browning. When designing it, I thought of it more as a rifle than a light machine gun, and rifles are much more mature."
Browning thought for a while and finally nodded to accept Shire’s explanation.
The M1 semi-automatic indeed has many similarities with rifles, such as the handguard, barrel, and bolt, only changing the bolt action to semi-automatic.
More importantly, if you don’t believe this explanation, what other reasons could there be for this situation?
Talent?
Luck?
Or something else!
...
The rifle test was very successful. Dominic once again took on the role of instructor, responsible for the live ammunition training of an infantry company of the Mechanical Division.
The soldiers fell in love with the M1 rifle the first time they shot it:
"My God, it’s just like a machine gun."
"Yes, and it feels great to hold, completely without the balance changes of the Lebel Rifle."
"If we take this to the battlefield, everyone will be envious, including the Germans!"
...
Tijani was initially not interested in this semi-automatic rifle, thinking that the fully automatic BAR was the best.
He even suspected it was Shire’s conspiracy.
Shire must want to lure me with this rifle so that once I equip it, he can justifiably equip the BAR to the Armored Division.
I must hold back and not fall into this trap!
However, seeing the soldiers endlessly praising the semi-automatic on the range, he couldn’t resist trying it himself.
"Bang bang."
"Bang bang bang!"
...
"Clang," the clip jumped out after firing the last bullet.
Tijani felt a bit awkward; he was used to chambering a round after every shot with a bolt-action, but using the semi-automatic felt like skipping a step.
The bullets went out too easily—just pulling the trigger, and accidentally, eight rounds were fired.
Raising the binoculars to look at the 100-meter target, five bullet holes, two of them in the inner ring of the bullseye.
Dominic sincerely praised, "Great shooting, General. With such a firing rate and accuracy, especially on your first try, a little more practice could yield even better results."
He then added, "If it were the BAR, you wouldn’t be so lucky."
Dominic was just making a casual remark, not intending to belittle the BAR.
But Tijani, with the BAR in mind, was a bit unhappy upon hearing this and asked somewhat displeased, "What do you mean? Full-auto is inferior to semi-auto?"
The BAR had a higher firing rate and magazine capacity; no one would refuse it.
Dominic must be Shire’s crony, subtly influencing my thoughts!
Dominic hesitated and explained:
"I don’t know much about the battlefield, General."
"But based on my understanding of guns, I believe that a higher rate of fire isn’t necessarily better."
The Maxim is indeed better than a rifle, but it must be mounted on the ground and linked to an ammunition belt to ensure its powerful fire output."
But a rifle is held in hand, shouldered for shooting, and with a limited magazine capacity, it cannot output like the Maxim. At this moment..."
Tijani seemed to understand.
The continuous firing of the BAR is based on sacrificing accuracy, and its 20 rounds fired at once may not be as accurate as the eight rounds of the semi-auto.
If the BAR could output recklessly like a machine gun and rely on quantity to make up for precision, it could work.
However, the rifle’s characteristics only allowed for a 20-round magazine capacity.
Thus, the BAR became something middling—not as good as a machine gun in output, nor as precise as a rifle.
And the M1 semi-auto precisely hits the point where both accuracy and firing rate are acceptable!
More importantly, the BAR can only be equipped by physically outstanding soldiers, while the M1 semi-auto can be equipped by every soldier.
My God, Tijani thought to himself as he looked at the semi-automatic rifle in his hands.
How could I ever think of the BAR?
Three soldiers equipped with the M1 semi-auto could have 24 rounds, with higher capacity and better accuracy than the BAR.
How foolish would it be to think that a rifle squad could only be equipped with one BAR!
With this realization, Tijani no longer hesitated. Holding the rifle, he quickly ran towards Shire, who was chatting happily with a few soldiers.
"Major General, could I have a word with you?" Tijani asked as he approached.
"Of course." Shire nodded.
Tijani raised the semi-auto in his hand: "I hope my troops can be equipped with this rifle."
Shire frowned: "You’re asking too much, General. You want both full-auto and semi-auto, what will the Armored Division use?"
Tijani replied firmly, "Leave the full-auto for the Armored Division. They might need the BAR more."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, I’m sure."
Shire smiled and nodded: "As you wish, then let’s equip the Mechanized Division first."
This rifle was originally meant for the Mechanized Division. The Mechanized Division often needs to fight enemy infantry at long distances, and they need such long-range rifles more.
While the Armored Division relies mainly on tanks for close-quarters combat, sometimes having to storm trenches to clear the way for tanks, PPD submachine guns and shotguns are more suitable for them.
At this moment, Shire inexplicably thought of the British Expeditionary Force Commander Haig, who would definitely like the M1 semi-auto.
Haig would think "machine guns are redundant," believing that more men with more rifles would produce more bullets, and the total firepower would eventually surpass that of machine guns.
And the M1 semi-auto precisely enhances the overall firepower of infantry!