Description
“ | The M1918 Automatic rifle is an American light machine gun used by the infantry. It uses an easily exchangeable magazine and has a high rate of fire. It is best used from a prone position. | ” |
― Heroes & Generals |
History
The M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (or BAR) is an American light machine gun introduced to boost the firepower of advancing infantry in World War I. It was designed by John Browning, and is chambered for the powerful .30-06 Springfield round. The M1918's purpose was to break past enemy trenches by allowing soldiers to suppress the enemy while walking forward called "Walking-Fire". This was done by allowing the operator to switch between fully automatic when there were lots of enemies and semi-automatic to suppress enemies. The BAR was introduced very late into World War I, but didn't arrived in time to make a significant effect on the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, one of the final full frontal assaults to take place in the war.
The weapon found itself in the hands of American, British, and Canadian forces yet again in World War II, this time as the M1918A2. A bipod was added, the cooling systems were optimized, the handguard was shortened to make the weapon more compact. A fire rate select switch was added, allowing an operator to toggle between different fully automatic rates, and a carry handle was added to the front of the weapon. Over the course of the war, over 229,000 M1918A2s were produced. Due to the proliferation of German automatic weapons, the M1918 was so desired by US units that suppliers could not make them quickly enough to meet demand.
Gameplay
The BAR is a very strong defensive weapon, combining high rate of fire with good damage, and can mow down enemies in seconds. Its long length, low hipfire accuracy, and inability to fire while jogging makes the BAR an awkward choice in close quarter combat. Burst or semi-automatic fire is advised at longer ranges. It is reloads quicker, but fires fewer rounds between reloads than the Browning M1919. Modding options for the M1918 are severely limited, like the MG34. The only down side of the BAR is the 20 round magazine, but overall the rifle is potent weapon is the hands of any intermediate or professional.
Pros
- Powerful: Shoveling out .30-06’s is enough to knock any enemy down. Think of it as a fully automatic M1 Garand.
- Covering Fire: The BAR has a distinctive sound and a quick rate of fire. Just slow enough to keep the enemy’s heads down and keep them there until your friendlies can get in behind them.
- Accuracy: This rifle has no match at mid-range. Try to fire in small bursts or single shots at longer ranges.
- Selective Fire You can decide whether full automatic for close range or semi automatic for longer ranges.
- Distinctive sound The M1918A2 Automatic Rifle actually has the same sound effect as the Karabiner 98 Kurz, so using semi-auto fire and shooting single shots while playing against the Germans may fool them.
Cons
- Equipment Points: A heavy weapon with heavy rounds means many equipment points to be surrendered to this weapon.
- Close Combat: The length of the barrel can become a fallback when navigating in close quarters. The Rifle has a tendency to wave around if not stationary for a few seconds.
- Small Ammo Capacity: Despite the damage of the weapon, keep your eye on how much ammunition is left in your clip. The BAR has a magazine with 20 rounds and relatively long reload time thus it is recommended to reload the weapon whenever the chance is available and/or use the Fast Reload badge.
- Relatively low rate of fire: it will get outperformed by SMG's in close combat.
Tips
- You can walk or crouch to hipfire while moving. Very useful when approaching corners or inside buildings.
- Your accuracy increases substantially if you crouch or go prone.
- Always fire from cover, and be mindful of enemy positions. Your gunfire and tracers make you a prime target for snipers.
- Coordinate with teammates! This machine gun shines on the battlefield when supported by friendly units.
- This weapon functions better in defensive roles or as fire support for offensive units.
- Use suppression, or covering fire. Spraying at enemies in defensive positions will force them into hiding, allowing your allies to move up.
- It is advisable to carry anti-personnel mines or frag grenades to help defend your position.
- Carrying a pistol can save your life while you are reloading your M1918A2 BAR.
Camouflage
Factory | Dark Walnut | Beech | Carbon Black | US Summer Camouflage Paint |
---|---|---|---|---|
Price (Credits) | 24,000 | 4,200 | 109,000 | Battle Pass Season 2 |
Price (Gold) | 140 | 25 | 650 | |
Ammunition
M2 .30-06 Ball | AMMUNITION | ||
---|---|---|---|
COST | 340 | 4 | |
COST PER SHOT | 0.17 | ||
FIELD MAINTENANCE LOAD | 0:00s | ||
DAMAGE | |||
RANGE | |||
PRECISION | |||
STABILITY | |||
RATE OF FIRE |
Black Hornet | AMMUNITION | ||
---|---|---|---|
COST | 1,500 | 17 | |
COST PER SHOT | 1.5 | ||
FIELD MAINTENANCE LOAD | 0:01s | ||
DAMAGE | |||
RANGE | |||
PRECISION | |||
STABILITY | |||
RATE OF FIRE |
Match, M72 | AMMUNITION | ||
---|---|---|---|
COST | 3,200 | 38 | |
COST PER SHOT | 6.4 | ||
FIELD MAINTENANCE LOAD | 0:15s | ||
DAMAGE | |||
RANGE | |||
PRECISION | |||
STABILITY | |||
RATE OF FIRE |
Bertie Clay MkIII (h) | AMMUNITION | ||
---|---|---|---|
COST | 2,300 | 27 | |
COST PER SHOT | 2.3 | ||
FIELD MAINTENANCE LOAD | 0:10s | ||
DAMAGE | |||
RANGE | |||
PRECISION | |||
STABILITY | |||
RATE OF FIRE |
Specialist Ribbon
Modifications
Default | Black Hornet | Match, M72 | Bertie Clay MkIII (h) | Field Adjusted Sights | Field Trigger Job | Heavy Bolt | Heavy Spring | Lightened Spring | Stainless Steel Barrel | Chrome Lined Barrel | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Image | |||||||||||
Cost per shot | 0.17 (Ammo) | 1.5 | 6.4 | 2.3 | 0.72182 | 0.9843 | 0.72182 | 0.63597 | 1.18116 | 0.30108 | 0.45276 |
Field Maintenance Load | 0:30s (Weapon) | 0:01s | 0:15s | 0:10s | 0:03s | 0:03s | 0:02s | 0:02s | 0:02s | 0:02s | 0:03s |
Damage Near | 37 | 38 | 40 | 44 | 38 | 39 | |||||
Damage Far | 21 | 23 | 25 | 20 | |||||||
Near Range | 65 | 59 | 98 | 54 | 71.5 | 59.8 | 71.5 | ||||
Far Range | 375 | 320 | 450 | 302.5 | 412.5 | 318.75 | 412.5 | ||||
Velocity | 852.6 | 852.6 | 899.63 | 852.6 | |||||||
Conefire | 0.4 | 0.48 | 0.332 | 0.48 | |||||||
Sway Stand Mode | 1.71 | 1.539 | 1.539 | ||||||||
Sway Crouch Mode | 0.99 | 0.891 | 0.891 | ||||||||
Sway Prone Mode | 0.54 | 0.486 | 0.486 | ||||||||
Sway Aim Modifier | 0.3 | 0.27 | 0.27 | ||||||||
Cone Contraction Per Sec | 1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | ||||||||
Camera Recoil Up | 1.2 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 1.284 | 1.32 | 1.08 | ||||
Camera Recoil Right | 0.27 | 0.405 | 0.4725 | 0.54 | 0.2889 | 0.297 | 0.243 | ||||
Camera Recoil Variance | 0.1 | 0.15 | 0.175 | 0.2 | 0.107 | 0.11 | 0.09 | ||||
Rate of Fire | 521.74 | 561.01 | 474.31 | 474.31 | 561.01 |
3-Hit Accuracy Build | |
---|---|
Part | Modification |
Ammunition | Match M72 |
Trigger | Field Trigger Job |
Barrel | None |
Internal | Lightened Spring |
Sight | Field Adjusted Sight |
Other Equipment | Pistol/Knife as sidearm |
Recommended Badge | None |
Description | |
This build will allow you to 3-hit Kill Heavy Set Gold to the Torso at 600rpm. Bear in mind that this build will run you out of ammo very quickly. |
Comments:
- A very good build is: M1918 with 1 pouch, M1917 with 0 pouches and H3. Hoarder badge gives 3 extra mags for 1918 AND 2 extra mags for 1917!
Pros:
- High Damage - 3 Hit Kill Heavy Set Gold
- Very accurate (the most accurate LMG in the game)
Cons:
- High RPM and low mag size. A sidearm is recommended.
- Hard to control when firing rapidly.
Automatic Rifle build | |
---|---|
Part | Modification |
Ammunition | M72, Match |
Trigger | None |
Barrel | Chrome Lined (or None) |
Internal | None |
Sight | Field Adjusted Sight |
Other Equipment | Pistol/Melee weapon is recommended. |
Recommended Badge | Dead Eye Gold |
Description | |
This build attempts to balance the M1918's accuracy, three hit kill abilities and automatic/burst-firing at ranges of up to 20-30 meters. |
Comments:
- It is possible to swap Dead Eye Gold for other badges, but I recomment Dead Eye because it will ensure a faster reset of sights when firing in short bursts or semi-automatically, which will be your primary way of dealing damage at longer distances. Since you will mostly be competing with 2-shot-kill rifles at those range, potentially even ones that are equipped with scopes which the M1918 cannot equip, this badge will give you a much needed advantage.
Pros:
- High Damage - 3 Hit Kill Heavy Set Gold
- Very accurate (the most accurate LMG in the game)
Cons:
- Somewhat difficult to control while firing automatically.
- Somewhat low magazine size.
Stability & Accuracy Build | |
---|---|
Part | Modification |
Ammunition | M2 .30-06 Ball |
Trigger | None |
Barrel | Stainless Steel Barrel |
Internal | Lightened Spring |
Sight | Field Adjusted Sights |
Other Equipment | None |
Recommended Badge | None |
Description | |
This build mods the M1918 BAR to be an accurate, low-recoil weapon that performs very well. |
Pros:
- Very Accurate
- High Rate of Fire
- Doesn't require Tight Grip Badge
Cons:
- Somewhat Expensive
- No Change In Damage