Videos tagged with Melvin Johnson

This video explores the M1941 Johnson rifle, a historical competitor to the M1 Garand. It details the Johnson's design, its rejection by the US Army, and its eventual use by US Marines during the Pacific campaign. The description also includes playful innuendos related to the rifle's name.

This video delves into a fascinating prototype of the Johnson Model R Military Rifle, specifically the variant designed to utilize a 10-round rotary magazine. The description details how Melvin Johnson initially faced issues with box magazines during US military trials in 1938. He subsequently withdrew the rifle to revise the design, leading to the development of the rotary magazine version. Manufactured by Taft-Peirce under contract, seven military-pattern examples, featuring a bayonet lug for Krag/Springfield bayonets and a wooden handguard, were produced for further testing. The video expresses gratitude to the Cody Firearms Museum for granting access to film this historical firearm.

This video from Forgotten Weapons explores a rare, undocumented Winchester semi-automatic rifle prototype. The presenter, based on the rifle's features, speculates it was developed in the early to mid-1950s under Melvin Johnson as a testbed for flechette or multi-projectile ammunition intended for the US military. The video provides a detailed examination of the prototype, offering educated guesses about its design and purpose, and thanks the Cody Firearms Museum for access to film.

This video explores Winchester's 1950s experimental 9mm submachine guns, internally dubbed the 'NATO Burp Gun.' Developed with potential assistance from Melvin Johnson, these compact SMGs feature a simple tubular receiver, a folding stock that doubles as a front grip, and a bolt cocked via serrations rather than an external handle. The video showcases the N2 and M4 developmental prototypes, both housed at the Cody Firearms Museum, highlighting that the program did not progress beyond these early models before Winchester abandoned it. The presentation is made possible by the Cody Firearms Museum.

This "From the Vault" video explores the rare Johnson Model 1941 light machine gun, a potential successor to the Browning BAR. Hosted by Brownells Gun Techs Keith Ford and Steve Ostrem, the segment delves into the design's innovative features like its short-recoil system, rotating bolt, and selectable fire rates (200-600 RPM). While noting its advanced design for the era, including an easily replaceable barrel and open bolt firing in full-auto for cooling, the video also highlights its drawbacks: an awkward side-feeding 20-round magazine and significant recoil. Approximately 9,200 units were produced, seeing service mainly in the South Pacific. Ultimately, despite its fascinating place in firearms history, the Model 1941 did not surpass the BAR in overall utility.

This video delves into the historical origins of the multi-lug rotating bolt design, a key feature in many modern semi-automatic firearms. It contrasts its advantages over other locking mechanisms like tilt-locking or blowback. While Stoner is credited with its widespread implementation, the video suggests earlier 1800s designs bear striking similarities, potentially predating the inspiration from Melvin Johnson.

This video delves into the history and mechanics of the M1941 Johnson Automatic Rifle, a notable competitor to the M1 Garand. Designed by Melvin Johnson, it featured a short recoil system with a rotating bolt, influencing later designs like the AR-15. Despite not being officially adopted, a small number saw unofficial service with US Marines. The video also touches upon its intended use for the Dutch government and its chambering in .30-06 with a 10-round rotary magazine, noting its comparability to the later Johnson Light Machine Guns.

This video delves into the M1944E1/M1945 Johnson Light Machine Gun, a development from Melvin Johnson's earlier Model 1941. The description highlights key modifications made to improve the weapon, including a monopod replacing the bipod, a stronger bolt anti-bounce latch, a metal dual-tube buttstock, and a significant gas-boosted hybrid recoil operating system. Despite being in testing at the end of WWII, budget cuts prevented it from replacing the BAR. The video also notes the transferability of the featured M1945, having originated from the Winchester Museum Collection.

This video delves into the history and disassembly of the Johnson Light Machine Gun (LMG). Despite being less known than other WWII US military machine guns, the Johnson LMG was well-regarded by its users. The video highlights its development by Melvin Johnson, his unsuccessful attempt to replace the M1 Garand, and its eventual sale to the Dutch colonial army. When those arms couldn't be delivered due to the Japanese invasion, the US Marine Corps acquired them, finding them particularly suitable for their Paramarines in the Pacific due to their features like short recoil action and quick-change barrels. The weapon also saw service with the First Special Service Force in Italy. A comparison is drawn to the German FG-42, with the Johnson LMG emphasizing full-auto fire. Key features discussed include its closed-bolt semi-auto and open-bolt full-auto firing modes, and its effective, lightweight, and detachable bipod. The video emphasizes the weapon's overall lightness, handiness, and ease of dismantling, explaining its popularity with combat troops.

This video focuses on the field stripping of the M1941 Johnson Rifle, a unique firearm from US military history. Despite its limited production compared to the M1 Garand, some M1941 Johnson Rifles saw action with US forces in the Pacific during World War II. The video highlights the design and mechanics of this historical rifle.

This video delves into the Johnson M1941 rifle, a semi-automatic .30-06 rifle designed by Melvin Johnson as a potential supplement to the M1 Garand. The designer aimed to address perceived flaws in the Garand and provide a backup during wartime. The rifle features a short-recoil system with a rotating bolt, a design later influencing the AR platform. Key features include a fixed 10-round rotary magazine, which could be loaded via stripper clips or loose rounds, and could be topped up without interrupting the action. While competitive with the M1 Garand in testing, it was ultimately dismissed by the Army. However, the rifle found limited sales with the Dutch government and was later utilized by US Marine Paratroop battalions, particularly the light machine gun variant, which was break-downable for airborne operations. The M1941 rifles, some of which were abandoned, were reportedly used by Paramarines in the Pacific theater.