US Soldier with a M1941

[imntxs554]

US Soldier firing the Johnson M41. It looks to have some characteristics of a German FG42. Hearing that the M41 had a few problems which one was better the M1941 or the FG42 ?

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[RCS]

There were two variations of the FG 42 and I would estimate more were manufactured than the Model 1941 Johnson. Johnson thought the Model 1941 would replace the BAR,
but if never happened. The loaded single column cartridge magazine of the Johnson was awkward when loaded while the FG 42 double column magazine was not as awkward.

The Johnson went on to the Model 1944 than the post war DOR

The locking system of the FG 42 went into the US M60 MG design

Small numbers of a semi auto FG 42 are still manufactured today ($5000 US)Attachment 66878

[imntxs554]

What I just read was that one of the 2 versions of the FG 42 was for Paratroopers and since we had the M1 Carbine already I can see how they had produced more than the Johnson. What was the primary role for the Johnson M1941?

[browningautorifle]

The whole Johnston this was a pipe dream Frank. You should read more about what Melvin tried to do to get it into service, quite unsuccessfully. If in doubt about why it's unsuitable, strip and handle one beside an M1 rifle some time. I demoed them both the Recon Platoon here in my Battalion once. The young infantrymen were completely inexperienced in both weapons and they all chose the M1 over the other. "Too many small parts" said one... The fact that some were employed from time to time is just because they existed. Compared to the BAR, which lasted decades, the Dror, or LMG just went a tick of the clock.