1919a4 Information needed

[kenwest516]

I recently got a 1919a4 demilled display gun. It says IMA on the sideplate so I assume it came from them. Most internals are missing and the barrel is welded shut. It's chambered in 7.62x51 as far as I can tell.
I want to build it into a semi auto. I have a 30/06 barrel. I need all the info I can get to put it back together. Like can I use the 06 barrel? Do I need a different bolt? What all do I need to know to build it? and where is the best place for information and parts?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Badger]

If you would like to read a lot of past threads on this topic, then try our Google CSE custom search engine located in the top right corner of the site. It only searches our site using Google techniques and can be quite efficient. For example, in your case, type in the word 1919a4 and see what happens ..

I checked and there are dozens of old posts covering that topic…

Regards,
Doug

[Vincent]

Semi parts > Semi Auto - 1919A4 Parts - Parts

You can use your 30.06 barrel. You will need to change the booster and feedway spacers.

If you have an Israeli 7.62x51 modified bolt it will work with 30.06 and 8mm. For 30.06 a 30.06 bolt works best.

It’s probably one of the easiest builds.

[browningautorifle]

If it was a gun done by the Canadians, we changed all the cams to accommodate the shorter 7.62. That was in the 1919A4 (C5)...it should be Canadian marked though if it is. That would mean the 30 cal parts were gone... That means more work to convert back... It's best I think, to use new .30 cal parts. Don't try to cobble...my opinion... We have the guys here to assist you through it.

[Sarge]

Why change the caliber back to 30/06??? Keep it NATO. Both calibers are readily available and about the same price. You would be spending $$$ for No noticeable gain.
Sarge

[browningautorifle]

Why change the caliber back to 30/06??? Keep it NATO.

Good point Sarge...If the frame is currently 7.62 and the cams and levers are correct...but he has the .30 cal barrel he wants to use. He could do what we did I guess...we turned the chamber end off and re cut chambers, added a longer and new barrel bearing to the muzzle. It turned and was obvious, didn't work perfectly either. I think Numrich has the parts kits, also Israeli if I recall.

[Peter Laidler]

I could never really get our Canadian C5 Browning to work properly, even after one of the top RCEME Armourers came in and had a look (forget name now.....). The trouble was that when we wanted to fire one and demanded .300" ball/tracer, it'd come back '.....use the 7.62mm gun' otherwise the Ammo people would have to purchase .300" ball from authorised trade suppliers and all that that entails. Don't tell anyone this now....... But it meant that a certain amount of bartering took place. A bit like lend-lease but only on a larger scale!

[tiriaq]

I recently got a 1919a4 demilled display gun. It says IMA on the sideplate so I assume it came from them. Most internals are missing and the barrel is welded shut. It's chambered in 7.62x51 as far as I can tell.
I want to build it into a semi auto. I have a 30/06 barrel. I need all the info I can get to put it back together. Like can I use the 06 barrel? Do I need a different bolt? What all do I need to know to build it? and where is the best place for information and parts?

How much of this display piece is functional/salvageable?

[Peter Laidler]

That's a very pertinent Q Tiriaq. Surprised we didn't think of that before. A bit like the '......I've got a broken down car, can you fix it' scenario.

[kenwest516]

The reason I was thinking of going 30/06 was because of the barrel I have. But I have no problem staying 7.62x51. I'm just learning about these so I'll answer what I can. When I learn how to post pics I will so you know what I'm working with. It was all together for display. It has a bolt and barrel extension in it. The bolt is marked 7.62. The lock frame is gone the trigger was cut off and welded to a flat plate just so it was there for display. sights top cover and latch are there, It needs a little bit of work to close but appears complete to me as far as my knowledge of it goes right now. The chamber of the barrel is welded shut. It has the pistol grip. The rod and spring that you push in when taking the grip off(can't remember what its called). The barrel shroud is on it. The side plate is marked NO.(no number)BROWNING MACHINE GUN. US. CAL. 30 MFG. IMA. It is about A half inch thick and appears to be smooth on the inside. The only thing cut out is the slot for the bolt handle. The only other markings I see so far is the flaming bomb and P on the top and left side plate 7.62 on the bolt,rear sight, left side plate and the pieces in the top cover and receiver that would guide the belt in. BCI on the top cover latch. And what looks like a square with no bottom on the left side plate and top cover. aside from that just a few numbers on some other parts.