Johnson M1941 LMG
Johnson Automatics, Inc. · Machine Gun · Discontinued · 1941
Also known as: M1941 Johnson, Johnson Light Machine Gun, Model of 1941 Johnson LMG
Overview
The Johnson M1941 LMG is an American short-recoil-operated light machine gun chambered in .30-06 Springfield, designed by Melvin Johnson in the late 1930s. Exceptionally light for its class at around 5.9 kg, it fed from a distinctive single-stack 20-round box magazine mounted on the left side and fired single shots from a closed bolt for accuracy while delivering automatic fire from an open bolt. Its quick-change barrel and adjustable cyclic rate made it a flexible squad support weapon, and it saw limited but notable service with US Marine Raiders, the First Special Service Force (the 'Devil's Brigade'), and Allied forces during World War II.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 5900 g (208.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1100 mm (43.31") |
| Barrel Length | 560 mm (22.05") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 853 m/s (2799 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 4243 J (3129 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 550 m (601 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3200 m (3500 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .30-06 Springfield · primary — also known as 30-06, .30-06 Sprg, 7.62x63mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Quick Change Barrel, Selective Fire, Single Shot Closed Bolt, Full Auto Open Bolt, Adjustable Rate Of Fire, Side Mounted Magazine, Bipod
Variants
- Johnson M1944 LMG — Improved Model
Service history
Operators
- United States Marine Corps · adopted 1942
- First Special Service Force · adopted 1942
- Royal Netherlands East Indies Army
- Canadian Army
- Philippine Commonwealth Army
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1940-1945
Produced in limited quantities; an order for the Netherlands East Indies was largely cut off by the Japanese advance, with surplus arms diverted to US special units.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Melvin Johnson
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
Manufactured by the Cranston Arms Company of Providence, Rhode Island. Magazine capacity is most commonly cited as 20 rounds (single-stack, left-side feed), though some sources list 25. The dual closed-bolt/open-bolt firing cycle was unusual for a machine gun of the era.
Background
Melvin Johnson, a Boston lawyer and USMC reservist, developed the M1941 LMG alongside his recoil-operated rifle as a private venture to compete with the Browning Automatic Rifle. Though never formally adopted by the US Army, it became a favored weapon of the elite First Special Service Force, the 'Devil's Brigade.'