1919 Parts Kit FAQs

If you’re looking for a complete 1919 parts kit you’re in the right place, but we also rounded up some of the more common questions surrounding this platform (as well as parts kits) and answered them in one place. 

See if your question is answered here and if not, feel free to get in touch with us at 610-250-3960 and we’ll see if we can find the answer you need before you buy. 

• Is it legal to own a 1919?

Yes, it is legal to own a 1919, but there are some gray areas. For one, while it is federally legal, that depends on whether the variant is fully auto (which would put it under NFA regulations) or if it was a semi-auto variant. Secondly, there are state laws that circumscribe the ownership of a platform like this. You should consult a firearms lawyer in your area if you are unsure. 

• What comes with a 1919 parts kit?

That depends on the 1919 parts kit in question, but as for ours, they come with everything you need to complete a functioning 1919 except for the right hand side plate and rivets. This is similar to the situation applied to most AR15 parts kits, which come with everything you need to complete a rifle except for the lower receiver, which is the part considered the “gun” and which is regulated and serialized by the ATF.

• What can a 1919 parts kit be used for?

A 1919 parts kit, depending on the parts it contains, can either be used to create a fully-functioning M1919, or a semi-automatic variant. They can also be used to create dummy guns for educational purposes, for training, for filming, and other similar applications. 

• What caliber is the 1919A4?

Originally, the M1919A4 was chambered in .30-06, just like many of its contemporaries. However, later versions were chambered in either 7.62 NATO or .308 Winchester. 

• Is the Browning M1919 still in service?

The M1919 has been retired in the United States but it is still in service in some areas around the world as a result of its reliability and potentially as a result of the wide availability, low-cost, and reasonable performance of ammo. 

• Is the Browning M1919 reliable?

Air-cooled, unlike its water-cooled predecessor, the M1919 was and is still considered a highly reliable and mobile platform when it is properly maintained and handled. This, along with its iconic status and use in history, have made it a highly popular machine gun platform among civilians. 

• How much does an M1919A4 weigh?

The M1919A4 alone (just the gun) weighs about 31 pounds, which makes it relatively lightweight and mobile for a machine gun. Comparing it to the M1917, which weighed over 100 pounds, it seems like a real lightweight. The M1918 was even lighter, at around 15 pounds.

• Can you buy an M1919?

Yes, you can buy an M1919 or a parts kit, but there are more regulations if you get a fully automatic version because then it would be subject to NFA regulations. If you don’t want to worry about the NFA regulations, get or build a semi-automatic only variant that will not be subject to them. 

• How much is an M1919 worth? 

That depends on the variant, the condition of the platform, and if it is a semi-auto only or one that is capable of fully-automatic fire. A semi-auto will likely cost a few thousand dollars, up to around $5000 or $6000 if it is in good condition. A fully-automatic M1919 is likely to cost considerably more, between $18000 and more than $30000. If it is in excellent condition it could cost even more than that. 

• What advantages does the M1919 have over the M1917 BAR?

The M1919 had several advantages over the M1917 BAR. Chief among them was that the M1917 was water cooled, which made it highly immobile, among other things. It also meant that a constant water supply was necessary to keep the barrel cool. The M1919 is an air-cooled design and suffers no such deficiency. Moreover, this makes the M1919 much lighter in weight than the M1917 and thereby much more mobile.

• What else should I know about SARCO’s 1919 parts kits?

Our 1919 parts kits contain everything you need to build a semi-auto M1919 or a dummy gun, except for the right hand side plate and rivets. These kits come from Israeli kits made from US parts. We inspect all of them for completeness as well as for the condition of the parts. 

Shop Complete 1919 Parts Kits Here 

Our 1919 parts kits come with basically everything you need either to complete a dummy gun or a functional semi-auto variant of the M1919. If you have any questions about our parts kit or need any other information before you buy, get in touch with us and we’ll help you out.