The Weapons of Guadalcanal
From the forthcoming Guadalcanal Today DVD

Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)
Both semi and fully automatic, this rifle served with both Marine & Army units on Guadalcanal, and was praised for its reliability under the tough environment, but its heavy weight was a problem for jungle fighting.

The initial versions of the weapon were first used in combat by American soldiers during World War I, but it is most known for its service in World War II. The BAR's only serious drawbacks were its lack of a quick-change barrel (to reduce the chance of overheating), and its weight (BAR, with bipod and a loaded bandoleer, came to about 40 pounds).

Caliber: .30
Action: gas operated
length: 119.4 cm
Barrel length: 610 mm
Weight: 8.33 kg
Magazine: 20 rounds

Army infantry squad of nine men was tactically organized around a single BAR. The Marine squad of thirteen men was organized around three fire-teams, each organized around a BAR. The much greater fire power of a Marine platoon with its nine BARs over the Army platoon with its four BARs was a great combat advantage.

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