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The BAR rifle is a gas operated, air cooled, magazine fed weapon. As built for the US military the BAR was chambered for the standard service round of that period, the .30-`06 Springfield. It weighed from 16 to 19 pounds empty, depending upon the model. Magazine capacity was 20 rounds.

The Browning BAR M1918 was a select fire weapon allowing the user to choose either semi or fully automatic fire. First issued in February 1918, it was hoped the BAR might help break the stalemate of the trenches by the concept of "marching fire". Soldiers were issued a "cup" that held the stock of the rifle up to the hip. This allowed the soldier to lay suppressive fire as he advanced, keeping the enemy's head down until it was too late. 85,000 were built by war's end.

In June of 1937, small numbers of the M1918 were modified to include a spiked bipod attached to the gas cylinder and a hinged buttplate. These guns were designated the M1918A1.

In 1940 the final BAR model, the M1918A2, was introduced. This model did away with the semi auto mode in favor of full automatic fire only. The rate of fire was adjustable, the user having a choice between "fast" (500-650rpm) and "slow" (300-450rpm). The bipod was now attached to the barrel and being easily removed was often discarded by troops when on the offensive. In 1942 a plastic buttstock replaced the walnut, and in late World War Two a carrying handle was issued that mounted to the barrel.

While not without its design flaws, namely a fixed barrel and low magazine capacity, it proved itself to be rugged and reliable. It served from the latter days of World War One through World War Two and the Korean War as well. It was last seen soldiering into the early years of the Vietnam War when the U.S. sold a quantity of BARs to the South Vietnamese.