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In-Box Review
135
Browning MG Barrel
Barrel for 7.62mm Browning M1919
  • 001365

by: Bill Cross [ BILL_C ]

INTRODUCTION

The Browning M1919 machine gun, like its Wehrmacht equivalent the MG34, was the all-purpose answer to most light rapid-fire applications for infantry, armor, AA and aircraft usage right through to the Viet Nam era. Developed by John Browning after the First World War, the gun combined efficiency, ease of use and dependable service, so much so that many were re-chambered to accept the 7.62 × 51 mm NATO round and continued in service until the 1990s.

CONTENTS

A single barrel in two pieces comes in a Zip-Lock baggie on a yellow card. All JBModel.eu products come shipped in a padded mailer. The pieces include:
  • Barrel tip
  • Air cooling sleeve
The barrel tip slides inside the sleeve (much like the real thing) and requires either seating in a base or some CA cement to keep the tip portion from sliding out.

REVIEW

This is an after-market product that, for a small investment in money and time, really brings a kit to life. The potential uses for the barrel are as numerous as the original gun itself, including tanks, MGs in vehicles, aircraft, and even infantry MGs. No styrene or even resin MG barrel comes close to the crisp lines. PE sets like those from Aber and Voyager often include MG barrel sleeves, but these come as flat parts which must be shaped and therefore require time and skill. This alternative simply means assemble, glue in place and paint. Who could ask for anything easier?

Finally is the matter of price. After-market barrels have become extremely popular, but their prices have risen sharply. JBModels.eu products are generally 1/3 those of other AM barrel makers, though some of those include resin mantlets. The price-value ratio of this barrel make it the clear choice.

NOTE: prices on products shipped to the US do not include the 20% VAT charged to EU customers. The shipping costs are far more reasonable than those from most European dealers and manufacturers (approx. $6 on a $45 order).
SUMMARY
Highs: Superb craftsmanship in a small item that really makes a build. Prices and service to make alternative manufacturers no longer a viable option.
Lows: JB products come without instructions, but in many cases they are unnecessary.
Verdict: Given the price to value ratio, this item and its mates are simply the best alternative on the market.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: RB35B82
  Suggested Retail: 3.15
  Related Link: JBModel.eu web site
  PUBLISHED: Mar 28, 2009
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.08%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 91.28%

About Bill Cross (bill_c)
FROM: NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES

Self-proclaimed rivet counter who gleefully builds tanks, planes and has three subs in the stash.

Copyright ©2021 text by Bill Cross [ BILL_C ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Nice review, as I have made several orders with JB, including quite a few of these .30 barrels, I can attest to the excellent quailty and good prices for the items and shipping. Normally from Europe to New Jersey in under a week for instock items. Using Paypal, I normally get the email telling me they were shipped the day after I paid.
MAR 28, 2009 - 05:40 AM
Nice review Bill. I've ordered two of the .50 cal barrels along with four of the 20mm Flak barrels. Their prices are reasonable. I'm very much looking forward to getting them. Mike
MAR 28, 2009 - 06:11 AM
I agree with the superior quality of these items, especially compared to their price. However, one small note: The article talks of the barrels as JBmodel.Eu artifacts, when actually they are produced by RB Models and sold by JB Model; in many forums and modelling communities they are also known as RB Metal barrels. Just to avoid confusion...
MAR 28, 2009 - 06:17 AM
Emri, thanks for clearing that up!
MAR 28, 2009 - 07:29 AM
   
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