Johnson automatic rifle.

[pitfighter]

I am quite interested in the Johnson automatic rifle, which as you guys all know is a C&R semi-auto that we can own in CA.

They vary in price from $2500 for a sporterized clunker to $6-7K for a pretty one - Johnson was competing with Garand, his rifle can be topped off easily and has a relatively quick change barrel - it was shot down during testing, for political reasons amongst others.

There is a lot of information out there on them, and this post is not about the rifle.

I wanted to see what was available on the Johnson LMG, a separate project the designer developed alongside his automatic rifle, in fact apparently some of the parts interchange.

It is an interesting story and worth reading for history/military buffs.

Here is a good little site:

http://www.jcs-group.com/military/war1941firearms/machine.html

Another quick read:

http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Semi-automatic%20Rifles/US/Johnson%20Carbine/Johnson%20Carbine.htm

Here is a closed auction:

http://www.collectorebooks.com/jamesauction/subguns/34608.htm

Another site:

http://www.johnsonautomatics.com/combatuse.htm

[252yft]

Haven't pulled my Johnson out for awhile (hehe.) Guess it's time to dig around the safe and go talk to her for a bit.

[pitfighter]

The Johnson rifle is noteworthy - but, the LMG was really something special that got overlooked when it shouldn't have.

We are all nostalgic when it comes to the BAR, but it was really an outdated, overly heavy, poorly thought out pig.

The FSSF new what was going on, when they asked the Marine's to send them 125 LMG's.

[knucklehead0202]

Both very cool weapons that never got the attention they deserved. Would love to get my hands on a Johnson(lol). Seriously though, I'd love to shoot one, or just get to handle it and check it out. Didn't someone say they were gonna bring one to West End one time? I'll probably never be able to afford something that cool but it'll always be on my mind.

[Beatone]

A FFL I know just received this the other day. Thought I'd share. I think he may be selling it but I don't know the price

[81turbota]

I know of two Johnsons for sale in southern CA. Beautiful, interesting rifles, but out of my price range.

[pitfighter]

A FFL I know just received this the other day. Thought I'd share. I think he may be selling it but I don't know the price

That is the one I am talking about, Beatone, as you surmised.
Not the Johnson semi auto rifle (also interesting, but written about ad nauseum, in collector's publications.)

The LMG - if the one your FFL friend found has amnesty (or rebuild) registration papers it's going to be out of my price range, lucky for him for finding it.
Even missing a few parts and the magazine, that's going to be North of $30K
Although looking at pictures, it looks like it takes the same coaxial mag as the semi-auto rifle, with a different adapter.

[ccandgc]

The Johnson rifle is one of 3 rifles I need and want and lust after for my collection. Also an M1A1 carbine and either, or maybe both an M97/M12 trench guns.

[maulich]

Too rich for my blood.....

[Spyder]

I've always loved the Johnsons. A 41 is on my must-own-someday list.

[NOTABIKER]

I was looking in my back yard for my P 51 mustang. i have not seen it for a while.

[DennisCA]

Haven't pulled my Johnson out for awhile (hehe.) Guess it's time to dig around the safe and go talk to her for a bit.

We're talking about guns - right???

[pitfighter]

Here is some pretty good footage of the Johnson LMG in use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWIRjid5k7w

It's a light-weight fully-automatic .30-06, but, still you get someone who says, "...it kicks..." ?

[knucklehead0202]

Lol! Of bloody course it kicks! It's also recoil-operated so yeah...not for faint of heart. Fully-automatic it'd become an anti-aircraft gun REAL quick.

[aghauler]

I am quite interested in the Johnson automatic rifle, which as you guys all know is a C&R semi-auto that we can own in CA.

They vary in price from $2500 for a sporterized clunker to $6-7K for a pretty one - Johnson was competing with Garand, his rifle can be topped off easily and has a relatively quick change barrel - it was shot down during testing, for political reasons amongst others.

There is a lot of information out there on them, and this post is not about the rifle.

I wanted to see what was available on the Johnson LMG, a separate project the designer developed alongside his automatic rifle, in fact apparently some of the parts interchange.

It is an interesting story and worth reading for history/military buffs.

Here is a good little site:

http://www.jcs-group.com/military/war1941firearms/machine.html

Another quick read:

http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Semi-automatic%20Rifles/US/Johnson%20Carbine/Johnson%20Carbine.htm

Here is a closed auction:

http://www.collectorebooks.com/jamesauction/subguns/34608.htm

Another site:
http://www.johnsonautomatics.com/combatuse.htm

River City Gun Exchange in Sacramento had a Johnson on the rack last week.