The original BAR was the Model M1918, and it was ground for both semi-automatic and full automatic fire, capable of a rate of fire of between 350 to 550 rounds per minute of .30-06 caliber ammunition.

In this regard, the SAW filled the void created by the retirement of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) during the 1950s because interim automatic weapons (e.g. M-14E2/M16A1) had failed as viable ...