Neither the M1922 nor the M1918A1 had been manufactured in large quantities. The barrel fins and the support leg under the stock were removed, and the stock's shape was changed for easier handling. This time, modifications had been geared towards cutting the cost and ergonomics. Later in 1937, the BAR had been modified again - this time becoming the M1918A1. These modifications had been specifically requested by the U.S. Modifications included a bipod, a support leg under the buttstock, a finned barrel and different sights. In 1922, the BAR had been modified to be used as a light machine gun, and the new model had received the designation M1922. However, the gun had proven to be robust enough otherwise, and had been reassigned to the role of support machine gun. Battle experience showed that the BAR was too heavy (twice the weight of the M1 Garand), and automatic fire off the shoulder or hip was difficult to control due to the powerful. The new guns were immediately field-tested on the Western Front during the First World War. Early models had no bipods, nor support leg under the buttstock. In 1918, the BAR was patented, tested, and launched into production, receiving M1918 designation in the U.S. Automatic fire capabilities were supposed to allow suppression fire during the attack. The BAR was initially intended to be used by infantry during advance actions and fired from the shoulder or even from the hip. In 1917, John Moses Browning was commissioned to create an automatic infantry firearm by the U.S.