So looking at the stats, and using it in game, the avt-40 compares very favorably to the american lmg:
The avt does more damage (13.2/12), it’s more accurate (.26/.42), and it has less actual recoil (26v10h/27v12h) than the BAR. They are equal in rate of fire (600/600), and the BAR has a slight advantage in ammunition (15/20), and reload time (2.5/2.3).
The BAR can be carried by machine gunners, max three to a squad; while the avt can be carried by practically everyone, max nine to a squad. The avt-40 also doesn’t have any accuracy penalties while moving, and it doesn’t slow soldiers down like an lmg.
I feel that wastedwoodsman would be proud of the progress the avt-40 has made in his efforts to equip every rifleman with a BAR