Why the M2 Machine Gun is Still in Service The ruggedness and versatility of the M2 Browning keep it a favorite of soldiers in practically every conflict since its inception. by Charlie Gao
Full Answer
What was the M2 Browning machine gun used for?
The M2 .50 Browning machine gun has been used for various roles: A medium infantry support weapon As a light anti-aircraft (AA) gun in some ships; up to six M2 guns could be mounted on the same turret. As an anti-aircraft gun on the ground. Primary or secondary weapon on an armored fighting vehicle.
What is the difference between m2 and FN Browning?
An important derivative of the M2 Browning is the Mitrailleuse d´Avion Browning - F.N. Calibre 13,2 mm, more commonly known as the FN Browning M.1939. The FN Browning M.1939 was a heavily modified M2 Browning for aircraft use designed by FN Herstal for export.
What is the AN/M2 Browning called in other countries?
In foreign use the AN/M2 is often just referred to as the M2 Browning. In Sweden it was re-designated 12,7 mm automatkanon m/45 (short 12.7mm akan m/45) meaning 12.7 mm autocannon m/45. Note the Swedish Air Force used a different designation system which recognized the incendiary rounds as grenades, thus it was called autocannon.
What is the size of the Browning M2HB?
Browning M2 sometimes as Raskekuulipilduja Browning M2 12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB. Usually mounted on vehicles, such as the pasi XA-180 and XA-188 , but the tripod version is also in use.
Why does the US still use the M2 Browning?
Today the M2 still serves with each of the armed services and the Coast Guard. In the Army it is generally used by vehicle crews, including M1A2 Abrams tanks, while the Marines use a tripod-mounted version and on vehicles. The Navy and Air Force use it to defend ships and air bases.
Why is the M2 Browning so good?
It has a slotted flash suppressor that significantly reduces muzzle flash, a new quick-release barrel for rapid barrel changes during extended firing, and a fixed headspace that prevents the M2's internal parts from becoming improperly aligned after recoiling.
Is Browning machine gun still used?
The Browning .50 caliber machine gun has been used extensively as a vehicle weapon and for aircraft armament by the United States from the 1930s to the present day....M2 Browning.Browning machine gun, cal. .50, M2, HBTypeHeavy machine gunPlace of originUnited StatesService historyIn service1933–present21 more rows
What will replace M2 Browning?
The . 338 NM round it shoots offers enough of an advantage that it isn't only being considered to replace the M240 platform within Marine infantry, it is also being considered to replace the M2 machine gun on some vehicles and aircraft, officials said.
What is the best heavy machine gun?
Top 5 Best MachinegunsMG-42.M240B. ... RPK74. The RPK, more widely known as the Kalashnikov, is another Soviet design. ... M2 Browning. The original name of the . ... DShK. This Soviet heavy machine gun fires a 12.7 x 108 cartridge. ...
Is the M2 machine gun reliable?
The M2 has been in production since 1933—the longest service record of any weapon in the U.S. inventory, according to Gordon Rottman, author of Browning . 50-Caliber Machine Guns. Its sheer firepower and reliability ensure that the Ma Deuce will be around for years to come.
Is the M2 still in service?
Huckabee may be surprised to hear that the B-52 isn't the only seemingly geriatric weapon system still active; here are some of the oldest weapons still in service. Nicknamed the “Ma Deuce,” or simply “The Fifty,” the M2 Heavy Barrel has been in service since 1933.
What 50 cal machine gun does the military use?
The M2A1 with Quick Change Barrel (QCB) is an enhancement to the M2 . 50 Caliber Machine Gun. It offers Soldiers increased performance as well as new features and design improvements that make it easier and safer to use.
Is the 50 Cal still in service?
50 cal machine gun is used by many 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Soldiers during convoy operations in Iraq today. When properly maintained, this machine gun can serve as a formidable asset to many units throughout Iraq.
Do Marines use a 240?
The M240B (formerly called as the M240E4) is the standard infantry medium machine gun of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Why did the M240 replaced the M60?
In the 1980s, the M60 was partially replaced by the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon within Army infantry squads. Their new doctrine with the weapon reduced the general-purpose machine gun role in favor of portability and a greater volume of fire.
Why is the 50 Cal called Ma Deuce?
The Browning M-2 . 50-caliber heavy machine gun casts a long shadow over U.S. military history – and it holds a special place in the hearts of many soldiers. Nicknamed “Ma Deuce” by World War II G.I.s, some who have fired the weapon consider it the mother of all machine guns.
What caliber is the M2 Browning?
An M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun bearing the serial number 324 arrived from an active duty unit for maintenance and an upgrade to the M2A1 configuration.
How many M2s have been built?
Its estimated that over 3 million M2s have been built. This doesn't include the numerous variations based on the M2 design. Serial number 324 was discovered at Anniston Army Depot in 2011 after the US Army called for its older inventory of M2s to be upgraded into the A1 configuration.
How many M2s have the Army upgraded?
The Army has currently upgraded over 14,000 M2s so far. Now another surprise was that upon stripping down the receiver for inspection it was found that its tolerances were not just within acceptable values. They were actually in the best set of values for functionality.
What is timing in the military?
Timing refers to the proper alignment of parts after going through the recoil process. If either is not within accepted specifications the firearm may not run reliably, may not fire or even could even blow up under the worst conditions and injure the soldier. The Army has currently upgraded over 14,000 M2s so far.
What is an M2 receiver?
The M2 receiver was designed to allow it to be assembled into various configurations for ground, naval, aircraft and vehicle use. The rest they say is history as by World War II an M2 .50-caliber machine gun was mounted on every variation of vehicle, airplane and warship in the US military.
When was the Colt M2 discovered?
A Colt manufactured M2 .50-caliber machine gun bearing the serial number 324, dating it to 1933, was discovered by Anniston Army Depot still in front-line US service! Photo courtesy US Army. It's common when someone refers to a subject like the best service pistol or longest serving rifle that they are talking about a certain model ...
When was the M2 receiver made?
By 1933 the M2 was adopted and put into production. See Photo Gallery.
Overview
The M2 machine gun or Browning .50 caliber machine gun (informally, "Ma Deuce" ) is a heavy machine gun designed toward the end of World War I by John Browning. Its design is similar to Browning's earlier M1919 Browning machine gun, which was chambered for the .30-06 cartridge. The M2 uses Browning's larger and more powerful .50 BMG (12.7 mm) cartridge. The design has had many designations; the official U.S. military designation for the current infantry type is Bro…
History
Machine guns were heavily used in World War I, and weapons of larger than rifle caliber began appearing on both sides of the conflict. The larger rounds were needed to defeat the armor that was being introduced to the battlefield, both on the ground and in the air. During the war, the Germans introduced a heavily armored airplane, the Junkers J.I. The armor made aircraft machine guns using conventional rifle ammunition (such as the .30-06) ineffective. Consequently, the American Expeditionary Force's commander General John J. Pershing asked for a l…
Design details
The Browning M2 is an air-cooled, belt-fed machine gun. The M2 fires from a closed bolt, operated on the short recoil principle. The M2 fires the .50 BMG cartridge, which offers long range, accuracy, and immense stopping power. The closed bolt firing cycle made the M2 usable as a synchronized machine gun on aircraft before and during World War II, as on the early versions of the Curtiss P-40 fighter. The M2 is a scaled-up version of John Browning's M1917 .30 caliber ma…
Deployment
The M2 .50 Browning machine gun has been used for various roles:
• A medium infantry support weapon
• As a light anti-aircraft (AA) gun in some ships; up to six M2 guns could be mounted on the same turret.
• As an anti-aircraft gun on the ground. The original water-cooled version of the M2 was used on a tall AA tripod or vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft weapon on a sturdy pedestal mount. In later variants, twin and quadruple M2HB Brownings we…
Prohibition of M2 Browning use against personnel
There has been controversy surrounding the use of the M2 against enemy personnel, due to the explosive and incendiary Raufoss Mk 211 ammunition commonly fired by guns of its caliber. The Saint Petersburg Declaration of 1868 states that the "military or naval" use of explosive or incendiary projectiles with a mass of under 400 grams is forbidden by its signatory parties. This was superseded by the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, which were signed by a far wider circle of nations, and do permit the use of such ammunition for auto-cannons and heavy m…
Variants and derivatives
The basic M2 was deployed in U.S. service in a number of subvariants, all with separate complete designations as per the US Army system. The basic designation as mentioned in the introduction is Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, with others as described below.
The development of the M1921 water-cooled machine gun which led to the M2, meant that the initial M2s were, in fact, water-cooled. These weapons were designated Browning Machine Gu…
Aircraft guns
The M2 machine gun was widely used during World War II, and in later postwar conflicts, as a remote or flexible aircraft gun. For fixed (offensive) or flexible (defensive) guns used in aircraft, a dedicated M2 version was developed called the ".50 Browning AN/M2" or the "12.7 mm AN/M2". The "AN" stands for "Army/Navy", since the gun was developed jointly for use by both services. The AN/M2 designation was also used for other aircraft guns and therefore it is important to write the caliber before the designation.
See also
• DShK, NSV, and Kord 12.7 mm machine guns, Soviet/Russian equivalents.
• FN BRG-15 15.5 mm caliber machine gun
• HMG PK-16, 12.7×108mm Pakistani equivalent
• KPV heavy machine gun 14.5 mm caliber machine gun