M2 Browning: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[Image:Twin_.50_caliber_machine_gun.jpg|thumb|300px|Twin mounted M2HB .50 machine guns]] |
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Designed to be a aircraft machine gun (a role that it did fill later on) just after World War I, it was also selected for the ground role and adopted by the US as the Model 1921. The latter served during the [[1920s]] as an [[anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] and [[anti-tank|anti-armor]] gun. In [[1932]], the design was updated and adopted as the M2, though carrying out the same functions. With the addition of a sturdier barrel it became the M2HB. Due to the long procedure for changing the barrel, a improved system has been developed called QCB (Quick barrel change). A lightweight version, weighing 11 kg less - a mere 27 kg - has also been developed. |
Designed to be a aircraft machine gun (a role that it did fill later on) just after World War I, it was also selected for the ground role and adopted by the US as the Model 1921. The latter served during the [[1920s]] as an [[anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] and [[anti-tank|anti-armor]] gun. In [[1932]], the design was updated and adopted as the M2, though carrying out the same functions. With the addition of a sturdier barrel it became the M2HB. Due to the long procedure for changing the barrel, a improved system has been developed called QCB (Quick barrel change). A lightweight version, weighing 11 kg less - a mere 27 kg - has also been developed. |
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Revision as of 20:26, 3 August 2005
| M2 | |
|---|---|
 An M2 machine gun surrounded by spent shell casings | |
| Type | Heavy machine gun |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 38 kg, inc tripod 58 kg |
| Length | 1.65 m |
The M2 .50 machine gun, nicknamed Ma Deuce by troops, is a heavy machine gun designed just after World War I by John Browning and is still in use today.
History
Designed to be a aircraft machine gun (a role that it did fill later on) just after World War I, it was also selected for the ground role and adopted by the US as the Model 1921. The latter served during the 1920s as an anti-aircraft and anti-armor gun. In 1932, the design was updated and adopted as the M2, though carrying out the same functions. With the addition of a sturdier barrel it became the M2HB. Due to the long procedure for changing the barrel, a improved system has been developed called QCB (Quick barrel change). A lightweight version, weighing 11 kg less - a mere 27 kg - has also been developed.
Design
It fires .50 BMG cartridges that were designed for this weapon, which today are also used in high powered sniper rifles. The M2 is an air-cooled, belt-fed machine gun operated on the short recoil principle. In this action, the bolt and barrel are initially locked together, and recoil upon firing. After a short distance, the bolt and barrel unlock, and the bolt continues to move forward relative to the barrel. This action opens the bolt, and pulls the belt of ammunition through the weapon, readying it to fire again, all at a cyclic rate of 550 rounds per minute. This is a rate of fire not generally achieved in use, as sustained fire at that rate will quickly 'shoot out' the barrel, necessitating replacement. In practice, the weapon is used to fire short bursts, and M2s used in the ground role are capable of either single-shot or fully-automatic operation.
The M2 has a maximum range of almost 7 kilometers (4.2 miles), but its maximum effective range is roughly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) when fired from a stable mount, such as a tripod or vehicle. In its ground-portable, crew-served role, the gun itself weighs in at a hefty 84 pounds (38 kg), and the assembled M3 tripod another 44 pounds (20 kg).
The M2 .50 Browning machine gun is used for various roles:
- A medium infantry support weapon.
- When doubled it is used as an anti-aircraft gun in some ships. In this case a pair one left handed and one right handed feed are used
- Primary or secondary weapon on an armored fighting vehicle.
- Coaxial gun in some tanks.
- A primary armament in WWII-era US aircraft, and the Korean-era US F-86 Sabre.
A water cooled version was used as an emplaced or vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft weapon on a sturdy pedestal mount.
The GAU-16 light-weight version is used for helicopter door mounts.
See also
- List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces
- List of crew served weapons of the US Armed Forces