John M. Browning‘s “eternal” machine gun - the M2

The venerable .50 M2 heavy machine gun, originating from suggestions by Gen. Pershing out of WWI, is coming up on 100 years of service.

I came across this recent video blurb posted by the German Bundeswehr on YT and thought other Browning fans might find it interesting. It’s in German, but the visuals are pretty self-explanatory.

The M2 entered German service in 1955 with the first generations of US made weapons systems, but fell out of use as these were replaced with German-developed tanks and equipment.

But about 10 years ago Krauss-Maffei, the manufacturers of the Leopard main battle tank, developed an electronic remote-operation weapons mount for APCs and MRAP vehicles, the FLW, and the heavy machine gun version is built around the good old Browning M2; there is also an auto-grenade-launcher variant.

Mounted on the Bundeswehr‘s Dingo MRAP vehicle, both have seen action in Afghanistan and West Africa.





So it looks like Browning‘s legendary Big Fifty will be around for a while yet past its 100th birthday.


[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nX54JzSMY0k[/ame]

Was just watching YouTube -the Navy dispatched some Somali Pirates with the Mighty M-2.

What is even more impressive is that at least a couple of very early M2’s were in service until just a few years ago.

A workhorse for sure. I got to shoot one once. What a trip!!

I'm not sure why but I want to merge this with the new car gadget thread.

During the late 1960s those of us who went through Army infantry training had to qualify with the M2 .50 caliber. That meant set-up (with or without the T&E mechanism), timing, headspace, barrel changes, loading, and actually engaging targets at ranges up to about 1200 meters (if memory serves). Maximum effective range is about 1800 meters (about 1.1 mile), which is the distance at which a trained gunner can engage a target with aimed fire.

The weapon is classified as "crew-served", meaning that it requires more than a single operator. The gun itself weighs about 80 lbs. The tripod is another 40 or so. The T&E (traversing and elevating) mechanism adds another 20 or so. Ammunition comes in linked belts and heavy duty steel ammo cans, each of which weighs around 30 lbs or so. There really is no way to field the weapon without some form of transportation.

In most infantry units each line company included a "weapons platoon" equipped with crew-served weapons such as the M2, 81mm mortars, and 90mm recoilless rifles (anti-tank weapon). All of us had familiarization training on those weapons, but the assigned personnel had received full training and qualification for each type (specialized MOS designations).

Ammunition types include ball (full metal jacket with lead or steel core), armor piercing (FMJ tungsten carbide penetrator), tracer, and some combinations (AP-incendiary, tracer-incendiary). Each linked belt measures 27 feet in length, and according to some sources that is the origination of the saying "the whole nine yards". The links forming the belts are tempered steel designed to direct the ammunition positively into position for the feeding mechanism, then falling away as each cartridge is cycled into the weapon (a design feature known as disintegrating links). Loading cartridges into the links requires the using of specialized tools, not something an individual would do.

During my time in the Army, including service in Vietnam, all of the .50 caliber ammunition we used was headstamped with WW2 dates of manufacture. I recall seeing M2 barrels become so hot in extended use they glowed a bright red-orange. Spare barrels were kept in padded canvas bags which also contained asbestos gloves or mittens for use when changing barrels during an engagement.

Can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday but I still remember some of these things after 50 years. I could probably put a Browning M2 to work today if I had to do so.

The Ole Ma Deuce will still be here 100 years from now!

Here you go.

Isn't the M2 the longest still serving machine gun in US history?

Randy

In 2015 a U.S. Army M2 serial number 324, a 1925 year production gun, came in from the field for overhaul/conversion to the M2A1. That's right, a M2 that had been serving in the field since 1925 and the receiver had never been overhauled. Anniston decided not to upgrade it to the M2A1, even though “Looking at the receiver, for its age, it looks good as new and it gauges better than most of the other weapons, said John Clark, a small arms repair leader." Instead they placed it on display beside the oldest M2 they had to that date, Serial Number 389.

The Army found an M2 .50 caliber machine-gun still shooting perfectly after 90 years of service - We Are The Mighty

The MIGHTY MA DUECE! Putting warheads on foreheads since 1921!

growr said:

Isn't the M2 the longest still serving machine gun in US history?

Randy

Click to expand...

Oh to have the $ to have an M2 and M1919 to go along with my 1911's!

While in Iraq we were getting ready to convoy from one camp to another. A part of driving out was a weapons test range, you shoot crew served guns before you leave. Of course the M-2 only shot once, NCOIC said, "things will be OK without it.
One of the crusty old contractors and I took it apart and found the problem and got it back together and test fired it!! Off we go ready for battle.

peyton said:

While in Iraq we were getting ready to convoy from one camp to another. A part of driving out was a weapons test range, you shoot crew served guns before you leave. Of course the M-2 only shot once, NCOIC said, "things will be OK without it.
One of the crusty old contractors and I took it apart and found the problem and got it back together and test fired it!! Off we go ready for battle.

Click to expand...

The M2 Browning is a very robust piece of equipment. Not very much can happen that will shut it down. Timing adjustment can be a little finicky, but getting into the sweet spot is pretty easy with experience. Headspace is as simple as the "GO-NO GO" gauge can make it. I've seen them feed and function perfectly with old, crusty, filthy ammo on rusted links. Hot and humid, freezing cold, dry and dusty, rain, snow, nothing seems to have much effect. Load the belt, pull the charging handle twice to advance the first round into position, thumb the trigger, try to keep the fillings in your teeth.

When I was assigned to a MP Reserve Unit as the active duty 1stSgt. We took our Humvee's to for weapons fam & qual. Was quite a sight to see 50 Humvee's with M2's mounted and a couple of 6X6's (loaded with ammo) rolling down the road.

I remember reading that J M Brownings nephew was in service in France, WW1 and wrote home that the German machine guns were killing them and they had no real recourse. Matt Browning walked next door and visited with John for a while and 3 weeks later had an appointment to visit with some generals in DC about a prototype.

Being John M Browning he had an easier access than you or I might. They had a BAR and a box or two of ammo and went out to the range. The Military liked what they saw and wondered about it until it came down to cost. How much for the patent? "No charge". said the brothers Browning. IIRC the caveat was for US manufacturers only.

Important tip: When firing the M2, make sure you are doing so on the appropriate range. Folks in the community adjoining the post do not appreciate watching tracers crossing over the highway during their afternoon commutes.