M2 Browning

The M2 machine gun or Browning .50 caliber machine gun (informally, "Ma Deuce"[10][11]) is a heavy machine gun that was designed near the end of World War I by John Browning. While 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 Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, Flexible. It is effective against infantry, unarmored or lightly armored vehicles and boats, light fortifications, and low-flying aircraft.

Browning machine gun, cal. .50, M2, HB
M2E2 with a quick change barrel and tripod
Type	Heavy machine gun
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1933–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	World War II Indonesian National Revolution Korean War First Indochina War Suez Crisis Vietnam War Dominican Civil War[1] Cambodian–Vietnamese War Sino-Vietnamese War Falklands War Operation Urgent Fury Operation Just Cause Persian Gulf War Rwandan Civil War[2] Somali Civil War Yugoslav Wars Operation Uphold Democracy War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)[3] Iraq War Syrian Civil War (2011–present) War in Iraq (2013–2017)[4] Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) Russo-Ukrainian War[5]
Production history
Designer	John M. Browning
Designed	1918
Manufacturer	Current Fabrique Nationale General Dynamics Ohio Ordnance Works Inc. U.S. Ordnance Former Manroy Engineering Sabre Defence Industries Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company High Standard Firearms Savage Arms Corporation Buffalo Arms Corporation General Motors Corporation Frigidaire AC Spark Plug Saginaw Steering Gear Division Brown-Lipe-Chappin Divisions Kelsey Hayes Wheel Company Springfield Armory Wayne Pump Company ERMCO Ramo Manufacturing Rock Island Arsenal
Produced	1921–present (M2HB/M2A1)
No. built	3 million[6]
Specifications
Mass	38 kg (84 lb) 28 kg (62 lb) (AN/M2) 58 kg (128 lb) with tripod and traverse and elevation mechanism (T&E)
Length	1,654 mm (65.1 in) 1,429 mm (56.3 in) (AN/M2)
Barrel length	1,143 mm (45.0 in) 910 mm (35.8 in) (AN/M2)
Cartridge	.50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)
Action	Short recoil-operated
Rate of fire	450–600 rounds/min (M2HB)[7][8] 750–850 rounds/min (AN/M2) 1,200–1,300 rounds/min (AN/M3)[9]
Muzzle velocity	2,910 ft/s (890 m/s) for M33 ball
Effective firing range	1,800 m (2,000 yd)[7]
Maximum firing range	7,400 m (8,100 yd)
Feed system	Belt-fed (M2 or M9 links)

The gun has been used extensively as a vehicle weapon and for aircraft armament by the United States since the 1930s. It was heavily used during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Falklands War, the Soviet–Afghan War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan. It is the primary heavy machine gun of NATO countries and has been used by many other countries as well. U.S. forces have used the M2 longer than any other firearm except the .45 ACP M1911 pistol, which was also designed by John Browning.

The current M2HB (heavy barrel) is manufactured in the U.S. by General Dynamics[12] Ohio Ordnance Works,[13] and U.S. Ordnance[14] for sale to the U.S. government and to allies via Foreign Military Sales. Foreign manufacturers such as FN Herstal produce it under licence.