Is there a replacement for the "irreplaceable" machine gun M2 Browning

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US Marine with an M2 Browning machine gun in a training exercise, 2002, photo: wikimedia.org

The large-caliber 12,7 mm M2 machine gun of the John Browning system is a real symbol of the American army, remaining in service for decades. Created back in 1932 on the basis of the Browning M1919 and Browning M1921 machine guns, the design of which began at the end of the First World War, this machine gun remains in service to this day.

Since its adoption in 1933, the M2 heavy machine gun, along with the American army, managed to take part in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the wars in Iraq and all local conflicts in recent years. In addition to the American army, the M2 remains in service with many armies of NATO countries. Also, this machine gun is widely represented in the world, in many countries its licensed production was established.



It is believed that the total number of M2 machine guns produced exceeds three million copies. This is a very decent indicator, many well-known examples of small arms weapons were produced in smaller quantities. Numerous attempts to develop an adequate replacement for the M2 model have never ended. But today in the United States, the question of finding alternatives to this large-caliber machine gun is increasingly raised, especially in special forces.

Pros and cons of the M2 Browning machine gun


The M2 Browning machine gun remains a versatile small-arms weapon that many soldiers deserve to be considered excellent, reliable and lethal. Few survive after being hit by a large-caliber bullet .50BMG (12,7x99 mm), the initial flight speed of which is up to 890 m / s. Such ammunition allows machine gunners to effectively engage targets at a distance of up to 2 meters.


An American soldier with an M2HB machine gun in Normandy, 1944, photo: wikimedia.org

The 12,7 mm bullet is practically unaffected by the wind, does not change the direction of flight when it encounters light obstacles, and has high lethal force and stopping power. Ammunition of this caliber is effective against light shelters and unarmored vehicles, while it is possible to defeat lightly armored targets, boats, helicopters and low-flying enemy aircraft.

The machine gun is truly versatile. It can be installed on various equipment, including Tanks, armored personnel carriers, jeeps. Used on boats and ships, used in aviation... Infantry variants of the M2 HB (HB for Heavy Barrel) machine gun are also widespread, which usually become the backbone of the defense and are used to equip prepared positions.

Extensively operated since 1933, the M2 Browning machine gun remains one of the oldest weapons in the American infantry arsenal. In this regard, the model can certainly be called an old man. But, as you know, the old horse does not spoil the furrow. In addition, the Americans adhere to the principle with this machine gun: "it doesn't break, don't fix it." At the same time, the model is really becoming obsolete, since there have been no fundamentally important changes in the design of the machine gun since 1933.

The main disadvantage of this model today is its too heavy weight. This applies to both the machine gun itself and the ammunition for it. It is one thing when a large-caliber machine gun is installed on some kind of military equipment, and quite another - if you move with it on your own two feet, you have to calculate that, in addition to the body of the machine gun and the machine tool, it also carries a stock of cartridges to it on its hump.


M2E2 Quick Change Barrel (QCB) entered service as the M2A1, photo: wikimedia.org

Machine gun weight is 84 pounds (38,2 kg). And this is without a machine. Together with the machine, the weight of the M2 HB rises to 128 lb (58 kg). This weight significantly reduces the mobility of the weapon and the ability to transport. In modern warfare, the struggle often goes for every gram of excess weight that a fighter is forced to carry or must take on board military equipment.

The first modernization of the M2 took place only in the XNUMXst century.


Surprisingly, in fact, the first modernized version of the large-caliber machine gun, designated M2A1, entered service only on October 15, 2010. The Americans allocated money for the design work to modernize the large-caliber machine gun only in 2007. All this time, since it was put into service in the 1930s, the machine gun was practically unchanged.

In the competition announced in 2007 for the modernization of the 12,7-mm M2 Browning machine gun, the victory was won by Saco Defense, which was then acquired by the large American defense company General Dynamics.

The new version, which was created for the US armed forces, received a quick-change barrel, a carrying handle, and a new slotted flash suppressor. It is reported that the appearance of a new flame arrester has reduced the visibility of the muzzle flame when firing by 95 percent. Following the United States, the Israel Defense Forces also adopted a modernized machine gun, more precisely, its commercial version M2-HQCB.


M2-HQCB in the Israeli army, photo: wikimedia.org

After the appearance of the M2A1, the Americans quite actively began to replace the old models of machine guns. By November 30, 2012, the army received 8,3 thousand new or upgraded M2A1 machine guns. And in total, as part of the upgrade program, the ground forces and the US Marine Corps had to upgrade all 54 thousand M2 machine guns that remain in service.

What models of machine guns can press the M2 Browning


Despite almost 90 years of honest service, the Browning M2 machine gun definitely needs to be replaced, despite all its positive characteristics. This is already a long-lived small arms. The first to think about a replacement in the United States Marine Corps Special Operations Command.

Of particular interest to the US military is the SIG Sauer MG 338 machine gun. This machine gun has already passed the certification process by the Special Operations Command. The SIG Sauer single belt-fed machine gun is a truly perfect and modern product. Among other things, the SIG Sauer MG 338 is a multi-caliber model, the weapon can be easily transformed to use the 7,62x51 mm cartridge.

The paradox is that the new product is lighter than the 7,62 mm M240B machine gun widespread in the American army. The model, chambered for the more powerful .338 Norma Magnum (8,6x63 mm) cartridge, weighs only 21 pounds (9,52 kg), while the M240B machine gun, used in the American army for 60 years, weighs 27 pounds (12,24 kg). Compared to the old M2, the new American machine gun chambered for 8,6 mm is just a feather, it is four times lighter at once.

The machine gun has a lot of advantages inherent in the best modern firearms. The SIG Sauer MG 338 is built on a short-stroke gas-operated automatic system and has a patented recoil reduction system. Like most models of modern small arms, the machine gun has two-way controls. Experts also refer to the interesting features of the model as the possibility of changing the direction of feeding the tape with cartridges and the presence of a suspended quick-change barrel.

Is there a replacement for the "irreplaceable" machine gun M2 Browning
SIG SAUER MG 338 machine gun, left side view, photo: sigsauer.com


SIG SAUER MG 338 machine gun, right side view, photo: sigsauer.com

It is this model that has the most chances to squeeze out the M2 Browning in the units of the American army, especially those that rely heavily on mobility. The .338 Norma Magnum cartridge has sufficient stopping and stopping power, but at the same time this ammunition is noticeably lighter than .50BMG, and it is more convenient to transport and carry in large quantities.

The effective firing range of the SIG Sauer MG 338 machine gun is estimated at 1 meters. At the same time, the recoil is comparable to the 700 mm machine guns of previous generations. In this component, the machine gun is slightly inferior to the M7,62, from which trained shooters can hit targets at a distance of two kilometers. Particularly lucky ones effectively use M2 machine guns as a replacement for sniper weapons, hitting targets at long distances, since the power of the 2-mm cartridge allows this. The maximum range of a bullet fired from a large-caliber M12,7 Browning machine gun even reaches seven kilometers.

In addition to the SIG Sauer MG 338, several promising machine guns chambered for the universal .338 Norma Magnum cartridge were created in the United States at once. For example, the General Dynamics Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG) is a light machine gun that, thanks to the use of an 8,6 mm cartridge, significantly outperforms all 7,62 mm models, having the best weight, size and accuracy characteristics.

With all the obvious advantages of the new models, the US Army is still not ready to completely abandon the 12,7 mm M2 machine gun. The latest upgrade to the M2A1 suits most infantry commanders. Browning's machine gun, with its obvious disadvantage of being overweight, is still an extremely powerful and incredibly versatile weapon to send it to the junkyard. stories even in the XNUMXst century.
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  1. +4
    15 October 2021 18: 09
    SIG Sauer MG 338 is built on gas-operated short-stroke automation ... and the presence of a quick-change barrel
    interesting combination, how is it done?
    1. +4
      16 October 2021 01: 47
      I don’t understand what surprised you? A similar scheme has a Kalashnikov PKM machine gun, there, too, the gas outlet scheme differs only in a long piston stroke and a quick-change barrel
  2. +15
    15 October 2021 18: 17
    8,6 mm and 12,7 mm - what could be the replacement?
    The "maxim" has an effective firing range of 2000 m too - but this, in both cases, is the merit of the heavy machine.
    1. +6
      15 October 2021 18: 31
      Quote: mark1
      8,6 mm and 12,7 mm - what could be the replacement?

      None. Here M240 can completely replace. The US plans to go from 5,56x45 to 6,8x51. Replace in the infantry M14 and M249. Accordingly, the platoon will have 6 machine guns 6,8 × 51 + 2 machine guns 7,62 × 51 in the weapons compartment. Between 7,62 and 6,8, there is not much difference. Accordingly, in the weapons department, you also need to go to 6,8, which will not give a gain or by 8,6 (for example), which is more consistent with the logic of this unit.

      1. +5
        15 October 2021 20: 31
        The problem is that the 8,6 cartridge is quite heavy for a portable machine gun - 35-45 grams. Plus the weight of the tape itself. Plus boxes. After all, you need to carry ammunition with you. 300 rounds - 12-15 kg.
        And on equipment and 12,7 suits, its weight is not a problem
      2. +6
        15 October 2021 20: 34
        IMHO, the M2 will stay where it is: on technology.
        The SIG Sauer MG 338 is a cool overland theme.
        And the range, and power, and acceptable weight - everything is there. hi
    2. +1
      17 October 2021 12: 55
      In the United States, the concept is this: transfer machine guns and machine guns to a single 6,8 caliber. And machine guns 7,62 single replace with. 338
    3. 0
      25 October 2021 09: 46
      Quote: mark1
      8,6 mm and 12,7 mm - what could be the replacement?

      In the corresponding tasks - quite myself. One of the main functions of the M2 is to combat manpower at ranges exceeding the capabilities of "conventional" small arms. The new machine gun also copes with this task: the 338NM bullet retains energy well and has a high destructive power at ranges up to 1700m. At the same time, the machine gun itself and its ammunition load are much lighter than the M2 (and are comparable to the M240), which makes it possible to put it on light vehicles or even carry it around (in case of great need).
      At the same time, of course, there are tasks in which M2 is preferable: the destruction of equipment and fortifications, for example.
  3. +4
    15 October 2021 18: 18
    I don’t understand, but how does his barrel cool?
    1. +11
      15 October 2021 18: 21
      Replacement :) But seriously, it is quite thick - it does not overheat very much during "typical" large-scale shooting.
      1. +14
        15 October 2021 18: 34
        it is quite thick - it does not overheat very much during "typical" large-scale shooting
        Further it is even simpler - they were installed on aircrafts with air cooling.
        The fleet was equipped with water
        coaxial 12,7-mm machine gun Colt-Browning M2 of American production on a ship of the Soviet fleet,
        However, by the beginning of World War II, most of them were replaced by quadruple installations of conventional M 2 HB.
    2. 0
      17 October 2021 07: 05
      Quote: Xlor
      how does his barrel cool?

      By giving off excess heat to the atmosphere ... And so that the barrel does not overheat too much, it is periodically changed to a spare
  4. +7
    15 October 2021 18: 21
    Sig Sauer has a gas outlet pipe at the bottom, as I understand it.
    And it is inappropriate to compare light and heavy machine guns.
  5. -18
    15 October 2021 18: 21
    As already mentioned, the mattress is traditionally not capable of making a machine gun. Apart from Gatling and Browning - the very first, 1911, everything else is NOT made in the USA. Lewis and Maxim - England, Browning - Belgium wassat A spitting pig is a disfigured German beyond recognition ... De Bills
    1. +8
      15 October 2021 21: 14
      Note that both Isaac Lewis and Hiram Maxim are American by birth.
      1. -2
        15 October 2021 21: 20
        ... who failed to make a machine gun in America, mainly because of the lobby. Browning drove for the same reason. And patents for Browning dumbbells bought from Belgium. So once again - De Bills
        1. +6
          15 October 2021 21: 28
          Maxim (unlike Lewis) did not seem to try to make a machine gun in America, where he was mainly engaged in electrical engineering, competed with Edison and Westinghouse.
          1. 0
            15 October 2021 22: 04
            the first, copper, machine gun - Maxim made in the USA. It didn't take off. He even from Europe, later, offered it to the US government. But most importantly, there are three such cases - only well-known - - Maxim, Lewis, Browning. Everyone has a carbon copy story
            1. +2
              16 October 2021 12: 41
              Was a real model created during the period of Maxim's life in the States? I came across references only to ideas and drawings before 1883. And the patent and the first sample were already in Britain. Correct if I'm wrong ..
    2. 0
      10 November 2021 08: 34
      Actually, they did it. The XM806 is currently the lightest 12.7 machine gun (19 kg machine gun body).
      Like the Ares Shrike, it is the lightest in caliber 5.56 (the lightest version is 3.5 kg).
      Why they are not in service is a completely different question.
  6. +2
    15 October 2021 18: 22
    Quote: Xlor
    I don’t understand, but how does his barrel cool?

    Probably replaceable barrel. Although, it will add more weight.
  7. +2
    15 October 2021 18: 25
    In this component, the machine gun is slightly inferior to the M2, from which trained shooters can hit targets at a distance of two kilometers. Particularly lucky ones effectively use M2 machine guns as a replacement for sniper weapons, hitting targets at long distances, since the power of the 12,7-mm cartridge allows this.

    It turns out that long-range accurate machine gun shooting is a matter of luck.
    Probably, this most important parameter is taken into account in the selection of machine gunners from candidates?
    1. 0
      15 October 2021 18: 31
      We are dragging it about using it as a sniper. And here is that record. which is installed in Vietnam - 2,5 km, it seems, on a moving target - there is pure luck. Calculated, not calculated, took into account all footnotes, derivation, altitude, temperature. anything, up to the Moon in the second house - a hit in the head - purely luck, nobody canceled the dispersion! Single shot hit, not burst
      1. 0
        15 October 2021 18: 55
        Quote: Cowbra
        We are dragging it about using it as a sniper. And here is that record. which is installed in Vietnam - 2,5 km, it seems, on a moving target - there is pure luck.

        so this is not about sniper shooting
        but about shooting at random
      2. +4
        16 October 2021 09: 40
        No, at that moment one of the founders of the KMP school of snipers K. Hescock was shooting. It was in this battle that it was not an isolated case of hitting the enemy at a distance of about 2 km. He was shooting from a prepared and well-aimed position, so there is pure skill. description of that battle, then, as it were, the Americans quite admit to themselves that one shot was not always enough to defeat the target. Hescock himself is more than once the winner of both army and civilian shooting competitions. After service, he trained snipers for special police units.
      3. +2
        16 October 2021 16: 43
        Quote: Cowbra
        We are dragging it about using it as a sniper.


        Aimpoint FCS2RE can be installed on the M13. The FCS13RE system includes a laser rangefinder, a ballistic calculator with a weather station and an optical channel with ZOOM.
        A lead mark is formed in the sight, in some options, taking into account the speed of the target (including on the side).
    2. 0
      15 October 2021 23: 22
      Quote: Flood
      It turns out that long-range accurate machine gun shooting is a matter of luck.

      chance is an unidentified pattern (F. Engels) smile all other things being equal, the stiffer and heavier the structure, the more accurate the shooting.
  8. +2
    15 October 2021 18: 36
    In general, the story is, like we have with the KPV - no one undertakes to create a new 14,5 caliber machine gun.
    1. +5
      15 October 2021 20: 26
      m-2 can rather be compared with DShK, but it was a replacement for NSV back in the 70s
    2. +2
      16 October 2021 05: 28
      Quote: Basarev
      In general, the story is, like we have with the KPV - no one undertakes to create a new 14,5 caliber machine gun.

      You are mistaken, in the PRC in the 21st century a very good 14,5-mm machine gun with gas-operated automatic equipment was adopted.
    3. +1
      16 October 2021 19: 41
      Quote: Basarev
      no one undertakes to create a new 14,5 caliber machine gun

      and he is not particularly needed. It is more profitable to use 30mm on lightly armored vehicles - modern 30mm autocannons are already in weight as CPV, and their power is incomparable.
      1. +5
        17 October 2021 04: 50
        Quote: psiho117
        and he is not particularly needed. It is more profitable to use 30mm on lightly armored vehicles - modern 30mm autocannons are already in weight as CPV, and their power is incomparable.

        Sorry, but I can't agree with you. No.
        I do not know of portable anti-aircraft artillery mounts. At the same time, 12,7-14,5 mm ZPU are very popular.
        1. +2
          18 October 2021 00: 01
          Quote: Bongo
          At the same time, 12,7-14,5-mm ZPU are very popular.

          This is the last century.
          Now is the era of robotic DBMS, on the banal Tiger a module with a 30mm cannon will give a 14,5mm machine gun a head start.

          It needs to be easier - a module with Kord, AGS, PKM, whatever.
          Why is there a new 14,5mm machine gun here? just to put more ammunition into the logistics?
          14,5 has outlived his - yes, he still wow, and will fight for another 50 years - but look the truth in the eyes - he is outdated to death.
          It is enough 12,7 and 30mm, perhaps 23mm, to shove 14,5 into this line - this, as for me, is already superfluous.
          1. +1
            18 October 2021 01: 00
            Quote: psiho117
            This is the last century.
            Now is the era of robotic DBMS, on the banal Tiger a module with a 30mm cannon will give a 14,5mm machine gun a head start.

            You about Thomas, and you about Erem ...
            Quote: Bongo
            I do not know of portable anti-aircraft artillery mounts. At the same time, 12,7-14,5 mm ZPU are very popular.

            Keyword "portable "... Those. for small units operating on foot. It is in this concept that our ZGU-1 and Kord have been developed, as well as new Chinese 12,7-14,5 mm universal installations.
  9. +10
    15 October 2021 18: 50
    A machine gun of this caliber must be heavy, otherwise only the first shot will be accurate. It is not necessary to adapt such a weapon for carrying, now there is enough equipment on which you can install it. Heavy machine gun as hand nonsense, only heavy machine.
    1. +6
      15 October 2021 20: 00
      My personal opinion is that no one will replace M2. Can be lightened slightly by using lighter materials / alloys in production.
      1. +3
        16 October 2021 16: 58
        In the late 80s, Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STK) developed the CIS 50MG heavy machine gun.
        Weight, kg - 30 kg
        Length, mm - 1676 mm
        Barrel length, mm - 1141 mm.
        Type of ammunition - two machine-gun belts of 100 rounds.
        Cartridges are fed using standard tapes fed into two tape-receiving mechanisms on the sides of the weapon. With the help of a special switch, you can switch the feed of cartridges of any of the belts at any time, thanks to which you can quickly change the type of cartridges.
        General Dynamics XM312 heavy machine gun (USA).
        Weight: 19 kg on tripod, empty.
        If the CIS 50MG is in service with several countries, then the status of the XM312 program is unknown.
    2. +2
      15 October 2021 20: 36
      It has a special spring-hydraulic shock absorber that softens the recoil
      1. +1
        15 October 2021 20: 39
        It has a special spring-hydraulic shock absorber that softens the recoil

        What? Is there a shock absorber on the machine?
        1. +2
          15 October 2021 20: 49
          No, in the machine gun itself. When fired, the barrel rolls back together with a part of the box
          The weapon received a means of reducing the recoil momentum acting on the shooter. For this, the barrel and part of the gas engine are movable. After the shot, they roll back a short distance, and only after this is the unlocking and removal of the sleeve. The rate of fire is 600 rds / min., Which has a positive effect on handling when firing bursts.

          Due to this, they write about a noticeable softening of recoil.
          Means Sieg Sauer 338
  10. +4
    15 October 2021 18: 51
    Replacing the M2 with the MG 338 is not adequate - after all, the M2 of 12,7 mm caliber. Something I did not see that the Americans carried it on their hands - only on equipment and is used as an easel. In the photo M G338 on a bipod, but does he have a machine?
  11. PCF
    +4
    15 October 2021 18: 56
    Few details from confident machine gun users, there is an Israeli comrade and an American one, in addition to "enthusiastic" reviews about the M2, there are a lot of fascinating details.
    https://youtu.be/YSN5SsU6Xow
    https://youtu.be/_NN3N7K1RWE
  12. +9
    15 October 2021 19: 15
    Quote: Konnick
    Heavy machine gun as a hand nonsense, just a heavy machine.

    Gee. Have you heard about Kord? It is quite working with a bipod. Weight can be carried on foot. Ammunition of course number 2.
    In general, comparing 338, all the more so in its short form Norma with 50, is wrong. Completely different tasks, 338 is a sniper well and a machine-gun cartridge for dealing with the enemy's manpower. A .50, like our 12,7x108, is already for lightly armored and other vehicles. Therefore the machine gun
    under 338Norma will NEVER replace Grandpa Browning's machine gun.
    Quote: Cowbra
    As already mentioned, the mattress is traditionally not capable of making a machine gun.

    This is an absolutely correct remark. BADA from the USA with machine guns. And with everyone.
    1. +8
      15 October 2021 20: 41
      Heard about Kord

      But how. I wish you revile him.
      1. +4
        16 October 2021 00: 48
        Quote: Konnick
        But how. I wish you revile him.

        I only saw from the sidelines how they were dragged in the mountains, from one hill to another, covering the retreat of the unit. And also, they carry on their shoulders and mortars, and base plates for them, and cast-iron mines for them.
        At times, there are simply no other options.
        1. +2
          16 October 2021 06: 23
          I only saw from the sidelines how they were dragged in the mountains, from one hill to another, covering the retreat of the unit.

          With such a weapon and retreat?

          And also, they carry on their shoulders and mortars, and base plates for them, and cast-iron mines for them.

          And Suvorov also made the transition through the Alps ...
          1. +4
            16 October 2021 12: 01
            Quote: Konnick
            With such a weapon and retreat?

            Avganistan, Ardar. "Intelligence Implementation". They went out into the night, blocked the gorge, in the morning they waited for the passage of the spooks. They left the other way. We returned to the unit (Baharak). There were two machine guns and they dragged them in turn from different sides of the gorge: first one departed - the second covered, then the one who covered it departed.
            Photos from this trip
    2. +1
      15 October 2021 23: 59
      There was an article on Warhead about American machine guns with humor.
      1. 0
        17 October 2021 21: 14
        She is?
        https://warhead.su/2018/08/03/pulemyoty-v-ssha-istoriya-somnitelnogo-uspeha
        1. 0
          17 October 2021 22: 54
          Yes, this article.
  13. +7
    15 October 2021 19: 16
    Quote: Cowbra
    And here is that record. which is installed in Vietnam - 2,5 km, it seems, on a moving target - there is pure luck. Calculated, not calculated, took into account all footnotes, derivation, altitude, temperature. anything, up to the Moon in the second house - a hit in the head - purely luck, nobody canceled the dispersion! Single shot hit, not burst


    "Do you know how Izya sang Caruso's aria to a neighbor?" © smile There were 2500 yards (2275m); not on a moving target, but on a static basis; no one mentioned a shot in the head. And yes, do you have the amount of dispersion when firing singles from the machine gun for the M2 machine gun?
    1. 0
      15 October 2021 20: 13
      On the cyclist and in the head. And without tables, it is clear that for 2,5 km the dispersion from the machine will be of the order of several height figures
  14. +8
    15 October 2021 19: 23
    ... Created back in 1932 on the basis of Browning M1919 and Browning M1921 machine guns,

    John Browning with his 1921 model.

    At the request of General Pershing (at that time the commander of the American expeditionary forces in the European theater of operations), the famous J. Browning and the Winchester company created the 12,7x99 mm (.50 BMG) cartridge, and a little later, in 1919, the Colt company developed a machine gun for it ... Both the cartridge and the machine gun were adopted in 1923. The cooling was water.

    Browning Model 1919

    But this machine gun was chambered for the standard American army cartridge - .30-06 Springfield (US) Under license, machine guns were also produced under cartridges of other countries.
    1. +6
      15 October 2021 19: 55
      Winchester created the 12,7x99 mm (.50 BMG) cartridge

      Winchester suffered for a long time until it got acquainted with the 13,2 mm TuF or 13,2 × 92mmSR cartridge.
  15. +9
    15 October 2021 20: 00
    The new version, which was created for the US armed forces, received a quick-change barrel, a carrying handle, and a new slotted flash suppressor. It is reported that the appearance of a new flame arrester has reduced the visibility of the muzzle flame when firing by 95 percent.

    The most important difference between the M2A1 and the M2 is that in the M2A1, after replacing the barrel, it is not necessary to adjust the gap between the shutter mirror and the sleeve bottom.
    1. -3
      15 October 2021 20: 54
      this is not a question of adjustments, but exclusively of the original manufacturability
    2. The comment was deleted.
    3. +4
      15 October 2021 22: 30
      Judging by the cons and comments of KhatulMadan, the number of inadequacies on the site is growing.
    4. +1
      18 October 2021 12: 47
      Quote: Undecim
      The most important difference between the M2A1 and the M2 is that in the M2A1, after replacing the barrel, it is not necessary to adjust the gap between the shutter mirror and the sleeve bottom.

      There, it seems, two adjustments were removed - the gap and the position of the striker. For this mechanic has proven too complicated for the current generation.
      I wonder what the current machine gunners would have said when they got into the hands of the NSD on the "Maxim", in which almost everything was regulated (and, accordingly, checked)? smile
  16. The comment was deleted.
  17. -6
    15 October 2021 20: 56
    Quote: BORMAN82
    ... And yes, do you have the amount of dispersion when firing singles from the machine gun for the M2 machine gun?

    are you talking about STP?
    1. 0
      16 October 2021 17: 09
      Quote: KhatulMadan
      Quote: BORMAN82
      ... And yes, do you have the amount of dispersion when firing singles from the machine gun for the M2 machine gun?

      are you talking about STP?


      This is the size relative to the STF.
  18. -11
    15 October 2021 20: 58
    Quote: Konnick
    What? Is there a shock absorber on the machine?

    Well, sho vie is like a child! in LADOS! wassat wassat wassat
    lol
  19. +2
    15 October 2021 22: 19
    You can rant as much as you like, but the 8,6 mm cartridge will not be able to completely replace the 12,7 mm cartridge, and therefore the M2 machine gun will continue to serve in the American army.
  20. 0
    15 October 2021 23: 06
    Quote: Konnick
    Heard about Kord

    But how. I wish you revile him.

    But a Cord with a bipod is better than an M2 with a machine, right? bully
  21. +3
    15 October 2021 23: 07
    Quote: KhatulMadan
    Quote: BORMAN82
    ... And yes, do you have the amount of dispersion when firing singles from the machine gun for the M2 machine gun?

    are you talking about STP?

    About technical accuracy. Or about the scattering diameter, if you will.
  22. 0
    15 October 2021 23: 57
    New patgronchik ?? Oh well
  23. +1
    16 October 2021 00: 44
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GleiBswKqY
  24. +2
    16 October 2021 01: 59
    Somehow I did not understand the allegedly "equivalence" of replacing a 12,7 mm machine gun with an 8,6 mm machine gun described in the Article ?! what
    After all A large-caliber machine gun, according to the combat tasks being solved, cannot be fully replaced with a small ~ 9mm machine gun!
  25. -6
    16 October 2021 09: 03
    To hit and hit a target in the field from M2 at a distance of 2 kilometers with its control scheme is from the category of American army tales. From it and at close distances, it turns out to shoot only approximately "somewhere there."
    1. +3
      16 October 2021 21: 15
      At 2, hardly. And I shot at 1 km. From a tripod, after sighting (officer with binoculars
      corrected) can be hit very accurately.
      1. +1
        17 October 2021 09: 27
        I'm talking about field conditions, in motion and changing the direction of fire.
        1. +4
          17 October 2021 10: 10
          In the field (offensive, you mean?) Browning 0.5 is not used.
          The Americans put it on the turrets of a wide variety of wheeled and tracked vehicles.
          In Israel - only for tanks and armored personnel carriers.
          On jeeps and various "armored cars" they put turrets with MAG 7.62 (M240 in the USA).
          I fired from the turrets several times in all sorts of skirmishes / shootings. You are right, the shooting is exemplary, glorious.
  26. 0
    16 October 2021 10: 39
    12,7 mm bullet is practically unaffected by the wind, does not change the direction of flight when it meets light obstacles

    Those. The author can be understood as follows: they say, theoretically, the bullet is "exposed to the wind", but practice has shown that it is not? Poor, poor Newton!
  27. 0
    16 October 2021 13: 29
    The United States has developed a very light machine gun chambered for 12,7x99 - XM312. But it hasn’t taken off yet. And his rate of fire is not at all machine-gun - 260 rpm.
  28. 0
    16 October 2021 21: 12
    338 is only viable if it completely replaces any of the cartridges in the unit.

    It will probably not work to replace 12,7, because 338 will be too small for vehicles. So, we are replacing the 7,62 and abandoning the heavy machine gun altogether. In principle, viable.


    Although, if you take it deeper, you can replace it with 338 and 12,7, and 7,62. There are not so many vehicles armed with only one M2. If there is something larger in the unit (20 mm, for example), then a complete rejection of 12,7 may be interesting.
    1. +1
      16 October 2021 21: 50
      Quote: Sancho_SP
      338 is only viable if it completely replaces any of the cartridges in the unit.

      The 338NM is currently only seriously used by US Special Operations Forces.
      At the same time, these units also use a sniper rifle chambered for 338 LM.
      1. 0
        16 October 2021 22: 07
        This is understandable. But they also have 7,62 only for sniper rifles and machine guns.

        And if there is a machine gun and a rifle for 338 - why not change the cartridge?
        1. +1
          17 October 2021 05: 34
          Quote: Sancho_SP
          This is understandable. But they also have 7,62 only for sniper rifles and machine guns.


          The point is that it is actually incomprehensible. Because they persistently saw in 6,8mm caliber. And this new caliber is likely to replace the .223 and .308.
          Due to the new OEP and a new caliber, they increase the range of fire contact.

          Quote: Sancho_SP
          And if there is a machine gun and a rifle for 338 - why not change the cartridge?

          The 338NM and 338LM cartridges have different liners, i.e. not interchangeable from the word at all.
          Therefore, it is not clear why they used 2 different cartridges in the same caliber.
          Having had a problem with the supply.
          And here again there is an increase in the range of fire contact. They worked it out in a sniper weapon in caliber 338LM and decided to play with a single machine gun, but with a different cartridge, equal in energy to the LM.
  29. +6
    16 October 2021 21: 12
    I had a chance to shoot a Browning 0.5 during an exercise.
    It has a single fire mode for sighting. Very comfortably.
    At about 1 km, the accuracy is very good. Bullet in a single bullet with a tripod.
    You can see it through binoculars. They shot through the gorge, there was no wind.
    And, unfortunately, they dragged him around. Disassembled into three parts: barrel, breech, tripod.
    Whoever got the barrel is lucky. laughing
    1. +3
      17 October 2021 06: 06
      Quote: voyaka uh
      It has a single fire mode for sighting. Very comfortably.


      The need for this option was encountered when the Russian Elkan was installed at the Pecheneg refinery.
      I had to collect the tape "through one cartridge". And in order not to change the tab, the "second number" carried out the re-cocking of the shutter. And it also ensured the unambiguity of positioning the sight with the bracket in the case when the rubber band from the car camera was torn. all the side slats were sluggish. When these conditions were met, the bullets from single fire "Pechenega" fit into A4 at 300m and better.
    2. +1
      17 October 2021 06: 14
      Quote: voyaka uh
      I had a chance to shoot a Browning 0.5 during an exercise.

      As a BMG user there are several questions:
      - had it or not, saw it or not how the BMG trunk is destroyed, in other words, what is its resource;
      - whether it is necessary or unnecessary, interesting or not interesting is the introduction of "axle brakes" into the design of the machine (approximately like the execution of the descent on the tower Cliff performed by Poland).
      There will be more questions.
      1. +2
        17 October 2021 08: 51
        The version of the "old man" performed from 2011. for the installation of modern OED and flame reduction.
        1. +2
          17 October 2021 08: 57
          WKM-B is a Polish version of the NSV heavy machine gun chambered for 12,7 × 99 mm NATO (.50 BMG), created after Poland joined NATO, in connection with the requirements of transferring weapons to the standards of the alliance. Produced in the city of Tarnow.
      2. +3
        17 October 2021 10: 31
        With Browning 0.5, I didn't shoot much. It was necessary to carry both a machine gun and belts to the training ground. You won't take much. They fired in short bursts, trying to train all the soldiers.
        In MAG 7.62 (Belgian) I saw "red barrels". Then they were immediately changed.
        I have not heard of the destruction of the trunk.
        MAG had a lot of failures due to dirty gunpowder in the cartridges. Soot, scale clogged the gas return mechanism. And the machine gun barely started firing.
        And sometimes MAG, on the contrary, "went crazy" overheating. He continued to shoot even when his finger was not on the trigger.
        It was necessary to tear the segment tape (by turning it 90 degrees).
        With MAG, I was always worried, waiting for a catch.
        1. +1
          17 October 2021 10: 41
          Quote: voyaka uh
          With Browning 0.5, I didn't shoot much. It was necessary to carry both a machine gun and belts to the training ground. You won't take much. They fired in short bursts, trying to train all the soldiers.

          The question is whether it was necessary or not, whether or not we saw how the BMG barrel is being destroyed, in other words, what kind of resource it has arisen is not easy, tk. I came across material where the resource is noticeably more than 10000 shots (maybe this is due to my English).
          In the Cliff of production of Kazakhstan figure 10000 appears. At one time TsKIB had to work very hard to reach 10000.
    3. 0
      17 October 2021 10: 31
      Quote: voyaka uh
      I had a chance to shoot a Browning 0.5 during an exercise.


      Another question for a BMG user:
      - you can compare the convenience of the controls:
      - .50BMG;
      - NSV "Cliff" (ala "Kord");
      - WKM-B (this scheme is similar to that used by the author. Grenade launchers).
      1. +5
        17 October 2021 10: 41
        I cannot give a professional answer.
        I was just a soldier, an infantryman.
        Or run / crawl with M-16, or with MAG.
        What is convenient, there was no time and energy to figure it out. Just not to die from the heat and effort and understand what the officer is shouting at you. laughing
        1. 0
          17 October 2021 10: 43
          Thank you, sorry if something goes wrong.
          1. +5
            17 October 2021 10: 56
            It's fine.
            Technical details are usually known either by weapon technicians (they have time to shoot and compare), or sergeants at training ranges, or junior officers (they are taught their own and captured weapons so that they can instruct soldiers).
  30. 0
    1 December 2021 21: 19
    Che there about the most advanced and powerful army .. in which the ancient machine gun from the Middle Ages cannot be replaced with a modern one .... despite the fact that the "backward and wild" Russia has long replaced the Cliff with the KORD .. which can be used from a bipod as a wearable.
  31. 0
    7 December 2021 21: 17
    The author always focuses on weight, but in modern armies this machine gun is not worn. In my opinion: easy to use, reliable, accurate, so it will still serve.
  32. 0
    5 January 2022 21: 57
    In Vietnam received the nickname "Devil's Telegraph".

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