View source for M2 Browning machine gun

:''This article is about the .50 caliber M2 machine gun. For the .30-06 M2 machine gun, see [[M1919 Browning machine gun]].''

{{Infobox Weapon|is_ranged=yes|
|image= [[File:PEO Browning M2HB HMG.jpg|300px]]
|caption= M2HB heavy machine gun on [[M3 tripod]].
|name= Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB
|type= [[Heavy machine gun]]
|origin= {{flag|United States}} 
|platform= [[Tripod (weapon)|Tripod]], vehicle
|target=Personnel, light-armored vehicles, aircraft
|design_date= 1918<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m2-50cal.htm M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|manufacturer= Current: General Dynamics, Fabrique Nationale, US Ordnance, and Manroy Engineering<br>
Former: Colt's Patent Fire Arms Company, High Standard Company, Savage Arms Corporation, Buffalo Arms Corporation, General Motors Corporation (Frigidaire, AC Spark Plug, Saginaw Steering, and Brown-Lipe-Chappin Divisions), Kelsey Hayes Wheel Company, Springfield Armory, Wayne Pump Company, ERMCO, and Ramo Manufacturing 
|production_date= 1933–present (M2HB)
|service= M2HB from 1933–present
|used_by= See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
|wars= [[World War I]] <br>[[World War II]] <br>[[Korean War]] <br>[[First Indochina War]]<br>[[Suez Crisis]]<br>[[Vietnam War]] <br>[[Cambodian Civil War]] <br>[[Cambodian-Vietnamese War]] <br>[[Falklands War]] <br>[[South African Border War]]<br>[[United States invasion of Panama]] <br>[[Gulf War]] <br>[[Somali Civil War]] <br>[[Operation Medak Pocket]]<br>[[War on Terror]] ([[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]], [[Iraq War|Iraq]])
|spec_type=
|weight= {{kg to lb|38|sp=us|abbr=on|precision=2|wiki=yes}}, {{kg to lb|58|sp=us|abbr=on|precision=2|wiki=yes}} with [[tripod (weapon)|tripod]] and T&E
|length= {{mm to in|1650|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes}}
|part_length= {{convert|1143|mm|abbr=on|1}}
|cartridge= [[.50 BMG|.50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)]]
|action= [[Recoil operation|Short recoil-operated]]
|rate= 450-575 rounds/min (M2HB)<br> 750–850 rounds/min (AN/M2)<br> 1,200 rounds/min (AN/M3) 
|velocity= 2,910 feet per second (M33 Ball) (887.1 m/s)
|max_range = 1800 meters / 2200 yards
|feed= [[Belt (firearm)|Belt-fed]] (M2 or M9 links)
|sights=
}}

The '''M2 Machine Gun''', '''Browning .50 Caliber Machine Gun''', or "Ma Deuce" is a [[heavy machine gun]] designed towards the end of [[World War I]] by [[John Browning]]. It is very similar in design to John Browning's earlier [[M1919 Browning machine gun]], which was chambered for the [[.30-06 Springfield|.30-06]] cartridge. The M2 uses the larger and more powerful [[.50 BMG]] cartridge, which was named for the gun itself (BMG standing for ''Browning Machine Gun''). In service the gun was nicknamed ''Ma Deuce'' by U.S. Military personnel or simply "fifty-cal." in reference to its caliber. The design has had many specific designations; the official 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.

The Browning .50 caliber machine gun has been used extensively as a vehicle weapon and for aircraft armament by the [[United States]] from the 1920s to the present day. It was heavily used during [[World War II]], the [[Korean War]], the [[Vietnam War]], as well as during operations in [[Iraq]] in the 1990s and 2000s. It is the primary heavy machine gun of [[NATO]] countries, and has been used by many other countries as well. With the exception of the [[M1911 pistol|M1911]] [[.45 ACP|.45]] automatic pistol, the M2 has been in use longer than any other [[small arm]] in U.S. inventory.

The M2 is currently manufactured by [[General Dynamics]] and [[Fabrique Nationale de Herstal|Fabrique Nationale]] (FN) for the United States government. FN has been the manufacturer since John Browning worked for them in the 1910s and '20s to develop the machine gun.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=249&backPID=306&productID=61&pid_product=233&pidList=306&categorySelector=2&detail=|publisher=FN Herstal|title=M2HB-QCB product information|accessdate=2009-11-26}}</ref>

==History==
A variant without a water jacket, but with a thicker-walled, air-cooled [[Gun barrel|barrel]] superseded the M2 (air-cooled barrels had already been used on variants for use on aircraft, but these quickly overheated in ground use). This new variant was then designated the M2 HB (''HB'' for ''Heavy Barrel''). The added mass and surface area of the new barrel compensated, somewhat, for the loss of water-cooling, while reducing bulk and weight (the M2 weighed {{convert|121|lb|abbr=on}}, with water, whereas the M2 HB weighs 84 lb). Due to the long procedure for changing the barrel, an improved system was developed called QCB (quick change barrel). A lightweight version, weighing a mere 60 lb (27&nbsp;kg) was also developed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skylighters.org/history/mgs/ |title=Skylighters, The Web Site of the 225th AAA Searchlight Battalion: AAA Weapons in Focus - The M2 .50-Caliber Machine Gun |publisher=Skylighters.org |date= |accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref> 

==Design details==
The Browning M2 is an [[air-cooled]], [[Belt (firearm)|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 good [[stopping power]].

The M2 is a scaled-up version of John Browning's [[M1917 Browning machine gun|M1917 .30 caliber machine gun]] (even using the same timing gauges).

===Features===
The M2 has varying cyclic rates of fire, depending upon the model.  The M2HB (heavy barrel) air-cooled ground gun has a cyclic rate of 450-575 rounds per minute.<ref>Dunlap, Roy F., ''Ordnance Went Up Front'', Samworth Press (1948), pp. 310-311: the official rate during WWII was 450-575 rpm, but it was extremely rare to encounter a M2HB that exceeded 550 rpm.</ref>  The early M2 water-cooled AA guns had a cyclic rate of around 450-600 rpm.<ref>DiGiulian, Tony, ''USA 0.50"/90 (12.7 mm) M2 Browning Machine Gun'' (2007) [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_50cal-M2_MG.htm Article]</ref>  The AN/M2 aircraft gun has a cyclic rate of 750-850 rpm; this increases to 1,200 rpm or more for AN/M3 aircraft guns fitted with electric or mechanical feed boost mechanisms.<ref>Dunlap, Roy F., ''Ordnance Went Up Front'', Samworth Press (1948), pp. 310-311</ref>  These maximum rates of fire are generally not achieved in use, as sustained fire at that rate will wear out the bore within a few thousand rounds, necessitating replacement. The M2HB's sustained rate of fire is considered to be anything less than 400 rounds per minute. 

[[Image:Twin M2HB machine gun.jpg|thumb|left|Twin M2HB .50 caliber machine gun during a Pre-aimed Calibration Fire (PACFIRE) exercise.]]

The M2 has a maximum range of 7.4 kilometers (4.55 miles), with a maximum effective range of 1.8 kilometers (1.2 miles) when fired from the [[M3 tripod]]. In its ground-portable, crew-served role as the M2HB, the gun itself weighs in at a hefty 84 pounds (38&nbsp;kg), and the assembled M3 tripod another 44 pounds (20&nbsp;kg). In this configuration, the V-shaped "butterfly" trigger is located at the very rear of the weapon, with a "spade handle" hand-grip on either side of it and the bolt release the center. The spade handles are gripped and the butterfly trigger is depressed with one or both thumbs. Recently new rear buffer assemblies have used squeeze triggers mounted to the hand grips, doing away with the butterfly triggers.

When the bolt release is locked down by the bolt latch release lock on the buffer tube sleeve, the gun functions in fully automatic mode. Conversely, the bolt release can be unlocked into the up position resulting in single-shot firing (the gunner must press the bolt latch release to send the bolt forward). Unlike virtually all other modern machine guns, it has no safety (although a sliding safety switch has recently been fielded to USMC armorers for installation on their weapons). Troops in the field have been known to add an improvised safety measure against accidental firing by slipping an expended shell casing under the butterfly trigger.<ref>[http://mcdetflw.tecom.usmc.mil/usmc-mp2006/READ%20AHEAD/ADVANCE%20COURSE%20READ%20AHEAD/ADVANCE%20COURSE%20OUTLINES/Crew%20Served%20Weapons%20lesson%20plan.doc Crew Served Weapons lesson plan]</ref>

Because the M2 was intentionally designed to be fit into many configurations, it can be adapted to feed from the left or right side of the weapon by exchanging the belt-holding pawls, and the front and rear cartridge stops (3-piece set to include link stripper), then reversing the bolt switch. You must also convert the top-cover belt feed slide assembly from left to right hand feed as well as the spring and plunger in the feed arm. This will take a well trained individual less than 2 minutes to perform.

The charging assembly may be changed from left to right hand charge.  A right hand charging handle spring, lock wire and a little know how are all that are required to accomplish this.  The weapon can be battle ready and easily interchanged if the weapon is fitted with a retracting slide assembly on both sides of the weapon system to eliminate the need to have the weapon taken in to accomplish this task.

===Ammunition===
There are several different types of ammunition used in the M2HB and AN aircraft guns.  From [[World War II]] through the [[Vietnam War]], the big Browning was used with standard ball, armor-piercing (AP), armor-piercing incendiary (API), and armor-piercing incendiary tracer (APIT) rounds.  All .50 ammunition designated "armor-piercing" was required to completely perforate 0.875" (22.2&nbsp;mm) of hardened steel armor plate at a distance of 100 yards (91 m), and 0.75" (19&nbsp;mm) at 547 yards (500 m).<ref name="Barnes, Frank C. 1989 p.432">Barnes, Frank C., ''Cartridges of the World'', U.S. Army .50 BMG Cartridge Specifications, DBI Books (1989), ISBN 0873490339, p.432</ref>  The API and APIT rounds left a flash, report, and smoke on contact, useful in detecting strikes on enemy targets; they were primarily intended to incapacitate thin-skinned and lightly armored vehicles and aircraft, while igniting their fuel tanks.<ref>Dunlap, Roy F., ''Ordnance Went Up Front'', Samworth Press (1948), pp. 311-312 </ref>

Current ammunition types include: M33 Ball (706.7 grain) for personnel and light material targets, M17 tracer, M8 API (622.5 grain),  M20 API-T (619 grain), and M962 SLAP-T. The latter ammunition along with the M903 SLAP (Saboted Light Armor Penetrator) round can perforate 1.34 in (34&nbsp;mm) of HHA (high hard armor, or face-hardened steel plate) at 500 meters, 0.91 in (23&nbsp;mm) at 1,200 meters, and 0.75 in (19&nbsp;mm) at 1,500 meters.  This is achieved by using a .30 inch diameter tungsten penetrator. The SLAP-T adds a tracer charge to the base of the ammunition. This ammunition was type classified in 1993.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/slap.htm M903 Caliber .50 Saboted Light Armor Penetrator (SLAP), M962 Saboted Light Armor], GlobalSecurity.org</ref><ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/50.htm Caliber .50 Cartridges], GlobalSecurity.org</ref>

When firing blanks, a large [[blank-firing adapter]] (BFA) must be used to keep the gas pressure high enough to allow the action to cycle. The adapter is very distinctive, attaching to the muzzle with three rods extending back to the base. The BFA can often be seen on M2s during peacetime operations.

==Deployment==
[[Image:M2 on a RHIB.jpg|thumb|An M2 fired from a [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]].]]
[[Image:M2 - 24th MEU.jpg|thumb|A U.S. Marine mans a .50 caliber machine gun as part of a security force during an exercise]]

The M2 .50 Browning machine gun has been used for various roles:
* A medium infantry support weapon
* As an [[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 were used, such as the M45 [[Quadmount]] used on the US [[M3 Half-track|M16 half-track]] carrier.  Twin or quad-mount .50 M2 guns normally used alternating left-hand and right-hand feed.
* Primary or secondary weapon on an [[armored fighting vehicle]].
* Primary or secondary weapon on a naval patrol boat.
* Spotting for the primary weapon on some [[armored fighting vehicle|armored fighting vehicles]].
* Secondary weapon for anti-boat defense on large naval vessels (corvettes, frigates, destroyers, cruisers, etc).
* [[Coaxial gun]] or independent mounting in some tanks.
* Fixed-mounted primary armament in World War II-era U.S. aircraft such as the [[P-47 Thunderbolt]], [[P-51 Mustang]], and the Korean-era U.S. [[F-86 Sabre]].
* Fixed or flexible-mounted defensive armament in World War II-era bombers such as the [[B-17 Flying Fortress]], and [[B-24 Liberator]].
* A M2 modified to fire single shots and hold a scope was used by [[Carlos Hathcock]] as a sniper weapon during the [[Vietnam War]], proving the .50 caliber round's usefulness as an effective anti-personnel/anti-material round. Carlos Hathcock used his modified M2 to create the record for the longest sniper kill, a record that stood until the current [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]].

===United States===
At the outbreak of the Second World War the United States had versions of the M2 in service as fixed aircraft guns, anti-aircraft defensive guns (on aircraft, ships, or boats), infantry (tripod-mounted) guns, and as dual purpose anti-aircraft and anti-vehicular weapons on vehicles.<ref>Dunlap, Roy F., ''Ordnance Went Up Front'', Samworth Press (1948), p. 225</ref><ref>George, John B., ''Shots Fired In Anger'', NRA Press (1981), p. 404: By World War II, the M2HB had been designated as a dual-purpose anti-aircraft and anti-vehicular weapon for motorized, armored, and infantry divisions; the designation "''anti-vehicular''" included thin-skinned and lightly armored vehicles, as it was already recognized by 1940 that the .50 M2 AP round would not be useful against modern medium or heavy tanks.</ref> 
[[File:Browning M2HB Normandy.jpg|thumb|left|A U.S. soldier in [[Normandy]] stands guard with the M2HB installed on a dual-purpose mounting.]] 

The .50 AN/M2 light-barrel aircraft Browning used in planes had a rate of fire of approximately 800 rounds per minute, and was used singly or in groups of up to eight guns for aircraft ranging from the [[P-47 Thunderbolt]] to the [[B-25 Mitchell]] bomber.
 
In the dual-purpose vehicle mount, the M2HB (heavy barrel) proved extremely effective in U.S. service: the Browning's .50 caliber AP and API rounds could easily penetrate the engine block or fuel tanks of a German [[Bf 109]] fighter attacking at low altitude,<ref>Bird, James, ''Recollections of James R. Bird, A Battery, 160th F.A., 45th Inf. Div.'',  [http://www.45thdivision.org/Veterans/BirdA160.htm Article]</ref> or perforate the hull plates and fuel tanks of a German [[SdKfz 251|half-track]] or [[Leichter Panzerspahwagen|light armored car]].<ref name="Barnes, Frank C. 1989 p.432"/><ref>Green, Michael, and Green, Gladys, ''Weapons of Patton's Armies'', Zenith Imprint Press (2000), ISBN 0760308217, 9780760308219, p. 34</ref><ref>Bishop, Chris, ''The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II'', Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. (2002), ISBN 1586637622, 9781586637620, p. 86</ref>  While the dual-purpose mounting was undeniably useful, it did normally require the operator to stand when using the M2 in a ground role, exposing him to return fire.<ref>Green, Michael, and Green, Gladys, ''Weapons of Patton's Armies'', Zenith Imprint Press (2000), ISBN 0760308217, 9780760308219, pp. 32-34</ref>  Units in the field often modified the mountings on their vehicles, especially tanks and tank destroyers, to provide more operator protection in the anti-vehicular and anti-personnel role.<ref>Yeide, 2004. p. 185</ref> The weapon was particularly hated by the Germans, whose attacks against otherwise helpless stalled motor convoys were frequently broken up by .50 caliber machine gun fire.<ref>Burgett, Donald, ''Seven Roads To Hell'', Dell Publishing (1999), ISBN 0440236274, p. 129</ref><ref>Jarymowycz, Roman J., ''Tank Tactics: From Normandy to Lorraine'', Lynne Rienner Publishers (2001), ISBN 1555879500, 9781555879501, p. 212</ref>

Besides vehicle-mounted weapons, the heavy weapons companies in a WWII Army infantry battalion or regiment were each issued one M2 Browning with tripod (ground) mount.<ref>Rush, Robert S., ''GI: The US Infantryman in World War II'', Osprey Publishing Ltd. (2003), ISBN 1841767395, p. 33</ref>  Mounted on a heavily-sandbagged tripod, the M2HB proved very useful in either a defensive role or to interdict or block road intersections from use by German infantry and motorized forces.<ref name="Dunlap, Roy F. 1948 pp. 225, 311">Dunlap, Roy F., ''Ordnance Went Up Front'', Samworth Press (1948), pp. 225, 311-312</ref>  The hammering of a heavy Browning could usually be relied upon to put a German infantry company face-down in the dirt.<ref name="Henry, Mark R. 2000 p. 20">Henry, Mark R., ''The US Army in World War II (2): The Mediterranean'', Osprey Publishing (2000), ISBN 1841760854, 9781841760858, p. 20</ref>  There are numerous instances of the M2 Browning being used against enemy personnel, particularly infantry assaults<ref>Abramski, Anthony V. (Pfc.),  ''Eyewitness Account of Pfc. Anthony V. Abramski'', Citation In Support Of Congressional Medal of Honor Award to 2nd Lt. [[Audie Murphy]] at [[Holtzwihr]], France, 26 January 1945</ref> or for interdiction or elimination of enemy artillery observers or snipers at distances too great for ordinary infantry weapons.<ref>Wolfe, Clarence B., ''I Kept My Word'', AuthorHouse Press (2006), ISBN 1425969518, 9781425969516, p. 68</ref><ref>''The United States Army in World War II'', Ch. XXI: Artillery & Armored Units in the ETO, Washington, D.C.: Historical Division, U.S. Army (1993), p. 645</ref><ref>Jarymowycz, Roman J., ''Tank Tactics: From Normandy to Lorraine'', Lynne Rienner Publishers (2001), ISBN 1555879500, 9781555879501, p. 212: The M2HB fitted to tanks and M3 half-tracks was frequently employed against German rearguard forces including snipers and anti-tank teams, often firing into locations merely suspected of hiding such forces (so-called ''speculative fire'').</ref> 

A quadruple mount of four .50 M2HB guns with a single gunner situated behind an armored housing was used by U.S. AA battalions in either a towed trailer or mounted in a half-track carrier (M16 AA half-track).  With 200 rounds per gun in a powered tracking mount, the guns proved very effective against low-flying aircraft.  Towards the end of the war, as [[Luftwaffe]] attacks grew more infrequent, the quad .50 (nicknamed the ''Meat Chopper'') was increasingly used in an anti-personnel role, similarly to the more powerful German 20mm [[2 cm FlaK 30#2 cm Flakvierling 38|Flakvierling]].  Snipers firing from trees were engaged by the quad gunner at trunk level - the weapon would cut down and destroy the entire tree, and the sniper with it.<ref name="Henry, Mark R. 2000 p. 20"/><ref name="Article">AAA Weapons of the U.S. Army, Part I: The "Quad 50" Machine Gun Mount, 225th AAA Searchlight Battalion (Skylighters) [http://www.skylighters.org/quad50/index.html Article]</ref>

[[Image:M16 MGMC.jpg|thumb|M16 .50 AA Quad aka the 'Meat Chopper']]
The M2HB was not widely used in the Pacific campaign, due to several factors, including weight, the inherent nature of infantry jungle combat, and because road intersections were usually easily outflanked.<ref>George, John B., ''Shots Fired In Anger'', NRA Press (1981), p. 404</ref>  However, it was used by fast-moving motorized forces in the Philippines to destroy Japanese blocking units on the advance to Manila.<ref name="Dunlap, Roy F. 1948 pp. 225, 311"/>  The quad mount .50 was also used to destroy Japanese emplacements.<ref name="Article"/>

The M2HB saw service in both [[Korean War|Korea]] and [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]].  In 2003, during the [[Iraq War]], U.S. Army SFC [[Paul Ray Smith]] used his M2HB mounted on an [[M113 armored personnel carrier]] to kill twenty to fifty enemy who were attacking a U.S. Army outpost, saving an aid station from being overrun and allowing wounded soldiers to be evacuated,<ref>Schmitt, Eric, [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E7D7123FF933A05750C0A9639C8B63 ''Medal of Honor to Be Awarded to Soldier Killed in Iraq, a First''], New York Times, 30 March 2005</ref> SFC Smith gave his life to save his fellow soldiers and was posthumously awarded the [[Medal of Honor]].

===Commonwealth forces===
[[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] use of the M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun (known as the .5 Browning in British and Commonwealth service) was limited in the Second World War, though from 1942 it was standard armament on US-built AFVs provided under lend-lease such as the [[M4 Sherman]], M7 Priest, [[M8 Greyhound]], or [[M10 Wolverine]] variously used by [[United Kingdom|British]], [[Canadian]], [[Australian]], [[South African]] and [[New Zealand]] units. Nevertheless, the heavy Browning's effectiveness was praised by many British and Commonwealth soldiers in infantry, armored, and ordnance branches.<ref>Shore, C. (Capt.), ''With British Snipers to the Reich'', Boulder: Lancer Militaria, p. 197-198</ref><ref name="Dunlap, Roy F. 1948 p. 35, 145">Dunlap, Roy F., ''Ordnance Went Up Front'', Samworth Press (1948), p. 35, 145</ref>  Many commanders thought the .50 Browning the best weapon in its class, certainly the best of the American weapons, including the M1 Garand and carbine.<ref name="Dunlap, Roy F. 1948 p. 35, 145"/><ref>Shore, C. (Capt.), ''With British Snipers to the Reich'', Boulder: Lancer Militaria, p. 197-198: They especially liked the "hell's brew" of AP, API, and APIT ammunition.</ref>  In North Africa, after Commonwealth units began to obtain sufficient parts, manuals, gauges, and ammunition for the new weapon, the .50 Browning was increasingly used, eventually replacing the 15&nbsp;mm Besa,<ref name="Dunlap, Roy F. 1948 p. 35, 145"/> but in Italy was often deleted from top turret mountings because the mount exposed the operator to low branches and enemy fire.<ref>Dunlap, Roy F., ''Ordnance Went Up Front'', Samworth Press (1948), p. 153: The New Zealand and South African divisions in particular loved the big Browning, and were frequently encountered trading for spare parts and gauges.</ref>  Some [[Special Air Service|SAS]] units used the aircraft (AN/M2) version of the gun, while turret-mounted .5 Brownings were used later in the war in such aircraft as the [[Avro Lancaster|Lancaster bomber]].

After the Second World War, the .50 Browning continued to see action in [[Korean War|Korea]] and other theaters, in aircraft, tripod (ground), ground AA (hip-ring), and vehicle mounts.  One of its most notable actions in a ground role was in a fierce battle with a nine-man SAS team at the [[Battle of Mirbat]] in [[Oman]] in July 1972, where the heavy Browning and its API ammunition was used to help repulse an assault by 250 Yemeni [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman|Adoo]] guerrillas, though the more famous weapon from the battle is a [[25 pounder gun]].<ref>Kennedy, Michael Paul, ''Soldier I: SAS'', London: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (1990), ISBN 0747507503</ref>

.50 caliber Brownings were installed along with a .30 caliber in the compact one-man turrets on M113 APCs used by the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in South Vietnam.

===M2 as a sniper rifle===
The M2 machine gun has also been used as a long-range [[sniper rifle]], when equipped with a telescopic sight.  Soldiers during the Korean War used scoped M2s in the role of a sniper rifle, but the practice was most notably used by US Marine Corps sniper [[Carlos Hathcock]] during the Vietnam War.  Using an Unertl telescopic sight and a mounting bracket of his own design, Hathcock could quickly convert the M2 into a sniper rifle, using the traversing-and-elevating (T & E) mechanism attached to the [[tripod (weapon)|tripod]] to assist in aiming at stationary targets.  When firing semi-automatically, Hathcock accurately hit man-size targets beyond 2000 yards—twice the range of a standard-caliber sniper rifle of the time (a [[.30-06]] [[Winchester Model 70]]).  In fact, Hathcock set the record for the longest confirmed kill at 2,250 m (2,460 yd), a record which stood until 2002.<ref name="Hathcockshota">{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/sniper.htm |title=Sniper Rifles |publisher=[[GlobalSecurity]] |accessdate=2008-03-24 |quote=When a 24-year old Marine sharpshooter named Carlos Norman Hathcock II chalked up the farthest recorded kill in the history of sniping—2,500 yards (1.42 miles, a distance greater than 22 football fields) in February 1967, he fired a [[Browning M2]] .50 Cal. Machine Gun. }}</ref><ref name="Hathcockshotb">{{cite web |title=Marine Corps Sniper Carlos N. Hathcock II |author=Sgt. Grit |year=2006 |accessdate=2008-03-24 |url=http://www.grunt.com/scuttlebutt/corps-stories/heroes/carloshathcock.asp |quote=Viet Cong shot dead by a round fired from a scope-mounted Browning M-2 .50 caliber machine gun at the unbelievable range of {{convert|2500|yd|m}}. }}</ref>

==Variants and derivatives==
===M2 variants===
[[Image:Cal50 Browning 2REI 2.jpg.JPG|thumb|An M2HB in the [[2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment|French Foreign Legion's 2nd Infantry Regiment]] during an exercise.]]

The basic M2 was deployed in US 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 Browning machine gun|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 Gun, Cal. .50, M2, Water-Cooled, Flexible. There was no fixed water-cooled version.

Improved air-cooled heavy barrel versions came in three subtypes.  The basic infantry model, Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, Flexible, a fixed developed for use on the [[M6 Heavy Tank]] designated Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, Fixed, and a "turret type" whereby "Flexible" M2s were modified slightly for use in tank turrets. The subvariant designation Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, Turret was only used for manufacturing, supply, and administration identification and separation from flexible M2s.

A number of additional subvariants were developed after the end of the Second World War.  The Caliber .50 Machine Gun, Browning, M2, Heavy Barrel, M48 Turret Type was developed for the commander's cupola on the [[M48 Patton]] tank.  The cupola mount on the M48-A3 was thoroughly disliked by most tankers, as it proved unreliable in service.<ref>Zumbro, Ralph, ''Tank Sergeant'', Presidio Press (1986), p. 92</ref>  A cupola-mounted M2 was later adopted for the commander's position on the [[M1 Abrams]] tanks.  Three subvariants were also developed for use by the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] on a variety of ships and watercraft.  These included the Caliber .50 Machine Gun, Browning, M2, Heavy Barrel, Soft Mount (Navy) and the Caliber .50 Machine Gun, Browning, M2, Heavy Barrel, Fixed Type (Navy).  The fixed types fire from a [[solenoid]] trigger and come in left or right hand feed variants for use on the Mk 56 Mod 0 dual mount and other mounts.

===M2 E-50 (M2E50)===
[[File:PEO M2E2-QCB HMG.jpg|thumb|right|The new M2E2 modification with quick-change barrel.]]

A long overdue upgrade program for existing infantry M2HBs and other M2s currently in U.S. Army service, the E50 provides a: Quick Change Barrel (QCB) capability, a rail accessory mount, an improved flash hider and a manual safety. 

The E50 designation initially appeared to be within the bounds of the normal U.S. Army designation system. However, it later turned out that the term was in fact a developmental project that stands for Enhanced 50, as in enhanced .50 caliber machine gun. Developed primarily as a conversion kit for existing weapons, it is likely that new production machine guns will be built to this standard. In later U.S. Army briefings, this variant has been referenced as the M2E2 or M2A1.

==Aircraft guns==
===AN/M2 and AN/M3===
[[Image:Browning M2HB USMC.jpg|thumb|U.S. Marines man pintle-mounted M2HB machine 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.  The AN/M2 had a cyclic rate of 750–850 rounds per minute, with the ability to be fired from a electrically-operated remote-mount solenoid trigger when installed as a fixed gun.  Cooled by the aircraft's slip-stream, the air-cooled AN/M2 was fitted with a substantially lighter barrel, which also had the effect of increasing the rate of fire.  The official designation for this weapon was Browning Machine Gun, Aircraft, Cal. .50, AN/M2 (Fixed) or (Flexible).  During World War II, a faster-firing .50-inch aircraft Browning was developed, the AN/M3, using a mechanical or electrically-boosted feed mechanism to increase the rate of fire to around 1,200 rounds per minute.  The AN/M3 was widely used in Korea on such planes as the [[F-86 Sabre]] and in Vietnam in the [[U.S. aircraft gun pods|XM14/SUU-12/A]] [[gun pod]], and currently in the [[Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano]].

The XM296/M296 is a further development of the AN/M2 machine gun for remote firing applications, and is currently only used in an [[U.S. Helicopter Armament Subsystems#AH-58D.2FOH-58D Kiowa Warrior|armament system]] for the [[OH-58 Kiowa|OH-58 Kiowa Warrior]] helicopter. The M296 differs from previous remote firing variants in that it has adjustable maximum firing rate (500–850 rpm), while lacking a bolt latch (allowing single-shot operation).<ref>''M296 .50 cal. (12.7 mm) Machine Gun'' [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/m296.htm Article]</ref>  As an air-cooled aircraft gun used aboard a relatively slow rotary-wing aircraft, the M296 has a burst restriction rate of 50 rounds per minute; combat firing which exceeds this limit mandates a ten-minute cooling period to avoid malfunctions due to overheating.<ref>''M296 .50 cal. (12.7 mm) Machine Gun''</ref>

===XM213/M213, XM218, GAU-15/A, GAU-16/A, and GAU-18/A===
The XM213/M213 was a modernization and adaptation of existing .50 caliber AN/M2s in inventory for use as a pintle mounted door gun on helicopters using the [[U.S. Helicopter Armament Subsystems#UH-1 Iroquois|M59 armament subsystem]].

The GAU-15/A, formerly identified as the XM218, is a lightweight member of the M2/M3 family. The GAU-16/A was an improved GAU-15/A with modified grip and sight assemblies for similar applications. Both of these weapons were used as a part of the [[U.S. Helicopter Armament Subsystems#UH-1 Iroquois|A/A49E-11 armament subsystem]] (also known as the Defensive Armament System).

The GAU-18/A, is a lightweight variant of the M2/M3, and is used on the USAF's [[MH-53 Pave Low]] and [[HH-60 Pave Hawk]] helicopters. These weapons do not use the heavy barrel, and are typically set up as left-hand feed, right-hand charging weapons, but on the HH-60 Pavehawks that use the EGMS (External Gun Mount System) all weapons are set up as right hand charge but vary between left and right hand feed depending on what side of the aircraft it is on. In this configuration the gun is fitted with a [[Chute (gravity)|chute]] adapter attached to its left hand feed pawl bracket. Thus, the weapon can receive ammunition through a feed chute system connected to internally-mounted or externally-mounted ammunition cans. Originally designed to accommodate 1,700 rounds, these cans have since been modified due to space constraints, and now hold about half that amount with the external cans of the EGMS system holding 600 rounds each. However, many aerial gunners find the chute system cumbersome, and opt to install a bracket accommodating the 100-round cans instead.  The GAU-18/A began to be supplanted by the GAU-21/A in 2006.

===GAU-21/A and M3P===
The FN produced M3 series is also in U.S. military service in two versions.  The fixed remote firing version, the FN M3P, is used by the U.S. Army on the [[M1097 Avenger|Avenger Air Defense System]]. The M3M flexible machine gun has been adopted by the USAF and the USN under the designation GAU-21/A for use on helicopters.

The M3P is currently being used to upgrade the US Army's [[OH-58 Kiowa|OH-58D]]; replacing the M2 and XM296 .50 cal. machine guns for the aircraft.<ref>[http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/04/06/19271-6-6-cavalry-aircrews-field-new-kiowa-warrior-weapons-system/ 6-6 Cavalry aircrews field new Kiowa Warrior weapons system]. US Army.</ref>

==Users==
The M2 family has been widely used abroad, primarily in its basic infantry configuration. A brief listing of designations for M2 family weapons follows:

<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
{| border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
! Country
! [[NATO]] Member
! Designation
! Description
|-
|{{flag|Argentina}}<ref name="jones2009">Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0710628695.</ref>
|No
|M2HB
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Australia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|M2HB-QCB<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adi-limited.com/default.asp?page=141 |title=Light Calibre Weapons |publisher=Adi-limited.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref>
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Austria}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Belgium}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
| 
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Benin}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Bolivia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Brazil}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|Mtr .50 M2 HB "BROWNING" 
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Bulgaria}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
| 
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Burkina Faso}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
| 
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Burundi}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Cameroon}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Canada}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|FN M2HB-QCB
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Chad}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Chile}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Colombia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Cote d'Ivoire}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Croatia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes 
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Democratic Republic of Congo}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|Denmark}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="2" |Yes
|M/50 TMG
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun<ref name="jones2009"/>
|-
|-
|?
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm FNH M3M machine gun<ref>{{cite journal| author=Combat Support Wing| title=Eskadrille 615 støtter Søværnet| journal=Mjølner| year=2007| month=december| page=5| language=Danish| trans_title=Squadron 615 aids the Navy| url=http://forsvaret.dk/CSW/Mjoelner/Documents/Mjoelner%20december%202007.pdf}}</ref>
|-
|-
|{{flag|Djibouti}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Dominican Republic}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Ecuador}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Egypt}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
| 
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|El Salvador}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Ethiopia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|France}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Gabon}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Gambia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Ghana}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|-
|{{flag|Germany}}<ref>http://www.diesigns.com/down/HHK_CH-53.pdf</ref>
|Yes
|M3M, MG50
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Greece}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Guatemala}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Honduras}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|India}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Indonesia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Iran}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Ireland}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Israel}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Italy}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Jamaica}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Japan}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Jordan}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Kuwait}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Lebanon}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Liberia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Luxembourg}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Madagascar}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Malaysia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Mauritania}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Mexico}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Morocco}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Myanmar}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Netherlands}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|New Zealand}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Nicaragua}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Niger}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Nigeria}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Norway}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Oman}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Pakistan}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Panama}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Paraguay}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Peru}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Philippines}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Portugal}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Qatar}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Romania}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Rwanda}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Senegal}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Serbia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Singapore}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Somalia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|South Africa}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Spain}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}}<ref>http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/Materiel-och-teknik/Vapen/Tung-kulspruta</ref>
|No
|''Tung kulspruta'' (''tksp'')
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Switzerland}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Taiwan}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|T90
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
||{{flag|Thailand}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Togo}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Tonga}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Tunisia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Turkey}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
| rowspan="5" |{{flag|United Kingdom}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="5" |Yes
|L2A1
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|-
|L6, L6A1
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun; ranging gun for the [[Royal Ordnance L7|L7 105 mm]] tank gun on the [[Centurion tank]]
|-
|-
|L11, L11A1
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun; ranging gun
|-
|-
|L21A1
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun; ranging gun for the 120&nbsp;mm tank gun on the [[Chieftain tank]]
|-
|-
|L111A1<ref>{{cite web|url=http://manroy.co.uk/manroy/ |title=Manroy Website |publisher=Manroy.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref>
|-
|-
|{{flag|United States}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|Browning Caliber .50 M2, M2HB
|Browning Caliber .50 M2 Heavy Barrel machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Uruguay}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Venezuela}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Yemen}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Zimbabwe}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|}

==See also==
*[[MG 131 machine gun]], [[WWII]] German aircraft-mounted gun
*[[List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces]]
*[[List of crew-served weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces]]
*[[DShK]], [[NSV (machine gun)|NSV]] & [[Kord machine gun|Kord]] 12.7&nbsp;mm machine guns, Soviet/Russian equivalents.
* [[M45 Quadmount]]

==Notes==
 {{Reflist|2}}

==References==
{{refbegin}}
* Dunlap, Roy F. (1948). ''Ordnance Went Up Front'', Samworth Press, {{OCLC|6081851}}
* George, John B. (1981). ''Shots Fired In Anger'', NRA Press, ISBN 093599842X
* Gresham, John D. (December 2001). “Weapons”. ''[[Military Heritage]]''. Volume 3, No. 3: 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 (John Browning’s (M2) .50-caliber).
* Hogg, Ian. (2001). ''The American Arsenal''.  Ian Hogg, ed.  London, UK: Greenhill Books, ISBN  9781853674709
* [https://www.doctrine.usmc.mil/signpubs/w3151.pdf MCWP 3-15.1: Machine Guns and Machine Gun Gunnery] USMC (requires client certificate). [http://www.scribd.com/doc/3614458/MCWP-3151 Alternative via scribd]
* Yeide, Harry. (2004). ''The Tank Killers''.  Havertown, Penn.: Casemate, ISBN 9781932033267
* Zaloga, Steven J.  (2002). ''M8 Greyhound Light Armored Car 1941–91''.  Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, ISBN 9781841764689
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons|M2 (machine gun)}}
* [http://www.liberatorcrew.com/15_Gunnery/01_50cal.htm Aircraft Gunnery_.50 cal.]
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m2-50cal.htm M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun] at [http://www.fas.org Federation of American Scientists]
* [http://world.guns.ru/machine/mg04-e.htm Browning M2HB & M2HQCB (USA)]
* [http://www.olive-drab.com/od_other_firearms_mg_m2.php3 M2 .50 cal. Machine Gun] at [http://www.olive-drab.com Olive-Drab.com]
* [http://www.olive-drab.com/od_other_firearms_mg_m2_quad50.php Quad-50 M2 .50 cal. Machine Gun] at [http://www.olive-drab.com Olive-Drab.com]
* [http://www.pureluckdesign.com/videos/Gau16animation.wmv Video of a CG M2 showing the inner workings as it goes through the firing cycle.]
* [http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/mg/M2.html Browning M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun] at [http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/index.html Gary's Olive Drab Page]
* [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/ambush/weapons/50cal.html Browning M2 HB .50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gun], "Ambush in Mogadishu", ''[[Frontline (U.S. TV series)|Frontline]]'', [[PBS]]

{{start box}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{succession box|before=|after=Canadian [[Long Range Sniper Weapon (LRSW)]] .50|title=Longest confirmed combat sniper-shot kill|years= 1967–2002 <br/> 1.42 mi (2,286 m) <br/> <small> using [[.50 BMG]] by [[Carlos Hathcock]] </small> }}
{{end box}}
{{Browning M1917 derivatives}}
{{John Browning}}
{{FN Herstal firearms}}{{WWIIUSInfWeaponsNav}}
{{ModernUSInfWeaponsNav}}
{{Canadian Forces Land Force Command}}
{{ModernUKInfWeaponsNav}}{{USAF Weapons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:M2 Browning Machine Gun}}
[[Category:12.7 mm machine guns]]
[[Category:Aircraft guns]]
[[Category:Cold War firearms of the United States]]
[[Category:Heavy machine guns]]
[[Category:Modern firearms of the United States]]
[[Category:World War II American infantry weapons]]
[[Category:World War II firearms of the United States]]
[[Category:Machine guns of the United States]]
[[Category:Weapons of Norway]]
[[Category:Weapons of Sweden]]
[[Category:Modern German weapons]]
[[Category:Falklands War infantry weapons]]
[[Category:Infantry weapons of Australia in active service]]
[[Category:Korean War infantry weapons]]
[[Category:Vietnam War weapons]]
[[Category:United States Coast Guard weapons]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps equipment]]

[[cs:M2 Browning]]
[[da:M2 maskingevær]]
[[de:Browning M2]]
[[es:Browning M2]]
[[fr:Browning M2]]
[[ko:M2 기관총]]
[[id:M2 Browning]]
[[it:Browning M2 (mitragliatrice pesante)]]
[[he:M2 בראונינג]]
[[lb:Mi .50]]
[[lt:M2 kulkosvaidis]]
[[ms:Mesingan Browning M2]]
[[nl:Browning M2]]
[[ja:ブローニングM2重機関銃]]
[[no:M2 Browning maskingevær]]
[[pl:Karabin maszynowy M2]]
[[pt:Browning .50]]
[[ru:Браунинг M2]]
[[simple:M2 Browning machine gun]]
[[fi:M2-konekivääri]]
[[sv:Tung kulspruta 12,7]]
[[th:ปืนกล เอ็ม 2 บราวนิง]]
[[tr:M2 Browning]]
[[uk:Браунінг M2]]
[[zh:白朗寧M2]]