Colt-Browning M2

Description

The Browning M2 heavy machine gun (HMG), was initially designed in the closing stages of World War One by John M. Browning, the creator of the smaller M1919 .30 Cal MG.

The first design faired poorly during trials in 1918 and was rejected by the US Army. Sadly John M. Browning died 1926 and although he had made numerous changes, the design was still far from complete. Thankfully in 1927 S.H. Green took up the mantel and after re-designing the weapon to allow for easy role modification (tank/aircraft etc.), the Browning M2 HMG would finally enter US Military service in 1933, where it remains to this day.

The .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun) ammunition would prove highly effective against a multitude of targets, from light armoured vehicles to aircraft. For that reason the M2 saw service in all manner of applications, from aircraft mounted (wings and self defense turrets), armoured vehicle co-axel/defensive weapons, anti-aircraft roles (including twin & quad mounts) and of course in the man portable infantry role with the aid of the M3 tripod.

Post-war the M2 became the standard HMG of NATO forces (many of whom also used it during WW2). In more recent times the weapon has undergone some minor modifications, the most noticeable would be the introduction of a quick change barrel (QCB), which allows the barrel to be fixed/removed in one simple move via a barrel grove and locating stud, as opposed to the time consuming screwing/unscrewing & subsequent gauging.

From World War Two onwards, there isn’t a single conflict or continent that hasn’t seen this weapon in action, whether by ‘friendly forces’ or in the hands of irregular/terrorist organizations.