Browning M2HB



Overview

M2HB

M2HB on a HMMWV in use with the US Army.
Source: US Army (unknown photographer) - © public domain

Origin
United States
Type
Heavy machine gun
Entered service
1933 for M2HB
1978 for M2HB-QCB
2010 for M2A1
Status
In service
Development
1920's
Developer
John Moses Browning
Production
1933 - present
Producer
United States - U.S. Ordnance
United States - Saco Defense
United States - Colt
Belgium - Fabrique Nationale
United Kingdom - Manroy
Unit cost
About $14.000
Number produced
About 3 million
Designations
Ma Deuce (popular nickname)
Fifty-cal (popular nickname)
L2A1 (M2HB in UK service)
L111A1 (M2HB-QCB in UK service)
Tksp / Tung kulspruta (Swedish designation)
M2E2 (early name for M2A1)
Notable users
United States
United Kingdom
Israel
Japan

Description

Introduction

The M2HB is heavy machine gun of US origin. It was developed after World War 1 and is the most widely used heavy machine gun in the world.

Design

The M2HB is a development of the earlier .30-06 Browning M1919 machine gun. Early versions of the M2 were water cooled but the heavy barrel M2HB became the standard version. Over the last decade the M2HB has been fitted with various day and night optics to increase its effectiveness.

Firepower

The M2HB fires the 12.7x99mm round at a cyclic rate of fire of about 550 rounds per minute. Depending on the mount the maximum effective range is 1.8 km. A variety of ammunition types can be fired. The barrel can be changed in case it becomes too hot.

Users

The M2HB was widely used by US forces during World War 2. During the Cold War the M2HB became the NATO standard heavy machine gun and was widely exported to South America, Africa and Asia. It remains in production and is in active use.

Details

Variants of the M2HB

M2HB

The M2HB was derived from the original M2 model that was water cooled. The M2HB features a "Heavy Barrel" instead of water cooling. It is belt fed and is operated by spade grips and a butterfly trigger. The M2HB has a changeable barrel, but some care and asbestos gloves are needed to replace it. Recent models have been fitted with rails for mounting optics.

M2HB-QCB

The M2HB-QCB is quite similar to the M2HB, but is fitted with a quick change barrel. It was developed by FN Herstal in Europe. The QCB variant can be identified by the fixed carry handle on the quick change barrel. To change the barrel no asbestos glove are needed and there are no headspacing problems when fitting the new barrel.

M2A1

The M2A1 in an improved M2HB developed to meet US specifications. It features a quick change barrel, four prong flash hider and a modified bolt and safety.

Facts M2HB M2HB-QCB
General
Origin
United States
Type
Heavy machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
12.7x99mm NATO
Feed system
Belt fed
Barrel length
1.143 mm
Rifling
8 grooves, 381 mm twist
Muzzle velocity
887 m/s
Operation
Action
Short recoil, closed bolt
Fire selector
0 - 1 - F
Rate of fire
450 - 575 rpm
Dimensions
Length
1.650 mm
Weight
38.0 kg without tripod
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, blade front and leaf aperture rear

Media

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