.50 Cal HMG on a M63, Anti-Aircraft Machine gun Mount
The .50 Cal Browning
Heavy Machine Gun
The air-cooled Browning was developed for aircraft use and was adopted in 1923 as the Model 1921. In 1933 it was renamed the M2 and subsequently it was found necessry to increade the mass of the barrel and replace the oil buffer with a simpler design that eliminated the oil buffer and improved serivce life and maintenance. It was renamed the M2 HB (HB-heavy barrel) and in this form it has been used and is still used extensively in the ground role and on vehicles. It is one of the most widespread and successful heavy machine guns in service and looks like continuing service for many more years.
Production is still undertaken in Belgium, the United Kingdom and the US; in all three countries the output is primarily for export. The demand does not appear to be slacking.
.50 Cal HMG on a M63, Anti-Aircraft Machine gun Mount
.50 Cal HMG on a M3 Tripod
Another view of the .50 Cal HMG on a M3 Tripod
Another view of the .50 Cal HMG on a M3 Tripod
Note the scope and flash suppressor on the .50 cal on larger mount.
| Caliber: | 12.5mm (0.50 inches) |
| Length of Barrel: | 114cm (45 inches) |
| Length of HMG: | 165cm (65 inches) |
| Sight Range: | 100 yards to 2600 yards (90m to 2400m) |
| Cyclic Rate of Fire: | 450-500 Rounds / Min |
| Muzzle Velocity: | 890 m/sec |
| Reciever Group: | 25 Kg |
| Barrel: | 13 Kg |
| M3 Tripod: | 20 Kg |
| Ammo (105 rounds): | 16 Kg (35 pounds) |
| Total: | 74 Kg (163 pounds) |
