Few guns are as recognizable as the iconic M2 .50-caliber machine gun. General Pershing directed its design near the end of WWI, and it has been in service since 1933. While we know it when we see it, it’s worth a minute to learn more about it.

The M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun

The M2 .50 caliber machine gun is belt-fed, recoil-operated, and air-cooled. It provides weapon suppressive fire for offensive and defensive purposes and is capable of single-shot and automatic fire. The battle-proven system can be ground or vehicle-mounted and serves as an anti-personnel and anti-aircraft weapon. It is highly effective against light-armored vehicles, low and slow-flying aircraft, and small boats. In post-combat surveys, Soldiers rate the M2 among their small arms arsenal’s most effective weapon systems.

The M2A1 with quick change barrel and fixed headspace and timing is an enhancement to the M2 .50 caliber machine gun, offering Soldiers increased performance and design improvements that make it easier and safer to use. The gun speeds target engagement and improve survivability and safety by reducing the time required to change the barrel and eliminating the need to manually adjust headspace and timing. The gun also provides a flash hider that reduces muzzle flash by 95 percent, making the weapon less detectable in darkness. The Army began fielding the M2A1 in 2011 and plans to upgrade its entire fleet of M2s to the M2A1 standard.

The Mighty Ma Deuce

Depending on the version, the M2 has a cyclical rate ranging from 450 to 1200 rounds per minute. One of its strengths is range. The M2 has an effective range of 1,830 meters and a maximum effective range of 2,000 meters when fired from the M3 tripod. While not designed for precision accuracy, the gun was capable of being accurate in single-shot mode. So much so that famed Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock achieved a world record shot with it.  In February 1967, positioned on a mountain ridge, Hatchcock used an eight-power Unertl scope on his M2 50 caliber machine gun, alongside his spotter from the 1st Marine Division’s sniper platoon. The approximately 2,460-yard shot was, at that time, the longest “sniper” kill in Marine Corps history. 

Over 100 Years and Still Going

While effective, the M2 is beefy. At 84 pounds before the tripod, it is, by necessity, a crew-served weapon. The V-shaped “butterfly” trigger is located at the very rear of the weapon, with a “spade handle” handgrip on either side and the bolt release in the center. The spade handles are gripped, and the butterfly trigger is depressed with one or both thumbs. New rear buffer assemblies have recently used squeeze triggers mounted to the handgrips, replacing the butterfly triggers.

When fired, the M2 has a very distinctive sound and can be as intimidating as the round itself. While several new machine guns are trying to replace the M2, the Ma Deuce seems to be eternal. It was once said that the last soldier to use the M2 hasn’t even been born yet.  While it is a military machine gun, you can get time on one in several places around the country. If you ever get the chance to shoot one, don’t pass it up.

For more information, visit: https://fnherstal.com/en/defence/portable-weapons/fn-m2hb-qcb/