What Is The Greatest(Iconic/Legendary) Machine Gun In United States Military History?

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 11:59:33 -0400

My choice is the .50 Cal. Machine Gun also known as the Ma-Deuce. It is the second longest weapon used in the U.S. inventory preceded by the M911 .45 CAL Colt Pistol. It has various types of ammunition from armor piercing, ball, to tracer and more. Its history is second to none from WWI to Afghanistan. It did its job and has the record to prove it.
I trained on this weapon as an Air Defender and Motor Transport Operator for over 24 years. It is a power weapon. You can use it on just about any piece of equipment e.g, airplanes, helicopters, tanks, armor, vehicles and so on.
The .50 cal. machine gun was developed by John M. Browning at the request of the U.S. Army. Experience in France in 1917 showed the need for a heavy machine gun that could act against aircraft (fixed wing and balloons), tanks, and other armored vehicles that were then first appearing on the battlefield. Starting in July 1917, the Browning .30-06 machine gun was scaled up and reinforced to handle a .50 cal. cartridge, in experimental development from ideas used in a French 11mm machine gun. The first .50 cal. prototype was assembled by Browning at the Winchester plant on 12 November 1918 and Winchester went on to produce a total of six models for testing. However, Infantry tests were unsatisfactory, finding that the bullet lacked range and penetration while the gun was unstable in automatic firing.

The technical problems of the new .50 cal. machine gun were overcome when a captured German 13.2mm anti-tank rifle and its ammunition gave the Winchester engineers the ideas needed to complete the .50 cal. cartridge development with performance satisfactory to the Army. The completed Winchester-designed cartridge was taken to Frankford Arsenal (Philadelphia, PA) in 1918 for production. The prototype .50 cal. machine gun was altered and upgraded to work properly with the new .50 caliber round, resulting in the standardized .50 cal. United States Machine Gun M1921, adopted for use on aircraft in 1923. After a series of .50 cal. water-cooled, aircraft and tank models were tested in the 1920s, an improved version of the M1921 was adopted in 1933 as the air-cooled Browning Machinegun, Caliber .50 HB, M2.
Subsequent models of the M2 .50 cal., using the same receiver, were adopted by the various services in both air-cooled and water-cooled versions for use by infantry, aircraft, tanks, and otehr applications. During World War II, nearly two million M2 machine guns of all variations were produced.

The M2 .50 cal. Machine Gun went out of production in the 1970s, and by the early 1990s the capability to manufacture the M2 barrel had virtually disappeared from the U.S. industrial base. An Army inventory of 13,000 "unserviceable" M2s were stockpiled, although they required some level of repair or maintenance before they could be used. With combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army identified a requirement for an additional 8,000 M2s for fielding in FY2005. During the summer of 2004, Anniston Army Depot began to repair M2s at the rate of 100 per month, with a ramp up to 700 per month by early 2005, once new barrels and other parts were procured.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuZ5VrLQ1ek

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M2_Browning

Browning M2 50 Cal Machine Gun

Larry and the crew team up with Ohio Ordnance Works to use their M2 50 CAL machine gun to dish out some 50 caliber destruction.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 3 at 2015 12:00 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:00:43 -0400

I vote for the 50-cal as the greatest machine gun in the history of the US Army SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. Whether tripod mounted or vehicular mounted the 50 cal has been an awesome weapon to fire. I have been on the receiving end during a training accident and am glad I was not hit- just the whirring past as the rounds flew by :-)
The Gatling gun, the 30 cal and the M-60 7.62 all had their places; but, when properly maintained and with proper head-space and timing the 50 cal was an awesome weapon.

Response by SPC Nick Lai made Oct 3 at 2015 12:03 PM

SPC Nick Lai — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:03:53 -0400

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL M240B as personal dismount, The M2 as crew weapon mounted.

Response by SGT Brian Nile made Oct 3 at 2015 12:31 PM

SGT Brian Nile — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:31:12 -0400

Sarge I am with you on the 50, there ain't no other weapon that's has the destruction.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 12:56 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:56:52 -0400

M2 Browning .50 Cal
Rate of fire 485–635 rounds/min (M2HB) 750–850 rounds/min (AN/M2) 1,200 rounds/min (AN/M3)
Muzzle velocity 2,910 ft/s (890 m/s) for M33 ball
Effective firing range 1,800 m (2,000 yd)
Maximum firing range 6,800 m (7,400 yd)

M204B FN MAG 7.62mm
Rate of fire 750–950 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 2,800 ft/s (853
Effective firing range
Bipod: 800 m (880 yd)
Tripod: 1,100 m (1,202 yd)
Maximum firing range 4,074 yd (3,725 m)

M60 7.62 mm General-purpose machine gun
Rate of fire 500–650 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 2,800 ft/s (853 m/s)
Effective firing range 1,200 yd (1,100 m)

Response by Cpl Isaac Park made Oct 3 at 2015 1:16 PM

Cpl Isaac Park — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 13:16:03 -0400

You know. It is such an old designed, and I'm sure there could be improvements like not needing to do headspace and timing every time you clean it. But yes, as far as accurate machine gun fire goes, the M2 of its outdated design still does its job fairly well.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 3 at 2015 1:18 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 13:18:43 -0400

This is a no-brainer...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=71&v=NvIJvPj_pjE

Awesome A-10 Warthog Gun Run Brrrt Compilation - Happy Brrrt Day Special

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Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Oct 3 at 2015 2:07 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 14:07:47 -0400

"Ma-Deuce", nuff said!!

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Oct 3 at 2015 4:44 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 16:44:37 -0400

Can't beat "perfection"!

Response by LTC Ed Ross made Oct 3 at 2015 5:49 PM

LTC Ed Ross — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 17:49:50 -0400

Absolutely I couldn't agree more. From World War II to Afghanistan how many American lives has the 50 caliber machine gun saved?

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Oct 3 at 2015 7:17 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 19:17:54 -0400

Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 3 at 2015 9:03 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 21:03:00 -0400

Too easy. Enjoy 3 minutes of great music and military hardware. I give you the M 134. Commonly 'not used' by helicopters that weren't there.'

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=minigun+fun&FORM=VIRE5#view=detail&mid=4A4D366C6A19438618AA4A4D366C6A19438618AA

minigun fun - Bing Videos

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 9:38 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 21:38:45 -0400

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL I was going to name a specific one but then I got to thinking about it. I like them all. I look at them and I guess it's kind of like how some guys look at a car's engine, with admiration.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 9:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 21:38:45 -0400

M134 Mini-Gun. That thing is Awesome! A close second is the electronic .50 cal on the Avenger. 1200 rounds per minute!

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Oct 3 at 2015 9:49 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 21:49:56 -0400

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL I do not disagree that a .50 cal. is a bad*** weapon,but for ground troops and mobility my choice would be the M-60.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Oct 3 at 2015 10:50 PM

Capt Walter Miller — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 22:50:15 -0400

Ma Deuce. Geez.

Walt

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 12:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 00:11:14 -0400

without a doubt, its the M2 .50 cal.. love that gun.. it has got me out of a few rough spots. and never failed

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 5:27 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 05:27:16 -0400

Weapon Systems come and go...Tanks, Air Craft, Artillery.....considering life span, effectiveness, dependability, the M2 50 Cal, has outlived them all.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 7:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 07:51:21 -0400

personally, I would have to say that the M60 comes in right behind the M2.

Response by 1SG James A. "Bud" Parker made Oct 4 at 2015 8:07 AM

1SG James A. "Bud" Parker — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 08:07:17 -0400

You asked a mighty tough question, my friend. I was a door gunner in an Air Cav Troop in Vietnam and fired a variety of machine guns on a daily basis in the performance of that job! M60, M2, M134, and so forth. Like you, I believe I would pick the .50-cal M2 from a historical perspective.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Oct 4 at 2015 8:34 PM

Capt Walter Miller — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 20:34:41 -0400

Nothing says "I care," like a .50 caliber machine gun.

Walt

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Oct 8 at 2015 2:19 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:19:42 -0400

I agree with the M2HB .50 Cal. Browning HMG, It is a fine weapon that is still serving. But to just be different I would have to say the most underrated automatic the US Army ever had was the iconic M-3 .45 cal. SMG, affectionally know as the "grease gun", cheap, cost $12.00 to make in WW II it served through Vietnam. For armored crewmen it was perfect tool for cleaning off enemy soldiers who jumped in your tank, the one behind or ahead of you. And if you had to de-ass your vehicle it was light and easy for a grab and go.

Response by SSgt William Parker made Oct 8 at 2015 9:24 PM

SSgt William Parker — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:24:18 -0400

As an 0311 Rifleman I only got to fam fire machine guns a few times. The M-2 is an excellent piece of equipment with great longevity.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 9:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:56:04 -0500

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL, Ive never fired a .50 before so my favorite auto would be my M-60 in Vietnam. This picture is it on a strap, or what we called a bungee cord. The other is with the gun mount. I prefered the bungee cord because I was more mobile rather than sitting in my gun well waiting for a round tombite me in the butt, or worse.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Jan 19 at 2016 8:28 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 20:28:05 -0500

Ma Duece.

Hands down.

I do like the idea of the M2A1, which I understand does away with the headspacing issue.

Response by SPC Brandon Hamilton made Mar 29 at 2016 4:51 PM

SPC Brandon Hamilton — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 16:51:03 -0400

Mini-Gun.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 30 at 2016 10:21 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 22:21:07 -0400

The only thing I know about Machine Guns is the 50 Cal and 60 Cal would set up outside my Escape Hatch on the Arkansas and I hate the sound of shell casings bouncing off of it. I don't know if it count's but it does in my book is the one my Son-in-Law Operated, FC2 running the CWS/R2D2/Phalanx on Carl Vinson. Something about 1800 rpm independently radar guided, Hell the Drum only holds 1500 rounds. Shoots for 50 seconds and that is all she wrote.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 9:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 09:41:09 -0400

Of course it's the .50 cal. I also like the 240B.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Nov 14 at 2017 5:28 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 05:28:09 -0500

Definitely "Ma-Duece", best weapon that is versatile.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Dec 23 at 2018 4:01 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 16:01:21 -0500

Totally out of my area of expertise, cluster bombs from a B-52 work for me.

Response by Brad Powers made Dec 23 at 2018 9:12 PM

Brad Powers — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 21:12:15 -0500

Ma Deuce, a very Choice weapon for sure, though heavy. Browning M1919 was probably a pretty special weapon as well. Chambered as 30-06 the M1919 is 31 lbs of good company.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made May 13 at 2020 12:51 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 13 May 2020 12:51:10 -0400

I would agree on the 50 caliber, its been around a long time and I know from using them in Vietnam how very effective a weapon they are.