Manual large-caliber machine gun Browning M2 (Browning M2)

There are many models of small arms, the fighting qualities of which ensured him a long and very rich life. Such weapons are often referred to as "legendary"; they are loved by collectors and reenactors. However, this group has its own champions, one of which will be discussed in this article.

The American heavy machine gun of the Browning M2 system was created in 1932, passed the Second World War, Korea, the Vietnamese conflict and all local wars of the last century, in which the Americans participated. It was created on the basis of the Browning M1921 machine gun - the first serial large-caliber machine gun in the world, designed by John Moses Browning.

"Double M" (as Browning M2 is called American soldiers) is actively used in this century, he conscientiously performs his work in the sands of Iraq and in the Afghan mountains. This machine gun is very effective against enemy personnel, lightly armored and unarmored vehicles. Perfect for work on low-altitude aerial targets.

Today, the US military oversees several projects to create new large-caliber machine guns, which should replace the Browning M2. But there is a high probability that the machine gun of the Browning system in the coming years will remain the main large-caliber machine gun of the US Army and will celebrate its centenary.

A little history of Browning M2

The basis on which Browning M1921 and Browning M2 large-caliber machine guns were developed, most experts consider the Browning machine guns of the 7.62 mm (7.92 mm) caliber - M1917 and M1919. Their development began in the years of the First World War, M1917 still had time to participate in it. M1919 air-cooled barrel was adopted after its completion. These machine guns were in service with the American army until the 70s and also proved to be excellent in many armed conflicts.

The design and operation of the Browning M2 automatics is very similar to the M1917 and M1919 machine guns, the main difference is only the caliber of the weapon - the “dual M” uses a 12.7 × 99 mm NATO cartridge.

Ammunition for a large-caliber machine gun did not appear immediately. A 12.7 × 99 mm cartridge (.50 BMG) was created in 1919, its prototype was a German cartridge for 13.25 × 92 mm SR anti-tank guns. Initially, Browning wanted to make a new weapon under the French cartridge 11 × 59 mm R, but American General Pershing insisted on a caliber of 12.7 mm. A bullet of such a caliber had a high penetrating ability; at a distance of 100 meters, it was easy to sew a 25-mm armor sheet.

The heavy machine gun Browning M1921 appeared in 1921, its design resembled the M1919 machine gun in many ways. He had a water-cooled barrel and weighed 54.8 kg with the machine. The rate of shooting of the Browning M1921 was 500-650 rounds per minute. Because of its large mass, this machine gun was mainly used as an anti-aircraft weapon.

In 1932, the Browning machine gun underwent a major modernization, the main task of which was to make these weapons more universal. The new machine gun was designated M2HB (Heavy Barrel, which meant "heavy barrel"). He really got a heavier barrel, which in the best way reflected in his rate of fire. Cooling the new machine gun made air, instead of outdated water. M2 has the opportunity to feed the tape from both sides of the weapon.

However, the most important thing was different: the modernization made it possible to use the machine gun both in aviation and as an anti-aircraft weapon or an infantry machine gun, without making any additional changes to its design.

The battles of World War II confirmed the high fighting qualities of Browning M2, it combined reliability, provided high density of fire, and its ammunition had sufficient power.

Here are some interesting numbers that relate to the production and use of the Browning machine gun. After all, if this weapon would be worthless, it is unlikely it was made on such a scale.

During World War II, American industry produced more than 2 million units of the Browning system machine gun of various modifications, 400 thousand of which were intended for infantry. This machine gun became the favorite weapon of American aviation: it was installed on the P-40, P-47 (8 units), P-51 aircraft. Strategic B-17 bomber defended by 13 Browning M2.

These machine guns were installed on tanks, armored personnel carriers and even jeeps, the M2 was also actively used as an anti-aircraft weapon.

In addition to the United States, the Browning machine gun was produced in Sweden and Belgium. The US military has repeatedly tried to develop a more sophisticated large-caliber machine gun and send the "veteran" to rest. One such attempt was made in the early 70s. After testing the new models, the US military asked the Pentagon not to engage in nonsense and return the old and reliable "double M" to them. In the late 70s, production of Browning M2 was resumed.

This machine gun has only one drawback - its rather impressive weight, all other weapon characteristics suit the military quite. A distinctive feature of the Browning machine gun is a high accuracy of shooting, it was repeatedly used as a large-caliber sniper weapon. An optical sight can be mounted on the M2, and the characteristics of a 12.7 × 99 mm ammunition make it possible to conduct aimed fire from Browning at distances up to two kilometers. The record for the machine gun was the defeat of the enemy with a single shot at a distance of 2,250 meters.

It should be noted that the .50 BMG ammunition is used for large-caliber sniper rifles.

The design of the machine gun Browning M2

Browning M2 automatics works due to recoil of the barrel with a short stroke. Power machine gun belt, the direction of the tape can be easily changed.

The barrel bore is locked by means of a sliding wedge stop that moves in a vertical plane. After the shot, the bolt moves back with the barrel. When the bolt moves forward, the barrel bore is locked and a new cartridge is fed.

The shock mechanism of the machine gun of the Udarnik type, has its own shock spring, it allows both single and automatic fire. There is a spring-type recoil absorber, which also performs the function of a return spring. The role of the ejector sleeve perform special grips on the mirror shutter.

Power machine gun belt, all-metal ribbon, loose, with closed links.

Browning M2 machine gun has a replaceable barrel of air cooling, it is screwed into special grooves of the receiver. The barrel has eight right-side rifling, its inner surface is chrome-plated (initially there was no chrome plating). For easy replacement of the barrel, it is equipped with a special handle.

The sights of the open type machine gun (standard version), they consist of a front sight mounted on the front of the receiver and a frame sight. On Browning M2, you can easily install optical sights, including thermal imagers.

A large number of different machines have been developed for the Browning M2 machine gun, but the most common is the M3. In addition, weapons are often installed on various types of armored vehicles. Extraction of sleeves is made down, which has both its advantages and disadvantages.

There are several modifications of the Browning machine gun:

Browning M2HQCB. This weapon was developed by gunsmiths of the Belgian company FN Herstal. This modification is used by both the army of Belgium and the armed forces of other NATO countries. This machine gun is equipped with a quick-detachable barrel, its casing and bolt carrier are modified.
M2A1. This modification was created for the American army, in 2010 it was put into service.

Technical performance of Browning M2

Browning M2 Machine Gun Video

Watch the video: How to Assemble and Disassemble an M2 .50 Cal Machine Gun. Marine Infantry Knowledge (November 2024).