.50 Caliber M2 Browning Machine Gun

.50 Caliber M2 Browning Machine Gun, 25 mm Grenadier Models SA-25.

The .50 cal. Browning M2 is a heavy machine gun used by the US Armed Forces and their allies. Based on his earlier design of the .30 cal. M1919 medium machine gun, John M. Browning started developing a new heavier calibre weapon capable of penetrating the light armor of late World-War One aircraft and tanks. Well into the design process, captured Mauser Tankgewehr M1918 anti-tank rifles and stocks of 13 × 92 mm cartridges became available which influenced the design of the new .50 BMG cartridge. Production of the .50 cal. Browning M2 began in 1921 and continues even today, with over 3 million units manufactured.

The TO&E of the 1944 US Army Infantry Battalion includes Jeeps and 2½ trucks armed with .50 cal. Browning M2 heavy machine guns, whereas the machine gun sections of the infantry companies are equipped with the .30 cal. Browning M1919A4 light machine gun and those of the heavy weapons company with a .30 cal. Browning M1917A1 heavy machine gun.

Miniatures with Browning M2 Machine Guns

  • .50 cal. Browning M2 HB Machine Gun, 1:6 Dragon
  • M2 Browning, 1:35 Eduard 635001
  • .50 cal. Browning HMG Set, 1:35 Legend Productions LF1037
  • U.S. Infantry Weapons Set, 1:35 Tamiya
  • .50 cal. Browning M2 Machine Gun Set B with Cradle, 1:35 Tasca 35-L09
  • .50 cal. M2 HB Machine Gun Set, M3 Tripod and M63 Anti-Aircraft Mount, 1:35 AFV Club AF35246
  • .50 cal. M2 HB Machine Gun, 1:35 Voyager Model VBS0301
  • .50 cal. M2 HB Machine Gun Set, 1:35 Voyager Model VBS0204
  • .50 cal. M2 HB Machine Gun Conversion Set, 1:35 AFV Club AG35042
  • US Infantry .50 cal. Browning M2 Machine Gun Team, 28 mm Bolt Action WGB-AI-37
  • Secret Agents – Mercenaries, 25 mm Grenadier Models SA-25
  • US Infantry, 1:72 Revell 02503
  • US Infantry Heavy Weapons 1944–45, 1:72 PSC WW2020007
  • US Machine Gun M2 Browning with Crew, 1:72 Zvezda 7414
  • US Infantry Heavy Weapons, 1:72 Plastic Soldier WW2020007
  • US Infantry, 1:76 Matchbox 40902
  • .50 cal. Machine Gun Teams, 15 mm Peter Pig 71
  • Armored Rifle Platoon Dismounted MGs, 15 mm Flames of War US718
  • Airborne Anti-Aircraft Platoon, 15 mm Flames of War US545
  • US Infantry Heavy Weapons 1944–45, 15 mm PSC WW2015007
  • U.S. Infantry Heavy Weapons, 1:300 Heroics & Ros USR2

Browning M2 Machine Guns on Vehicles

Accessories

  • .50 cal. Browning M2HB GP Machine Gun Barrel, 1:35 Voyager Model VBS0201
  • .50 cal. M2 Browning Machine Gun Body, 1:35 Live Resin LRE-35144
  • .50 cal. M2 HB Machine Gun Barrels, 1:35 Griffon Model LB35024
  • .50 cal. M2 HB Metal Barrel, 1:35 Lion Roar LB3528
  • .50 cal. M2 Browning Barrel, 1:35 Passion Models P35-027
  • .50 cal. M2 Browning Barrel with Quick Change Handle, 1:35 Passion Models P35-027S
  • Brass Barrel for .50 cal. Browning M2 HB, 1:35 Aber 35L80
  • .50 cal. M2 Browning Upgrade Set, 1:35 RB Model 35B13
  • Modern Browning M2HB GPMG and Optical Collimator Set, 1:35 Voyager Model VBS0202
  • Modern Browning M2HB GP Gunmetals Mount, 1:35 Voyager Model VBS0203
  • Cal. .50 Ammunition Box (Wood, 1921)
  • Cal. .50 Ammunition Box / Can M17
  • Cal. .50 Ammunition Box / Can M3
  • Cal. .50 Ammunition Box / Can M2
  • Cal. .50 Ammunition Box / Can M2A1

Technical Data

  • Designation: Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2
  • Type: Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)
  • Developers: John M. Browning and Fred T. Moore
  • Action: closed bolt, short recoil-operated
  • Length: 1651 mm
  • Barrel Length: 1143 mm
  • Weight: 38 kg, or 58 kg with Tripod
  • Calibre: 12.7 mm
  • Cartridge: .50 BMG (12.7 × 99 mm NATO)
  • Ammunition Feed: Metal Link Belt M2 or M9
  • Muzzle Velocity: 890 m/s
  • Effective Range: 1800 m
  • Maximum Range: 6800 m
  • Operation: semi or full automatic
  • Rate of Fire: 450 to 500 rounds per minute
  • Production: 1921–today

US Army Miniatures of World War Two