View source for M2 Browning

{{Short description|.50 caliber heavy machine gun}}
{{Redirect2|Fifty cal|.50 cal|cartridges in this caliber|12 mm caliber}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox weapon
| image              = PEO Browning M2E2 QCB (c1).jpg
| image_size         = 300px
| caption            = M2E2 with a quick change barrel and tripod
| name               = Browning machine gun, cal. .50, M2, HB
| type               = [[Heavy machine gun]]
| origin             = United States
| is_ranged          = yes
| designer           = [[John M. Browning]]
| design_date        = 1918
| manufacturer       = {{plainlist|
*'''Active'''
**[[Fabrique Nationale]]
**[[General Dynamics]]
**Ohio Ordnance Works Inc.
**[[U.S. Ordnance]]
*'''Former'''
**Manroy Engineering
**[[Sabre Defence|Sabre Defence Industries]]
**[[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company]]
**[[High Standard Manufacturing Company|High Standard Firearms]]
**[[Savage Arms|Savage Arms Corporation]]
**Buffalo Arms Corporation
**'''[[General Motors Corporation]]'''
***[[Frigidaire]]
***[[ACDelco|AC Spark Plug]]
***[[Nexteer Automotive#History|Saginaw Steering Gear Division]]
***Brown-Lipe-Chappin Divisions
**Kelsey Hayes Wheel Company
**[[Springfield Armory]]
**Wayne Pump Company
**ERMCO
**[[TRW Inc.#History|Ramo Manufacturing]]
**[[Rock Island Arsenal]]}}
| production_date    = 1921–present (M2HB/M2A1)
| number             = 3 million<ref name="worldpolicy2000">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/smallarms.htm |title=Report: Profiling the Small Arms Industry |date=November 2000 |website=World Policy Institute |access-date=2010-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011093831/http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/smallarms.htm |archive-date=2017-10-11 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| service            = 1933–present
| used_by            = See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
| wars               = [[World War II]] <br />[[Indonesian National Revolution ]] <br />[[Korean War]] <br />[[First Indochina War]] <br />[[Suez Crisis]] <br />[[1958 Lebanon crisis]] <br />[[Cuban Revolution]] <br />[[Portuguese Colonial War]] <br />[[Rhodesian Bush War]] <br />[[Vietnam War]] <br />[[Laotian Civil War]] <br />[[Cambodian Civil War]] <br />[[Colombian Armed Conflict]] <br />[[Dominican Civil War]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Power Pack: U.S. Intervention in the Dominican Republic, 1965-1966 |series=Leavenworth Papers, Number 15|last=Yates|first= Lawrence A. |date=July 1988|page= 123|publisher= [[United States Army Command and General Staff College]]|url= https://history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/dom_republic/Power_Pack-US_Intervention_Dominican_Republic_1965-1966.pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150906182310/http://www.history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/dom_republic/Power_Pack-US_Intervention_Dominican_Republic_1965-1966.pdf|url-status= dead|archive-date= 6 September 2015}}</ref> <br />[[Ethiopian Civil War]] <br />[[Lebanese Civil War]] <br />[[Cambodian–Vietnamese War]] <br />[[Sino-Vietnamese War]] <br />[[Nicaraguan Revolution]] <br />[[Falklands War]] <br />[[Operation Urgent Fury]] <br />[[Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present)]] <br />[[Iran-Iraq War]] <br />[[Operation Just Cause]] <br />[[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]] <br />[[Rwandan Civil War]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/rwandan-government-soldier-fires-on-june-12-1994-to-rwandan-news-photo/456391190 |title=A Rwandan government soldier fires on June 12, 1994 to Rwandan |access-date=10 August 2022 |archive-date=6 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306194014/https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/rwandan-government-soldier-fires-on-june-12-1994-to-rwandan-news-photo/456391190 |url-status=dead }}</ref> <br />[[Somali Civil War]] <br />[[Yugoslav Wars]] <br />[[Operation Uphold Democracy]] <br />[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiA_W9-pW9Y |title=50 Cal. Gunner Engages Taliban Positions During Ambush |author=FUNKER530 - Veteran Community & Combat Footage |date=21 June 2013 |access-date=4 June 2017 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316003317/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiA_W9-pW9Y |archive-date=16 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> <br />[[Iraq War]] <br />[[Syrian Civil War (2011–present)]] <br />[[War in Iraq (2013–2017)]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du8J30kRNMA |title=Iraqi Capture of Saqlawiyah Northwest of Fallujah From Da'esh |website=YouTube |access-date=4 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602100745/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du8J30kRNMA |archive-date=2 June 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> <br />[[Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)]] <br />[[Russo-Ukrainian War]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2022/03/22/ukraine-has-received-browning-50-caliber-heavy-machine-gun/ |title=Ukraine has received Browning .50 caliber heavy machine gun |website=Bulgarian Military|date=22 March 2022 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref>
| weight             = {{plainlist|
*{{cvt|38|kg}} <br />{{cvt|28|kg}} (AN/M2)
*{{cvt|58|kg}} with [[tripod (weapon)|tripod]] and traverse and elevation mechanism (T&E)}}
*{{cvt|24|lb}} barrel weight<ref name="FM23-65">{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/Fm23-65/mode/2up?view=theater |title=FM 23-65 Browning Machine Gun caliber.50 HB, M2 2002 |date=23 December 2002 }}</ref>
| length             = {{convert|1654|mm|in|abbr=on}} <br />{{convert|1429|mm|abbr=on|1}} (AN/M2)
| part_length        = {{convert|1143|mm|abbr=on|1}} <br />{{convert|910|mm|abbr=on|1}} (AN/M2)
| cartridge          = [[.50 BMG|.50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)]]
| action             = [[Recoil operation|Short recoil-operated]]
| rate               = {{plainlist|
*450–600 rounds/min (M2HB)<ref name="M2HB-QCB">{{cite web |url=http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=280&backPID=306&productID=61&pid_product=233&pidList=306&categorySelector=2&detail=&cHash=b6f6442733 |title=FN M2HB-QCB |website=FN Herstal |access-date=25 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225174447/http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=280&backPID=306&productID=61&pid_product=233&pidList=306&categorySelector=2&detail=&cHash=b6f6442733 |archive-date=25 December 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Dunlap|1948|pp=310–311}}
*750–850 rounds/min (AN/M2)
*1,200–1,300 rounds/min (AN/M3)<ref>{{Harvnb|Chinn|1951|loc='''III''' pp. 315, 323–334}}. In 1939, H. Arnold sought a cyclic rate greater that 1000 rounds/minute. The T25E3 gun was standardized as M3, and 2,400 had been made by September 1945. "The standardized basic machine gun fired at the rate of 1,200 rounds per minute."</ref>}}
| velocity           = {{convert|2910|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}} (M33 ball), {{cvt|78|ft}} from muzzle<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dtic.mil/dticasd/sbir/sbir032/a044a.pdf |title=Army Ammunition Data Sheets for Small Caliber Ammunition |publisher=Defense Technical Information Center |page=150 |date=April 1994 |access-date=27 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202134237/http://www.dtic.mil/dticasd/sbir/sbir032/a044a.pdf |archive-date=2 December 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> <br />{{convert|3050|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}} in manual<ref name="FM23-65"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.usord.com/content/docs/manuals/usord_m2hb_op-manual.pdf | title=M2 HB/QCB }}</ref>
| range              = {{convert|1800|m|yd|abbr=on}}<ref name="M2HB-QCB"/>
| max_range          = {{convert|7400|m|yd|abbr=on}}
| feed               = [[Belt (firearm)|Belt-fed]] (M2 or M9 links)
| sights             = 
}}

The '''M2 machine gun''' or '''Browning .50-caliber machine gun''' (informally, "'''Ma Deuce'''")<ref>{{Cite web |title=24th MEU ACE 'lock and load' Ma Deuce: photo essay |url=https://www.24thmeu.marines.mil/News/Article/Article/510719/24th-meu-ace-lock-and-load-ma-deuce-photo-essay/ |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=24th Marine Expeditionary Unit |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon |title=The US Army in the Vietnam War 1965–73 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-84603-239-4 |location=Reading, UK |page=56}}</ref> is a [[heavy machine gun]] that was designed near the end of [[World War I]] by [[John Browning]]. While similar to Browning's [[M1919 Browning machine gun]], which was chambered for the [[.30-06 Springfield|.30-06]] cartridge, the M2 uses Browning's larger and more powerful [[.50 BMG]] (12.7 mm) cartridge. The design has had many designations; the official U.S. military designation for the infantry type is '''Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, Flexible'''. It has been used against infantry, light armored vehicles, watercraft, light fortifications, and low-flying aircraft.

The gun has been used extensively as a vehicle weapon and for aircraft armament by the United States since the 1930s. It was heavily used during [[World War II]], the [[Korean War]], the [[Vietnam War]], the [[Falklands War]], the [[Soviet–Afghan War]], the [[Gulf War]], the [[Iraq War]], and the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]]. It is the primary heavy machine gun of [[NATO]] countries and has been used by many other countries as well. U.S. forces have used the M2 longer than any other firearm except the [[.45 ACP]] [[M1911 pistol]], which was also designed by John Browning.

The '''M2HB''' (heavy barrel) is manufactured in the U.S. by [[General Dynamics]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defense.gov/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4360 |title=Contracts for Friday, September 3, 2010 |website=Defense.gov |access-date=2011-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529135851/http://www.defense.gov/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4360 |archive-date=29 May 2011}}</ref> Ohio Ordnance Works,<ref>{{Cite web |title=.50 M2HB QCB (M2A1) |url=http://oow-govmil.com/firearms/50-m2hb-qcb-2/ |work=Ohio Ordnance Military |date=28 October 2016 |access-date=2020-08-24}}</ref> [[U.S. Ordnance]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defense.gov/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4072 |title=Contracts for Wednesday, July 15, 2009 |website=Defense.gov |access-date=2011-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529135853/http://www.defense.gov/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4072 |archive-date=29 May 2011}}</ref> and [[FN Herstal]] for sale to the U.S. government and other nations via [[Foreign Military Sales]].

==History==
Machine guns were heavily used in World War I, and weapons of larger than rifle caliber began appearing on both sides of the conflict. The larger rounds were needed to pierce the armor that was being introduced to the battlefield, both on the ground and in the air. Germany introduced the [[Junkers J.I]] aircraft, whose armor could render ineffective aircraft machine guns that used conventional rifle ammunition such as the .30-06.<ref name="Chinn 1951 333">{{Harvnb|Chinn|1951|p=333}}, stating "The Germans put a heavily armored plane into service during the closing days of World War I. This act made obsolete for all time the rifle-caliber machine gun for aerial use. Some countries were slower to accept the fact than others but nevertheless, it cannot be disputed. The United States was among the first to come to this realization.<!-- The dramatic incident that caused it was the shooting down by such an aircraft of the young pilot, [[Quentin Roosevelt]]. -->"</ref> Consequently, the [[American Expeditionary Force]]'s commander General [[John J. Pershing]] asked for a larger-caliber machine gun.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chinn|1951|pp=181–182}}</ref> Pershing asked the Army Ordnance Department to develop a machine gun with a caliber of at least {{convert|0.50|in|mm|sigfig=3}} and a muzzle velocity of at least {{convert|2700|ft/s|m/s}}.<ref name="Chinn 1951 333"/>

Around July 1917, John Browning started redesigning his .30-06 [[M1917 Browning machine gun|M1917]] machine gun for a larger and more powerful round. Winchester worked on the cartridge, which was a scaled-up version of the .30-06. Winchester initially added a rim to the cartridge because the company wanted to use the cartridge in an anti-tank rifle, but Pershing insisted the cartridge be rimless.<ref name="Chinn182">{{Harvnb|Chinn|1951|p=182}}</ref> The first .50-caliber machine gun underwent trials on 15 October 1918. It fired at less than 500 rounds per minute, and the muzzle velocity was only {{convert|2300|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}. Cartridge improvements were promised.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chinn|1951|p=183}}</ref> The gun was heavy, difficult to control, fired too slowly for the anti-personnel role, and was not powerful enough against armor.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chinn|1951|p=184}}</ref>

While the .50-caliber was being developed, some [[13.2×92mmSR]] [[Mauser 1918 T-Gewehr]] anti-tank rifles and their ammunition were captured. The 13.2 mm German rounds had a muzzle velocity of {{convert|2700|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}, an {{convert|800|gr|g|abbr=on}} bullet, and could penetrate armor {{convert|1|inch|mm|abbr=on}} thick at a range of {{convert|250|yard|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chinn|1951|p=184}}. Chinn states that the German round was 12.7-mm anti-tank, but it may have been the [[13.2mm TuF]] round. The Germans were working on their [[MG 18 TuF]] heavy machine gun.</ref> Winchester improved the .50 caliber round to have similar performance. Ultimately, the muzzle velocity was {{Convert|2750|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chinn|1951|p=186}}</ref>

Efforts by Browning and Fred T. Moore resulted in the water-cooled, .50 caliber [[M1921 Browning machine gun]] and an aircraft version. These guns were used experimentally from 1921 until 1937. They had lightweight barrels and the ammunition fed only from the left side. Service trials raised doubts about whether the guns would be suitable for aircraft or for anti-aircraft use. A heavy barrel M1921 was considered for ground vehicles.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chinn|1951|pp=333–335}}</ref>

John M. Browning died in 1926. Between 1927 and 1932, S. H. Green studied the design problems of the M1921 and the needs of the armed services. The result was a single receiver design that could be turned into seven types of .50 caliber machine guns by using different jackets, barrels, and other components. The new receiver allowed right or left side feed. In 1933, Colt manufactured several prototype Browning machine guns (including what would be known as the M1921A1 and M1921E2). With support from the Navy, Colt started manufacturing the M2 in 1933.<ref>{{Harvnb|Chinn|1951|pp=336–337}}</ref> [[FN Herstal]] (Fabrique Nationale) has manufactured the M2 machine gun since the 1930s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=655 |title=Major Product Achievements |website=FN Herstal |access-date=2011-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927060025/http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=655 |archive-date=2011-09-27}}</ref> General Dynamics, U.S. Ordnance and Ohio Ordnance Works Inc. are other current manufacturers.{{Citation needed|date=August 2015}}

A variant without a water jacket, but with a thicker-walled, air-cooled [[gun barrel|barrel]] was designated the M2 HB (''HB'' for ''Heavy Barrel''). The added mass and surface area of the heavy barrel compensated somewhat for the loss of water-cooling, while reducing bulk and weight: the M2 weighs {{convert|121|lb|abbr=on}} with a water jacket, but the M2 HB weighs {{convert|84|lb|abbr=on}}. Due to the long procedure for changing the barrel, an improved system was developed called QCB (quick change barrel). The lightweight "Army/Navy" prefixed '''AN/M2''' "light-barrel" version of the Browning M2 weighing {{Convert|60|lb|kg}} was also developed, and became the standard .50-caliber aviation machine gun of the World War II–era for American military aircraft of nearly every type,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skylighters.org/history/mgs/ |title=AAA Weapons in Focus - The M2 .50-Caliber Machine Gun |website=Skylighters, The Web Site of the 225th AAA Searchlight Battalion |access-date=2008-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606055546/http://www.skylighters.org/history/mgs/ |archive-date=2008-06-06 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source|date=November 2021}} readily replacing Browning's own [[M1919 Browning machine gun#.30 AN/M2|air-cooled .30 caliber machine gun]] design in nearly all American aircraft installations.{{Cn|date=November 2021}}

==Design details==
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2021}}

The Browning M2 is an [[air-cooled]], [[Belt (firearm)|belt-fed]] machine gun. The M2 fires from a [[closed bolt]], operated on the [[short recoil]] principle. The M2 fires the .50 BMG cartridge, which offers longer range, greater accuracy, and immense [[stopping power]]. The closed bolt firing cycle made the M2 usable as a synchronized machine gun on aircraft before and during World War II, as on the early versions of the [[Curtiss P-40]] fighter. The M2 is a scaled-up version of John Browning's [[M1917 Browning machine gun|M1917 .30 caliber machine gun]].

===Features===
The M2 has varying cyclic rates of fire, depending on the model. The M2HB air-cooled ground gun has a cyclical rate of 450–575 rounds per minute.<ref>{{harvnb|Dunlap|1948|pp=310–311}}: "The official rate during WWII was 450–575&nbsp;rpm, but it was extremely rare to encounter an M2HB that exceeded 550&nbsp;rpm."</ref> The early M2 water-cooled AA guns had a cyclical rate of around 450–600&nbsp;rpm.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_50cal-M2_MG.htm |title=USA 0.50"/90 (12.7 mm) M2 Browning Machine Gun |first=Tony |last=DiGiulian |date=2007 |website=Navweaps.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102231537/http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_50cal-M2_MG.htm |archive-date=2008-11-02}}</ref> The AN/M2 aircraft gun has a cyclic rate of 750–850&nbsp;rpm; this increases to 1,200&nbsp;rpm for AN/M3 aircraft guns. These maximum rates of fire are generally not achieved in use, as sustained fire at that rate will wear out the bore within a few thousand rounds, necessitating replacement. In addition to full automatic, the M2HB can be selected to fire single shots, fire slowly at less than 40 rounds per minute, or fire rapidly for more than 40 rounds per minute. Slow and rapid firing modes use 5–7 round bursts with different lengths of pause between bursts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m2hb.net/manuals/fm23_65.pdf |title=FM 23-65: Browning Machine Gun Caliber .50 HB, M2 |date=December 2002 |website=U.S. Department of the Army |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430022123/http://m2hb.net/manuals/fm23_65.pdf |archive-date=2011-04-30}}</ref>

[[File:M2 - 24th MEU.jpg|thumb|left|A U.S. Marine mans a .50 caliber machine gun as part of a security force during a training exercise with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in November 2002.]]
The M2 has an effective range of {{convert|1830|m|yard}} and a maximum effective range of {{convert|2000|m|yard}} when fired from the [[M3 tripod]]. In its ground-portable, crew-served role as the M2HB, the gun itself weighs {{convert|84|lb|kg}} and the assembled M3 tripod another {{convert|44|lb|kg}}. In this configuration, the V-shaped "butterfly" trigger is located at the very rear of the weapon with a "spade handle" handgrip on either side of it and the bolt release in the center. The spade handles are gripped and the butterfly trigger is depressed with one or both thumbs. Recently, new rear buffer assemblies have used squeeze triggers mounted to the handgrips, doing away with the butterfly triggers.

When the bolt release is locked down by the bolt latch release lock on the buffer tube sleeve, the gun functions in fully automatic mode. Conversely, the bolt release can be unlocked into the up position resulting in single-shot firing (the gunner must press the bolt latch release to send the bolt forward). Unlike virtually all other modern machine guns, it has no safety (although a sliding safety switch has recently been fielded to USMC armorers for installation on their weapons and is standard-issue for the U.S. Army for all M2s). Troops in the field have been known to add an improvised safety measure against accidental firing by slipping an expended shell casing under the butterfly trigger.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mcdetflw.tecom.usmc.mil/usmc-mp2006/READ%20AHEAD/ADVANCE%20COURSE%20READ%20AHEAD/ADVANCE%20COURSE%20OUTLINES/Crew%20Served%20Weapons%20lesson%20plan.doc |title=Lesson Plan: Crew Served Weapons |date=25 June 2007 |website=United States Marine Corps |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227120628/http://mcdetflw.tecom.usmc.mil/usmc-mp2006/READ%20AHEAD/ADVANCE%20COURSE%20READ%20AHEAD/ADVANCE%20COURSE%20OUTLINES/Crew%20Served%20Weapons%20lesson%20plan.doc |archive-date=2009-02-27}}</ref> The upgraded M2A1 has a manual trigger block safety.

[[File:Twin M2HB machine gun.jpg|thumb|upright|Twin M2HB machine gun during a pre-action calibration fire (PACFIRE) exercise in May 2005]]
Because the M2 was designed to operate in many configurations, it can be adapted to feed from the left or right side of the weapon by exchanging the belt-holding pawls, and the front and rear cartridge stops (three-piece set to include link stripper), then reversing the bolt switch. The operator must also convert the top-cover belt feed slide assembly from left to right-hand feed as well as the spring and plunger in the feed arm. This will take a well-trained individual less than two minutes to perform.

The charging assembly may be changed from left to right-hand charge. A right-hand charging handle spring, lock wire, and a little "know-how" are all that is required to accomplish this. The M2 can be battle-ready and easily interchanged if it is preemptively fitted with a retracting slide assembly on both sides of the weapon system. This eliminates the need to have the weapon removed from service to accomplish this task.

At some point during World War II, the Frankford Arsenal developed a [[squeeze bore]] version of the M2HB which reduced the bullet size from .50 to .30 caliber.<ref name="WeaponsMan">{{cite web |title=Exotic Barrels Part 1: Squeeze Bores |url=http://weaponsman.com/?p=21443 |website=WeaponsMan.com |access-date=18 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709035248/http://weaponsman.com/?p=21443 |archive-date=9 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Ammunition===
There are several different types of ammunition used in the M2HB and AN aircraft guns. From [[World War II]] through the [[Vietnam War]], the Browning was used with standard ball, armor-piercing (AP), armor-piercing incendiary (API), and armor-piercing incendiary tracer (APIT) rounds. All .50 ammunition designated "armor-piercing" was required to completely perforate {{convert|0.875|in|mm}} of hardened steel armor plate at a distance of {{convert|100|yd|m}} and {{convert|0.75|in|mm}} at {{convert|547|yd|m}}.<ref name="Barnes, Frank C. 1989 p.432">{{cite book |last=Barnes |first=Frank C. |date=1989 |title=Cartridges of the World |chapter=U.S. Army .50 BMG Cartridge Specifications |publisher=DBI Books |page=432 |isbn=0-87349-033-9}}</ref> The API and APIT rounds left a flash, report, and smoke on contact, useful in detecting strikes on enemy targets; they were primarily intended to incapacitate thin-skinned and lightly armored vehicles and aircraft, while igniting their fuel tanks.{{sfn|Dunlap|1948|pp=311–312}}

Current ammunition types include M33 Ball (706.7 grain) for personnel and light material targets, M17 tracer, M8 API (622.5 grain), M20 API-T (619 grain), and M962 SLAP-T. The latter ammunition along with the M903 SLAP (Saboted Light Armor Penetrator) round can perforate {{convert|1.34|in|mm}} of FHA (face-hardened steel plate) at {{convert|500|m|yd}}, {{convert|0.91|in|mm}} at {{convert|1200|m|yd}}, and {{convert|0.75|in|mm}} at {{convert|1500|m|yd}}. This is achieved by using a {{convert|0.30|in|mm|adj=mid|-diameter}} tungsten penetrator. The SLAP-T adds a tracer charge to the base of the ammunition. This ammunition was type classified in 1993.{{cn|date=February 2023}}

[[File:US Navy 070821-F-8678B-034 Machinery Repairman Fireman Edward O. Pastoral mans a M2 .50 caliber machine gun.jpg|thumb|M2 with blank-firing adapter]]
When firing blanks, a large [[blank-firing adapter]] (BFA) of a special type must be used to allow the recoil-operated action to cycle. This functions on the principle of a [[recoil booster]], to increase the recoil force acting on the short recoil action. This is the exact antithesis of a [[muzzle brake]]. Without this adaptor, the reduced-charge blank cartridge would develop too little recoil to cycle the action fully. The adapter is very distinctive, attaching to the muzzle with three rods extending back to the base. The BFA can often be seen on M2s during peacetime operations.

==Deployment==
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2021}}
[[File:M2 on a RHIB.jpg|thumb|upright |An M2 fired from a [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]].]]
[[File:B-25H.jpg|thumb |[[B-25 Mitchell#Use as a gunship |B-25H]] "Barbie III" showing four M2 feeds and [[75 mm gun (US)#Variants|75 mm M5 gun]]]]

The M2 .50 Browning machine gun has been used for various roles:
* A medium infantry support weapon
* As a light [[anti-aircraft]] (AA) gun in some ships; up to six M2 guns could be mounted on the same turret.
* As an anti-aircraft gun on the ground. The original water-cooled version of the M2 was used on a tall AA tripod or vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft weapon on pedestal mount. In later variants, twin and quadruple M2HB Brownings were used, such as the [[M45 Quadmount]] (aka "meat chopper") used on the US [[M3 Half-track|M16 half-track]] carrier. Twin or quad-mount .50 M2 guns normally used alternating left-hand and right-hand feed.
* Primary or secondary weapon on an [[armored fighting vehicle]].
* Primary or secondary weapon on a naval patrol boat.
* Spotting for the primary weapon on some [[armored fighting vehicle]]s.
* Secondary weapon for anti-boat defense on large naval vessels (corvettes, frigates, destroyers, cruisers, etc.).
* [[Coaxial gun]] or independent mounting in some tanks, including but not limited to: the [[M47 Patton]], [[M48 Patton]], [[M4 Sherman]], [[M24 Chaffee]], [[M6 heavy tank|Heavy tank M6]], [[Heavy Tank T34|Heavy Tank T29]], [[M1 Abrams]], [[M60 tank|M60 Patton]], [[M46 Patton]], and the [[M26 Pershing]].
* Fixed-mounted forward-firing primary aircraft armament (AN/M2 and AN/M3 light-barrel versions only). The AN/M2 was used as primary armament in almost all World War II U.S. [[Fighter aircraft|pursuit]] aircraft (such as the [[North American P-51 Mustang]], [[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt]], [[Lockheed P-38 Lightning]], [[Bell P-39 Airacobra]], [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk]], [[Grumman F6F Hellcat]], and [[Vought F4U Corsair]]). It was also used in fixed mountings in bombers and ground attack aircraft like the [[Douglas SBD Dauntless]] dive bomber, [[Grumman TBF Avenger]] torpedo bomber, and medium bombers such as [[North American B-25 Mitchell]], [[Martin B-26 Marauder]], and [[Douglas A-26 Invader]]; usually 4–8 per aircraft but the bombers could mount 12 or more in certain configurations. The later, faster-firing electrically feed-boosted AN/M3 was used in many [[Korean War]]–era [[USAF]] fighter aircraft such as the [[Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star]], [[Republic F-84 Thunderjet]], [[North American F-86 Sabre]], and early versions of the [[Martin B-57 Canberra]] bomber. The [[US Navy]] had largely completed their move to the (unrelated) [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404|M2/AN]] 20 mm [[autocannon]] for aircraft armament by this time.
* [[Gun turret|Turret]]-mount or flexible-mounted defensive armament, again only with the AN/M2 light-barrel version, in almost all US World War II–era bombers and patrol aircraft such as the [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress]], [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]] and [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]] heavy bombers, North American B-25 Mitchell and Martin B-26 Marauder medium bombers, [[Consolidated PBY Catalina]] patrol flying boats, Goodyear [[K-class blimp|K-]] and [[M-class blimp]]s, [[Grumman TBF Avenger|Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger]] torpedo bombers, and in a combined offensive/defensive turret mounting in many [[Northrop P-61 Black Widow]] [[night fighter]]s. The AN/M3 was used as a flexible, quad-mounted, radar-directed tail-defense gun as late as 1980 on the [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress]], until replaced by 20 mm [[M61 Vulcan]] [[Gatling gun|Gatling-type]] cannon on the H model.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon |title=Browning .50-caliber Machine Guns |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2010 |page=23}}</ref>
* Variants of the AN/M3 are used as flexible door guns or as flexible remotely-controlled armament subsystems on many US Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard helicopters, such as the [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois]], [[Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk]] and variants, [[Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion]], [[Bell OH-58 Kiowa]], and others.

===United States===
[[File:Browning M2HB Normandy.jpg|thumb |A U.S. soldier in [[Normandy]] stands guard with the M2HB installed on a dual-purpose mounting, 1944.]]

At the outbreak of the Second World War, the United States had versions of the M2 in service as fixed aircraft guns, anti-aircraft defensive guns (on aircraft, ships, or boats), infantry (tripod-mounted) guns, and as dual purpose anti-aircraft and anti-vehicular weapons on vehicles.{{sfn|Dunlap|1948|p=225}}<ref>{{harvnb|George|1981|p=404}}: "By World War II, the M2HB had been designated as a dual-purpose anti-aircraft and anti-vehicular weapon for motorized, armored, and infantry divisions; the designation "''anti-vehicular''" included thin-skinned and lightly armored vehicles, as it was already recognized by 1940 that the .50 M2 AP round would not be useful against modern medium or heavy tanks."</ref>

The .50 AN/M2 light-barrel aircraft Browning used in planes had a rate of fire of approximately 800 rounds per minute and was used singly or in groups of up to eight guns for aircraft ranging from the [[P-47 Thunderbolt]] to the [[B-25 Mitchell]] bomber, which in the last J-version of the Mitchell could have up to fourteen M2s firing forward for ground attack missions – eight in a solid metal-structure nose, four more mounted in a pair of conformal twin-gunned [[gun pod]]s on the lower cockpit sides, and two more if the forward dorsal turret's pair of M2 guns were also aimed straight forward. The later A-26 bested this with up to a maximum of 16/18 machine guns, 8 in the nose, four more per wing in flush-mount pods, plus 2 guns in the dorsal turret.

In the dual-purpose vehicle mount, the M2HB proved extremely effective in U.S. service: the Browning's .50 caliber AP and API rounds could easily penetrate the engine block or fuel tanks of a German [[Messerschmitt Bf 109|Bf 109]] fighter attacking at low altitude,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.45thdivision.org/Veterans/BirdA160.htm |title=Recollections of James R. Bird, A Battery, 160th F.A., 45th Inf. Div. |first=James |last=Bird |website=45thdivision.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223025915/http://www.45thdivision.org/Veterans/BirdA160.htm |archive-date=2008-12-23}}</ref> or perforate the hull plates and fuel tanks of a German [[Sd.Kfz. 251 |half-track]] or [[Leichter Panzerspahwagen |light armored car]]. It could even penetrate the sides and rear of the [[Panzer I]], [[Panzer II]], [[Panzer III]], and [[Panzer IV]] tanks.<ref name="Barnes, Frank C. 1989 p.432"/><ref>{{cite book |first1=Michael |last1=Green |first2=Gladys |last2=Green |name-list-style=amp |date=2000 |title=Weapons of Patton's Armies |publisher=Zenith Imprint Press |page=34 |isbn=978-0-7603-0821-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Bishop |first=Chris |date=2002 |title=The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II |publisher=Sterling Publishing Company, Inc |page=86 |isbn=978-1-58663-762-0}}</ref> While the dual-purpose mounting was undeniably useful, it did normally require the operator to stand when using the M2 in a ground role, exposing him to return fire.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Michael |last1=Green |first2=Gladys |last2=Green |name-list-style=amp |date=2000 |title=Weapons of Patton's Armies |publisher=Zenith Imprint Press |pages=32–34 |isbn=978-0-7603-0821-9}}</ref> Units in the field often modified the mountings on their vehicles, especially tanks and tank destroyers, to provide more operator protection in the anti-vehicular and anti-personnel role.{{sfn|Yeide|2004|p=185}} The weapon was particularly hated by the Germans, whose attacks and ambushes against otherwise helpless stalled motor convoys were frequently broken up by .50 caliber machine gun fire.<ref>{{cite book |last=Burgett |first=Donald |date=1999 |title=Seven Roads To Hell |publisher=Dell Publishing |page=129 |isbn=0-440-23627-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Jarymowycz |first=Roman J. |date=2001 |title=Tank Tactics: From Normandy to Lorraine |publisher=Lynne Rienner Publishers |page=212 |isbn=978-1-55587-950-1}}</ref> Vehicles would frequently "recon by fire" with the M2 Browning, i.e. they would fire continuously at suspected points of ambush while moving through areas still containing enemy forces. One vehicle would fire exclusively to the right, the following vehicle to the left, the next one to the right, and so on in order to cover both flanks of the advancing convoy.

Besides vehicle-mounted weapons, the heavy weapons companies in a World War II U.S. Army infantry battalion or regiment were each issued one M2 Browning with tripod (ground) mount.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rush |first=Robert S. |date=2003 |title=GI: The US Infantryman in World War II |publisher=Osprey Publishing Ltd |page=33 |isbn=1-84176-739-5}}</ref> Mounted on a heavily sandbagged tripod, the M2HB proved very useful in either a defensive role or to interdict or block road intersections from use by German infantry and motorized forces.{{sfn|Dunlap|1948|pp=225, 311–312}} Hearing the sound of an M2 could often cause enemy infantry to take cover.<ref name="Henry, Mark R. 2000 p. 20">{{cite book |last=Henry |first=Mark R. |date=2000 |title=The US Army in World War II (2): The Mediterranean |publisher=Osprey Publishing |page=20 |isbn=978-1-84176-085-8}}</ref> There are numerous instances of the M2 Browning being used against enemy personnel, particularly infantry assaults<ref>Abramski, Anthony V. (Pfc.), ''Eyewitness Account of Pfc. Anthony V. Abramski'', Citation In Support Of Congressional Medal of Honor Award to 2nd Lt. [[Audie Murphy]] at [[Holtzwihr]], France, 26 January 1945.</ref> or for interdiction or elimination of enemy artillery observers or snipers at distances too great for ordinary infantry weapons.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wolfe |first=Clarence B. |date=2006 |title=I Kept My Word |publisher=AuthorHouse Press |page=68 |isbn=978-1-4259-6951-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://history.army.mil/books/wwii/11-4/chapter21.htm |last=Lee |first=Ulysses |date=1966 |title=The United States Army in World War II: Special Studies, The Employment of Negro Troops |chapter=Ch. XXI: Artillery & Armored Units in the ETO |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=Historical Division, U.S. Army |page=646}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Jarymowycz |first=Roman J. |date=2001 |title=Tank Tactics: From Normandy to Lorraine |publisher=Lynne Rienner Publishers |page=212 |isbn=978-1-55587-950-1}} The M2HB fitted to tanks and M3 half-tracks was frequently employed against German rearguard forces including snipers and anti-tank teams, often firing into locations merely suspected of hiding such forces (so-called ''speculative fire'').</ref>

[[File:Firebase Phoenix overlooking the Korengal Valley.jpg|thumb |An M2 overlooking the [[Korengal Valley]] at [[Firebase Phoenix]], Afghanistan, in 2007]]
The M2HB was not widely used in the Pacific campaign for several reasons, including the weight of the gun, the nature of infantry jungle combat, and because road intersections were usually easily outflanked.{{sfn|George|1981|p=404}}{{Primary source inline|date=March 2022}} However, it was used by fast-moving motorized forces in the Philippines to destroy Japanese blocking units on the advance to Manila.{{sfn|Dunlap|1948|pp=225, 311–312}} The [[M45 Quadmount |quad mount .50]] was also used to destroy Japanese emplacements.<ref name="Article"/>

The M2HB was used in Korea and Vietnam, and later in both [[Gulf War |Operation Desert Storm]], the Afghan theater of [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present) |Operation Enduring Freedom]] and in [[Iraq War |Iraq]]. In 2003, U.S. Army SFC [[Paul Ray Smith]] used his M2HB mounted on an [[M113 armored personnel carrier]] to kill 20 to 50 enemies who were attacking a U.S. outpost, preventing an aid station from being overrun and allowing wounded soldiers to be evacuated,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E7D7123FF933A05750C0A9639C8B63 |title=Medal of Honor to Be Awarded to Soldier Killed in Iraq, a First |first=Eric |last=Schmitt |date=30 March 2005 |newspaper=The New York Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701043709/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E7D7123FF933A05750C0A9639C8B63 |archive-date=2017-07-01}}</ref> SFC Smith was killed during the firefight and was posthumously awarded the [[Medal of Honor]].

====M45 Quadmount====
{{Main|M45 Quadmount}}
[[File:Multiple Gun Motor Carriage.jpg|thumb|An M45 Quadmount installed on an [[M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage]]]]

The M45 Quadmount was a mounting of four .50 M2HB guns with a single gunner situated behind an armored housing. This was used by U.S. anti-air battalions, fitted either on a towed trailer or mounted on a half-track carrier. With 200 rounds per gun in a powered tracking mount, the guns proved very effective against low-flying aircraft. The use of four guns adequately compensated for the fact that the individual M2HB's rate of fire (450–550 rounds per minute) was low for an effective anti-aircraft weapon.<ref name="RottmanBrowning">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TaixfxwdCwEC&pg=PA20 |last=Rottman |first=Gordon L. |date=2010 |title=Browning .50-Caliber Machine Guns |publisher=Osprey Publishing |pages=19–20 |isbn=978-1-84908-331-7}}</ref>

Towards the end of the war, as [[Luftwaffe]] attacks became less frequent, the quad .50 (nicknamed the ''Meat Chopper'' or ''Krautmower''<ref name="RottmanBrowning" />) was increasingly used in an anti-personnel role, similarly to the earlier-introduced (1940) and more powerful—but much more difficult to keep well-fed with ammunition when in action—German 20&nbsp;mm [[FlaK 30#2 cm Flakvierling 38 |Flakvierling]]. Snipers firing from trees were engaged by the quad gunner at trunk level; the weapon would cut down and destroy the entire tree, and the sniper with it.<ref name="Henry, Mark R. 2000 p. 20"/><ref name="Article">{{cite web |url=http://www.skylighters.org/quad50/index.html |title=AAA Weapons of the U.S. Army, Part I: The "Quad 50" Machine Gun Mount |website=225th AAA Searchlight Battalion (Skylighters) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222001357/http://www.skylighters.org/quad50/index.html |archive-date=2008-12-22}}</ref>

The M45 Quadmount was still in use during the Vietnam War.

===Commonwealth and other forces===
{{Multiple image
 |align =
 |direction = vertical
 |width = 220
 |image1 = East timor independence un2.jpg
 |caption1 = Australian M113 with twin mounted [[M1919 Browning machine gun|M1919 Browning]] and M2 Browning Quick Change Barrel machine guns, 17 May 2002
 |image2 = IDF-M2-Browning-v01-by-Zachi-Evenor.jpg
 |caption2 = [[Israel Defense Forces]] M2HQCB
}}
The [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] use of the M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun (known as the .5 Browning in British and Commonwealth service) began in World War II, though from 1942 it was standard armament on US-built AFVs provided under lend-lease such as the [[M4 Sherman]], [[M7 Priest]], [[M8 Greyhound]], or [[M10 tank destroyer]] variously used by British, Canadian, Australian, South African, and New Zealand units. Nevertheless, the heavy Browning's effectiveness was praised by many British and Commonwealth soldiers in infantry, armored, and ordnance branches.<ref>{{cite book |last=Shore |first=C. |date=1988 |title=With British Snipers to the Reich |location=Mt. Ida, AR |publisher=Lancer Militaria |pages=197–198 |isbn=978-0-93585-602-6}}</ref>{{sfn|Dunlap|1948|pp=35, 145}} Many commanders thought that the .50 Browning was the best weapon in its class, certainly the best of the American weapons, including the [[M1 Garand]] and [[M1 Carbine]].{{sfn|Dunlap|1948|pp=35, 145}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Shore |first=C. |date=1988 |title=With British Snipers to the Reich |location=Mt. Ida, AR |publisher=Lancer Militaria |pages=197–198 |isbn=978-0-93585-602-6}} They especially liked the "hell's brew" of AP, API, and APIT ammunition.</ref> In North Africa, after Commonwealth units began to obtain sufficient parts, manuals, gauges, and ammunition for the new weapon, the .50 Browning was increasingly used, eventually replacing the 15&nbsp;mm Besa,{{sfn|Dunlap|1948|pp=35, 145}} but in Italy it was often deleted from top turret mountings because the mount exposed the operator to low branches and enemy fire.<ref>{{harvnb|Dunlap|1948|p=153}}: "The New Zealand and South African divisions, in particular, loved the big Browning and were frequently encountered trading for spare parts and gauges."</ref> All [[Long Range Desert Group|LRDGs]], and some [[Special Air Service|SAS]] units used the aircraft (AN/M2) version of the gun, while beam/waist-mounted and turret-mounted Brownings were used later in the war in such aircraft as the [[Short Sunderland]] and [[Avro Lancaster|Lancaster bomber]].

After World War II, the .50 Browning continued to see action in Korea and other theaters, in aircraft, tripod (ground), ground AA (hip-ring), and vehicle mounts. One of its most notable actions in a ground role was in a fierce battle with a nine-man Special Air Service team at the [[Battle of Mirbat]] in [[Oman]] in July 1972, where the heavy Browning and its API ammunition was used to help repulse an assault by 250 Yemeni [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman|Adoo]] guerrillas, though the more famous weapon from the battle is a [[25 pounder gun]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Kennedy |first=Michael Paul |date=1990 |title=Soldier I: SAS |location=London, UK |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=0-7475-0750-3}}</ref> The [[Scots Guards]] used the weapon in the 1982 [[Falklands War]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Boyce |first=D George |date=2005 |title=The Falklands War |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=btMcBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA76 |location=Basingstoke, Hants |publisher=Palgrave |page=76 |isbn=978-0-33375-396-5}}</ref>

A .50 caliber Browning was installed along with a .30 caliber Browning machine gun in each compact one-man turret on M113 APCs used by the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in South Vietnam.

The M2HB has been in service with the [[Israel Defense Forces]] since its establishment and has served in all of Israel's [[Israeli wars|wars, operations, and conflicts]]. In 2012, the IDF upgraded its M2HB machine guns to the M2HQCB model, with a heavy quick-change barrel. Today the M2 serves as an infantry crew-served heavy machine gun, as a remote-controlled external [[coaxial gun]] on [[Merkava]] [[main battle tank]]s, as the main weapon on the [[Samson RCWS]], and as a secondary weapon on [[Israeli Sea Corps]] [[gunboat]]s and [[missile boat]]s.

Nigerian troops have extensively deployed the 50 caliber Browning, mounted on Otokar Cobra APCs, Panhard VBL M11s and Landcruiser gun-trucks in counterinsurgency operations in the Niger Delta, N.E Nigeria, the Jos Plateau, and in Mali.

===Japanese Usage ===
==== Use by the Imperial Japanese Military ==== 
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2025}}
During the [[Pacific War]], the Empire of Japan, engaged in combat with the United States, made extensive use of M2 Browning-style machine guns and their modified versions, including fixed and swivel-mounted aircraft guns, primarily by the Imperial Army's air forces.

[[File:Type-97 ho-103 ho-05 cannon.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Foreground: Type 97 Ho-5 20mm Fixed Aircraft Cannon, Center: Type 103 Ho-103 12.7mm Fixed Aircraft Cannon (Stored at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum)]]

* [[Ho-103 machine gun|Ho-103]]: The [[Imperial Japanese Army]] adopted the Type 103 (Ishiki Jūni-7mm Kōkū Kikō) machine gun, a modified version of the AN/M2 (MG53-2) aircraft-mounted variant of the M2 Browning, changing the caliber to [[12.7x81mmSR]] to match the Breda SAFAT 12.7mm heavy machine gun’s standard. This weapon was widely equipped on Army fighter planes, including the early to mid-period Pacific War aircraft like the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. Compared to the M2, the Ho-103 was smaller, lighter, and had a higher rate of fire, but its reduced projectile weight meant it had lower power and muzzle velocity (though it could fire high-explosive “Ma-dan” shells, a feature the M2 lacked). While the M2 was relatively large and heavy for an aircraft gun, the Ho-103 succeeded in keeping weight down.

* [[Ho-5 cannon|Ho-5]]: The Army also pursued the development of a higher-powered 20mm cannon, which led to the creation of the Ho-5 (Type 2 20mm Fixed Aircraft Cannon), a 20mm version based on the Ho-103 design. The Ho-5 was equipped on later-stage Army fighters such as the Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden. The Ho-5 was nearly the same size and weight as the M2, despite its larger caliber, and offered excellent rate of fire, muzzle velocity, and devastating power.

* [[Type 3 aircraft machine gun|Type 3 13mm Fixed Machine Gun]]: The [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] also adopted a variant based on the M2, the Type 3 13mm Fixed Machine Gun, which used a 13mm cartridge (13.2x96mm) and the barrel of the Type 93 13mm heavy machine gun from the Hotchkiss family. This was mounted on a small number of Navy fighter planes, such as the A6M5b Zero, which appeared in the late stages of World War II. While the Type 3 had similar size and weight to the M2, it had superior rate of fire and a heavier bullet, giving it higher firepower per shot. However, its muzzle velocity was lower compared to the M2.

==== Post-World War II Use ==== 
{{refimprove section|date=January 2025}}
{{Multiple image
 |align =
 |direction = vertical
 |width = 220
 |image1 = １２．７ｍｍ重機関銃Ｍ２24.08.10 ４９ｉ・１２．７ミリ重機関銃射撃２４．８．１０撮影（対空射撃 佐多） 装備 42.jpg
 |caption1 = JGSDF soldiers firing 12.7mm Heavy Machine M2 with M63 tripod for Anti-Air purposes
 |image2 = １２．７ｍｍ重機関銃Ｍ２24.10.20 ３０ｉ・平成24年度 ＨＭＧ対空実射訓練（青森・六ヶ所） 撮影・廣瀬 (120) R 装備 101.jpg
 |caption2 = another side of view of JGSDF firing M2
 |image3 = JGSDF Browning .50 Caliber Machine Gun 20140420-01.jpg
 |caption3 = M2 mounted on a [[:ja:82式指揮通信車|Type 82 command and communication vehicle]] belonging to the [[:ja:第6高射特科大隊| JGSDF 6th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion]]
}}
After World War II, as Japan began rearming, the M2 was initially supplied by the United States. In addition to these supplied units, [[Sumitomo Heavy Industries]] began license production at its Tanashi factory in 1984.

In the [[Japan Self-Defense Forces]], the 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun M2 (12.7mm重機関銃M2) is primarily used in vehicles such as tanks, self-propelled guns, and armored vehicles, as well as for anti-aircraft purposes. New procurement includes approximately 80 units annually, and the M3 mount is compatible with the [[Howa Type 96|Type 96 40mm automatic grenade launcher]]. When deployed on the ground as anti-aircraft weapons, the M63 anti-aircraft mount is used. The procurement price is approximately ¥5.3 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rikuzi-chousadan.com/soubihin/zyuukaki/m2.html|title= 12.7mm重機関銃 M2|access-date=Jan 14, 2025}}</ref>

The [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] initially equipped early destroyers and patrol vessels with several M2 machine guns. However, these were eventually phased out due to concerns over their insufficient power and short range. In response to [[:ja:不審船事件|incidents involving North Korean suspicious ships]], the M2 machine guns were reintroduced on some vessels as more appropriate firepower for engaging small targets. The M2 is not considered a standard weapon on ships but is treated as an installed weapon (see [[:ja:海上自衛隊の個人装備]])

The [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force]] also used the M2 machine gun in the M55 trailer-mounted anti-aircraft gun for base defense purposes. However, with the introduction of newer systems like the VADS, the M2 is no longer in active combat use and is stored as a reserve.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://report.jbaudit.go.jp/org/h22/2010-h22-0617-0.htm|title=訓練用の１２．７ｍｍ普通弾及び１２．７ｍｍえい光弾を使用した射撃訓練をより円滑に実施することなどについて検討することにより、航空自衛隊において長期にわたり保有されたままとなっているこれらの弾薬の有効活用を図るよう是正改善の処置を求めたもの|access-date=Jan 14, 2025}}</ref>

The [[Japan Coast Guard]] has also used the M2 since its inception, referring to it as the [[:ja:海上保安庁の装備品一覧#船艇搭載銃砲|13mm Machine Gun]] and equipping many patrol boats with it. The weapon is still in use on patrol ships and boats today.

In December 2013, Sumitomo Heavy Industries was found to have falsified test data for at least 5,000 units of various machine guns, including the [[5.56mm Machine Gun MINIMI]], [[:ja:74式車載7.62mm機関銃|Type 74 Vehicle Mounted 7.62mm Machine Gun]] and the M2HB, and was placed under a five-month suspension.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.jiji.com/jc/zc?k=201312/2013121800775|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20131222050009/http://www.jiji.com/jc/zc?k=201312/2013121800775|title=住友重機を指名停止＝機関銃の試験データ改ざん－防衛省|language=|publisher=[[:ja:時事ドットコム]]|date=2013-12-18|archivedate=2013-12-22}}</ref>

In April 2021, Sumitomo Heavy Industries announced it would cease production of machine guns, although it intends to continue manufacturing parts for maintenance and repairs.<ref>{{Cite news |title=住重、5.56㎜機関銃 開発撤退 予算制約から発注量減 |newspaper=日刊工業新聞 |date=2021-04-16| url=https://www.nikkan.co.jp/articles/view/00595405?isReadConfirmed=true |accessdate=2021-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-15|url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/422914 |title=スクープ！住友重機械が機関銃生産から撤退へ |publisher=東洋経済オンライン |accessdate=2021-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=住友重機械、機関銃生産から撤退 |newspaper=日本経済新聞 |date=2021-04-15 | url=https://www.nikkei.com/nkd/industry/article/?DisplayType=1&n_m_code=031&ng=DGXZQOUC159YT0V10C21A4000000 |accessdate=2021-04-16}}</ref>

===Sniper rifle===
[[File:USMC-110909-M-UO859-002.jpg|thumb|USMC M2 fitted with a [[Leupold & Stevens|Leupold]] CQBSS variable power scope]]

The M2 machine gun has also been used as a long-range [[sniper rifle]] when equipped with a high-powered [[telescopic sight]]. Soldiers during the Korean War used scoped M2s in the role of a sniper rifle, but the practice was most notably used by US Marine Corps sniper [[Carlos Hathcock]] during the Vietnam War. Using an [[Unertl Optical Company|Unertl]] telescopic sight and a mounting bracket of his own design, Hathcock could quickly convert the M2 into a sniper rifle, using the traversing-and-elevating (T&E) mechanism attached to the [[tripod (weapon)|tripod]]. When firing semi-automatically, Hathcock hit man-size targets beyond {{convert|2000|yd|m|order=flip}}—twice the range of the standard-caliber sniper rifle of the time (a [[.30-06]] [[Winchester Model 70]]). Hathcock set the record for the longest confirmed kill at {{convert|2460|yd|m|order=flip}}, a [[Longest recorded sniper kills#Confirmed kills 1,250 m (1,367 yd) or greater|record]] which stood until 2002, when it was broken in Afghanistan by Canadian Army sniper [[Arron Perry]].<ref name="Hathcockshotb">{{cite web |title=Marine Corps Sniper Carlos N. Hathcock II |author=Sgt. Grit |year=2006 |website=Grunt.com |access-date=2008-03-24 |url=http://www.grunt.com/scuttlebutt/corps-stories/heroes/carloshathcock.asp |quote=Viet Cong shot dead by a round fired from a scope-mounted Browning M-2 .50 caliber machine gun at the unbelievable range of {{convert|2500|yd|m}}. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214173658/http://www.grunt.com/corps/scuttlebutt/marine-corps-stories/marine-corps-sniper-carlos-hathcock/ |archive-date=2012-02-14 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Variants and derivatives==

===Manufacturers===
Licensed historic production:<ref>accessed 3 September 2023, https://www.hitechcreations.com/wiki/index.php/M2_Browning_machine_gun</ref><ref>accessed 3 September 2023, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canadian Firearms Program, Firearms Reference Table (FRT)</ref>

* [[Aircraft Armaments Incorporated]] (AAI)
* [[Australian Defence Industries]]
* Canadian Arsenals Limited (CAL)
* [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt's Patent Fire Arms Company]]
* Buffalo Arms Company
* three divisions of [[General Motors]]: [[AC Spark Plug|AC Sparkplug]]; [[Frigidaire]]; and Brown-Lipe-Chapin<ref>Accessed 3 September 2023, https://usautoindustryworldwartwo.com/General%20Motors/onemillionbrownings.htm</ref>
* [[High Standard Manufacturing Company]]
* Kelsey Hayes Wheel Company
* [[Saco-Lowell Shops]]
* [[Savage Arms|Savage Arms Corporation]]
* [[Springfield Armory]] (US arsenal), and
* [[Sumitomo Heavy Industries]]
* Wayne Pump Company
Current production (2023):{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
* [[Canik Arms]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.canikarms.com/en/products_detail/canik-m2-qcb | title=Canik Arms }}</ref>
* FN Herstal (Fabrique Nationale)
* General Dynamics
* [[U.S. Ordnance|US Ordnance]]
* Ohio Ordnance Works Inc, and
* Manroy Engineering (UK)

===Variants===
{{Multiple image
| align             = 
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 220
| image1            = Cal50 Browning 2REI 2.jpg
| caption1          = An M2HB in the [[2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment|French Foreign Legion's 2nd Infantry Regiment]] during an exercise
| image2            = Operação Ágata 11 (27209909483).jpg
| caption2          = [[Jungle warfare|Jungle Infantry]] soldier of the [[Brazilian Army]] manning an M2HB in the [[Amazon rainforest]]
}}

The basic M2 was deployed in U.S. service in a number of subvariants, all with separate complete designations as per the US Army system. The basic designation as mentioned in the introduction is Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, with others as described below.

The development of the [[M1921 Browning machine gun|M1921]] water-cooled machine gun which led to the M2, meant that the initial M2s were, in fact, water-cooled. These weapons were designated '''Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, Water-Cooled, Flexible'''. There was no fixed water-cooled version.

Improved air-cooled heavy barrel versions came in three subtypes. The basic infantry model, '''Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, Flexible''', a fixed developed for use on the [[M6 Heavy Tank]] designated '''Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, Fixed''', and a "turret type" whereby "Flexible" M2s were modified slightly for use in tank turrets. The subvariant designation '''Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, TT''' was only used for manufacturing, supply, and administration identification and separation from flexible M2s.

A number of additional subvariants were developed after the end of World War II. The M2 Heavy Barrel, M48 Turret Type was developed for the commander's cupola on the [[M48 Patton]] tank. The cupola mount on the M48A2 and M48A3 was thoroughly disliked by most tankers, as it proved unreliable in service.<ref>{{cite book |last=Zumbro |first=Ralph |date=1986 |title=Tank Sergeant |publisher=Presidio Press |page=92 |isbn=978-0-89141-265-6}}</ref>{{Secondary source needed|date=March 2022}} An externally mounted M2 was later adopted for the commander's position on the [[M1 Abrams]] tanks. Three subvariants were also developed for use by the [[U.S. Navy]] on a variety of ships and watercraft including the soft mount and fixed type versions. The fixed types fire from a [[solenoid]] trigger and come in left- or right-hand feed variants for use on the Mk 56 Mod 0 dual mount and other mounts.

Huaqing Machinery has made a clone of the M2HB known as the CS/LM6, which was released publicly in 2010 at foreign weapons expo conventions.<ref name="LM6">{{cite web |url=http://www.qbq.com.cn/a/bencandy.php?fid=73&aid=1632&page=3 |title=第四届中国（北京）国际警用装备及反恐技术装备展览会新品呈献 - 本刊专递 - QBQ-轻兵器 |trans-title=New products presented at the 4th China (Beijing) International Police Equipment and Anti-terrorism Technology and Equipment Exhibition - Special Issue - QBQ - Light Weapon |language=zh |website=QBQ.com.cn |access-date=2018-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829105924/http://www.qbq.com.cn/a/bencandy.php?fid=73&aid=1632&page=3 |archive-date=2018-08-29 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was made with a picatinny rail on the receiver in order to have quick installation of various optics.<ref name="LM6"/> The original M2HB tripod and parts can be used on the CS/LM6.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zgjunshi.com/Article/Class38/Class88/Class121/200803/20080301200344.html |title=中国版M2HB：CS/LM6 0.50英寸重机枪 |trans-title=Chinese version of M2HB: CS/LM6 0.50 inch heavy machine gun |language=zh |website=Zgjunshi.com |access-date=2018-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621073633/http://zgjunshi.com/Article/Class38/Class88/Class121/200803/20080301200344.html |archive-date=2017-06-21 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===M2A1===
[[File:PEO M2E2-QCB HMG.jpg|thumb|M2E2 modification with quick-change barrel (QCB)]]

When the M2 was first being designed, John Browning faced two design challenges. With the machine tools available at that time, the dimensions that established the location of the bolt face and the depth of the chamber could not be held tightly enough to control the fit of the cartridge in the chamber. The round can be too tight in the chamber and the gun would not fire, or be too loose in the chamber, resulting in a stoppage or ruptured cartridge. The other dimension that could not be held closely enough was when the firing pin would fall. The solution to these problems was adjustable timing and headspace ("timing" is the adjustment of the gun so that firing takes place when the recoiling parts are in the correct position for firing; "headspace" is the distance between the face of the bolt and the base of the cartridge case, fully seated in the chamber); the operator had to screw the barrel into the barrel extension, moving the barrel toward the bolt face to reach the proper headspace with simple gauges to allow the operator to adjust to the proper dimensions. By the late 20th century, the M2 was the only adjustable headspace weapon in the U.S. inventory. With rising reports of injuries from improperly headspaced weapons, the U.S. military held a competition for a quick change barrel conversion kit with fixed timing and headspace in 1997. Three companies offered kits and [[Saco Defense]] won the competition. However, funding was lost before the design could be fully evaluated and the program ended. In 2007, the military found money to start a new competition. Saco Defense had since been acquired by [[General Dynamics]], which won the competition.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=428 |title=New .50 Cal Machine Guns, No Tanks |first=George |last=Kontis |date=19 August 2011 |journal=Small Arms Defense Journal |volume=1 |number=4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014190604/http://sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=428 |archive-date=2013-10-14}}</ref>

[[File:RSOV at National War College April 19, 2001.JPEG|thumb|U.S. Army [[Ranger Special Operations Vehicle]] armed with RAMO M2HB-QCB machine gun]]

On 15 October 2010, the ''M2A1'' heavy machine gun was type classified by the U.S. Army. Formerly known as the M2E2, the M2A1 incorporates improvements to the design including a quick change barrel (QCB) with a removable carrying handle, a new slotted flash suppressor that reduces muzzle flash by 95 percent, fixed headspace and timing, a modified bolt, and a manual trigger block safety. When a standard M2 had a barrel change, the headspace and timing had to be manually set. Improper adjustment could damage the weapon and cause serious injury to the user. Fixed headspace and timing reduces risk, and the carrying handle allows the barrel to be switched in seconds.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dawson |first=D. |date=3 January 2011 |url=http://peosoldier.armylive.dodlive.mil/2011/01/03/M2a1/ |title=Ma Deuce version M2A1 - Proven Performer gets an Upgrade |website=PEOSoldier.mil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219061002/http://peosoldier.armylive.dodlive.mil/2011/01/03/M2a1/ |archive-date=2013-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ma-deuce-still-going-strong-03539/ |title=Ma Deuce Still Going Strong |date=1 November 2012 |website=Defense Industry Daily |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127084019/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ma-deuce-still-going-strong-03539/ |archive-date=2013-01-27}}</ref> In June 2011, the Army began conversion of M2HB machine guns to M2A1s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2011/08/06/army-to-convert-browning-M2-to-M2a1/ |title=Army to convert Browning M2 to M2A1 |date=6 August 2011 |website=The Firearm Blog |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114054200/http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2011/08/06/army-to-convert-browning-M2-to-M2a1/ |archive-date=2012-11-14}}</ref> The M2A1 was named one of the greatest Army inventions of 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2012/09/21/M2a1-among-greatest-army-inventions-of-2011/ |title=M2A1 Among Greatest Army Inventions of 2011 |date=21 September 2012 |website=The Firearm Blog |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127194519/http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2012/09/21/M2a1-among-greatest-army-inventions-of-2011/ |archive-date=2012-11-27}}</ref> As of 30 November 2012, 8,300 built or converted M2A1s had been fielded by the U.S. Army; the program will upgrade the Army's entire M2 inventory of more than 54,000 guns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.mil/article/92130/ |title=M2A1 Machine Gun Features Greater Safety, Heightened Lethality |first=Kevin |last=Doell |date=30 November 2012 |website=Army.mil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015043857/http://www.army.mil/article/92130/ |archive-date=2013-10-15}}</ref> The [[U.S. Marine Corps]] plans to upgrade all of their ground-mounted M2s to M2A1 standard from 2016 to 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sanborn |first=James K. |date=17 September 2015 |title=Marines unveil plan to modernize their small arms arsenal |url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/tech/2015/09/17/marines-unveil-plan-modernize-their-small-arms-arsenal/72006282/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105102710/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/tech/2015/09/17/marines-unveil-plan-modernize-their-small-arms-arsenal/72006282/ |archive-date=2016-01-05 |newspaper=Marine Corps Times}}</ref> The first phase of conversions was completed in March 2017, with 3,600 M2A1s planned to be fielded by the Marines in total.<ref>{{cite news |last=South |first=Todd |date=27 April 2017 |title=Improved .50-caliber machine gun hits fleet |url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/articles/improved-50-caliber-machine-gun-hits-fleet |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428002038/https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/articles/improved-50-caliber-machine-gun-hits-fleet |archive-date=2017-04-28 |newspaper=Marine Corps Times}}</ref> The [[Israel Defense Forces]] adopted the M2-HQCB (the commercial version of the M2A1) in 2012 as a replacement to the M2HB.<ref>{{Cite web |title=הכירו את כלי הנשק החדשים של זרוע היבשה |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911000141/http://www.idf.il/1133-14686-he/Dover.aspx |archive-date=11 September 2016 |language=he |trans-title=Familiarize yourself with the new weapons of the land arm |url=http://www.idf.il/1133-14686-he/Dover.aspx |website=[[Israel Defense Forces]] |date=2012}}</ref>

=== 13,2 mm FN Browning ===
One derivative of the M2 Browning is the [[Mitrailleuse d´Avion Browning - F.N. Calibre 13,2 mm]], more commonly known as the FN Browning M.1939. The FN Browning M.1939 was a heavily modified M2 Browning for aircraft use designed by [[FN Herstal]] for export. Their aim was to make a light, reliable heavy machine gun with the same damage output as a 20&nbsp;mm autocannon. To achieve this, they raised the firing rate to 1080 rpm and gave it a more powerful cartridge in the form of the [[13.2×99mm Hotchkiss]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=La mitrailleuse Browning FN booklet}}</ref> This cartridge was a popular Eurasian analog of [[.50 BMG]] developed independently in 1920s with a 13.2&nbsp;mm bullet (.52 in) and more propellant. A new projectile was designed for this gun. It was of a high explosive type and was designed to take down a small aircraft with a single hit. Tests showed that it was very effective against both cloth and aluminum skinned aircraft.<ref>{{Cite book |title=La mitrailleuse Browning FN, kapitel XII. Les munitions F.N. calibre 13,2 mm}}</ref>

Due to the aforementioned improvements, the gun received interest from numerous nations when it entered the export market in 1939. Due to the start of World War 2 and the invasion of [[Belgium]] it was exported to only [[Romania]] and [[Sweden]].<ref name=":0" /> Sweden was able to buy the majority of the weapons along with the blueprints to produce the weapon on their own without paying for a license. In Sweden, the weapon received the designation Automatkanon m/39, short Akan m/39, meaning Autocannon m/39 and was later produced by [[Ericsson]] as the Akan m/39A. Sweden also gave the blueprints to [[Finland]] so they could produce the weapon. Since Finland was already producing 12.7&nbsp;mm ammunition, the Finnish variant was rechambered to 12.7&nbsp;mm (.50 BMG). The Finnish variant was designated VKT 12,70 LKk/42 and was produced by Finland.

==Aircraft guns==<!--"Bell OH-58 Kiowa" links here.-->
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2021}}
=== .50 Browning AN/M2 ===
[[File:12,7 mm automatkanon m45.jpg|thumb|.50 AN/M2 aircraft machine gun]]
[[File:P-47 040315-F-9999G-029.jpg|right|thumb|A P-47 Thunderbolt firing its eight AN/M2 machine guns]]

The M2 heavy machine gun was widely used during World War II, and in later postwar conflicts, as a remote or flexible aircraft gun. For fixed (offensive) or flexible (defensive) guns used in aircraft, a dedicated M2 version was developed called the ".50 Browning AN/M2" or the "12.7 mm AN/M2".<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Beskrivning över 12,7 & 13,2 mm akan m/39 & m/45 |trans-title=Description of 12.7 & 13.2 mm akan m/39 & m/45 |language=sv |publisher=Svenska flygvapnet [Swedish Air Force] |year=1949 |location=Krigsarkivet [Swedish Military Archive]}} (The 12.7 mm akan m/45 was the Swedish designation for the 12.7 mm AN/M2, as its described in the book.)</ref> The "AN" stands for "Army/Navy", since the gun was developed jointly for use by both services. The [[AN/M2 (disambiguation)|AN/M2]]<!--intentional link to DAB page--> designation was also used for other aircraft guns and therefore it is important to write the caliber before the designation.

The 12.7&nbsp;mm AN/M2 had a cyclic rate of 600–800 rounds per minute, with the ability to be fired from an electrically operated remote-mount solenoid trigger when installed as a fixed gun.<ref name=":0" /> Cooled by the aircraft's slip-stream, the air-cooled 12.7&nbsp;mm AN/M2 was fitted with a substantially lighter {{convert|36|in|cm|adj=on}} length barrel, reducing the weight of the complete unit to {{convert|61|lb|kg}},<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://browningmgs.com/AirGunnery/01_50cal.htm |title=Aircraft Gunnery .50 Cal. |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=BrowningMGs.com |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110100127/http://browningmgs.com/AirGunnery/01_50cal.htm |archive-date=10 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> which also had the effect of increasing the rate of fire. The full official designation for this weapon was "Browning Machine Gun, Aircraft, Cal. .50, AN/M2" (Fixed) or (Flexible).

The 12.7&nbsp;mm AN/M2 was used on many aircraft during [[WWII]], as it served as the main aircraft armament in the US military. Most US fighter aircraft were armed with four, six or eight AN/M2 MGs mounted in the wings. Some examples being the [[Curtiss P-40]], [[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt]], and [[North American P-51 Mustang]] for the [[USAAF]] and the [[F4F]], [[F6F]], and [[Vought F4U Corsair]] for the [[US Navy]]. For bombers, the AN/M2 was used in both flexible and fixed positions for both offensive and defensive use. In flexible defensive positions, the [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress variants#B-17G|Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress]] heavy bomber was armed with 13 AN/M2 guns in both turreted and flexible positions. In fixed offensive configurations, like on the [[North American B-25 Mitchell]], commonly carried 6 to 12 fixed guns for strafing.

In foreign use the AN/M2 is often just referred to as the M2 Browning. In Sweden it was re-designated '''''12,7&nbsp;mm automatkanon m/45''''' (short ''12.7mm akan m/45'') meaning 12.7&nbsp;mm autocannon m/45.<ref name=":0" /> The [[Swedish Air Force]] used a different designation system which recognized the incendiary rounds as grenades, thus it was called autocannon.<ref name=":0" /> The AN/M2 was also produced in Finland under the export name '''Colt MG 53-2'''.

===M296===
The XM296/M296 is a further development of the AN/M2 machine gun for the [[Bell OH-58 Kiowa|OH-58 Kiowa Warrior]] helicopter. The M296 differs from previous remote firing variants in that it has an adjustable firing rate (500–850&nbsp;rpm), while lacking a bolt latch (allowing single-shot operation).<ref name="FAS-M296">{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/M296.htm |title=M296 .50 cal. (12.7 mm) Machine Gun |date=1999 |website=FAS.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308070405/http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/M296.htm |archive-date=2016-03-08}}</ref> As an air-cooled gun used aboard a relatively slow rotary-wing aircraft, the M296 has a burst restriction rate of 50 rounds per minute sustained fire or 150 rounds per minute maximum while conducting peacetime training requirements; the combat firing rate is unrestricted but a ten-minute cooling period after prolonged firing is mandated to avoid stoppages due to overheating.<ref name="FAS-M296" />

===XM213/M213, XM218, GAU-15/A, GAU-16/A, and GAU-18/A===
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2010}}
The XM213/M213 was a modernization and adaptation of existing .50 caliber AN/M2s in inventory for use as a [[pintle]]-mounted door gun on helicopters using the [[U.S. Helicopter Armament Subsystems#UH-1 Iroquois|M59 armament subsystem]].

The GAU-15/A, formerly identified as the XM218, is a lightweight member of the M2/M3 family. The GAU-16/A was an improved GAU-15/A with modified grip and sight assemblies for similar applications. Both of these weapons were used as a part of the [[U.S. Helicopter Armament Subsystems#UH-1 Iroquois|A/A49E-11 armament subsystem]] (also known as the Defensive Armament System).

The GAU-18/A is a lightweight variant of the M2/M3 and is used on the USAF's [[MH-53 Pave Low]] and [[HH-60 Pave Hawk]] helicopters. These weapons use the M2HB barrel and are typically set up as left-hand feed, right-hand charging weapons, but on the HH-60 Pave Hawks that use the EGMS (External Gun Mount System) the gun is isolated from the shooter by a recoil-absorbing cradle and all weapons are set up as right-hand charge but vary between left- and right-hand feed depending on what side of the aircraft it is on. A feed chute adapter is attached to the left- or right-hand feed pawl bracket allowing the weapon to receive ammunition through a feed chute system connected to externally mounted ammunition containers holding 600 rounds each.

===AN/M3, GAU-21/A, and M3P===
[[File:B-52 tail turret.jpg|thumb|left|AN/M3 quad mount on a [[B-52D]]]]


During World War II, a faster-firing Browning was developed for aircraft use. The ''AN/M3'' increased the rate of fire to around 1,200 rounds per minute while firing the same round with minimal change in weight or size.<ref name="Carel, M3" /> The AN/M3 was used in [[First Republic of Korea|South Korea]] on the [[F-82 Twin Mustang]] (the XP-82 mounted a total of 14 AN/M3 machine guns),{{cn|date=October 2024}} [[F-86 Sabre]], [[F-84 Thunderjet]], and [[F-80 Shooting Star]], and in Vietnam in the [[U.S. aircraft gun pods|XM14/SUU-12/A]] [[gun pod]]. Two are installed in the [[Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano]] aircraft as a fixed wing-mounted standard weapon as designated as M3W with minor modification with reduced weight barrel, electronic box triggered from the cockpit with 250 rounds each.{{cn|date=April 2022}}

[[File:Doorgunner CH-53GS.jpg|thumb|A [[German Army]] ramp gunner manning an M3M on a [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53 Sea Stallion]]]]
The M3 series is used by the U.S. military in two versions, the M3M and M3P. The fixed, remote-firing version, the FN ''M3P'', is employed on the [[AN/TWQ-1 Avenger|Avenger Air Defense System]] and was used on the [[OH-58 Kiowa|OH-58D]], augmenting the XM296 .50 cal. machine gun.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/19271/6-6-cavalry-aircrews-field-new-kiowa-warrior-weapons-system/ |title=6-6 Cavalry aircrews field new Kiowa Warrior weapons system |first=Stephanie |last=van Geete |date=6 April 2009 |website=U.S. Army |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504140124/http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/04/06/19271-6-6-cavalry-aircrews-field-new-kiowa-warrior-weapons-system/ |archive-date=2009-05-04}}</ref> The FN ''M3M'' flexible machine gun has been adopted by the U.S. Navy under the designation GAU-21/A for use on helicopters. The GAU-21/A is also being used by the U.S. Marine Corps to upgrade from the XM-218/GAU-16 .50 cal. machine gun for the CH-53E,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marines.mil/unit/3rdmaw/Pages/2006/Sea%20Stallions%20implement%20new%20ramp-mounted%20weapon%20system.aspx/ |title=Sea Stallions Implement New Ramp Mount Weapon System |first=James B. |last=Hoke |date=21 May 2006 |website=U.S. Marine Corps |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804203921/http://www.marines.mil/unit/3rdmaw/Pages/2006/Sea%20Stallions%20implement%20new%20ramp-mounted%20weapon%20system.aspx/ |archive-date=2012-08-04}}</ref> on the UH-1Y Venom, on the Canadian Forces' CH-146 Griffon via the INGRESS upgrade{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} and is to be used on the CH-53K.{{cn|date=April 2023}} The Air Force is looking to replace the GAU-18 on the HH-60G Pave Hawk with the GAU-21 because of its higher 1,100 rpm rate of fire, longer 10,000-round barrel life, and lower recoil through the use of a soft mount.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/story/id/123466807/ |title=Test teams aim at new machine gun for Pave Hawk |first=Rebecca |last=Amber |date=14 January 2016 |website=U.S. Air Force |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208044457/http://www.eglin.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123466807 |archive-date=2016-02-08}}</ref> The M3M is also the primary machine gun used by the British Royal Navy's [[Fleet Air Arm]] for helicopter armament on [[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat |Wildcat]] and [[AW101 Merlin|Merlin]] aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2019/april/10/190410-847-nas-joint-warrior |title=Royal Marine Fliers Direct 'Rain of Fire' during UK's Biggest Exercise |date=2019-04-10 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref> It is also used by the German Bundeswehr on their [[NHIndustries NH90|NH-90]] helicopters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doorgunner |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/en/organization/army/doorgunner |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=www.bundeswehr.de |language=en}}</ref>

==Users==
[[File:M2 Browning Users.png|thumb|upright=1.35|Map with M2 Browning users in blue]]
The M2 family has been widely used abroad, primarily in its basic infantry configuration. A brief listing of designations for M2 family weapons follows:
{{clear}}
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Country
! Is [[NATO]] member
! Designation
! Description
|-
|{{flag|Afghanistan}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/taliban-weapons-afghanistan/ |title=Here's all the US military equipment that likely ended up in Taliban hands |website=Task & Purpose |date=18 August 2021 |access-date=2022-04-11}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |No
|
| rowspan="24" |12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Argentina}}<ref name="jones2009">{{cite book |editor-last=Jones |editor-first=Richard D. |date=27 January 2009 |title=Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 |edition=35th |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=978-0-7106-2869-5}}</ref>
|M2HB, AN/M3
|-
|{{flag|Australia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Global Partner
|M2HB-QCB<ref>{{Cite web |title=12.7 Millimetre M2 Heavy Barrel Quick Change Barrel Machine Gun (M2HB QCB) {{!}} Army.gov.au |url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-work/equipment-uniforms/equipment/support-weapons/127-millimetre-m2-heavy-barrel-quick-change-barrel-machine-gun-m2hb-qcb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213120417/https://www.army.gov.au/our-work/equipment-uniforms/equipment/support-weapons/127-millimetre-m2-heavy-barrel-quick-change-barrel-machine-gun-m2hb-qcb |archive-date=13 December 2022 |access-date=13 Dec 2022 |website=Army.gov.au {{!}} Australian Army |publisher=[[Australian Army]]}}</ref> (M2HB Quick Change Barrel)
|-
|{{flag|Austria}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="3" |No
|üsMG M2
|-
|{{flag|Bahrain}}<ref>{{cite report |title=Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry |publisher=Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry |url=http://files.bici.org.bh/BICIreportEN.pdf |date=23 November 2011 |access-date=26 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804093946/http://files.bici.org.bh/BICIreportEN.pdf |archive-date=4 August 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{rp|page=77}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Bangladesh}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2021 |title=Spare Parts for 12.7 mm Cal 0.50 HMG Type-K-6 (Korea) |url=https://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/doc/4815.pdf |website=[[Directorate General of Defence Purchase (Bangladesh)|Directorate General of Defence Purchase]] |access-date=12 April 2021 |archive-date=12 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412040219/https://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/doc/4815.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|{{ill|K6 machine gun|ko|K6 기관총}} (Imported from [[South Korea]])
|-
|{{flag|Belgium}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|-
|{{flag|Benin}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|rowspan="3" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|Bolivia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Brazil}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|mtr .50 M2 HB "BROWNING" and M3
|-
|{{flag|Bulgaria}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|-
|{{flag|Burkina Faso}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|rowspan="4" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|Bosnia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Burundi}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Cameroon}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Canada}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|FN M2HB-QCB, GAU-21
|-
|{{CAF}}<ref>{{cite book |title=The Central African Republic and Small Arms: A Regional Tinderbox |first1=Eric G. |last1=Berman |first2=Louisa N. |last2=Lombard |date=December 2008 |publisher=[[Small Arms Survey]] |isbn=978-2-8288-0103-8 |url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/D-Book-series/book-07-CAR/SAS-Central-African-Republic-and-Small-Arms.pdf |pages=43–44 |access-date=2018-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107035838/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/D-Book-series/book-07-CAR/SAS-Central-African-Republic-and-Small-Arms.pdf |archive-date=2017-01-07 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rowspan="3" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|Chad}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Chile}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Colombia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Global Partner
|-
|{{flag|Cote d'Ivoire}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|-
|{{flag|Croatia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|-
|{{flag|Democratic Republic of Congo}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |{{flag|Denmark}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="4" |Yes
|m/50 TMG<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armee.lu/materiel/armement |title=Armement |website=Armée luxembourgeoise |access-date=2011-06-24 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810225555/http://www.armee.lu/materiel/armement |archive-date=2014-08-10 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|M/2001 TMG
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm FNH M2HB-QCB<ref>{{cite web |title=Geværer |url=http://www2.forsvaret.dk/viden-om/vaaben/gevaerer/Pages/Gevaerer2.aspx |website=[[Danish Defence|Forsvaret]] |access-date=19 October 2014 |language=da |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102141727/http://www2.forsvaret.dk/viden-om/vaaben/gevaerer/Pages/Gevaerer2.aspx |archive-date=2 November 2014}}</ref>
|-
| 
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm FNH M3M machine gun<ref>{{cite journal |author=Combat Support Wing |title=Eskadrille 615 støtter Søværnet |journal=Mjølner |date=December 2007 |page=5 |language=da |trans-title=Squadron 615 aids the Navy |url=http://forsvaret.dk/CSW/Mjoelner/Documents/Mjoelner%20december%202007.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091210214653/http://forsvaret.dk/CSW/Mjoelner/Documents/Mjoelner%20december%202007.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-12-10}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Czech Republic}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm FNH M2HB-QCB<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acr.army.cz/technika-a-vyzbroj/pechotni/tezky-kulomet-browning-raze-12-7-mm-M2-hbqcb-94773/ |title=Těžký kulomet Browning ráže 12,7 mm M2 HBQCB |language=cs |first=Pavel |last=Kout |website=[[Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces of the Czech Republic]] |access-date=2017-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901162053/http://www.acr.army.cz/technika-a-vyzbroj/pechotni/tezky-kulomet-browning-raze-12-7-mm-M2-hbqcb-94773/ |archive-date=2017-09-01 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Djibouti}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|rowspan="5" |No
|
|rowspan="5" |12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Dominican Republic}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Ecuador}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Egypt}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|El Salvador}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Estonia}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.ee/?menu=tehnika1&sisu=browning |title=Tehnika - Raskekuulipilduja Browning M2 0.50 HB |language=et |website=[[Eesti Kaitsevägi]] |access-date=25 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103055957/http://www.mil.ee/?menu=tehnika1&sisu=browning |archive-date=3 November 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Yes
|''Browning M2'' sometimes as ''Raskekuulipilduja Browning M2''
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB. Usually mounted on vehicles, such as the [[Patria Pasi#Operators|pasi XA-180 and XA-188]], but the tripod version is also in use.
|-
|{{flag|Ethiopia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|rowspan="3" |12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|France}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|MIT 50 (Mitrailleuse cal. 50)
|-
|{{flag|Syrian opposition}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZuEMh4HgqA|title=Syria War 2016 – Battle of Aleppo: Heavy Clashes and Intense Urban Fighting|last=War Clashes|date=2 November 2016|via=YouTube|access-date=26 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216143704/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZuEMh4HgqA|archive-date=16 February 2018}}</ref>
|No
|
|-
|{{flag|Finland}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.puolustusvoimat.fi/wcm/Erikoissivustot/pvsh11/Suomeksi/Joukot+ja+kalusto/Maavoimien+kalusto/ |title=Maavoimien kalusto |trans-title=Army equipment |language=fi |website=[[Puolustusvoimat]] |date=2011-05-13 |access-date=2011-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427153713/http://www.puolustusvoimat.fi/wcm/Erikoissivustot/pvsh11/Suomeksi/Joukot%2Bja%2Bkalusto/Maavoimien%2Bkalusto/ |archive-date=2012-04-27}}</ref>
|Yes
|12,7 RSKK 2005
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun in [[Protector (RWS)|protector]] [[remote weapon station]]s in [[Patria AMV]] APCs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.puolustusvoimat.fi/portal/puolustusvoimat.fi/!ut/p/c5/vZHLrqpAFES_5X4AshuwgSFi2_JUeQlMCHhQAVFQfPXXH5OT3Du6jk7cNazUXkkVn_IvHfNbtcuH6nTMD3zMpzijAlbmJiB1YTkTMBY2RLK9RLog8ms-Binz62dnsIZ5NVuJASDTCTZ3xybgkgYcewEBARaEF-Y2FfgEwCEtAkdF0WxFNI1bsUr58_qVvqNReO8D-vGxSCziUgnRpS6B4U9DNQhlkYb4bX7hyT8-_Oc04BM-lf_lKXKVVz5YCtSbAVgSH_xiG-9Z-IOs8QdZ8udY-u_uZfJpVbSj-6YdwUhRkYJVNFZELCkCCPz6kDC7uJjalETZw38qrNgb_cTcaoMwTqwqjVhQ-2W9de5-18MuavbbeMzkDXgoY06iksFQmORyD46Ghmqo-4PvPTp76dONMAyq1xBp3Poei6Wr1LLLDq3S-olnUS7GFh1aWmVFr59uzhlnRXjuz0l3zK7kpDNFXaf9Dtu-ATiqcah9Ge4dl2aWWNYzbHKgQ1mGfXKbLDnqyFtideJlsc61ctZzXNyI1Vdr3HQqXK7xtCwmmFOE9asPd35qS75rbx3x5iz-q1L7BifARvY!/dl3/d3/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/?pcid=77edd7004914a0699ef5ff30a8ea04e8 |title=Raskas konekivääri 12.7 RSKK 2005 |trans-title=Heavy machine gun 12.7 RSKK 2005 |date=2013-10-07 |website=Puolustusvoimat |language=fi |access-date=2016-02-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714154533/http://www.puolustusvoimat.fi/portal/puolustusvoimat.fi/%21ut/p/c5/vZHLrqpAFES_5X4AshuwgSFi2_JUeQlMCHhQAVFQfPXXH5OT3Du6jk7cNazUXkkVn_IvHfNbtcuH6nTMD3zMpzijAlbmJiB1YTkTMBY2RLK9RLog8ms-Binz62dnsIZ5NVuJASDTCTZ3xybgkgYcewEBARaEF-Y2FfgEwCEtAkdF0WxFNI1bsUr58_qVvqNReO8D-vGxSCziUgnRpS6B4U9DNQhlkYb4bX7hyT8-_Oc04BM-lf_lKXKVVz5YCtSbAVgSH_xiG-9Z-IOs8QdZ8udY-u_uZfJpVbSj-6YdwUhRkYJVNFZELCkCCPz6kDC7uJjalETZw38qrNgb_cTcaoMwTqwqjVhQ-2W9de5-18MuavbbeMzkDXgoY06iksFQmORyD46Ghmqo-4PvPTp76dONMAyq1xBp3Poei6Wr1LLLDq3S-olnUS7GFh1aWmVFr59uzhlnRXjuz0l3zK7kpDNFXaf9Dtu-ATiqcah9Ge4dl2aWWNYzbHKgQ1mGfXKbLDnqyFtideJlsc61ctZzXNyI1Vdr3HQqXK7xtCwmmFOE9asPd35qS75rbx3x5iz-q1L7BifARvY%21/dl3/d3/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/?pcid=77edd7004914a0699ef5ff30a8ea04e8 |archive-date=2014-07-14}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Gabon}}<ref name="jones2009" />
| rowspan="4" |No
| rowspan="3" |12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Gambia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|-
|{{flag|Ghana}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|-
|{{GEO}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/396867 |title=Georgia Receives New Military Weaponry with U.S. Support |date=11 February 2021 |website=Civil.ge}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{flag|Germany}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.diesigns.com/down/HHK_CH-53.pdf |title=Die CH-53 als Brücke in die Zukunft |trans-title=The CH-53 as a bridge to the future |date=2006 |magazine=Hardthöhenkurier |number=3 |pages=12–17 |language=de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428220339/http://www.diesigns.com/down/HHK_CH-53.pdf |archive-date=2011-04-28}}</ref>
|rowspan="2" |Yes
|M3M, MG50
|Produced by [[FN Herstal]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=B. |first=Eric |date=14 January 2021 |title=German Door Gunners Get More FN Herstal M3M MK3 Heavy Machine Guns |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/01/14/the-bundeswehr-buys-fn-herstal-m3m-mk3-heavy-machine-guns-for-doorgunners/ |website=The Firearm Blog}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Greece}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
| rowspan="6" |12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Guatemala}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="5" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|Honduras}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|India}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Indonesia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Iran}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Ireland}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="2" |No
|.5 Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.military.ie/army/weapons/battalion/ |title=Battalion Level Weapons |website=[[Defence Forces (Ireland)|Óglaigh na hÉireann]] |access-date=26 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612071350/http://www.military.ie/army/weapons/battalion |archive-date=12 June 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Israel}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|מק"כ 0.5
{{check quotation}}|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm M2HB-QCB, used by all ground forces (infantry, armored fighting vehicles and tanks) and naval forces
|-
|{{flag|Italy}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
| rowspan="6" |12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Ivory Coast}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Identifier les sources d'approvisionnement: Les munitions de petit calibre en Côte d'Ivoire |url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/C-Special-reports/SAS-SR21-CotedIvoire-FR.pdf |first=Holger |last=Anders |date=June 2014 |publisher=[[Small Arms Survey]] and [[United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire]] |isbn=978-2-940-548-05-7 |page=15 |language=fr |access-date=2018-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009093415/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/C-Special-reports/SAS-SR21-CotedIvoire-FR.pdf |archive-date=2018-10-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|Jamaica}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Japan}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Global Partner
|12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun M2
|-
|{{flag|Jordan}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="2" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|Katanga}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Modern African Wars: The Congo 1960–2002 |last=Abbot |first=Peter |location=Oxford |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |date=February 2014 |isbn=978-1-78200-076-1 |page=14}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{flag|South Korea}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Global Partner
|{{ill|K6 machine gun|ko|K6 기관총}} (standard HMG), MG50 (being phased out), M3M (used by [[Cheonghae Unit]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/gallery/view.html?b_bbs_id=10044&num=195644 |title=청해부대 M3M 중기관총 사용 사진 |trans-title=Cheonghae Unit M3M heavy machine gun use photo |language=ko |date=25 January 2015 |website=유용원의 군사세계 |access-date=10 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420164143/http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/gallery/view.html?b_bbs_id=10044&num=195644 |archive-date=20 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>)
|The [[Republic of Korea Armed Forces|Armed Forces]] received 664 M2s before the [[Korean War]], and 4,445 were in service by the end of the war.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bak |first=Dongchan |url=http://medcmd.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202105270240172800.pdf |title=Korean War : Weapons of the United Nations |publisher=Ministry of Defense Institute for Military History |date=March 2021 |isbn=979-11-5598-079-8 |location=Republic of Korea |pages=57–59 |language=Korean |access-date=27 June 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170621/http://medcmd.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202105270240172800.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Later, produced locally by [[S&T Dynamics|Yehwa Shotgun]].
|-
|{{flag|Kuwait}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="5" |No
|
|rowspan="4" |12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Lebanon}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Lesotho}}<ref name="Beyond Blue Helmets">{{cite book |title=Beyond Blue Helmets: Promoting Weapons and Ammunition Management in Non-UN Peace Operations |first=Eric G. |last=Berman |publisher=[[Small Arms Survey]]/MPOME |date=March 2019 |url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-MPOME-Report-WAM-Non-UN-Peace-Ops.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603103636/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-MPOME-Report-WAM-Non-UN-Peace-Ops.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 June 2019 |page=43}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{flag|Liberia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Libya}}
|
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB and M3 machine guns<ref>{{cite book|first=Leigh|last=Neville|date=19 Apr 2018 |title=Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces|series=New Vanguard 257|isbn=9781472822512|publisher=Osprey Publishing|page=34 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mGlPDwAAQBAJ}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Latvia}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.gov.lv/Papildriki/Iepirkumi/Results.aspx?i=1&itm=3097&do=rez |language=lv |title=12,7mm ložmetējs Browning M2HB-QCB |website=[[Latvian Land Forces]] |access-date=2014-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011094137/http://www.mod.gov.lv/Papildriki/Iepirkumi/Results.aspx?i=1&itm=3097&do=rez |archive-date=2017-10-11 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rowspan="3" |Yes
|M2HB-QCB
| rowspan="46" |12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Lithuania}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/ginkluote_ir_karine_technika/kulkosvaidziai/sunkusis_12.7_mm_50_kulkosvaidis_m-2_browning.html |title=Ginkluotė ir karinė technika » Kulkosvaidžiai » Sunkusis 12.7 mm (50) kulkosvaidis M-2 Browning |trans-title=Weapons and military equipment: Machine guns: Heavy 12.7 mm (50) machine gun M-2 Browning |language=lt |website=[[Lithuanian Land Forces]] |date=2009-12-15 |access-date=2011-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007183512/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/ginkluote_ir_karine_technika/kulkosvaidziai/sunkusis_12.7_mm_50_kulkosvaidis_m-2_browning.html |archive-date=2011-10-07 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{flag|Luxembourg}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Mitrailleuse .50 M2 HB<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armee.lu/materiel/armement.php |title=Armement: Mitrailleuse .50 M2 HB |website=[[Luxembourg Armed Forces]] |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720110506/http://www.armee.lu/materiel/armement.php |archive-date=2011-07-20}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Madagascar}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|rowspan="7" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|Malaysia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Mauritania}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Mauritius}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Mexico}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Morocco}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Myanmar}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Netherlands}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|-
|{{flag|New Zealand}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|rowspan="1" |Global Partner
|
|-
|{{flag|Nicaragua}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|rowspan="3" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|Niger}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Nigeria}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Norway}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|12,7 mitraljøse
|-
|{{flag|Oman}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|-
|{{flag|Pakistan}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Global Partner
|
|-
|{{flag|Panama}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="4" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|Paraguay}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Peru}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Philippines}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| M3P<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ph.usembassy.gov/us-military-delivers-php183-million-in-new-weapons-and-equipment-to-afp/ | title=U.S. Military Delivers Php183 Million in New Weapons and Equipment to AFP | date=22 June 2021 }}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Poland}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.milmag.pl/news/view?news_id=3247 |title=Black Hawki przekazane Wojskom |trans-title=Black Hawks handed over to the Army |first=Rafał |last=Muczyński |date=20 December 2019 |magazine=MILMAG |language=pl}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |Yes
| GAU-21
|-
|{{flag|Portugal}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|m/951<ref>{{cite book |last1=Abbott |first1=Peter |last2=Rodrigues |first2=Manuel |title=Modern African Wars 2: Angola and Mozambique 1961–74 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=1998 |page=18}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Qatar}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|No
|
|-
|{{flag|Romania}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|-
|{{flag|Rwanda}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="5" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Senegal}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Serbia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Singapore}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Slovenia}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slovenskavojska.si/en/weapons-and-equipment/infantry/#c4206|title=HECKLER & KOCH GMG Automatic Grenade Launcher|access-date=23 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408132122/https://www.slovenskavojska.si/en/weapons-and-equipment/infantry/#c4206|archive-date=8 April 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Yes
|FN HERSTAL M2HB QCB Heavy Machine Gun
|-
|{{flag|Somalia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="3" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|South Africa}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|12.7mm L4 Browning Machine Gun
|-
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|M2 AA variant, [[Lend-Lease]], 3100 pieces<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/LL-Ship/LL-Ship-3A.html |title=Lend-Lease Shipments, World War II: Section III-A Ordnance |website=Hyperwar |access-date=25 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131202453/http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/LL-Ship/LL-Ship-3A.html |archive-date=31 January 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Spain}}<ref name="jones2009"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.infodefensa.com/es/2016/01/20/noticia-helicopteros-cougar-chinook-incorporaran-nuevas-ametralladoras-mag58.html |title=Los helicópteros Cougar y Chinook incorporarán las nuevas ametralladoras MAG-58, M3M y M-240 |trans-title=The Cougar and Chinook helicopters will incorporate the new MAG-58, M3M and M-240 machine guns |language=es |date=20 January 2016 |website=Noticias Infodefensa España |access-date=4 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131004123/http://www.infodefensa.com/es/2016/01/20/noticia-helicopteros-cougar-chinook-incorporaran-nuevas-ametralladoras-mag58.html |archive-date=31 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |Yes
|
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/Materiel-och-teknik/Vapen/Tung-kulspruta |title=Kulspruta 88 |language=sv |website=[[Swedish Armed Forces|Försvarsmakten]] |date=2007-08-23 |access-date=2011-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811153247/http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/Materiel-och-teknik/Vapen/Tung-kulspruta/ |archive-date=2011-08-11}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{flag|Switzerland}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="6" |No
|mG 64
|-
|{{flag|Sri Lanka}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Taiwan}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Thailand}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Togo}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Tonga}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Tunisia}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Turkey}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Yes
|
|-
|{{flag|Ukraine}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/22_febbraio_28/italia-aiuti-ucraina-guerra-russia-armi-decreto-d0340b7c-980b-11ec-97aa-535db4de4386.shtml |title=Dall'Italia aiuti all'Ucraina nella guerra contro la Russia con missili, mitragliatrici e munizioni: oggi il decreto |trans-title=From Italy, aid to Ukraine in the war against Russia with missiles, machine guns and ammunition: today the decree |language=it |date=28 February 2022 |website=Corriere della Sera |access-date=21 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428141035/https://www.corriere.it/politica/22_febbraio_28/italia-aiuti-ucraina-guerra-russia-armi-decreto-d0340b7c-980b-11ec-97aa-535db4de4386.shtml |archive-date=28 April 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |{{flag|United Kingdom}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="7" |Yes
|L2A1
|-
|L6, L6A1
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun; [[ranging gun]] for the [[Royal Ordnance L7 |L7 105 mm]] tank gun on the [[Centurion tank]]
|-
|L11, L11A1
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun; ranging gun
|-
|L21A1
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun; ranging gun for the 120&nbsp;mm tank gun on the [[Chieftain tank]]
|-
|L111A1<ref>{{cite web |url=http://manroy.co.uk/manroy/ |title=Home |website=Manroy.co.uk |access-date=2008-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012144017/http://manroy.co.uk/manroy/ |archive-date=2008-10-12 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm M2QCB machine gun
|-
|M3M<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/CommandoHelicopterForceGetToGripsWithNewGun.htm |title=Commando Helicopter Force get to grips with new gun |date=25 August 2010 |website=UK Ministry of Defence |access-date=26 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921023844/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/CommandoHelicopterForceGetToGripsWithNewGun.htm |archive-date=2010-09-21}}</ref>
|12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm FN Herstal built upgraded M2 for use on [[Commando Helicopter Force]] and other units as helicopter door guns.
|-
|{{flag|United States}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|Browning Caliber .50 M2, M2HB, XM218/GAU-16, GAU-21
| rowspan="5" |12.7 × 99&nbsp;mm Browning M2HB machine gun
|-
|{{flag|Uruguay}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
| rowspan="4" |No
|
|-
|{{flag|Venezuela}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Vietnam}} <ref>{{cite web |url=https://kienthuc.net.vn/quan-su-viet-nam/kham-pha-dai-lien-m2-huyen-thoai-my-trong-qdnd-viet-nam-584583.html|title=Khám phá đại liên M2 huyền thoại Mỹ trong QĐND Việt Nam &#124; Báo Tri thức và Cuộc sống - TIN TỨC PHỔ BIẾN KIẾN THỨC 24H}}</ref>
                                                                
|
|-
|{{flag|Yemen}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Zimbabwe}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
|
|}

==Myths regarding M2 Browning use against personnel==
It is often stated in military circles that the use of the M2 Browning against human targets is prohibited under the [[Geneva Conventions]]. This is false; the Geneva Convention, contrary to popular belief, does not regulate the use of any weapon of war. It only regulates the treatment and protection of prisoners of war and non-combatants.<ref name="ABA Journal">{{cite journal |last1=Keeva |first1=Steven |date=December 1991 |title=Lawyers in the War Room |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AmTKRXXaeOUC&pg=PA55 |journal=[[ABA Journal]] |page=55 |issn=0747-0088 |access-date=12 April 2016}}</ref><ref name="Killing a Myth">{{cite web |last=Parks |first=Maj. W. Hays |date=January 1988 |title=Killing a Myth |url=https://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/killing-myth |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307164434/https://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/killing-myth |archive-date=7 March 2016 |access-date=12 April 2016 |website=[[Marine Corps Association]]}}</ref> There has been controversy surrounding the use of .50 caliber ammunition against enemy personnel, due to the explosive and incendiary [[Raufoss Mk 211]] ammunition. The [[Saint Petersburg Declaration of 1868]] states that the "military or naval" use of explosive or incendiary projectiles with a mass of under {{convert|400|g|abbr=on}} is forbidden by its signatory parties.<ref>{{cite web |title=St Petersburg Declaration 1868 |url=http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/WebART/130-60001?OpenDocument |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929224205/http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/WebART/130-60001?OpenDocument |archive-date=2009-09-29 |accessdate=2010-08-27 |work=International Humanitarian Law |publisher=[[International Committee of the Red Cross]]}}</ref>

The Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, which are the international treaties that do regulate the use of weaponry, do not prohibit the use of .50 caliber weapons like the M2 against personnel. The US Army's own field manual concerning the employment of the M2 actually describes enemy personnel as an intended target.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Training Circular 3-22.50 - Heavy Machine Gun M2 Series |publisher=Headquarters, Department of the Army |year=2017 |location=Washington, DC |pages=2–1}}</ref> The origin of these myths is likely due to military commanders instructing their troops to conserve ammunition for targets that other lighter machine guns were not well suited to engage, such as aircraft or ground vehicles. One possible source of the misconception is from World War II, when American [[half-track]] units in Germany were told to stop firing their M2s at ground targets, to conserve ammunition in case of a [[Luftwaffe]] attack.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon |title=The Big Book of Gun Trivia: Everything You Want to Know, Don't Want to Know, and Don't Know You Need to Know |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |year=2013 |pages=317}}</ref> Also, U.S. troops were told to use their M2s only against enemy equipment due to shortages of ammunition during the [[Korean War|Korean]] or [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="Stars and Stripes">{{cite news |last=Schogol |first=Jeff |date=9 February 2011 |title=Can you use the .50-caliber on human targets? |newspaper=[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]] |url=http://www.stripes.com/blogs/the-rumor-doctor/the-rumor-doctor-1.104348/can-you-use-the-50-caliber-on-human-targets-1.134278 |url-status=live |access-date=12 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418222912/http://www.stripes.com/blogs/the-rumor-doctor/the-rumor-doctor-1.104348/can-you-use-the-50-caliber-on-human-targets-1.134278 |archive-date=18 April 2016}}</ref> It is also possible that a restriction during the latter period limiting the use of the [[M40 recoilless rifle]]'s .50-caliber spotting gun to destroy enemy equipment only, since the M40 was meant to be used against armor and firing it at personnel would give away their position before it could be used as intended, was mistakenly applied to all .50 caliber weapons.<ref name="Killing a Myth" />

==See also==
* [[DShK]], [[NSV (machine gun)|NSV]], and [[Kord machine gun|Kord]] 12.7&nbsp;mm machine guns, Soviet/Russian equivalents.
* [[FN BRG-15]] 15.5&nbsp;mm caliber machine gun
* [[HMG PK-16]], [[12.7×108mm]] [[Pakistan|Pakistani]] equivalent
* [[KPV heavy machine gun]] 14.5&nbsp;mm caliber machine gun
* [[List of crew-served weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces]]
* [[List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces]]
* [[List of U.S. Army weapons by supply catalog designation]]
* [[M85 machine gun]], a vehicle-borne replacement for the M2 that proved unreliable and was removed from service
* [[MG 131 machine gun]], [[World War II]] 13&nbsp;mm German aircraft-mounted gun
* [[MG 18 TuF]], a German 13.2&nbsp;mm machine gun from WWI
* [[Type 77 heavy machine gun|Type 77/85]], [[W85 heavy machine gun|W85]], [[QJZ-89|Type 89]], [[QJZ-171|Type 171]] 12.7&nbsp;mm machine guns, Chinese equivalents.

==References==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="Carel, M3">
{{Cite thesis
 |title=The History of the Aerial Gatling Gun
 |year=1987
 |publisher=US Air Command and Staff College
 |id=87-0415
 |last=Carel |first=Dennis C.
 |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a179871.pdf
 |page=3
 |access-date=2019-05-12
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512222703/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a179871.pdf
 |archive-date=2019-05-12
 |url-status=live}}
</ref>
}}

=== General and cited references ===
{{Refbegin|45em}}
* {{Cite book |author-link=George M. Chinn |last=Chinn |first=George M. |title=The Machine Gun: History, Evolution and Development of Manually Operated, Full Automatic, and Power Driven Aircraft Machine Guns |year=1951 |volume=1 |publisher=Department of the Navy, Bureau of Ordnance}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dunlap |first=Roy F. |year=1948 |title=Ordnance Went Up Front: Some Observations and Experiences of a Sergeant of Ordnance, who served throughout World War II with the United States Army in Egypt, the Philippines and Japan, including way stations |publisher=Small-Arms Technical Publishing Co. |location=Plantersville, SC |series=A Samworth Book on Firearms |oclc=6081851}}
* {{Cite book |last=George |first=John B. |date=1981 |title=Shots Fired In Anger |publisher=NRA Press |isbn=0-935998-42-X}}
* {{Cite magazine |last=Gresham |first=John D. |date=December 2001 |title=Weapons: John Browning's (M2) .50-caliber |magazine=[[Military Heritage]] |volume=3 |number=3 |pages=22, 24, 26, 28, 30}}
* {{Cite book |last=Hogg |first=Ian |date=2001 |title=The American Arsenal : The World War II official standard ordnance catalog of artillery, small arms, tanks, armored cars, antiaircraft guns, ammunition, grenades, mines, etc. |location=London, UK |publisher=Greenhill Books |isbn=978-1-85367-470-9}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.doctrine.usmc.mil/signpubs/w3151.pdf |title=Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 3-15.1: Machine Guns and Machine Gun Gunnery |date=1 September 1996 |website=U.S. Marine Corps |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041015143444/https://www.doctrine.usmc.mil/signpubs/w3151.pdf |archive-date=2004-10-15}}
* {{Cite book |last=Yeide |first=Harry |date=2004 |title=The Tank Killers |location=Havertown, Penn |publisher=Casemate |isbn=978-1-932033-26-7}}
* {{Cite book |last=Zaloga |first=Steven J. |date=2002 |title=M8 Greyhound Light Armored Car 1941–91 |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84176-468-9}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Browning M2}}
* {{Cite web |title=M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun |url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m2-50cal.htm |publisher=[[Federation of American Scientists]]}}
* {{Cite web |title=Ambush in Mogadishu: Browning M2 HB .50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gun |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/ambush/weapons/50cal.html |website=[[Frontline (U.S. TV series)|Frontline]] |publisher=[[Public Broadcasting Service]]}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-ach|rec}}
{{Succession box |before=[[M1903 Springfield]] |after=[[McMillan TAC-50]] |title=Longest confirmed combat sniper-shot kill |years=1967–2002 <br />{{convert|2286|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} <br /><small> by [[Carlos Hathcock]]</small>}}
{{S-end}}
{{Browning M1917 derivatives}}
{{John Browning}}
{{FN Herstal firearms}}
{{WWIIUSInfWeaponsNav}}
{{ModernUSInfWeaponsNav}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:M2 Browning Machine Gun}}
[[Category:.50 BMG machine guns]]
[[Category:Cold War firearms of the United States]]
[[Category:Machine guns of the United States]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1930s]]
[[Category:Short recoil firearms]]
[[Category:Weapons of the Philippine Army]]
[[Category:World War II firearms of the United States]]
[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of the United States]]
[[Category:World War II machine guns]]
[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of Brazil]]