[JellyJar]

I hope this is the right place for this thread.

I understand that John Browning created the .50 BMG in the 1920s and that they have been used almost ever since by our military. Question...Are they still being made and if not when were they last produced? Also...Are they still in service or have they finally all been replaced by something much newer and better?

Take care ya'll and thanks.

[Zak Smith]

The Browning M2 machinegun is still in use.

The .50 BMG is also used from anti-materiel rifles such as the Barrett and possibly some bolt actions (the Canadians use a McMillan bolt rifle)

[Steven Mace]

JellyJar, try clicking the link below for a little history on the .50 BMG cartridge.

http://ammoguide.com/?article=kpagel0507

Steve Mace

[SDC]

There have been a couple of designs produced that have been suggested as replacements for the 50 M2 (like the Dover Devil) , but the military figures the current guns are in good enough condition to keep going for the forseeable future. The last manufacturing run I heard of was done by Ramo Manufacturing, but Fabrique National still produces the M2 QCB for sales, and would doubtless be happy to crank out as many as would be bought. This is likely to be the first military firearm in constant use for a full century from the date of initial adoption.

[Jim K]

The original concept arose during WWI, in the need for a heavy machine gun for use as an anti-aircraft/anti-balloon gun and also for possible use in aircraft. Neither the gun nor suitable ammunition was developed before the end of the war. Later, an anti-tank role was seen, but by WWII improvement in tank armor made both the .50 and the 37mm obsolete for that purpose.

The use of the .50 BMG cartridge in rifles as an anti-personnel weapon came about not so much because the round is accurate and efficient (though it is both) but because it is there, in the Army supply system. Also, the guns and ammo can be sold to civilians where a caliber larger than .50 would be, under federal law, a destructive device, subject to rigid controls.

Jim