The M-2 .50 cal BMG

[Davo]

How old are the ones we use? Are there any new manufactured BMG's, or are all of these surplus? How long can one of these beasts serve in front line duty? Are there WWII models still in use? Ive been reading up, this is one of the worlds greatest firearms. Any info would be appreciated!

 

[Andrew]

Ok I'm over here in Sunny/Sanded Iraq. and all the M2 I have seen or used are all from 1944/1945 time line. if that helps any.

 

[Chipperman]

They were built to last. One of JMB's greatest achievements.

 

[RevDisk]

How old are the ones we use? Are there any new manufactured BMG's, or are all of these surplus? How long can one of these beasts serve in front line duty? Are there WWII models still in use? Ive been reading up, this is one of the worlds greatest firearms. Any info would be appreciated!

Most of the ones I've seen are at least 30 years old, and still ticking like a Swiss clock.

Yep, I believe new M2's are still being manufactured. At least all the parts still are, as you can order them through the supply system.

A long time. Just need replacement barrels time to time.

Yep.

 

[50 Shooter]

I think FN is still making them, a couple of years back they had an upgrade for M2's that would allow it to fire about 1,100 rounds per minute. The Marines use them as door guns

It's basically an updated aircraft version, the new parts are built to withstand the higher cyclic rate.

http://www.arizonagunrunners.net/Products/FNMfng/m3m/m3m.html

http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_50cal-M3M_MG.htm

 

[captain obvious]

The Marines use them as door guns

They probably aren't putting them on hueys, then - I remember hearing a story of someone mounting an M2 on a huey in Vietnam, having the recoil of the weapon tear the bird apart, and the crew having to shoot it with their M1 Carbines to make it look like they were brought down by enemy fire.

 

[Father Knows Best]

They are still being manufactured by General Dynamics at its Sace, Maine, facility: http://www.gdatp.com/products/lethality/m2hb/m2hb.htm . The U.S. Army placed an order for 1,151 new M2HB's last summer: http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=562 .

Incidentally, there are some neat pictures and even a video of an M2HB in action at that first link.

 

[Gunsnrovers]

Granted it was a few years ago, but when I was helping a friend get his LCU ready for his East Timor float, all the spare M2 barrels we hauled around were 1940's vintage.

 

[RevDisk]

Granted it was a few years ago, but when I was helping a friend get his LCU ready for his East Timor float, all the spare M2 barrels we hauled around were 1940's vintage.

Properly maintained, I wouldn't be surprised if those 1940's spare barrels were just as good or better than the current brand spankin' new barrels.

 

[EAWOK]

I've never really paid attention to who made them but I remember having the ones from Saco.