Gunny
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 Posted:
Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:10 pm |
 
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This Gun is the oldest weapon in the US's arsenal.
Country of Origin 
Date Of Introduction 1938
Crew 1-4 (crew leader, gunner, assistant gunner, ammunition bearer)
Caliber 0.50 in (12.7 mm)
Cartridge .50 Caliber Browning (12.7 x 99 mm)
System of Operation Recoil
Cooling Air
Weight 84 lb (38.1 kg)
Length 65.13 in (1,654.3 mm)
Barrel Weight 24 lb (10.9 kg)
Barrel Length 45 in (1,143.0 mm)
Barrel Rifling R.H., eight grooves, pitch 1 in 15 inches (381 mm)
Basic Load (vehicle mount) 400 rounds
Ammunition Weight 100 rounds in ammo can: 35 lb (16 kg)
Performance
Rate of Fire Single shot
Sustained: Less than 40 rds/min, in bursts of five to seven rounds
Rapid: More than 40 rds/min, fired in bursts of five to seven rounds
Cyclic: 450-550 rds/min
Maximum Range 7,440 yd (6,800 m)
Maximum Effective Range Area Target: 2,000 yd (1,830 m)
Point Target (single shot): 1,640 yd (1,500 m)
M3 Tripod
Weight With T&E Mechanism and Pintle 44 lb (20 kg)
Height of M2 on Tripod 12 in (304 mm)
M63 Anti-aircraft Mount
Weight 144 lb (65 kg)
Height 42 in (1,067 mm)
Maximum Elevation 85°
Maximum Depression 29°
Maximum Traverse 360°
DESCRIPTION
The M2 .50 caliber machine gun is an automatic, belt-fed, recoil-operated, air-cooled, crew-operated machine gun. This gun may be mounted on ground mounts and most vehicles as an anti-personnel and anti-aircraft weapon. The gun is capable of single-shot (ground version M2), as well as automatic fire and was used to a very limited degree as a sniper weapon during the Vietnam war. The weapon provides automatic weapon suppressive fire for offensive and defensive purposes. This weapon can be used effectively against personnel, light armored vehicles; low, slow flying aircraft; and small boats. The M2 machine gun uses the M3 Tripod. The principal night vision sight used with the M2 is the AN/TVS-5.
By repositioning some of the components, the M2 is capable of alternate feed. Ammunition can be fed into the weapon from the right or left side of the receiver; however the U.S. Army uses only left-hand feed.
GROUND MOUNT - M3 TRIPOD MOUNT
The M3 tripod is the standard ground mount of the M2 machine gun. It is a folding tripod with three, telescopic, tubular legs connected at the tripod head. Each leg ends in a metal shoe that can be stamped into the ground for greater stability. The two trail legs are joined together by the traversing bar. The traversing bar serves as a support for the traversing and elevating mechanism, which in turn supports the rear of the gun. The tripod head furnishes a front support for the mounted gun that is further supported by the short front leg.
When the tripod is emplaced on flat terrain with all extensions closed, the adjustable front leg should form an angle of about 60° with the ground. This places the gun on a low mount about 12 inches (304 mm) above the ground. To raise the tripod farther off the ground, extend the telescopic front and trail legs enough to keep the tripod level and maintain the stability of the mount.
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The traversing and elevating (T&E) mechanism is used to engage preselected target areas at night or during limited visibility conditions. The T&E mechanism consists of a traversing handwheel, locking nut, scale, and yoke. The T&E mechanism is attached to the traversing bar of the M3 bipod.
Direction and elevation readings constitute the data necessary to engage preselected target areas during limited visibility. These readings are measured by and recorded from the traversing bar and the T&E mechanism. To obtain accurate readings, the T&E must be first zeroed with all measurements recorded in mils.
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The gun is connected to the M3 tripod mount by a pintle. This pintle is semipermanently attached to the machine gun by a pintle bolt through the front mounting hole in the receiver. The tapered stem of the pintle seats in the tripod head. It is held secure by a pintle lock and spring. To release the pintle, raise the pintle lock, releasing the cam.
GROUND MOUNT - M63 ANTI-AIRCRAFT MOUNT
The M63 anti-aircraft mount is a four-legged, low silhouette, portable mount used for anti-aircraft fire. Its use against ground targets is limited because the mount tends to be unstable when the gun is fired at low angles.
VEHICULAR MOUNT - M36 TRUCK RING MOUNT
This mount consists of a cradle with a roller carriage on a circular track. The cradle can be rotated in the pintle sleeve of the carriage and can be adjusted for elevation. The carriage is guided on the track by rollers. The track is secured to the vehicle by supports.
VEHICULAR MOUNT - M4, M24A2, M31C PEDESTAL MOUNTS
Pedestal mounts are component assemblies designed for installation on the 1/4-ton vehicles to support a machine gun mount. They are composed of a pintle socket, pintle clamping screw column, and braces.
VEHICULAR MOUNT - MK64 GUN CRADLE MOUNT
This vehicle mount was primarily designed for the M2. However, because of its versatility, the MK64 will accept the MK 19 also (using the M2 mounting adapter assembly). The MK64 can be mounted on the following vehicles: M151 series, M966 HMMWV armament carrier, and the M113 series.
VEHICULAR MOUNT - MK93 DUAL MOUNT
A dual purpose cradle mount that replaces the MK64 mount. Allows for quick and accurate traverse and elevation, further range (elevation) for the MK 19, recoil attention of the M2 machine gun and capability for range card preparation.
VARIANTS
M2HB, Flexible (NSN 1005-00-322-9715)
"Machine Gun, Cal .50, Browning, M2, Heavy Barrel, Flexible". Ground version of the M2HB. See data above.
M2HB, M48 Turret Type (NSN 1005-00-957-3893)
"Machine Gun, Cal .50, Browning, M2, Heavy Barrel, M48 Turret Type". An air-cooled, recoil operated, alternate-feed, automatic, crew-served weapon mounted on the Abrams main battle tank commander's station |
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