Browning M2
- Category
- Machine Gun
- Barrel
- 1143 mm
- Weight, empty
- 38.15 kg
- Introduced
- 1933
About
What it is, and why it matters
The Browning M2 is a automatic machine gun chambered in .50 BMG, produced by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems since 1933. This American-manufactured firearm reflects the engineering traditions and quality standards of its country of origin, designed to meet the demands of both civilian and professional users in a competitive global marketplace. The 45.0-inch barrel maximizes accuracy potential and ballistic performance, making this an excellent choice for target shooting, competition, or field use. At 38150g (1345.7 oz), this is a substantial firearm whose weight contributes to reduced felt recoil and enhanced stability during precision shooting. The steel frame provides a solid, premium feel with the durability to withstand decades of regular use and thousands of rounds. Safety features include manual trigger block, reflecting modern design standards that prioritize safe handling and operation. This firearm represents its manufacturer's commitment to delivering a well-engineered, reliable product that serves the needs of discerning shooters seeking quality, accuracy, and dependable performance from a proven platform.
The M2 is the longest-serving firearm in the U.S. military inventory, with over 90 years of continuous service. Nicknamed 'Ma Deuce' by American soldiers, it has seen action in every major U.S. conflict since World War II. Legendary sniper Carlos Hathcock used a scoped M2 in Vietnam to achieve a then-record 2,286-meter confirmed kill.
The M2 designation refers to the entire family of .50 caliber machine guns. The M2HB ('Heavy Barrel') is the most common variant, featuring a thick barrel that allows for sustained fire without overheating. The M2A1 (adopted 2010) introduced a quick-change barrel system with fixed headspace and timing, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and reducing risk of operator error. The M2A2 is a further improved version with enhanced durability. The AN/M2 is a lighter aircraft-mounted variant. The original M2 replaced earlier water-cooled models (M1921 series). The weapon can be mounted on the M3 tripod (44 lbs/20 kg), various vehicle mounts, aircraft, and naval vessels. It accepts both left and right-hand feed configurations. The M2 has been continuously improved throughout its service life while maintaining backwards compatibility with older components. FN Herstal, General Dynamics, U.S. Ordnance, and Ohio Ordnance Works currently manufacture the M2.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems
- Category
- Machine Gun
- Country
- United States
- Status
- Discontinued
- Produced
- 1933
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 1143 mm
- Overall length
- 1650 mm
- Weight, empty
- 38.15 kg
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Short recoil
- Firing mechanism
- Closed bolt
- Trigger
- Automatic
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Steel
- Barrel
- Steel
- Finish
- Parkerized
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 887 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 16500 J
- Effective range
- 1830 m
- Maximum range
- 6800 m
- Rate of fire
- 550 rpm
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
Belt fed
Air cooled
Quick change barrel
Dual feed capability
Tripod mount
Vehicle mount capable- Aircraft mount capable
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 261 machine guns | 38.15 kg | 10.50 kg | Heavier than about 90% |
| Overall lengthAmong 260 machine guns | 1650 mm | 1156 mm | Longer than about 90% |
| Barrel lengthAmong 257 machine guns | 1143 mm | 605 mm | Longer than about 90% |
Answers
Questions about the Browning M2
How much does the Browning M2 weigh?
The Browning M2 weighs 38.15 kg (84.11 lb) empty.
What caliber is the Browning M2?
The Browning M2 is chambered in .50 BMG.
How long is the Browning M2?
The Browning M2 is 1650 mm (65.0 in) long overall, with a 1143 mm (45.0 in) barrel.
Who makes the Browning M2?
The Browning M2 is made by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (United States). It was designed by John Moses Browning.
When was the Browning M2 introduced?
The Browning M2 was introduced in 1933.
How does the Browning M2 operate?
The Browning M2 uses a short recoil action, and its firing mechanism is closed bolt.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
In service
- United States Armed Forces
- 1933
- Australian Defence Force
- Australia
- British Armed Forces
- 1938
- Canadian Armed Forces
- Canada
- French Armed Forces
- France
- German Armed Forces
- Germany
- Italian Armed Forces
- Italy
- Japan Self-Defense Forces
- Japan
- South Korean Armed Forces
- South Korea
- Israeli Defense Forces
- 2012
Provenance
Confidence in this record
90%
Stockists
Where to buy
Offers link straight to the shop. GunSpec never takes the order.
No shop has listed this firearm yet
Stock and prices come from the shops themselves. If you sell this firearm, you can list it and it appears here.
List a firearmMCP
Ask an assistant about it
The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/browning-m2' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "browning-m2", "name": "Browning M2", "manufacturer": { "id": "general-dynamics", "name": "General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems", "countryCode": "US", "foundedYear": 1899, "website": "https://www.gd-ots.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": null, "status": null, "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": null, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:38", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:43:43", "version": "506b9e31e483c9bb558ffec8c1e83d15fab95cc901ad4c2ccea38ffdb9dd0187" }, "category": { "id": "machine-gun", "name": "Machine Gun", "description": "Fully automatic firearms for sustained fire" }, "country_of_origin": "US", "year_introduced": 1933, "barrel_length_mm": 1143, "weight_empty_g": 38150, "action_type": "short_recoil"}