Data Quality85%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
M1921 Browning machine gun
Country
Production
1921–1933
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · INTERWAR PERIOD
4
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
75
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Production Year1918
- Service Entry Year1920
- DesignerJohn Moses Browning
- Weight (Empty)54.88 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
- Notable UsersUnited States Army, United States Navy
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
- Cartridge.50 BMG
- Calibre12.7 mm
- Calibre Classheavy machine gun
- Bullet Weight42.9 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation7MOD.7
- Action TypeRecoil-Operated
- Fire Modesfull-auto
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemBelt
- Cyclic Rate of Fire500
- Trigger Typesingle-stage
- Safety Typemanual
◇Ballistics1MOD.1
- Muzzle Velocity701 m/s
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
- Barrel Length914.4 mm
- Sight Typeiron
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood/metal
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitynone
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost3MOD.3
- Production Start1917
- Production End1933
- Variants1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1921Production started
- 1933Production ended
105
years in service
12
years in production
0
countries operating
ⓘ 2 countries retired it.
05 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Interwar Period
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
69GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)4INTERWAR PERIOD · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)1125UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS67PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Firearm action type where the energy from firing a cartridge cycles the action via rearward movement of the barrel or slide.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources