Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the heavy machine guns (hmg) category.
01 / Overview
M2 Browning
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1933–
Quantity
2,000
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG) · INTERWAR PERIOD
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
98
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the heavy machine guns (hmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General7MOD.7
- First Production Year1921
- Service Entry Year1933
- DesignerJohn Browning
- Weight (Empty)38 kg
- Weight (Loaded)58 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
- Notable UsersUnited States, NATO members, many others
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
- Cartridge.50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)
- Calibre12.7 mm
- Case Length99 mm
- Calibre ClassHeavy machine gun caliber
- Bullet Weight48 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation9MOD.9
- Action TypeShort Recoil
- Fire ModesFully automatic
- Select FireNo
- Feed SystemBelt
- Magazine Capacity0
- Drum / Belt Capacity0
- Cyclic Rate of Fire525
- Trigger TypeMechanical
- Safety TypeManual safety
◇Ballistics3MOD.3
- Muzzle Velocity890 m/s
- Effective Range (point)1,800 m
- Maximum Range6,800 m
◆Barrel & Sights7MOD.7
- Barrel Length1,143 mm
- Rifling Twist1:15 inches (approx.)
- Rifling Grooves8
- Sight TypeIron sights, optional optics
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelYes
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver MaterialSteel
- Furniture MaterialSteel, wood or polymer (varies by variant)
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- ModularityQuick-change barrel, interchangeable mounts
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Total Production3,000,000
- Production Start1933
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1933Production started
- 1939First deployment: World War II
93
years in service
2,000
units produced
110
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
M2 BROWNING · CONFLICTS SERVED IN25% win·4% loss
Total Conflicts
24
Victories
6
Ongoing
0
Losses
1
2014–2017Iraqi Civil War of 2014–2017—→2009–2016Operation Ocean Shield—→2003–2011Iraq WarDecisive victory→2001–2021War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)—→2001–2014Operation Enduring Freedom—→1994–1995Operation Uphold DemocracyDecisive victory→1993–1995United Nations Operation in Somalia II—→1992–1993Unified Task Force—→1989–1990United States invasion of PanamaDecisive victory→19831983 Invasion of GrenadaDecisive victory→1979Sino-Vietnamese War—→1977–1991Cambodian–Vietnamese War—→1975–1990Lebanese Civil War—→1974–1991Ethiopian Civil War—→1967–1975Cambodian Civil War—→1965Dominican Civil War—→1964–Colombian conflict—→1961–1990Nicaraguan Revolution—→1959–1975Laotian Civil WarDecisive victory→19581958 Lebanon crisis—→1956Suez CrisisTactical victory→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→1950–1953Korean War—→1946–1954First Indochina War—→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
06 / MASS Score
HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG) RANKING Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) · Interwar Period
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
1HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG)1INTERWAR PERIOD · HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG)34UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS1PERFORMANCE/PRICE · HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
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.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Short recoil is a firearm operating mechanism where the barrel and slide move together for a short distance after firing, then separate to complete extraction, ejection, and chambering.
A pistol barrel with external helical grooves allowing the attachment of a suppressor or other muzzle devices.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources