I think it was designed in ww1 and produced starting 1921, so its getting close to being in military service for 100 years, how long do you think it will stay in service? (its still heavialy used)!
2007-10-24 04:04:24 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
Yes the M2 Browning 50 cal machine gun came into action dueing WW1 and still sets the standard for heavy machine guns in the military. Being in the army and firing the 50 cal I can tell you that is one mean weapon not to be messed with.... it would be a giant mistake to replace it with anything..... dont fix something that isnt broke ;)
2007-10-24 10:49:45 · answer #1 · answered by Stampy Skunk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The M2 has had only 1 change to it since it's inception. That little (relatively) hole in the side where you look for the square projection when you are setting the headspace and timing with the go/no-go gauge. If anything else comes along to replace it within the next 50 years, I'll be very surprised. It should last until rail guns, particle beam weapons, or some other such theoretical weapon becomes reality.
2007-10-25 01:58:12 · answer #2 · answered by boruma35 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's still the worldwide standard of heavy machinegun development. Many of John Moses Browning's designs were so many years ahead of his time, that they lose very little relevance even as the decades pass. Super solid. Super Sturdy. Super rugged. Super effective. The .50BMG cartridge is still extremely accurate and powerful, as it's about the biggest round practical in a weapon capible of delivering such an enormous volume of firepower, while still being relatively portable and requiring only a small crew for it's operation. It's incredible versitality as a tripod-mounted, fixed, or flexable vehicle/aircraft mounted gun has never been equaled.
Browning set such a high bar with the .50 that it may never be surpassed by another "conventional" cartridge firearm - The Browning fifty will very likely continue to serve in it's role until it is finally replaced by another technology entirely. It will continue to be updated, as it has many times since it's inception, but the basic Browning gun will still be there behind the modifications.
It may well be around another 85 years - or longer in the US military, and even longer than that in the hands of allied nations. Not too unusual, - we still fly B52 bombers made in the 1950's, remember, and they still often state the B52 design will continue to "soldier on" for decades....And the venerable .50BMG shall as well.
You cannot argue with such successes.
2007-10-24 11:26:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think the design of John Browning was both ahead of it's time but remains so. the 50 remains a mainstay of the US military and will be so for many years to come. I don't think you can do away with something that approaches perfection.
2007-10-24 14:36:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ma Deuce will be around until someone develops a particle beam projector that is of similar size, weight, and effectiveness.
The old girl might be past 80, but she's still in her prime.
Doc
2007-10-25 00:21:39 · answer #5 · answered by Doc Hudson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the US Military plans to include in the arsenal until 2014 in the current E50 Enhanced configuration.
2007-10-24 13:05:20 · answer #6 · answered by Nate D 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A little while longer. The XM-312 will probably replace it. Have a look at this article.
2007-10-24 23:25:48 · answer #7 · answered by super682003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ma Deuce isn't going away until a new concept in firearms to replace it appears, and that's going to take a stroke of genius that can't be predicted.
2007-10-24 13:57:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ma Duece isn't going anywhere until they make fazers.
2007-10-24 15:23:14 · answer #9 · answered by Steel Rain 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
forever until lasers become a tactical weapon
2007-10-24 14:12:07 · answer #10 · answered by spooky 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋