Pretty neat. Its rate of fire reminds me of that of a 25mm Bushmaster on a Brad… Seems accurate enough, very low recoil in comparison to a M2HB and if fires from an open bolt too. If it’s tripod was sand bagged, it would be super rock steady. (I see Soldiers firing M2s across the road from the shop all the time not using sand bagged tripods. They throw lead all over the place and hit little to nothing at all). But the XM312 just doesn’t seem as rugged looking as the M2HB. For example, the cover assembly looks flimsy and chezzy. As the link above says, no need for head space and timing. Not sure why so many folks always have trouble with that???. I never did and still don’t (Still have my own head space and timing gauge). Anyway, it (the XM312) does have its place now I suppose. I thing it would make a WONDERFUL replacement as a door gun on any Army A/C, where the stand off of .50 cal round sure beats a 7.62 and M240. But again, in some ways new is not always better. Time will tell.
The XM312 program was dropped because it had a low rate of fire, only 260 rounds per minute. The M2HB has a rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute. The Army is now going for the LW50MG since the XM312 failed.
I work for PEO soldier. It is not dropped, Its still developmental. It does have a slow rate of fire but with considerable improvemnts in recoil and accuracy. There is an on going competition for a fixed headspace solution for the M2 as well as a light weight fifty program. There have been numerous head space and timing problems, to many. Most involve checking it "the old way", using something other than the go/no-go guage or simply not doing it the correct way.
Originally posted by flydawg: There have been numerous head space and timing problems, to many. Most involve checking it "the old way", using something other than the go/no-go guage or simply not doing it the correct way.
There is no problem with the M2, but too many Dumb Azz NCOs/Soldier's that can't remember such a simple task... Give me a break. If you can't remember how to Head Space and Time the M2 you have no business wearing the uniform.
There are far to many career Soldiers who are fare from professionals.
There are far to many career Soldiers who are far from being professionals. Trust me I see them in operation everyday. Makes me want to puke!!!
