As I understand it, the M2 was designed to be less accurte than it might otherwise have been, in order to insure the shots are spread out. Seems to me that new isn't always better, just more expensive. Why replace something that has worked so well for close to 100 years?
Since when did Benito Mussolini get involved with the .50 Caliber M-1921 machine gun ? Its spelled Ma-Deuce not DUCE ! I oughtta know, I'm a retired Army medic AND Sicilian by ancestry.
You wonder why us gunners are all big bad MFers. Try toting one of them movining out. I was a BARMAN in a Marine Rifle Squad too. Weapons change for the better most of the time. We needed some more versatile guns for a long time. 0331 OOHRAH
From the headline I thought they were doing away with, completely, the .50 cal - WRONG, just making it lighter. Now, that sounds good. As long as that's all they do. But, I think and agree with the rest of the folks here that Mr. Polmar needs to employ some proof readers. 1955 - 1925 for years alive, wow!!
Originally posted by TerryPaggi: There is something about a 50 Cal. It kills me how some "Chairborne Ranger" at HQ probably made the decision to suck up and advance. Semper Fi
Man, you said it!
There's a lucrative R&D and production contract to be had in this. Somebody is going to get rich. When it comes to military procurement - I'm always suspicious.
Once in awhile (rarely), there's some progress to be made in basic equipment...but mostly I agree with MarkPfauth above...
The U.S. military will be hard-pressed to find a suitable replacement for this weapon! No other weapon, organic to a grunt platoon, is as versatile, reliable, or provides as devastating firepower. We will regret its loss in the military as we do the M1911 (also a Browning design).
It looks like there is an attempt at revisionist "wikipedia" style history/definitions here. "later invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq" is an incorrect use of the word, according to Merriam-Webster, 1: an act of invading; especially : incursion of an army for conquest or plunder 2: the incoming or spread of something usually hurtful <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invasion">invasion</a>. Its probably just a political shot in an attempt to sell more books.
I think that a great weapon is being taking out of service and I sorry to hear about it, I had two of these guns on my A-Team in the Nam with 6 30 cal. browning and 6 M-60s. but charle would not and did not approch the old 50 cals sector.A very good weapon and should be kept in the military.
People are just learning how to use the M2 why take it away now? Personaly I have fired the 50 Cal until the barrels burned out and I was darn glad to have the gun. How about selling to the public for hunting weapons for those who still hunt (kidding.)
Why can't the Army leave well enough alone with a weapons system? For some reason, I keep imagining that this will wind up being a horrible SNAFU, and the replacement will never be as effective as the Ma Deuce. Hearing this is almost as bad as hearing that my favorite dog just died. Aww, man!
