MG 42
Yep, ever !
Ma Deuce destroyed the Luftwaffe, IJN aviation, and Soviet/Chi-Com/Nork Air Forces in Korea.
On land: Browning .30 1919
In air: .50
Is this even a question???
If John Browning didn’t invent it you probably don’t need it.
MG 42
One needs a lot of spare barrels.
Fire for effect!
It sure was
600-700 grain bullet at 2700fps.
It’s an exact replica of the 30.06 dimensions, only bigger.
And yes, it will stop a truck. It will crack the case of a Peterbuilt at 500 yards.
One might easily argue the M134 6-barrell mini-gun is more devistating — after it’s been around 100 years and still asked for by troops in the field.
My guess is in 100 years there will still be uses for old Ma Deuce, but the M134 will have been replaced by several later generations.
Why is Ma so special?
Maybe just beauty?
I had many highs and lows while in the Army but it was always a good day when I got to fire off a belt from the Browning in the cupola of our M113.
That thing just radiated “Badass”.
Only if you keep it lubed with some CLP, otherwise it turns into a single shot breech loader that has to be cocked each round.
When you want to reach out and touch someone, over and over and over ...
When you want to keep the tango’s head down and then send him for recycling.
When you need air cover but it is 5 minutes out.
When you realize that you are outnumbered but you have a Ma Deuce (hoping for no RPGs).
Headspace and timing...
Only thing better than the M2 is the GAU-8.
Son was Fire Control officer in Navy for 6 years, he’d bring me brass occasionally from everything from .50 to 20mm.....not in volume, just a single of each caliber......
He did this all day and got paid for it.
Got a Mechanical Engineering degree on GI Bill, finishing OCS now, has been selected for pilot school - his goal since 8 years old........
It’s great but it is moose to lug around. Definitely a vehicular mounted weapon.
Best Ever.
The Americans feared the German 88.
The Germans feared the American .50.
Audie Murphy. The Rat Patrol. Legendary.
It was on account of the exceptional range and devastating power of the M2/M3 that the US lagged behind the rest in developing cannon armament for jets.
A P-47 with eight fifties was a flying tank.
Dzon Brovning very smart man. Maybe 12.7mm make good toothpick.
Semyon Vladimirov ees genius. He think, "12.7mm good, then 14.5mm better".
