Last week I started my feature on the Browning M2 Heavy Machine Gun. Such an old gun has quite a history behind it, so I broke it up into multiple, bite-size chunks, so you guys don't choke.
The M2 has been used in a variety of roles, acting as an infantry support weapon, an anti-aircraft gun, and a mounted primary and secondary weapon on armored vehicles.
It has even been used as long-range sniper rifle when equipped with a telescopic sight. It was used by soldiers during the Korean War, but it was most famously used by US Marine Corps sniper Carlos Hathcock. Hathcock used it extensively in the Vietnam War and set a record for the longest confirmed kill at 2,460 yards, almost a mile and a half. He held that record until 2002.
In WWII, the US used the M2 as fixed aircraft guns, AA defensive guns (on a variety of vehicles), tripod-mounted guns for infantry, and anti-vehicular weapons.
Commonwealth forces didn't use the M2 much in World War II, though it became standard on a lot of vehicles from 1942 onward. Once troops in North Africa acquired the resources, they started to manufacture and use the Browning as well.
The M2 Browning has been used by almost 50 countries, including 18 NATO countries.
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