Operation And Functioning
This chapter explains the operation of the MG. It discusses the loading, unloading, and clearing procedures, and the cycle of functioning of the weapon. When training the cycle of functioning using dummy ammunition, it is imperative that all safety procedures be followed. The overall operation of the MG includes how to load, unload, and clear the weapon. During the weapon's operation, it is mandatory that all ammunition be free of dirt and corrosion, that the ammunition be properly linked, and...
Figure Ammunition for the M
The eight types of ammunition are used for the following purposes. (1) Ball. For use in marksmanship training, and against personnel and light material targets. (2) Tracer. To aid in observing fire. Secondary purposes are for incendiary effect and for signaling. (3) Armor-piercing. For use against armored aircraft and lightly armored vehicles, concrete shelters, and other bullet-resisting targets. (4) Incendiary. For incendiary effect, especially against aircraft. (5)...
Aerial Defense
The two methods for defending against aerial attacks are passive air defense and active air defense. Passive measures are taken to avoid air detection active measures combat air attacks. Passive air defense measures are a first line of defense. They include troop or vehicle dispersion, concealment and camouflage, and observation and reporting. Attack avoidance is based on the reasoning that what can be seen from the air can be destroyed and what cannot be seen will probably not be attacked....
Figure R Operation of the MILES transmitter
Aligning the Transmitter to the Machine Gun. The transmitter must be aligned in the dry fire mode, using the dry fire trigger cable. To align the transmitter, you need a soldier wearing a MILES helmet and torso harness. The gun should already be mounted on a tripod and have the T& E attached. (1) Position the soldier 50 to 75 meters away from the machine gun. Have him place a green controller key in his MILES receptacle and turn the key to the CONTROLLER position. (2) Connect the trigger...
Crew Exercises
The purpose of crew exercise is to develop precision, speed, skill, and teamwork in examining equipment, placing the gun into action, and taking it out of action. In crew exercise, precision must be stressed. Once that is attained, speed, skill, and teamwork will follow. Duties are rotated during crew exercise to allow each member of the gun crew to become familiar with all the duties. During crew exercise, all oral or visual signals are repeated. When the fire command is completed, the gunner...
Figure Feeding cartridge entering the Tslot in the bolt
Cambering is placing the cartridge into the chamber of the weapon. During this cycle, the bolt moves forward, carrying the cartridge in the T-slot in a direct route to the chamber of the weapon. At the same time, the extractor rides up the extractor cam and when the bolt is fully forward, the extractor grasps the next linked cartridge Figure 3-10. Cambering - new round aligned with the chamber. c. Locking. The bolt is locked to the barrel and barrel extension. (1) Initially, the...
Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System
The MILES transmitter has been developed for the MG as well as for many other weapons. It consists of a lightweight laser transmitter that sends coded hit kill messages whenever blank rounds are fired. The MILES transmitter is normally used as part of an Ml 13 APC MILES kit however, it can also be used on truck- or ground-mounted machine guns with modifications of the detector straps and the combat vehicle kill indicator (CVKI) light (Figure B-2).
Concept Of Zeroingtargeting
The concept of zero is very simple it is no more than the best way to adjust the sights of the weapon so the point of aim of the sights and the point of impact of the rounds are the same at any given range. A properly zeroed M2 gives the gunner the highest probability of hit for most combat targets with the least adjustment to the point of aim. There are three methods of zeroing targeting used with the .50 caliber MG. a. Ten-meter zero is the basic and the most common method of zeroing the M2...
Table Stoppages and their causes
The first thing to do when a stoppage occurs is to apply immediate action, which is the prompt action taken by the firer to reduce a stoppage. Immediate action is performed by the gunner however, every crewmember must be trained to apply immediate action. The following procedures will assist in reducing most stoppages without analyzing their cause in detail. Failure to follow procedures may result in damage to weapon and injury to personnel. a. If gun fails to fire, take the following action...
Figure Aiming target used in tracking and leading exercise
Conducting the Lead Exercise (10-Meter). The gunner is required to take a position at the gun, swing through the target's silhouette, and aim at a point ahead of the target equal to the prescribed lead from the center of mass. The gunner then directs the target handler to move the marking silhouette until the center of the target is at the point of aim. He repeats this procedure three times for each target lead announced. The target handler places his marking silhouette on the blank...
Targets And Their Engagement
Targets presented to the machine gunners during combat will in most cases consist of enemy soldiers in various formations, which require distribution and concentration of fire. These targets have width and depth, and the application of machine gun fire is designed to completely cover the area in which the enemy is known or suspected to be. These targets may be easy to see or may be indistinct and difficult to locate. a. When machine gun fire is under direct control of a leader, he designates...
Figure Major groups
Turn the cover latch and raise the cover group Figure 2-3 . Grasp the retracting slide handle with the right hand, palm up, and pull the recoiling parts to the rear until the lug on the barrel locking spring aligns with the 3 8-inch hole in the right sideplate of the receiver just below the feedway exit . The barrel can be turned only when the lug is aligned with the 3 8-inch hole. Place the smallest loop of a caliber .50 link, or suitable spacer, between the trunnion block and...
Figure Replacing the bolt stud
Press up on the bolt latch and push the bolt all the way forward by pushing on the bolt stud only. Place the end of the drive spring rod in its hole in the rear of the bolt, and push forward on the drive spring assembly and the barrel buffer tube. Press in and to the right on the head of the drive spring rod and place the retaining pin in its seat in the right sideplate Figure 2-20 .
Range Determination
Range determination is the process of estimating the distance to a target from a gunner's position. The ability of the gunner to get the range to, sight on, and destroy a target is the realism of combat. Under combat conditions, ranges are seldom known in advance therefore the effectiveness of fire depends largely upon the accuracy and speed of the gunner in determining range. Some methods of determining range are estimating by eye Table 5-1, page 5-15 , firing the gun, measuring range from a...
Training Aids And Devices
The use of devices in marksmanship training programs are important factors because they may allow the gunner to get an idea of what actual combat is like. The training devices designed for the MG are the M19 blank firing attachment, the multiple integrated liner engagement system, the sighting bar, and the M3 recoil amplifier barrel used with plastic ammunition. The M19 BFA was developed to permit the MG to fire the M1A1 blank cartridge in the automatic fire mode. The BFA is an easy to install,...
Final Protective Fires
These are types of fire that are placed on a predetermined line along which grazing fire is placed to stop an enemy assault. This fire is fixed in direction and elevation however, a few roils of search are employed during firing to compensate for irregularities in the terrain. FPLs are always laid in using the extreme left or right of the tripod, causing the T amp E to move to the extreme left or right on the traversing bar. The FPFs can be delivered in any visibility conditions. When terrain...
Dryfire Training
Dry-fire training is designed to teach the gunner the essentials of MG gunnery, including safety. Dry-fire training also includes sighting, aiming, sight setting, laying, manipulating the gun, manipulating the T amp E mechanism, and determining the range. Thorough, carefully supervised training of these essentials is necessary to conserve time and ammunition during live fire. Practical exercises should be used to determine gunners' proficiency. Mastery of these skills is a must before the...
Description
The Browning machine gun caliber .50 HB, M2 Figure 1-2 is a belt-fed, recoil-operated, air-cooled, crew-served machine gun. The gun is capable of single shot, as well as automatic fire, and operates on the short recoil principle. a. The machine gun is capable of being fed from either the right or left by repositioning certain parts. The weapon has nonfixed headspace that must be set. Timing must also be adjusted to cause the gun to fire slightly out of battery to prevent damage to moving parts....
Table Ballistic data
Exercise care to prevent ammunition boxes from becoming broken or damaged. If they do, repair them immediately. Transfer all original markings to the new parts of the box. Do not open ammunition boxes until the ammunition is to be used. Ammunition removed from the airtight container, particularly in damp climates, is likely to corrode. Protect the ammunition from mud, sand, and water. If the ammunition gets wet or dirty, wipe it off at once with a clean, dry...
Firing Positions
Before a gunner can hit targets, he must learn to get behind the weapon in a position that allows him to be comfortable, affords him protection, and enhances mission accomplishment. a. The tripod firing positions are prone, sitting, and standing. They are assumed in the following manner. 1 The prone position is used when firing from the tripod that is set in a low position. It is assumed by lying on the ground directly behind the gun. The gunner then spreads his legs a comfortable distance...
With drive spring rod inside drive spring
NOTE At this time, the barrel buffer tube should be completely inside the receiver. If not, the barrel buffer body spring is not properly seated. f. Backplate Group. Hold the backplate with the latch down and the trigger up place the backplate guides in their guideways. Hold out on the latch lock and tap the backplate into position until the latch snaps into place Figure 2-21 . Release the latch lock and pull up on the backplate group to ensure it is firmly seated. Figure 2-21. Replacing the...
Figure Traversing and elevating mechanism
The gun is connected to the tripod mount, M3, by a pintle Figure 1-9, page 1-14 . This pintle is semipermanently attached to the machine gun by a pintle bolt through the front mounting hole in the receiver. The tapered stem of the pintle seats in the tripod head. It is held secure by a pintle lock and spring. To release the pintle, raise the pintle lock, releasing the cam. The weight of the pintle and traversing and elevating mechanism are considered as part of the total weight of...
General Assembly
To assemble the gun, replace the groups and assemblies in reverse order of their removal in disassembly. a. Barrel Buffer Assembly and Barrel Buffer Body Group. Replace the barrel buffer assembly in the barrel buffer body group, with the key on the spring guide to the right. This key must fit in its slot in the right side of the barrel buffer body. Turn the barrel buffer tube until the screwdriver slot in the rear of the tube is vertical and the arrow is pointing to the right. The stud on the...
Figure Adjusted aiming point method of fire adjustment
Fire commands are technical instructions issued by a leader to enable the unit or crew to accomplish a desired fire mission. Fire commands have been standardized for infantry direct fire weapons, and they follow the same sequence. There are two types- initial fire commands, issued to engage a target and subsequent fire commands, which are issued to adjust fire, change the rate of fire, interrupt fire, shift fire to a new target, or to terminate the alert. A correct fire command is one that is...
Tenmeter Range Layout
The standard, basic 10-meter range can accommodate a unit of 200 to 250 soldiers at a time however, concurrent training may be required. This range Figure C-2 can be used to zero the M249, M60, and M2 machine guns, and to fire the 10-meter portion of qualification. It is also used to familiarize soldiers with the characteristics, noise, and recoil of the weapon. This is the range used to practice target observation and adjustment of fire, to practice MG traversing and searching, to develop...
Headspace And Timing
Headspace is the distance between the face of the bolt and the base of the cartridge case, fully seated in the chamber. Timing is the adjustment of the gun so that firing takes place when the recoiling parts are in the correct position for firing. Because the cartridge is held by the T-slot of the bolt, headspace with the MG is measured as the distance between the rear of the barrel and the face of the bolt. This occurs when the recoiling parts are forward and there is positive contact between...
Characteristics Of Fire
The gunner's knowledge of his machine gun is not complete until he learns something of the action and effect of the projectiles when fired. This section discusses various characteristics of machine gun fire, including trajectory, cone of fire, and the beaten zone. a. Trajectory. The trajectory is the curved path of the projectile in its flight from the muzzle of the weapon to its impact. The major factors that influence the trajectory are the velocity of the round, gravity, rotation of the...
Warning
Do not press your eye hard against the HWTS eyepiece while engaging a target. The M2 kicks back slightly and could harm you. Secure the M2 as well as you can to increase accuracy and to help prevent injury. e. Boresighting. This paragraph provides guidance on boresighting. For zeroing procedures, see TM 11-5855-302-12 amp P and TM 11-5855312-10. This stays in the pocket of the sight's soft storage case. Boresight as follows 1 Place the M2 in the ready-to-fire position 10 meters from the...
Figure C Night Fire Qualification Table IV
To qualify on the M2, the gunner must achieve the minimum standards on the firing tables. a. Firing Table I. On this table, a gunner can earn one point for each round that hits in each space. He can earn up to 119 points on this table, but must earn at least 12 points 12 out of 17 pasters . b. Firing Tables II, III, and IV. On each of these tables, the gunner can earn one point for each target hit plus a two-point bonus if he hits each target with the first burst. He can score up to 33 points...
Figure Removing the bolt stud
After freeing the bolt, slide it to the rear and out of receiver Figure 2-11 . Place the bolt down on its right side with the extractor arm up , so that the extractor will not fall from the bolt. e. Bolt Group. After freeing the bolt, slide it to the rear and out of receiver Figure 2-11 . Place the bolt down on its right side with the extractor arm up , so that the extractor will not fall from the bolt. Figure 2-11. Removing the bolt from the receiver. Figure 2-11. Removing the...
Figure C Mounted Firing Exercise Table VI
Mounted Firing Exercise Table VI, continued. e. Scoring Procedures. The mounted firing exercise is graded on a Go No Go basis. Commanders may increase the difficulty of any or all tasks to align the exercise with the unit's mission. The predetermined firing exercise is for the gun crew that has demonstrated proficiency during the basic phase of gunnery. Emphasis will be on developing range cards and confirming range-card data during day and night firing. a. Objectives. The...
Performance Problems And Destruction
This chapter discusses the malfunctions, stoppages, immediate actions, remedial actions, and destruction procedures of the MG. All corrective actions must comply with safety procedures. A malfunction is any failure of the gun to function satisfactorily. Examples of malfunctions are a. Failure to Function Freely. Sluggish operation is usually due to human failure to eliminate excessive friction caused by dirt, lack of proper lubrication, burred parts, incorrect headspace adjustment, or incorrect...
Table Inspection checklist
Use cleaner, lubricant, preservative to clean the machine gun. As its name implies, it cleans, lubricates, and preserves all in one application. 1 After cleaning the gun with CLP, wipe it dry and reapply a thin coating. Allow this thin coat to dry on the parts for a short time before reassembly. CLP deposits a thin coating on the metal which minimizes carbon buildup and prevents foreign material from sticking. It is this coating that provides the frictionless operation of the...
Tm 11-5855-214-10
These are the Army publications quoted or paraphrased in this manual. DA Pam 350-38 FM 3-5 FM 44-80 STP 21-24-SMCT TM 9-1300-200 TM 11-5855-214-10 TM 11-5855-302-12 amp P Standards in Weapons Training. 3 July 1997 NBC Decontamination. 17 November 1993. Visual Aircraft Recognition. 30 September 1996. Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks, Skill Levels 2 3 4. 1 October 1992. Training Ranges. 25 February 1992, with Change 1, 16 November 1992. Operator's Manual for Machine Guns, Caliber .50 Browning,...
Figure Desired impact point for the ANTVS
a Fire enough single-shot rounds to obtain a good shot group. Locate the center of the shot group. Adjust the AN TVS-5 azimuth and elevation knobs until the shot group impacts 9.8 centimeters below the target aiming point. Move the weapon so that the reticle aiming point is again on the target aiming point. Repeat this process until the desired point of impact is obtained. b When adjusting, move the azimuth or elevation adjustment actuator one click to move the strike of the round .5 inch at...
Figure G Installation of M mounting bracket assembly
Except for aiming, the fundamentals of marksmanship for the AN TVS-5 are the same as those for the AN PAS-13 heavy weapon thermal sight. a. Determine the range to the target Figure G-5, page G-10 . The range setting on the HWTS depends on the range to the target. To determine range to target, use any of several methods range cards, range estimation techniques, the upper portion of the AN TVS-5 reticle, or TRPs. b. After determining range, use the aiming point designated for that range on the M2...
Figure C Nbc Qualification Table
Gunner is in stationary tripod firing position and engages a 400-meter, double E-type silhouette. Gunner will use 5-to 7-round bursts for this engagement. 3. Engage a single, double E-type silhouette at 400 meters while wearing a protective mask. Gunner must impact one burst on the 400-meter target within 20 seconds. 4. Engage a single, double E-type silhouette at 700 meters while wearing a protective mask. Gunner is in stationary tripod firing position and engages a 700-meter, double E-type...
Meter boresight target Anpeqa mounted on an AWTVS feed tray cover bracket arid plastic spacer on M MG
This is the 10-meter boresight target for 500-meter zero Grids are 1-centimeter square. Units manufacture targets I oca My. Zero target data for M2 MG H Stabilize the weapon. 2, Align laser borelight on its dot. 3. Adjust the AN PEQ-2A until aiming laser centers on the dot cross hair. Figure G-12. Alignment of M2 with the AN PEQ-2A. 10-meter boresight target AN TVS-5 mounted on AN TVS-5 feed tray cover bracket This is the 10-meter boresight target for the 500-meter zero. Grids measure 1 cm...
Figure Headspace and timing gauge
2 Hold the bolt in this position and screw the barrel fully into the barrel extension Figure 3-19 . 2 Hold the bolt in this position and screw the barrel fully into the barrel extension Figure 3-19 . Figure 3-19. Screwing in the barrel. Figure 3-19. Screwing in the barrel.
Cleaning Inspection And Lubrication
To ensure proper care of the MG, it is necessary to have a system of maintenance or an SOP for the frequency of cleaning. Each gun should be cleaned as soon after firing as possible and each time it is exposed to field conditions. Under combat conditions, the gun should be cleaned and oiled daily. Under extreme climatic and combat conditions, it maybe necessary to clean and lubricate more frequently. Under ideal conditions, where the gun is not used, and is stored in a clean, dry place, it may...
Night Optics
Weapons-mounted night optics are less versatile than goggles with regard to situational awareness. However, they offer greater magnification and resolution at crew-served weapons ranges. The graduated reticles on night optics offer the flexibility of engaging at various ranges. Laser pointers fix on one range, so the firer must aim off before engaging targets at a different range. Night optics weigh more than goggles--they are awkward to move with and employ. Using night optics requires that...
Browning Machine Gun Caliber Hb M
DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION-Approved for public release distribution Is unlimited. Department of the Army Washington, DC, 23 December 2002 Browning Machine Gun Caliber .50 HB, M2 1. Change FM 23-65, 19 June 1991, as follows Remove old pages Insert new pages References Pages 1 and Pages 1 and 2 2. A star marks new or changed material. 3. File this transmittal sheet in front of the publication. DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION Approved for public release distribution is unlimited. By Order of the Secretary...
