Skip to main content

Browning M2 .50 Caliber Ma Deuce Machine Gun - 'Gun Stories'

Few firearms have had such a profound effect on warfare as John Browning's massive .50 caliber M2 heavy machine gun, the most successful machine gun ever made. Affectionately called the Ma Deuce by American soldiers through five wars and numerous smaller actions around the world, it still is the go-to gun for the U.S. military.

The Ma Deuce was born when John J. Pershing, American expeditionary force commander in World War I, sent out an urgent call for a more powerful version of the Browning 1917 .30 caliber machine gun for use against aircraft in the waning years of the war. John Browning quickly took up the challenge.

The breakthrough on the Ma Deuce came in 1933, when Dr. Samuel Green of the U.S. ordinance department combined all the specialized 1921 A Brownings into a single gun, the M2. The M2 featured the same operating mechanism with specialized barrels, water cooling, lightweight parts for aircraft guns and other variations that could be easily attached without modifying the receiver. Making the M2 the Swiss Army Knife of heavy machine guns.

With WWII looming, the M2 went into mass production. It was originally deployed as an anti-aircraft gun and also used against vehicles and armor. It was mounted on fighter planes and bombers. It was used by the infantry for suppressive fire and even turret mounted on specialized vehicles. The M2, usually in its heavy barrel designation, has seen extensive use in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, especially vehicle mounted in convoys. The M2 has been in use longer than any other weapon in the American arsenal, with the exception of the 1911 pistol, another John Browning design.

Current Magazine Cover

Enjoy articles like this?

Subscribe to the magazine.

Get access to everything Guns & Ammo has to offer.
Subscribe to the Magazine

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Handguns

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Hamilton Bowen - Revolver Master

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Suppressors

2024 Guns & Ammo Suppressor of the Year Award: Silencer Central Banish Speed K

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Suppressors

Silencer Central Banish 9K

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Shotguns

Dickinson Plantation SxS Shotguns

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Videos - News - 2nd Amendment

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Handguns for those Under 21?

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Other

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Introducing Keith Wood

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Industry

Guns & Ammo Buzz: BEST OF THE 2025 SHOT SHOW

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Handguns

Kimber's New 2K11: A High-Capacity Double-Stack 1911 Pistol

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Handguns

Kimber CDS9: Best New Concealed Carry 1911 Handgun?

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Handguns

Double Take of Armscor's New RIA-USA TAC Ultra & STK Series

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Handguns

New Pistol for 2025: FN Reflex XL

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Rifles

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter Rifle

Guns and Ammo Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Guns & Ammo App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use