The FN Browning .50 caliber machine gun is a variant of the US model, designed to suit European production practices. By Staff Writer
The FN Browning M2 HB-QCB is basically a Fabrique Nationale copy of the American design with slight alterations made to suit European production practices. In all actuality, the system - especially the early production models - are fairly close in resembling and operating like their American counterparts.
The FN Browning M2 HB-QCB can be found in varying roles depending on mission-specific usage. These roles include vehicle-mounted firing, tripod-mounted firing or coaxial-mounted firing. A lightweight version is reserved for airborne units and can supply a good 950-1,100 rounds per minute cyclic rate of fire in full automatic. Upgrade kits for older M2 systems were also made available that included new barrels, breech lock system and barrel extension kit. Additional options such as a "anti-cook off" attachment was also supplied to the lightweight airborne model. In all, the FN Browning M2 HB-QCB Series carried on the successful traditions of the lethal American-made Browning Heavy Machine Guns popularized throughout World War Two as a tank, aircraft or pintle-mounted weapon of some noted reliability.
The M3 Tripod adds an additional 43.98 lbs (19.95 kg)of weight to the system when fielded as such.
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Designation:Fabrique Nationale FN Browning M2 HB-QCB Classification Type:Heavy-Support Machine Gun Manufacturer:Fabrique Nationale Herstal SA - Belgium Country of Origin: Belgium
Operators: the United States of America
Variants
M2 HB - Base Heavy Support Machine Gun Model
M2 HB-QCB - Quick Change Barrel
M2 HB Coaxial - Coaxial Armored Vehicle mounted gun with electrically-fired solenoid capability; sans conventional sights for obvious reasons.
M3M - High-rate automatic fire pintle-mount model based on the lighter-weight M3P; full-automatic fire of 950-1,100 rounds per minute capability; spade grips with basic trigger button.
M3P - Lightweight M2 variant for airborne use; cyclic rate of 950-1,100 rounds per minute; solenoid fired; light barrel.
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