Why The M2 Is The Gold Standard Heavy Machine Gun | Weapons That Changed The World | War Stories

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  • Опубликовано: 14 апр 2024
  • Could the mighty M2 be the greatest machine gun in history? Nicknamed the "Ma Deuce", this fifty caliber American machine gun has been rocking the battlefield for over eighty years. Host Wil Willis puts this legendary weapon to the ultimate test.
    War Stories is your one stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts.
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    #warstories #documentary #military

Комментарии • 148

  • @brandondavis4306
    @brandondavis4306 Месяц назад +55

    just shows how smart john moses browning was M1911 served with the us forces for over 100 years, and the legendary MA Duece. What this doesn't tell us is that browning designed the 50 BMG round ( Browning Machine Gun)

    • @c.antoniojohnson7114
      @c.antoniojohnson7114 Месяц назад +9

      John Moses Browning is the greatest gunsmith of all time, from sporting firearms to weapons of war. He was a true innovator.

    • @rob5944
      @rob5944 Месяц назад +3

      I often marvel at its longevity when I see the weapon featured in current affairs on TV.

    • @splitman1129
      @splitman1129 Месяц назад

      ​@@rob5944He isn't smart for creating weapons. A smart person would never create something to kill people.

    • @kevincrawford7439
      @kevincrawford7439 28 дней назад +3

      They literally said JMB designed the caliber first.

    • @morrissands7269
      @morrissands7269 28 дней назад

      A
      😅😢

  • @Bogie3855
    @Bogie3855 Месяц назад +26

    John Browning lives on. Just the 1911 and the Ma Deuce have saved SOOOOOOOO many servicemen and won so many battles. So amazing that this weapon is still in active service.

    • @alexanderkidonakis9185
      @alexanderkidonakis9185 Месяц назад +2

      It’s also killed soooooo many
      Not hating just saying it’s done both

    • @jollyjoiner3683
      @jollyjoiner3683 29 дней назад

      7​@@alexanderkidonakis9185

    • @morgankuikka4940
      @morgankuikka4940 24 дня назад

      ​@alexanderkidonakis9185 does exactly as intended, kills people in front of it, to keep safe those behind it. Its a wonderful piece of equipment, also browning himself said the browning hi power was superior to the 1911 XD

  • @user-vj2wt7jh7j
    @user-vj2wt7jh7j 28 дней назад +7

    Carlos Hathcock even mounted a scope to an M2 and used it for taking out targets at over 2000YDS. It is capable of more accuracy than many believe. Getting good ammo was frequently the limiting factor.

  • @AniwayasSong
    @AniwayasSong Месяц назад +29

    Three words- Simple (To build, operate, maintain), Effective, and Reliable.
    Just because something is 'Old' doesn't mean it is ineffective/worthless. Many firearms designed nearly a century ago (And even older), are just as lethal now as they were then.

    • @child3862
      @child3862 Месяц назад +2

      Ak 47 falls in those 3 factors as well

    • @c.antoniojohnson7114
      @c.antoniojohnson7114 Месяц назад +3

      Some old firearms are better than their modern counterparts.

    • @AniwayasSong
      @AniwayasSong Месяц назад +3

      @@c.antoniojohnson7114
      Also heartily agree!
      I'm a huge fan of the K.I.S.S. principle (Keep It Simple Stupid). Iron sights and the LESS 'Furniture' the better (In most instances).
      ;-)

    • @JeffreyTappan-bb8rr
      @JeffreyTappan-bb8rr Месяц назад +2

      M1911A1 for example.

    • @JeffreyTappan-bb8rr
      @JeffreyTappan-bb8rr Месяц назад

      Good enough is the enemy of perfect.

  • @ErenYeager-zf3td
    @ErenYeager-zf3td Месяц назад +26

    Let's not forget that the White Feather used the M2 as a sniper with a scope attached on it.

    • @kristoffermangila
      @kristoffermangila Месяц назад +4

      And showed the world that the.50 BMG round can be a very lethal sniper round.

    • @sidgarrett7247
      @sidgarrett7247 24 дня назад +2

      Carlos Hathcock, from Guyre Springs Arkansas! Great man, great Marine and great book

  • @mindelo23
    @mindelo23 29 дней назад +14

    M2 - If it ain't broke don't fix it.

  • @petepal55
    @petepal55 Месяц назад +7

    I read a story about a trooper in 'Nam that was huge and carried a .50 into combat and hit targets at 300m. I've always wondered about that story.

  • @Blackhawkveteranretired
    @Blackhawkveteranretired 18 дней назад +1

    As an Infantryman(11B) turned logistician/armorer(92Y) I had a love/hate relationship with this weapon but one thing's for sure everyone of them I issued out or used on my own vehicles never failed to perform their primary function.

  • @rickcs7050
    @rickcs7050 29 дней назад +5

    2:43 A short man from Texas a Man of the wild
    Thrown into combat where bodies lied piled
    Hides his emotions his blood's running cold
    Just like his victories the story unfolds

  • @robertzackrisson3863
    @robertzackrisson3863 29 дней назад +2

    Thank you War Stories for posting this series! It´s a personal highlight every time you upload a new session of Wil Willis awesomeness in this production. More please!

  • @edwardpate6128
    @edwardpate6128 22 дня назад +2

    Just think, the P-47 Thunderbolt had 8 of these. Talk about firepower!

  • @davidgarbersr.8065
    @davidgarbersr.8065 Месяц назад +9

    Browning museum, Ogden, Utah, very cool. If you like guns, gotta go👍

    • @ms.annthrope415
      @ms.annthrope415 Месяц назад

      Been there. Not big but good exhibition of various weapons he designed and the developmental stages of each.

  • @DeaconBlu
    @DeaconBlu Месяц назад +3

    This was a fantastic series for the time.
    Very cool vid, for sure.

  • @afre3398
    @afre3398 23 дня назад +1

    In the M2HB you have to headspace and time your M2 every time before you fire or after you change the barrel. You can risk that a round can go off inside the gun. I guess this was the largest motivation behind the M2A1

  • @SeanDahle
    @SeanDahle 27 дней назад +1

    The M2 truly is an example of if it ain't broke don't fix it

  • @Algorithm_work_your_magic
    @Algorithm_work_your_magic 18 дней назад

    that barrel change upgrade is sweet

  • @ryanwilliams4550
    @ryanwilliams4550 Месяц назад +2

    Fantastic, lots of room to grow with an M2 series. Please give us the sniper M1 Abrams, and the training, victories,and failures that the gunner, TC and crew. Theseweremean killing machines, and with that much love

  • @ianrotten4453
    @ianrotten4453 Месяц назад +3

    Ma Deuce is a beast, no doubt.

  • @mohammedsaysrashid3587
    @mohammedsaysrashid3587 Месяц назад +5

    A wonderful documentary introduced about M2 A1 and its previously designed heavy machine gun ...what was securities Global US dominant is US superiority of atomic Arsenals and its superiority of USA atomic weapons delivery systems )...yes this US designed heavy machine gun its the best comparably to other heavy machine guns of other countries ...reliably, firepower, senstanably, and accuracy....thank you ( war stories) channel ....for sharing

  • @johngaither9263
    @johngaither9263 28 дней назад +1

    Designed to counter aircraft and tanks in WWI but was delivered after the war ended. By WWII it couldn't do either one of those tasks from the ground. It morphed into the ideal weapon for airplanes to use against one another. It was also the weapon of choice for "Reconnaissance by fire". A term coined to describe the practice of American armored columns to be led by jeeps and trucks hosing down structures and facilities with .50 BMG fire to see if anyone wanted to fight. Jets changed its use from planes to helicopters. Its versatility and reliability guaranteed its reputation.

  • @DankRy23
    @DankRy23 29 дней назад

    I love these weapon videos with Will Willis!! Awesome

  • @romanzdenek4682
    @romanzdenek4682 29 дней назад +1

    Is incredible what Mr.Browning invented without computer and all made on wooden drawing board. Today inventors can't see often real problems trough computer itself.

  • @robertgutheridge9672
    @robertgutheridge9672 28 дней назад +1

    Now I thought General Dynamics was working on and had at least prototype a three-barrel rotary minigun style 50 caliber

  • @aaronseet2738
    @aaronseet2738 24 дня назад +1

    Perfect home defense weapon.

  • @CrossOfBayonne
    @CrossOfBayonne 29 дней назад +1

    The Browning M2 was also the armament for the B-17 Flying Fortress, Each one would have 4 to 6 .50 cal machine guns on board with AA sights

  • @behindthespotlight7983
    @behindthespotlight7983 24 дня назад +1

    8:00 a few Ma Deuces on full auto would’ve made that opening scene on Dog Green in Saving Private Ryan quite a bit shorter. To compare recall the hedgerows skirmish after Carentan in Episode 3 of Band of Brothers. When those Sherman’s hit the scene toward the end we see the 50’s cutting trees in half. I’ve read that certain urban combat tactics call for cutting through walls with a few dozen rounds to the point where the entire roof of a building essentially collapses and crushes the defenders

  • @J.C...
    @J.C... Месяц назад +6

    Ranger AND a PJ?!? WHOA.

  • @dnate697
    @dnate697 17 дней назад

    Mine was the M85 tank version. When I had a sorry E-6 named ALModena I snook up from my gunner's seat to fire the M85 just so we could qualify.

  • @ChristianIfechuku
    @ChristianIfechuku 21 день назад +2

    Which gun do you recommend for home defense and protection😊😊😊😊

  • @ca9968
    @ca9968 29 дней назад +1

    Audie Murphy was a beast with that weapon, but did you see what John Rambo did with it in Myanmar in 2008?

  • @Stargazer80able
    @Stargazer80able 28 дней назад +2

    The US put the M2 on everything and its cousin. The Soviets did not. The Soviets also put forward the 14,5x114 that also were not put on very much.

  • @cameronhermann9400
    @cameronhermann9400 26 дней назад

    Love the Dskh adjustable seat, so unexpected 😂

  • @scottleft3672
    @scottleft3672 Месяц назад +1

    cinder blocks are weak a water....try filling them with cement or at least dried compacted earth.

  • @ChristianIfechuku
    @ChristianIfechuku 21 день назад +2

    50 caliber sniper 😊😊😊😊

  • @oranaz551
    @oranaz551 28 дней назад +1

    Jams,over heats,barrels have a bad habit of droup, better have lots of spare s.The update did help some.All that said the M2 is about the best light armor weapon around.All in all had a love/hate thing with the Ma Duece

  • @brennanleadbetter9708
    @brennanleadbetter9708 Месяц назад +1

    Just shows how good of a weapon it is.

  • @isaiahbrinson3197
    @isaiahbrinson3197 22 дня назад +1

    Make sure you drench it in clp if you don't have the correct lubricant.

  • @kristoffermangila
    @kristoffermangila Месяц назад +1

    The Ma Deuce. 'Nough said.

  • @lesliefranklin1870
    @lesliefranklin1870 8 дней назад

    Note that a sniper is trained to aim for the center of mass, mainly the torso, not the head. At that caliber, both are lethal, but the torso hit is more likely.

  • @ambush_akula5261
    @ambush_akula5261 27 дней назад

    My all time favourite episode of triggers!!!!!!

  • @prestonopp
    @prestonopp Месяц назад

    Missed a key part of the development history… it was first designed and adopted for the Navy coastal air defense as a static mount water cooled HMG and the heavy barrel variant came later.

  • @cristian07696
    @cristian07696 Месяц назад +1

    Impresionante acá le decimos la 12.7 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷

  • @stevenkostamo1279
    @stevenkostamo1279 17 дней назад

    a 7.62x39 ball round goes through cinder blocks too, but a full mag costs less than one 50 bmg round. If you are planning to show penetration cast a true 8" steel reinforced concrete wall, keep in mind we know the bunkers are much thicker. Not to mention a much better grouping can be achieved with the 7.62 39. The 50 has its purpose, but you didn't show it

  • @NINJAKNIVESTKO131
    @NINJAKNIVESTKO131 25 дней назад

    I own a ma deuce and boy its a monster of a gun

  • @fengshuo2725
    @fengshuo2725 28 дней назад

    I think it would be better if there are less open cuts on the sides (for better reiliability and reduced demand of maintaince

  • @chrislong3938
    @chrislong3938 27 дней назад

    About the only thing I didn't like about that gun was carrying it from the armory to my track!
    The main assembly has nothing but sharp corners that dig into your shoulders, and brother(!), it is heavy! So is the barrel! I was scrawny though...
    Other than the great fun of firing it, I liked that I could light my smokes off the barrel after a couple of hundred rounds! ;-)
    I never had one of these go into cookoff mode even with the barrel glowing, but I did have that happen with M-60s.

  • @manhunter433
    @manhunter433 24 дня назад

    Not long after this episode aired, the light weight machine gun program was cancelled and Browning instead did a lot of quality of life improvements to the legendary machine gun.

  • @georgebenta3435
    @georgebenta3435 29 дней назад

    Weapon/history documentaries these days are mostly made for entertainment, shooting at stuff with rock music in the background sprinkled with a bit of history. Old weapon documentaries like Tales of the Gun may seem boring to some and a bit dated in their presentation but packed with more information about the weapons history and development.

  • @northernohiodiecast2908
    @northernohiodiecast2908 Месяц назад +2

    20mm Vulcan

  • @ateliervolant
    @ateliervolant 29 дней назад

    😱😱😱 Holtzwihr isn't in the mountains or surrounded by forest at all, it's a small village of sauerkraut growers on the Rhin plain.

  • @donovanmcvick
    @donovanmcvick Месяц назад +2

    Pick a different car to explode. Not the vintage 70s lincoln mark V 😭😭😭

  • @tommyspann8852
    @tommyspann8852 25 дней назад +1

    I don't believe Audie Murphy disabled or destroyed any German armor with a .50 cal. I'm pretty sure it was all soldiers on foot. An M2 for all it's power, isn't a tank destroying weapon, even with AP rounds.

  • @billyrock8305
    @billyrock8305 Месяц назад +2

    Topgun - M2 👍

  • @tristanconnolly5675
    @tristanconnolly5675 24 дня назад

    Nice.

  • @russellmurray8102
    @russellmurray8102 Месяц назад

    The British Bren gun had a barrel change system like that 80+ years ago

    • @evil993
      @evil993 28 дней назад

      Hilarious how they described such minimal and obvious changes. Like a handle for quick swapping the barrel, oh wow. So revolutionary. Lmao

  • @planetmikusha5898
    @planetmikusha5898 29 дней назад

    The Browning M2 is still shredding Russian troops in Ukraine. And also on the same battlefield used by both side can be found the Soviet era DShK or Dushka dating from the 1930s and the Maxim PM M1910 dating from 1910.

  • @stephengamber7000
    @stephengamber7000 29 дней назад

    $60 a round for dishka ammo - WOW

  • @cameronsienkiewicz6364
    @cameronsienkiewicz6364 17 дней назад

    You guys cheated using an MG-08 instead of a true maxim.. the maxim was produced in the late 19th century, the MG-08 was put out in 1908.. they are similar designs when it comes to the barrel and water jacket, but the receivers and trigger assemblies are COMPLETELY different

  • @batangquiapo45
    @batangquiapo45 Месяц назад

    No wonder Grant Reynolds is not with Kevin in What Could Possibly Go Wrong

  • @destroyerarmor2846
    @destroyerarmor2846 29 дней назад

    The Mk 19 grenade launcher is also the same mechanism invented by Browning

  • @willbarnett3914
    @willbarnett3914 Месяц назад

    .... it got rid of having to do head space and timing

  • @johnwiles4391
    @johnwiles4391 Месяц назад

    Why'd he wreck perfectly good pickles!?

  • @dionysusthemadgod
    @dionysusthemadgod Месяц назад +3

    I love the Ma Deuce, but of all vehicle mounted or crew served weapons, I prefer the Mk 19.

  • @mohamaddanielshaffiquebroh2995
    @mohamaddanielshaffiquebroh2995 24 дня назад

    Shotgun episode please

  • @general1z
    @general1z Месяц назад

    LOVE THAT "DISHKA" SEAT❗❗👍👍😁😁

  • @kenc9236
    @kenc9236 Месяц назад

    Paint cans do not fight back - Bruce Lee

  • @snapdragon6601
    @snapdragon6601 29 дней назад +1

    Wouldn't it have been better if the US military had chosen a 20mm auto cannon instead of the .50 caliber as it's heavy machine gun? It seems like the consensus the US Army Air Corps reached after pouring over all the data after the war was that even with all those .50 caliber machine guns on the B-17s, it turned out to be completely under gunned when coming up against attacking Axis fighters like the BF-109.

    • @evil993
      @evil993 28 дней назад +1

      They were about equal. If you actually managed to make contact with a cannon round it was for sure gonna be sending the plane down but that was also the limiting factor. You couldn't carry as much ammo, and cannons of the time especially for example the 20mm hispano were new. It wasn't uncommon for those cannons to jam, rendering them useless until the plane landed. They also required a more complicated firing system and ammo delivery.
      Overall from what I've read is that .50 vs 20mm cannon they were very close in actual performance. At least as far as downing enemy aircraft goes.

  • @shaunn7778
    @shaunn7778 29 дней назад

    John Moses Browning. Peace be upon him.

  • @RUHappyATM
    @RUHappyATM Месяц назад

    Is that the gun Rambo used in Burma?

  • @Conorkinsella
    @Conorkinsella Месяц назад

    Can you do a sniper rifle next plz

    • @donovanmcvick
      @donovanmcvick Месяц назад

      Watch the m1 garand episode of this series. They cover snipers heavily.

    • @coomsz
      @coomsz 29 дней назад

      This was originally a documentary on cable television that aired 12 episodes from 2011 to 2013. There is no "next"

  • @theconversationalpainter2020
    @theconversationalpainter2020 Месяц назад

    Is it an effective drone killer?

    • @ethankaryadi37
      @ethankaryadi37 Месяц назад

      If the drones were low-flying and didn’t have that small of a profile. The Ma Deuce usually is supposed to be used against most ground threats like lightly armored vehicles, but it can still tackle threats like helicopters and some larger drones if they flew low enough. Then again, I have yet to see footage of a Ma Deuce gunner taking down drones.

  • @donovanmcvick
    @donovanmcvick Месяц назад

    This show is awesome 🤙

  • @kenibnanak5554
    @kenibnanak5554 Месяц назад

    Because in Ukraine warfare has reverted back to entrenched troops and mass assaults on fortified positions both sides like and use old Maxim guns made during WW2.
    Noting Eugene Stoner early on in the 1960s demonstrated his 5.56mm could also easily destroy the same kind of concrete cinder block wall and the .30-06 from a Browning 1919 had also been doing so for decades, perhaps a better demonstration of M2 firepower would be to either fill the voids in the blocks with concrete using a thicker wall and show a comparison, or just put up a wall 5 or 10 layers thick and see which caliber can walk through first.

  • @Homeschoolsw6
    @Homeschoolsw6 Месяц назад

    33:55

  • @dungeonquesting8075
    @dungeonquesting8075 25 дней назад

    Wow

  • @alexanderkidonakis9185
    @alexanderkidonakis9185 Месяц назад

    Is that a kick stand on the tripod or is he just putting his feet there

    • @J.C...
      @J.C... Месяц назад

      Using them to help stabilize the rifle. Something they figured out.

  • @gowdsake7103
    @gowdsake7103 27 дней назад

    Not even close there are many heavy MGs that are equal or better

  • @stephengamber7000
    @stephengamber7000 Месяц назад

    Definitely would NOT want to get hit with a .50 cal bullet

    • @dennisseah9403
      @dennisseah9403 29 дней назад

      Recommend you watch the final battle in Rambo 2008. Realistic portrayal of the 50 cal

  • @scottshanklin5533
    @scottshanklin5533 27 дней назад

    Huh Wil were you for real ?????? Huh really hmmmmmmmmmmm okay yeah it's a 50 , it's going to go through a cinder block wall

  • @Bobbyo60
    @Bobbyo60 Месяц назад

    If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

  • @robertalpy
    @robertalpy Месяц назад

    I still dont understand we stand why the army replaced the M1911 with a 9mm.

    • @JessPeters-qg1bn
      @JessPeters-qg1bn 29 дней назад +1

      More ammo and less recoil. Personally I prefer the 1911. Better trigger, more accuracy. Also for the same reason it was adopted in the first place. The effectiveness of the 45 bullet on drugged up enemies

  • @Sam-on5yx
    @Sam-on5yx Месяц назад

    But will it keeel?

  • @mindbomb9341
    @mindbomb9341 Месяц назад

    Hahaha. What a misrepresentation of the location of Holtzwihr, France in the Murphy story. It's right outside of the city of Colmar. Looks nothing like that terrain.

  • @willbarnett3914
    @willbarnett3914 Месяц назад

    What was it will, were you a seal , a ranger or a green beret, sof-d

  • @berniemorales9072
    @berniemorales9072 20 дней назад

    But the Russian Kord is lighter, easier to carry

  • @davymckeown4577
    @davymckeown4577 Месяц назад

    Ffs, a strong breeze would have destroyed that sandbag structure.

    • @robertheinkel6225
      @robertheinkel6225 Месяц назад +1

      I take you never worked with sandbags.

    • @davymckeown4577
      @davymckeown4577 Месяц назад

      @@robertheinkel6225 I have four bars to my Accumulated Campaign Service Medal, (you probably don't know what that is but you might be able to Google it) so I filled one or two.

    • @davymckeown4577
      @davymckeown4577 Месяц назад

      @@robertheinkel6225 Stick to call of duty sonny, I have four bars to my Accumulated Campaign Service Medal so to answer your question, I have filled a few sandbags. You might need to Google ACSM, I doubt if you'd know what that is.

  • @markfrost5164
    @markfrost5164 29 дней назад

    I see them used in ukraine alot they seem to jam after every 4th or 5th round

  • @general1z
    @general1z Месяц назад

    I DIDN'T KNOW "AUDIE" WAS ON THAT TANK FOR NEARLY HOUR👍👍 YOU ARE RIGHT, LOOKING AT THE SLOMO SHOTS I CAN'T SEE ANY RECOIL🤔🤔

  • @juandemarko8348
    @juandemarko8348 28 дней назад

    I appreciate they got a real life hero to host 👍🇺🇸

  • @user-fl6jn1wb2t
    @user-fl6jn1wb2t 29 дней назад

    stop calling it Ma Duece clown, its called the M2

  • @kskeel1124
    @kskeel1124 Месяц назад

    Nobody uses sand bags like that for defensive use except Iraqi police...

  • @AckzaTV
    @AckzaTV 27 дней назад

    3d printer.

  • @alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723
    @alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723 Месяц назад

    When push comes to shove and your life is on the line along with that of your friends, the ends justify the means,

  • @beaumontgile5886
    @beaumontgile5886 Месяц назад

    Weapon system weapon system weapon system weapon system.....damn tired of heating buzz words cause u think u sound cool lol.

  • @Countrycashflow
    @Countrycashflow Месяц назад

    🤌

  • @GamerFrisco
    @GamerFrisco 29 дней назад

    🇬🇧 🇺🇸 🫂

  • @robertsolomielke5134
    @robertsolomielke5134 Месяц назад

    Sorry browning fans, it was simple, and built in simply huge numbers , is the reason it's not in the memories bin. Ever see the German 13mm MG ? It was better in every way, but the Germans moved on to machine cannons, which took awhile for the US to do, because....there wer sooooooo many Brownings everywhere, on everything.

  • @jd4200mhz
    @jd4200mhz 27 дней назад

    what a peice of propaganda

  • @tombrunner8181
    @tombrunner8181 23 дня назад

    How topical the topic..
    The reason for the entry of the USA was also Israel at that time.
    And, of course, England's debt, which was only guaranteed by a victory
    A Brilliant Reason for Millions of Deaths

  • @euanreid6682
    @euanreid6682 Месяц назад

    Because it's used the most and has killed more innocent civilians than any other MG?😂