Taking a look at the Man Portable HMG concept

Posted by StrangerOutrageous68@reddit | ForgottenWeapons | View on Reddit | 2 comments

A man portable Heavy Machine Gun can be in theory be carried and operated in the field by a single person. It works best in scenarios where rapid movement and lightness is key for success. Whether it's an extensive miles long trench system, in urban combat, even in the hills and mountains. With this concept a .50 caliber machine gun can be quickly and easily set up, especially with dedicated bipods and effectively used for defence, assault and ambush against infantry, fortifications, armored vehicles and other targets a .50 caliber bullet can tear apart, which is a lot.  

(Swipe the Post images)

This concept is definitely not new, at least it dates back to the 30s when the US experimented with the concept on the M2. (IMAGE 2)

Read more: https://www.forgottenweapons.com/browning-m2-anti-mechanization-weapon/

You will see elements like stocks, recoil absorbing mounts, bipods, monopods and pistol grips already appearing. But the M2 was not a good platform for this purpose.

Fast-forward to the developments in the 2000s where serious efforts were made to replace the M2 and create HMGs that could have been better suited for the role of our topic.
Namely two GE designs, the XM312 and the later XM806. Both of them were extremely light, in their very own weight category even. Both had an operating system that effectively reduced recoil plus their concept prioritized excruciatingly low actual fire rates for accuracy over volume of fire, especially with the use of advanced sighting devices.

XM312 (IMAGE 3)

XM806 (IMAGE 4)

Videos from a time before 'Gun Tube' was a thing:

https://youtu.be/8f9FHKQdLzA (XM312)

https://youtu.be/pHveGeG_IXQ  (XM806)

But it was decided that upgrading and further producing the M2 to the A1 standard was a better solution with the M205 tripod that the XN 806 would've used.
And thus the M2 continues to serve the needs of US Forces to this day.

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Kord 12.7 (IMAGE 1, 5, 6)

After the Fall of the Soviet Union Russia found itself without a 12.7 Heavy Machine Gun factory as it was now located in Kazakhstan where the NSVs are still being manufactured.
They wanted to manufacture an HMG locally and thus the Degtyarov plant and its design bureau "KORD" were tasked to design and manufacture a new HMG. Taking the NSV as a base and improving on it greatly. With the designation Kord Heavy Machine Gun it was adopted in 1997. 

The Kord, like the NSV is a very modular MG and can be set up for different roles. It features dual feeding and forward ejection. It is the most sealed gun on the list, featuring self-return dust covers on all openings of the gun, except the ejection tube but I suggest watching Ian McCollum's video on Forgotten Weapons on it, how exactly that works.

There's a tripod available for it, but to this topic a peciluar folding mount with a bipod that has a spring loaded recoil absorbing stock is more relevant. This mount recoils against the stock, instead of a gun recoiling against the stock. And of course there's a giant muzzle break on the gun itself that helps tame the recoil plus a heavy buffer spring at the back. A traditional approach, instead of using a mechanism that is inherently lighter recoiling.

I think the Kord has the best overall balance of charactersitics, a very general purpose design.

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYk_a9WAuW4 (Forgotten Weapons disassembly)         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZHZFCnYlJU (mounted firing for reference)
https://youtu.be/62Va_iUKc3s (bipod recoil on snow) https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5gzAp39rqkQ (in an urban environment)

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QJZ-171 (Image 7, 8 )

The QJZ-171 is the lightest HMG, ever. But a very special one at that fitting a very niche purpose. It is intended for Special Forces use. The lightness is especially important in the many mountainous regions of China and thus a .50 HMG can now be carried there more easily.

The gun is a modified DShK, but with a hybrid gas system also found on the XM312 and XM806 to lessen recoil. Interestingly enough the QJZ-171 uses a short, light profile barrel combined with a multi-chamber break and a compact receiver with carbon fiber and plastic elements. Plastic links and light alloy 12x108mm cases can also play a part in reducing the load on a soldier who has to climb a mountain with an HMG.

Of course there's a price to pay for this, it won't be as durable as something made from metal and the recoil characteristics are not grea

Video of a tripod shooting: https://www.reddit.com/r/ForgottenWeapons/comments/192ghzp/qjz_171_lightweight_50_cal_machinegun_china/

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Field Modification of the DShK. (Image 9, 10, 11)

There is a field modification of the DShK that emerged in 2015 from Ukraine. While it is the heaviest on the list it can be pushed to be a more portable support weapon role. In my opinion especially with the barrel chopped, as it is someties done to make it lighter, more transportable.

The modified gun features a scope mount, a fixed stock with an adjustable cheek riser and  built-in monopod, a wire-connected firing handle serving as a trigger connecting up to the original mechanism, which is left on the gun along with the spade grips, a bipod and of course, a giant muzzle break! The Ukranians essentially made an old design work for this role by using its inherent weight advantage plus the modifications seen on earlier designs.

Videos:
https://youtu.be/CMN5MV0K-Rs (mounted firing for reference)
https://youtu.be/lwUFPE_5kXQ (training footage)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GRQsmIfSvio (field use)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1HOUw0JVX5o (in an urban environment)

By the way, the DShK and its variants were modified inifnitely. They were seen mounted on well, everything: Motorcycles, Hand-carts, Shopping carts. It is perhaps the most versitale HMG from all time, from the Field Modification perspective.

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Closing thoughts
All in all, this concept of a man-portable let me be more clear about this .50 caliber HMG has a niche if it aligns with the doctrine of its adopting army. It definitely adds flexibility and that can be a deciding factor in some scenarios. Perhaps that flexibility by nature is less than the emerging .338 Magnum caliber MGs but when you have to shoot through something more substantial.....Well there's no contest between the two. But I wanted to address this given some of the previous inputs I've seen on this topic.

On the Magnum Caliber MG concept: https://www.reddit.com/r/ForgottenWeapons/comments/1sstpfq/magnum_caliber_mgs_overkill_or_the_next_big_thing

Addressing mythical beliefs on .338 Magnums vs .50 Anti-Material calibers.

Some people continue to erroneously believe that the 338 Magnum calibers are comparable to the much more powerful .50 BMG/12.7x108, some even believe they outrange 50s simply because of higher BC bullets....At least BOTHER looking at, preferably third party ballistics charts. But in this case, that matters little. So do it, it is free. You are in for a surprise of your life.

Images sources: Forgotten Weapons, Zbroya. info, Reddit, Wikipedia, guns.fandom. com