M2 50 Caliber Machine Gun vs M134D Minigun

An accuracy comparison between the M2 50 caliber machine gun and the 7.62x51mm NATO M134D minigun.

M2 Machine Gun Specs:

  • Cartridge: .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)
  • Action: Short recoil-operated
  • Rate of Fire:
    • 485–635 rounds/min (M2HB)
    • 750–850 rounds/min (AN/M2)
    • 1,200 rounds/min (AN/M3)
  • Muzzle Velocity: 2,910 ft/s (890 m/s) for M33 ball
  • Effective Firing Range: 1,800 m (2,000 yd)
  • Maximum Firing Range: 6,800 m (7,400 yd)
  • Feed System: Belt-fed (M2 or M9 links)
  • Weight:
    • 38 kg (83.78 lb)
    • 58 kg (127.87 lb) with tripod and T&E
  • Length: 1,654 mm (65.1 in)
  • Barrel Length: 1,143 mm (45.0 in)

Dillon Aero M134D:

  • 7.62mm NATO
  • Length:  31.6 in (80.2 cm)
  • Width:  12.0 in (30.5 cm)
  • Weight:
    • Gun Assembly, Steel:  29.1 lb (13.5 kg)
    • Gun Assembly, Titanium:  20.8 lb (9.3 kg)
    • Gun Assembly, Hybrid:  22.8 lb (10.3 kg)
    • Gun Housing only, Steel                : 4.1 lb (1.9 kg)
    • Gun Housing only, Titanium:  2.1 lb (1.0 kg)
    • Rotor only, Steel:  8.3 lb (3.8 kg)
    • Rotor only, Titanium:  3.7 lb (1.7 kg)
    • Feeder/Delinker, Steel:  9.2 lb (4.2 kg)
    • Feeder/Delinker, Titanium:  7.1 lb (3.2 kg)
    • GCU:  3.3 lb (1.5 kg)
    • Flash Suppressor, Steel: 3.1 lb (1.7 kg)
    • Flash Suppressor, Titanium:  2.7 lb (1.1 kg)
    • Drive motor, 28VDC (DC/AC):  8 lb (3.6 kg)
    • *Battery:  User Specified
  • Total System Weight (less ammunition, battery and mount):
    • Steel, fixed forward fire:  56.9 lb (25.8 kg)
    • Titanium, fixed forward fire:  45.1 lb (20.5 kg)
    • Hybrid, fixed forward fire:  xx.x lb (xx.x kg)
    • Steel, crew served:  66.1 lb (30.0 kg)
    • Titanium, crew served:  53.1 lb (24.1 kg)
  • Ammunition Magazines:
    • 1,500 rd:
      • Empty: 30.1 lb (14.1 kg)
      • Full:  125.0 lb (56.8 kg)
    • HMMWV, 3,000 rd:
      •  Empty:  24.4 lb (12.3 kg)
      • Full:  204.0 lb (93.0 kg)
    • Standard, 3,000 rd:
      • Empty:  27.0 lb (12.3 kg)
      • Full:  208.0 lb (94.5 kg)
    • 4,400 rd:
      •  Empty:  24.5 lb (11.1 kg)
      • Full:  295.0 lb (134.0 kg)
    • Feed Chute:  7 ft (2.13 m),  6.0 lb (2.7 kg)
  • Feed System:  Linked Ammunition Belt
  • Firing Rate:  Fixed 3,000 RPM or 4,000 RPM
  • Acceleration Time: 0.5 seconds
  • Deceleration Time: 0.25 seconds
  • Dispersion: Hard Mount, 6.5 Mils, 80% circle
  • Operation: External Power (Electric)
  • Reliability/System Integrity:
    • Barrel Life: 100,000 rounds
    • Reliability: 500,000 MRBF
    • System Life: 1,500,000 rounds
    • Gun Life (Before Rebuild): 1,500,000 rounds
    • Mean Rounds Between Jams: 30,000
  • Power Requirements:
    • Continuous: 24-28 VDC, 58 Amps
    • VAC:  Available
  • Recoil Forces (at 3,000 rounds per minute):
    • Average: 150 lb (67.5 kg)
    • Peak: 300 lb (135 kg)
  • Operating Temperature Range:
    •  -65ºF to +165ºF
    • (-53ºC to +73ºC)
  • Barrels:
    • Length:
      • Long Barrel:  22.0 in (55.9 cm)
      •  Short Barrel: 18.0 in (45.7 cm)
    • Weight:
      • Heavy Barrel: 2.9 lb (1.3 kg)
      • Light Barrel: 2.5 lb (1.1 kg)
    • Rotation of Barrel Cluster: Counterclockwise from breech end
    • Grooves: 4
    • Twist:  Right Hand
    • Length: 20.0 in (50.8 cm)
    • One Turn In: 10.0 in (25.4 cm)
  • Mount Subassemblies:
    • Yoke Assembly, Steel: 3.6 lb (1.6 kg)
    • Yoke Assembly, Titanium: 2.3 lb (1.0 kg)
    • Vertical Arm, Steel: 9.3 lb (4.2 kg)