Machine guns have transformed the way America fights war, with unrelenting firepower combined with fresh strategy. From desert battlefields during the 1800s to the dense jungles of Vietnam and further, the machines have mandated war strategies, influenced popular culture, and become powerful symbols of US power.
10. Gatling Gun
Invented by Richard Gatling himself in 1862, the Gatling gun is also called the great-grandfather of contemporary machine guns. Its revolving barrels and brass cartridges introduced a type of rapid fire that people never knew existed before. Though it was scarcely used during the Civil War, the U.S. Army adopted it in 1866 and used it relentlessly in the expansion to the West. Pulled on horse-drawn carriages, it was not perfect, but it led the way to later automatic weapons.
9. Maxim Gun
Hiram Maxim’s 1884 invention was the first fully automatic machine gun, using recoil to drive belts of ammunition. This allowed soldiers to fire endlessly on the march, something new and revolutionary at the time. The Maxim gun profoundly changed war, reducing dense infantry units to easy targets and putting an end to cavalry charges. By World War I, it was a standard issue in the military of every nation, completing what the Gatling had started decades before.
8. M1917 & M1919 Machine Guns
The M1917 was the first heavy machine gun of America, designed by John Browning and introduced during World War I. It had a water-cooling device to facilitate protracted, sustained firing. Subsequently, the lighter air-cooled M1919 took up its dependable position in World War II, utilized by infantry and even aircraft. Both were rugged and robust, fulfilling crucial roles in America’s wars of two global conflicts.
7. Thompson Submachine Gun
Dubbed the “Tommy gun,” the Thompson was designed in 1918 by John T. Thompson and quickly became legendary. It was chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge and featured either a drum or box magazine, and it left its stamp on battlefields and the crime-ridden streets of America during Prohibition. Its rapid rate of fire and unique looks made it the darling of gangsters and soldiers alike, and it continues in movies and stories today.
6. Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)
Invented in 1917, the BAR was intended to give soldiers the heavy machine gun firepower and the mobility and ease of use of a rifle. Chambered for the powerful .30-06 Springfield round, it fired 500 to 600 rounds per minute with a gas-operated, air-cooled system. Used extensively in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the BAR became a symbol of American resolve and adaptability in combat.
5. M2.50 Caliber Machine Gun
Nicknamed “Ma Deuce,” John Browning’s .50 caliber machine gun, the M2, has been a mainstay of American firepower since World War II. Its high-powered rounds and versatility made it possible to mount it on vehicles, aircraft, and ships. Durable and incredibly powerful, the M2 serves to this day purposes almost a century after its development, achieving legendary status in the annals of the U.S. military.
4. M16 Automatic Rifle
Colt-designed M16 is now the standard-issue for US forces in Vietnam. It’s gas-powered, lightweight, and fires 5.56mm ammunition with semi-automatic, full-auto, or burst modes. Its synthetic stock and efficient gas system made it lighter to carry and use compared to earlier rifles. The new design and fast firing of the M16 have made it a lasting icon of modern American military power.
3. M60 Machine Gun
Nobly nicknamed “The Pig” for its huge size and insatiable hunger for ammo, the M60 became a Cold War and Vietnam War symbol of American firepower. The belt-fed, air-cooled, gas-operated machine gun devoured the 7.62mm NATO cartridge and borrowed design from the MG 42 models employed by the Germans. It was used in numerous roles, ranging from infantry support to vehicle and helicopter mounting. While it was cumbersome to maintain, the M60’s firepower was well worth it. Those who fought in it remember how difficult it was to carry, but also the camaraderie that came with it.
2. M240 Machine Gun
A Belgian original, the M240 was adopted by the U.S. in the late 1970s to replace the M60 as the standard general-purpose machine gun. Gas-operated with a rate of fire of 750 to 950 rounds per minute, it’s famous for being reliable and versatile. Having originated as a vehicle-mounted weapon, it quickly became the standard for infantry in all branches. Its open-bolt construction and convertible design to be mounted on vehicles, airplanes, and ships make it a weapon that cannot be done without today.
1. M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
Debuted in 1984, the M249 SAW put machine gun firepower into the hands of individual infantrymen without sacrificing its portability. Firing with the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge, it enables troops to provide suppressive fire without sacrificing mobility. Its light weight and ruggedness have made it the standard from the Gulf War through recent conflicts and solidified it as a mainstay of American infantry warfare.
From the revolutionary development of the Gatling gun to the involvement of the M249 on modern battlefields, these machine guns have been instrumental in safeguarding American interests and shaping warfare. Their technological achievements, combat worth, and cultural impact still dictate military strategy and inspire warriors.