Heavy Machine Gun
The big guns that bridge the gap between infantry weapons and anti-materiel firepower.
A heavy machine gun (HMG) is significantly larger than light, medium or general-purpose machine guns. HMGs are typically too heavy to be man-portable and require mounting onto a weapons platform, have more formidable firepower, and generally require a team of personnel for operation and maintenance.
Lore & Background
The term originally referred to machine guns from World War I that fired standard full-power rifle cartridges but featured heavy construction, elaborate mountings, and water-cooling mechanisms for sustained fire. Examples include the Maxim gun and M1917 Browning. The modern definition refers to 'heavy caliber' machine guns, pioneered by the German MG 18 TuF in 13.2×92mmSR, designed for increased range, penetration, and stopping power against vehicles, aircraft, and light fortifications. Popular HMG rounds today are 12.7×99mm, 12.7×108mm, and 14.5×114mm.
Reader's Guide
HMGs are classified by caliber: .50 caliber or larger (12.7 mm to 21 mm) for heavy machine guns. They are too heavy to be man-portable and require mounting. Modern HMGs use heavy caliber ammunition with a minimum bullet diameter of 12mm, case length of 80mm, and bullet weight of 500 grain, but below 20mm (which is autocannon territory).
Did You Know?
- The Maxim gun, invented by Hiram Maxim, was the most ubiquitous machine gun of World War I.
- The M2 HMG was used widely in fortifications, on vehicles, and in aircraft by American forces during World War II.
- The Soviet DShK in 12.7×108mm was a similar HMG fielded later.
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