M2 Browning vs MG3

1933–Present

1959–present

~1,000,000+ units (cumulative across all variants and manufacturers)

Over 1,000,000 (including MG 42 production)

1,651 mm (65 in) with stock, 1,219 mm (48 in) for tripod mount only

1,225mm (48.2 in)

45.7 cm (18 in) standard, 57.2 cm (22.5 in) for aircraft variants

565mm (22.2 in)

38.5 kg (84.9 lb) empty, 30.5 kg (67.3 lb) with tripod

11.5 kg (25.4 lb) with bipod

100‑round fabric belt standard, 50‑round drum (M2HB), 200‑round linked belt optional

50-round drum or continuous belt feed

Short‑recoil, toggle‑locked, belt‑fed, open‑bolt operation

Recoil-operated, roller-locked delayed blowback

Single‑stage, mechanically simple trigger with manual safety lever

Full auto only

Adjustable leaf rear sight (0–2,000 m) and front post; optional optical or night vision mounts

Adjustable iron sights, optional optics