M48 Heavy Machine Gun Product Photo
Caliber
12.7x99 mm NATO
Firing Mode
Single Shot / Full Automatic
Max Effective Range
2000 Meters (2,187 yds)
Max Range
6800 Meters (7440 yds)
Muzzle Velocity
920 m/s (3,050 fps)
Rate of Fire
450-600 Rounds per minute
Weight (complete gun)
36.74 kg (81 lbs)
Barrel Weight
12 kg (26.46 lbs)
Length (complete gun)
1645 mm (65.1 in)
Barrel Length
1143 mm (45 in)
Width
228 mm (9 in)
Height
193 mm (7.6 in)
Barrel
Stellite® Lined - Chambered and Chrome Plated bore
weapon

The U.S. Ordnance M48 Fixed (Turret Type) is a link-belt fed, recoil-operated, air-cooled, crew-served machine gun. It can fire automatic only. Ammunition may be fed from either the left or the right side of the gun, making it suitable for use in armored vehicles. The M48 machine gun is used extensively on the M1, M1A1 or M1A2 Abrams main battle tank commander’s stations and coaxial mounted on various Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV) used by the United States and most NATO countries. In service with the U.S. military and the armed forces of more than 23 nations, the M48 is the world standard in heavy machine guns. U.S. Ordnance is under a multi-year contract to supply M48 machine guns to the U.S. military.

key features
available options
  • U.S. government long-term contract ensures ongoing parts interchange with all M48 machine guns produced in the United States
  • Can be mounted onto all types of armored, light and heavy vehicles; patrol boats; helicopters; and aircraft
  • Has Chromium Cobalt Alloy lined, and chrome-plated barrels
  • The M10 Charger charges or recharges the weapon in case of a malfunction or stoppage
  • Fires all types of NATO ammunition: Ball, Tracer, AP, API, APIT, AP Hardcore and Multipurpose
  • Sustained automatic fire
  • Simple, durable and rugged design for easy maintenance
  • Available in Quick Change Barrel (QCB) for fixed headspace and timing
  • Converts from left hand to right hand feed
  • Barrel life exceeds 10,000 rounds
  • Various mounting applications
  • Can be fired manually or by solenoid
  • Available in M2HB (1005-00-322-9715), Fixed Type Right Hand Feed (1005-00-122-9339), Fixed Type Left Hand Feed (1005-00-122-9368) and Soft Mount (1005-01-343-0747)
  • Optional Improved sighting system
  • Optional positive safety selector for the trigger mechanism to prevent accidental discharges while manning the weapon system and traveling over rough terrain
  • Optional quick-detach flash reducer