M2/M3HB, .

50 Cal, Semi-Auto,
Browning Machine Gun Build Tutorial

Index

INDEX 1

INTRODUCTION 2

TOOLS 3

PARTS SET 12

PREP WORK 19

ASSEMBLY 32

BUCKING AND PNEUMATIC RIVETING BY TANKER 46

M2HB BOLT HOLD OPEN BY OUCHMAN 49

1
Introduction
This tutorial was made to assist in the building of legal Semi-Auto Browning
Machine Guns, Cal. 50, M2/M3HB’s. It was made with the assumption that
anyone attempting to manufacture such a large and powerful weapon has some
mechanical aptitude and experience in the construction of firearms. Not every
step in the construction process has been documented and it is recommended
that you contact your Semi-Auto parts manufacturers with any build questions.
Neither the creator of this tutorial, nor the owner/operator of M2HB.Net should be
held liable for any accidents associated with the construction of a M2/M3HB.
(Build at your own risk.) Of course, this is for adults only, and no children under
the age of 18 should be building firearms.

This tutorial was made possible by the following:

The owner and members of M2HB.net

Christos Gryphos (M3HB Parts Kit Supplier)
Karma Metal Products (Semi-Auto trigger, sear, side plate, bolt machining)
Toolbox82 (Machining of internals for KMP semi parts)
Tom Sawyer MFG. (Engraving)
Plinker762 (Riveting jigs)
Tanker (Bucking bars)
Dieseldr (machining assistance and guidance)
Crane Technologies (M2 cocking bracket rivets)
Sarco (.50 Cal. rivet set, retracting slide group)
McMaster-Carr (Rivets)
Gun Parts Corp. (M2 breech lock, sear spring, sear stop)

Thank you,

kbailey3

2
Tools
The following tools were used for the construction of the M3HB in this
tutorial.

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Parts Set
The following pictures are for general reference only. For complete
assembly/disassembly of the M2/M3HB parts, please consult a Military Technical
Manual. (TM 9-1005-303-23 recommended)

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Prep Work

19
20
21
22
23
24
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26
The following four pictures are not needed for the KMP ATF approved design. Welding-
up of the Left Side Plate Side Mount Trigger Hole is part of TNW’s approval. I welded
my plate just to be safe. With KMP’s semi-auto sear design, the ability to use the side
trigger has been eliminated.

27
28
29
30
31
Assembly
If you have no experience with riveting, please practice. My experience was with the
1919A4. My 1919 builds were done with one of Plinker762’s riveting jigs. When I
started the M3HB project, I soon realized that the 1919 jig would not work for the M3.
So, I purchased an air compressor and jumped right into air hammer riveting. As you can
see from the pictures below, that was mistake. I put “smile faces” all over the receiver
box.

32
I cleaned up the mistake and contacted Plinker for a new riveting frame.

33
The following was posted in the M2HB.net Riveting section on 12/02/2005:

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34
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For information on the barrel support shim or any other adjustment/set-up on the
M2/M3HB, please visit M2HB.net.

45
Bucking and Pneumatic Riveting by Tanker
Bottom Plate

46
Bottom Trunnion

Cocking Bar Bracket to Top Plate

47
Pneumatic Riveting

48
M2HB Bolt Hold Open by Ouchman

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50
51
As discussed on M2HB.net, the highlighted portion of the trigger bar should be removed
so the straight pin can be removed with a punch. The punch tip is inserted into the Right
Side Plates 5/32 hole near the rear of the receiver box.

52