The Browning M2 (a.k.a. "Ma-Deuce" or "Fifty-Cal") is an air-cooled, belt-fed, heavy machine gun that has served the U.S. military since the late 1920s. This weapon was designed by John M. Browning (who also created the M1911 pistol, among many other military and civilian firearms). It has also found usage in the military forces of various nations worldwide. The M2 is a scaled-up version of the older M1917 .30-caliber machinegun; the M2 is chambered for the powerful .50 BMG (12.7x99mm) round.