USA
M85 .50 Caliber Fixed Machine Gun
Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide

TM 9-1005-231-24&P: M85
 M85
Country of OriginUSA
Caliber0.50 in (12.7 mm)
Cartridge.50 Browning Machine Gun (12.7 x 99 mm)
System of OperationRecoil
CoolingAir
Weight65 lb (29.5 kg)
Length54.5 in (1,384.3 mm)
FeedMetallic link belt (right or left hand)
Performance
Rate of FireLow: 400 rds/min (minimum)
High: 625 rds/min (minimum)
Maximum Range7,330 yd (6,703 m)
Maximum Effective Range2,187 yd (2,000 m)

NOTES

The recoil-operated M85 machine gun is designed for cupola mounting in armored vehicles. The M85 provides protection for armored vehicle crews against enemy ground troops or low-flying aircraft. It can be fired electrically by the solenoid, or manually, at either high or low rates. It has a short receiver assembly, fixed headspace, and a quick-change barrel with flash suppressor. The M85 has a capability of right and left hand feed.

The M85 machine gun (left hand feed) is used on the M60, M60A1, and M60A3 tanks and M728 vehicles.

Replaced by the M240 armor machine gun in U.S. service.

TM 9-1005-231-24&P: M85

VARIANTS

M85 (NSN 1005-00-690-2790)
"Machine Gun, Caliber .50, Fixed, M85".
M85C
Flexible version of the M85, adapted for tripod use.

AMMUNITION

Ammunition is issued in a disintegrating metallic link belt (M15A2 links). Normal training mix: 4 M2 ball and 1 M17 tracer. Normal combat mix: 4 M8 API and 1 M20 APIT. Click here for more information about .50 caliber ammunition. The M20 blank firing attachment is used to provide enough back pressure to sustain continuous firing with M1A1 blanks.
TM 9-1005-315-12&P M20 BFA

FIRING

TM 9-1005-231-10: M85
When the M85 machine gun is loaded and ready to fire, DO NOT open and close the cover assembly. This will disengage the belt feed lever and lever assembly. If the M85 machine gun is fired in this condition, only one round will fire and the cartridge ejector and bolt assembly will be damaged.

Never change rates while firing; the M85 machine gun will be damaged.

TM 9-1005-231-24&P: M85

More M85 Art - Click on image sample to see full size image.

U.S. Army CCAB: M85
M85.
1065x725, 69K, GIF
TM 9-1005-231-24&P: M85 left hand feed
M85, left hand feed.
385x665, 24K, GIF
TM 9-1005-231-24&P: M85 right hand feed
M85, right hand feed.
755x600, 30K, GIF
TM 9-1005-231-24&P: M85
M85 major groups and assemblies.
1024x768, 70K, GIF