MG 131 heavy machine gun: Ideal M2HB replacement?

[Cutaway]

This weapon may trace its origins back to 1938 but dont underestimate it becouse of age, The MG 131 could be a badass MG if it is triopd mounted and rebarreled to .50cal BMG.

Manufacturer : Rheinmetall-Borsig
Calibre : 13mm
Weight : 16.6 kg
Barrel Lengh : 44⅞ in
Length : 1.17 m
Muzzle velocity : 750 m/s
Rate of fire : 900 rounds per minute
Range : 1,800 m

Quote from Wikipedia:

The MG 131 (shortened from German: Maschinengewehr 131, or "Machine rifle 131") was a 13 mm machine gun developed in 1938 by Rheinmetall-Borsig and produced from 1940 to 1945. The MG 131 was designed for use at fixed or flexible, single or twin mountings in Luftwaffe aircraft during World War II, and could be considered to be the Luftwaffe's rough equivalent of the M2 Browning machine gun.

 

[Aussie Digger]

This weapon may trace its origins back to 1938 but dont underestimate it becouse of age, The MG 131 could be a badass MG if it is triopd mounted and rebarreled to .50cal BMG.

Manufacturer : Rheinmetall-Borsig
Calibre : 13mm
Weight : 16.6 kg
Barrel Lengh : 44⅞ in
Length : 1.17 m
Muzzle velocity : 750 m/s
Rate of fire : 900 rounds per minute
Range : 1,800 m

Quote from Wikipedia:

The MG 131 (shortened from German: Maschinengewehr 131, or "Machine rifle 131") was a 13 mm machine gun developed in 1938 by Rheinmetall-Borsig and produced from 1940 to 1945. The MG 131 was designed for use at fixed or flexible, single or twin mountings in Luftwaffe aircraft during World War II, and could be considered to be the Luftwaffe's rough equivalent of the M2 Browning machine gun.

What advantage does it have over the M2 12.7mm machine gun, that is in-service throughout the world, with a long established support system and existing upgrades that massively improve the weapons capability such as the "quick change barrel" upgrade?

Which Country even operates this old gun anymore?

 

[kato]

Which Country even operates this old gun anymore?

Israel could still have some in some depot, rusting for the past 60 years.

The MG131 of course would have to be measured in comparison to the M3M (as it's a aircraft MG). Where it loses out, quickly.

 

[extern]

If so, the 14.5 mm world wide KPVT MG is still way better, based on 14.5 mm anti-armor/anti-material rifle round. Its AP munition easy takes on 20 mm armor steel on 20 grad to normal. 2000 m range against infantry. Besides others the owners of BTR-80's including Turkies are wery satisfied with this baby.