Back in '92 or '93, one of my reservist buddies was going down to Camp Roberts near Paso Robles to qualify (requalify?) on the big 50. He asked his commander if he could bring a friend, and was told that it wouldn't be a problem. I was *sure* I wouldn't even get on the base, much less anywhere near an M2, but they let me shoot the thing. It was the sweetest thing I've ever shot (Bratty, if I were of the panty-wearing gender, I'd have needed a change too!).
We only had foam earplugs, and, incase anyone is curious, that ain't enough. It made me think of the WWII bomber gun crews; can any of them still hear?
As much as I liked it, my first choice would be an M240, or a M1919.
-Troy