The M2 Browning is still in use in space.

https://lemmy.world/post/21265081

The M2 Browning is still in use in space. - Lemmy.World

[Source for the Art](The source for the art: https://twitter.com/konwashi_2/status/1849000087248376017?s=46 [https://twitter.com/konwashi_2/status/1849000087248376017?s=46])

Gunpowder is self oxidizing. As long as they used a non-evaporating lubricant on the actual mechanical components like graphite, and included a barrel liquid cooling loop, the M2 would operate totally fine in space.
What about barrel cooling? Getting rid of heat is a major challenge in a vacuum.
That’s why I say you need to provide a closed liquid coolant loop around the barrel that would ve integrated with your ship’s heat management system, to replace the air cooling of the barrel.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M2_Browning

The development of the M1921 water-cooled machine gun which led to the M2, meant that the initial M2s were, in fact, water-cooled. These weapons were designated Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, Water-Cooled, Flexible.

M2 Browning - Wikipedia

space ready since 1933! We really were ahead of our time!