You probably know this already, but if not you’ll be glad to know it.
They still make new M2’s for our military. It’s been much improved.
https://www.army.mil/article/92130/m2a1_machine_gun_features_greater_safety_heightened_lethality
FN still makes beautiful new M2’s under license as well.
http://www.fnherstal.com/en/product/fn-m2hb-qcb