I was the range safety NCO on the M-2 .50 caliber MG range at Fort McCoy once.
When I arrived on the range, I was instructed to verify all of the weapons were properly placed in the "safety devices" (my words . . . I can't remember their exact words). The "safety devices" consisted of 1/2" round steel U-shaped "loops" driven into the ground. The muzzle end of the barrel was to be placed inside these loops. Of course, this would prevent the muzzle from moving . . . . . . anywhere.
I aimed the weapons by moving the tripods and useing the T&E.
Obviously, the guys were extremely unhappy to realize the .50 caliber range was a "fam fire" only range. Yep, no sighting and shooting at various targets at various ranges. Just sit behind it and hold the butterflies down. On the plus side, I did have them
aimed pointed at the 55 gallon drums placed for targets.
With all of that, we still had check-fires when the A-10s came in for their strafing runs. We never could see them, but we could certainly hear them. I suppose they thought the A-10s were in danger of being shot out of the air with four M-2 MGs hobbled to the ground - so we had to stop shooting at the barrels, when they came in.
Yep, I love the M-2 . . . . . . . . but I sure have been on some dorked up ranges.