What can excessive overheating of a machine gun lead to in combat?

Excessive overheating of a machine gun during combat can result in malfunction or failure of the weapon. When a machine gun overheats, the components, such as the barrel and the action parts, can experience thermal distortion or damage. This may lead to issues like misfeeding, failure to fire, or even complete stoppages. The integrity of critical components could be compromised, which can jeopardize the operator's ability to use the weapon effectively in combat situations.

In contrast, improved accuracy, increased reload speed, and decreased recoil are not outcomes associated with overheating. High temperatures do not enhance performance; they impair it, making it vital for operators to manage the rate of fire and implement cooling measures to maintain the functionality of the weapon.