There are gauges for this.
They are fool-proof because the Army deals infools privates.
If your fifty is firing out of phase it's because you either used the wrong timing gauge or one of the cheats to set the timing.
You can dial the timing on an M2HB all the way to the 1,200 rounds per minute setting of the AN/M3; but you're going to have problems with feed and barrel life.
If you used one of the cheats to set the timing, you don't have any way to tell what phase you're in without loading some ammo.
A professional gunsmith should not volunteer to work on a fifty without the correct gauges for the model gun he's going to be working on.
They are fool-proof because the Army deals in
If your fifty is firing out of phase it's because you either used the wrong timing gauge or one of the cheats to set the timing.
You can dial the timing on an M2HB all the way to the 1,200 rounds per minute setting of the AN/M3; but you're going to have problems with feed and barrel life.
If you used one of the cheats to set the timing, you don't have any way to tell what phase you're in without loading some ammo.
A professional gunsmith should not volunteer to work on a fifty without the correct gauges for the model gun he's going to be working on.