Which feature distinguishes a light machine gun from a heavy machine gun?

The distinguishing feature between a light machine gun and a heavy machine gun primarily revolves around weight and portability. Light machine guns are designed to be more mobile and can be easily carried by a single person. This trait allows infantry units to maneuver more freely during combat situations, facilitating tactical responses and adaptability on the battlefield.

In contrast, heavy machine guns are generally larger and heavier, often requiring a crew to operate effectively. Their increased weight makes them less portable, which can limit mobility in fast-paced combat scenarios. This fundamental difference emphasizes the operational roles each type of machine gun plays in military strategy.

Other features such as caliber size, rate of fire, and feeding system can vary and may not consistently differentiate light from heavy machine guns. While caliber can influence the gun's roles and capabilities, it's not a definitive characteristic separating the two types. Similarly, both light and heavy machine guns can have varying rates of fire, and feeding systems also differ among models, so they do not serve as the main distinction. Ultimately, it is the weight and portability that clearly defines the category of a light machine gun versus that of a heavy machine gun.