Maxims are no totally UP but compared to Axis MG the range to the sides is bad and so its much easier to flank and you need to protect it with another MAxim or Unit so its UP against Axis MGs in my eyes. Thats all I wanted to say
And that's where you miss the point of maxims. Axis HMGs are defensive in nature hence they pack up slowly and have a wide arc these give it a great area denial capability against infantry at the cost of them being hard to relocate.
The maxim on the other hand is aggressive by nature which is why it has a fast pack up speed, the sprint ability and small cone of fire. This allows it to keep up with your front line infantry while you're pushing the front lines/ relocating to another front.
@Spectre The usual cut off for ranking is either 100/200. Whats with the strange 350 cutoff?