The makers of the Army's gas mask are looking into beard-friendly options

Hope they can find something...

To each their own; M 50 isn't designed for beards, plain and simple. Those that choose to have beards and deploy into high threat areas where the threat and use of CBRN is prevalent...good luck.

The basic physics require a relatively smooth surface to make the best seal. I have not tested how well a freshly shaved face compares to 24 hours growth (I wonder what my 1SG would say if I came in next weekend with a day's growth and told him I was experimenting)

I just don't see how the mask would seal sufficiently. Now if there was a barrier that covered the beard, then allowed the mask to fit and seal over it.... Might take longer then 9 seconds to deploy though