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Gunrunner
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Posted: 1 July 2006 08:05 PM |
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During the late 1970's and early '80's the US Army conducted trials for a new squad automatic weapon. One of the weapons entered was the minimi from the Belgian firearms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale, (FN). The M249 is a slightly different configuration of the minimi and is produced by FNH USA. The M249 was officially adopted in February 1982. However, it had a delayed introduction with fielding not starting in earnest until the late 1980s.
The M249 is an air-cooled, gas operated, fully-automatic weapon that fires from an open-bolt position. It can accept belts of linked 5.56mm ammunition through the top-mounted feed tray or M16 magazines through the side-mounted port. Linked ammunition can be fed from either a loose belt or from a plastic box (or cloth pouch) for 200 rounds, clipped under the receiver. The M249 features a built-in bipod and a tripod-mounting lug for supported fire, as well as a quick change barrel that helps prevent overheating during sustained fire. Weight is approximately 16 lbs, overall length is 41" with 18" barrel.
The ammunition used is M855 ball and M856 tracer. Cartridge belts normally have four rounds of ball followed by one round of tracer. The tracer round has an impressive 900 meter burn-out. A SAW gunner carries a minimum of 600 rounds of linked ammo.
Effective ranges include 600 meters for a point target, 800 meters for an area target, and 1,000 meters for suppression. The advised rates of fire are 85 rounds per minute (rpm) with no barrel changes. With a barrel change every two minutes, this increases to 200 rpm. For a barrel change every minute, the rate of fire can go up to 850 rpm, which is approximately equal to the cyclic rate of fire, at about 850 to 900 rpm.
There are a few variants of the basic SAW. The M249E4 has a shorter barrel, Picatinny rails on the feed cover and handguard for mounting optical sights or accessories, and a retractable stock. This model does not have the magazine feed port, tripod mount or bipod. The Mk 46 Mod 0 is similar to the E4 while having an improved rail handguard and fixed buttstock. Both models serve well in airborne or special operations units.
Many of the standard M249's have been updated or modified, either through the Armys Product-Improvement-Project or by units in the field. These modifications are usually to add the Picatinny rails or change the buttstock to a different style.
Combining excellent firepower with fairly light weight the SAW has been an effective weapon in the hands of US military forces.
____________________
"Get off your computer and go load some ammo"
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Gunrunner
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| Joined: | 3 February 2005 |
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Posted: 2 July 2006 07:38 PM |
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| Seeing as how the M249 has been in service for a while I'm sure many of our military members have put it to use. If you'd like to share your personal experiences or opinions about this weapon please do.
____________________
"Get off your computer and go load some ammo"
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BLACK 6
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| Joined: | 10 January 2006 |
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Posted: 3 July 2006 04:52 PM |
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Gunrunner wrote: Seeing as how the M249 has been in service for a while I'm sure many of our military members have put it to use. If you'd like to share your personal experiences or opinions about this weapon please do.
IT SUCKS!(so does the 240B)
The PIG will always reign supreme, LONG LIVE THE PIG!!
____________________
those who can, do, those that cant, teach!
RLTW
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greysmoke
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| Joined: | 15 March 2005 |
| Location: | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
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Posted: 4 July 2006 06:57 AM |
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Hey Black
Please tell us un-informed what the PIG might be?
Gunrunner,
From your writing i gather the M249 is fully-automatic only?
All the best
____________________
Grey Smoke
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."
-Winston Churchill
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BLACK 6
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| Joined: | 10 January 2006 |
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Posted: 4 July 2006 11:40 PM |
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greysmoke wrote: Hey Black
Please tell us un-informed what the PIG might be?
Gunrunner,
From your writing i gather the M249 is fully-automatic only?
All the best
ROGER, it is full auto, however the cyclic rate is slow enouugh (725 on belt, 1000 on M-16 mag) to easily pop one at a time (NOT RECOMENDED- 3RND BURST MIN).
PIG= M60 Full Auto Machine Gun with a 550 round cyclic rate of pure, 7.62x51mm, gonna mess your day up, FMJ goodness. (As opposed to the wimpy 5.56mm 249).
____________________
those who can, do, those that cant, teach!
RLTW
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greysmoke
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Posted: 5 July 2006 11:24 AM |
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hey Black
Does sound like a bussiness like weapon.....
Thanks for the info
____________________
Grey Smoke
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."
-Winston Churchill
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