Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
FN MAG
Country
Production
1958–
Quantity
200,000
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · EARLY COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
96
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Production Year1958
- Service Entry Year1958
- DesignerDieudonné Saive, Ernest Vervier
- Weight (Empty)11.8 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
- Notable Users80+ countries
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
- Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
- Calibre7.62 mm
- Case Length51 mm
- Calibre Class7.62mm
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation6MOD.6
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesautomatic
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemBelt
- Cyclic Rate of Fire650
- Trigger Typeopen bolt
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
- Muzzle Velocity840 m/s
- Effective Range (point)800 m
- Effective Range (area)1,800 m
- Maximum Range3,500 m
◆Barrel & Sights4MOD.4
- Barrel Length630 mm
- Sight TypeFolding leaf sight with aperture and notch, front blade
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
▤Construction5MOD.5
- Furniture Materialpolymer
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitymultiple variants
⬢Features3MOD.3
▲Production & Cost3MOD.3
- Total Production200,000
- Production Start1958
- Variants3
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
- Width118.7 mm
- Height263 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1958Production started
68
years in service
200,000
units produced
112
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
FN MAG · CONFLICTS SERVED IN20% win·10% loss
Total Conflicts
10
Victories
2
Ongoing
0
Losses
1
2011–2024Syrian Civil WarDecisive victory→2011Libyan Civil War—→2003–2011Iraq WarDecisive victory→2001–2021War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)—→1993–2005Burundi Civil War—→1979–1992Salvadoran Civil War—→1975–1990Lebanese Civil War—→1968–1989Communist insurgency in Malaysia—→1967–1970War of AttritionCeasefire→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
06 / Operators
Operator Inventory3country · 11,600units
11,600active
07 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
1GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)1EARLY COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)1BELGIUM · ALL WEAPONS3PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources