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
M134 Minigun
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1963–2027
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · COLD WAR
5
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
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 Year1962
- Service Entry Year1963
- DesignerGeneral Electric
- Weight (Empty)38.6 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
- Notable UsersUnited States Army, United States Air Force, United States Navy
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
- Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
- Calibre7.62 mm
- Case Length51 mm
- Calibre Classmedium machine gun
- Bullet Weight9.7 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation5MOD.5
- Action TypeElectric-Driven Rotary
- Fire ModesVariable rate
- Select FireNo
- Feed SystemBelt
- Cyclic Rate of Fire3,000
◇Ballistics5MOD.5
- Muzzle Velocity853 m/s
- Muzzle Energy3,350
- Effective Range (point)800 m
- Effective Range (area)1,000 m
- Maximum Range1,000 m
◆Barrel & Sights4MOD.4
- Barrel Length508 mm
- Rifling Grooves6
- Sight TypeDependent on installation; no fixed sights
- Iron SightsNo
▤Construction2MOD.2
⬢Features4MOD.4
▲Production & Cost1MOD.1
- Production Start1962
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1963Production started
- 2027Production ended
63
years in service
64
years in production
48
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
M134 MINIGUN · CONFLICTS SERVED IN57% win·14% loss
Total Conflicts
7
Victories
4
Ongoing
0
Losses
1
2003–2011Iraq WarDecisive victory→2001–2021War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)—→1989–1990United States invasion of PanamaDecisive victory→19831983 Invasion of GrenadaDecisive victory→1979–1989Soviet-Afghan WarDecisive victory→1975–1991Third Indochina War—→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
07 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
17GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)5COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)342UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS59PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE2terms
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 where an electric motor cycles the slide or cylinder via a rotary mechanism, replacing manual operation.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources