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M240 machine gun
Photo: Photo Courtesy of PEO Soldier · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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M240machinegun

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Belgium · 1977
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M240machinegun

M240 machine gun
M240 machine gun Photo: Photo Courtesy of PEO Soldier · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
90
Effective Range
85
Penetration
80
Reliability
95
Accuracy
85
Barrel Endurance
90
Mount Versatility
92
Controllability
88
Portability
75
Cost-Effectiveness
90
Origin Belgium
ManufacturerBarrett Firearms Manufacturing
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraCold War
In service1977
Operators18 countries
Quantity6,600
Data Quality87%
88
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
1/18
Cold War
2/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
90
Effective Range
85
Penetration
80
Reliability
95
Accuracy
85
Barrel Endurance
90
Mount Versatility
92
Controllability
88
Portability
75
Cost-Effectiveness
90
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
M240 machine gun
Country
Production
1977–
Quantity
6,600
Unit Price (current)
$6.6K
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$6.6K
Inflation: +%0
88
general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category
ⓘ 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 Year1950
  • Service Entry Year1977
  • DesignerErnest Vervier
  • Weight (Empty)0.013 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersUnited States Armed Forces
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
▣Operation5MOD.5
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
  • Muzzle Velocity853 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)800 m
  • Effective Range (area)1,800 m
  • Maximum Range3,725 m
◆Barrel & Sights4MOD.4
  • Barrel Length0.63 mm
  • Sight TypeIron sights: front blade and folding rear leaf with aperture and notch
  • Optic RailYes
  • Iron SightsYes
▤Construction4MOD.4
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
  • Production Start1977
  • Unit Cost6,600 USD
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
  • Width119 mm
  • Height0.264 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1977Production started
49
years in service
6,600
units produced
18
countries operating
04 / Conflicts
M240 MACHINE GUN · CONFLICTS SERVED IN20% win·20% loss
Total Conflicts
5
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
1
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE7terms
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.
A mounting system for attaching optical sights to rifles.
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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) entry →