Data Quality87%
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
M240 machine gun
Country
Prime contractor
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
ⓘ 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
- Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
- Calibre7.62 mm
- Case Length51 mm
- Calibre Class7.62mm NATO
- Bullet Weight9.3 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation5MOD.5
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesautomatic
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemBelt
- Cyclic Rate of Fire550
◇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
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitymultiple variants and configurations
⬢Features3MOD.3
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1977
- Unit Cost6,600 USD
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
- Width119 mm
- Height0.264 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 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
2014–2017Iraqi Civil War of 2014–2017—→2011–2024Syrian Civil WarDecisive victory→2003–2011Iraq WarDecisive victory→2001–2021War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)—→2001–2014Operation Enduring Freedom—→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries18country
06 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
2GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)1COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)3BELGIUM · ALL WEAPONS3PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)765PRICE · ALL WEAPONS6PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 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