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M249 SAW
Photo: Photo Courtesy of PEO Soldier · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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M249SAW

Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · United States · 1984
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M249SAW

M249 SAW
M249 SAW Photo: Photo Courtesy of PEO Soldier · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
85
Effective Range
65
Accuracy
75
Reliability
90
Portability
80
Ammunition Capacity
70
Barrel Endurance
85
Controllability
80
Versatility
75
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin United States
ManufacturerFN Herstal
CategoryLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)
EraCold War
In service1984
Operators21 countries
Quantity4,087
Data Quality87%
79
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) MASS Rating
2/14
Cold War
2/75
All-Time
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
85
Effective Range
65
Accuracy
75
Reliability
90
Portability
80
Ammunition Capacity
70
Barrel Endurance
85
Controllability
80
Versatility
75
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category.
01 / Overview
M249 SAW
Prime contractor
Production
1984–
Quantity
4,087
Unit Price (current)
$7.9K↗ 93% inflation · 1999→2025
Original Price
$4.1K (1999)
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) · COLD WAR
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$7.9K
Original: $4.1K (1999)
Inflation: +%93
79
light machine guns (lmg/saw) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General7MOD.7
  • First Production Year1978
  • Service Entry Year1984
  • DesignerErnest Vervier (FN Herstal)
  • Weight (Empty)7.5 kg
  • Weight (Loaded)10 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersUnited States Armed Forces, FN Herstal, FN America
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
▣Operation8MOD.8
  • Action TypeGas-Operated
  • Fire Modesfully automatic
  • Select FireYes
  • Feed SystemBelt
  • Magazine Capacity30
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire850
  • Trigger Typestriker
  • Safety Typepush-button
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
  • Muzzle Velocity915 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)600 m
  • Effective Range (area)800 m
  • Maximum Range3,600 m
◆Barrel & Sights7MOD.7
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost3MOD.3
  • Production Start1979
  • Unit Cost4,087 USD
  • Variants5
◎Additional Dimensions1MOD.1
  • Width110 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1984Production started
42
years in service
4,087
units produced
21
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
M249 SAW · CONFLICTS SERVED IN50% win
Total Conflicts
4
Victories
2
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE8terms
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.
A firearm stock that can be folded or collapsed to reduce overall length for storage or transport.
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 Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) entry →