Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category.
01 / Overview
M249 SAW
Category
Country
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
ⓘ 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
- Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
- Calibre5.56 mm
- Case Length45 mm
- Calibre Class5.56mm
- Bullet Weight4 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣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
- Barrel Length465 mm
- Rifling Twist1:7
- Rifling Grooves6
- Sight TypeIron sights or Picatinny rail for various optical sights
- Optic RailYes
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialaluminum, polymer
- Folding / Collapsing StockYes
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- ModularityPicatinny rails, quick-change barrel, STANAG magazine compatibility
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost3MOD.3
- Production Start1979
- Unit Cost4,087 USD
- Variants5
◎Additional Dimensions1MOD.1
- Width110 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 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
2003–2011Iraq WarDecisive victory→2001–2021War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)—→1998–1999Kosovo War—→1989–1990United States invasion of PanamaDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries21country
06 / MASS Score
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) RANKING Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
2LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)2COLD WAR · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)342UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS1PRICE · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)778PRICE · ALL WEAPONS10PERFORMANCE/PRICE · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)
ⓘ Rankings are within theLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)category.
📖 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