Squad Automatic Weapon M249 (SAW)
Mission
Fills the automatic rifle role in infantry squads and provides light machine gun capabilities in combat service and combat service support units.
Description
The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) provides squad-level fire support. It lays down a base of sustained fire and is used routinely in both mounted and dismounted configurations. The M249 delivers greater range and rates of fire than the M16 or M4.
A collapsible buttstock allows shoulder firing in the extended and collapsed positions. It improves weapons control when fired in confined spaces. The M249 Short Barrel allows for improved egress and maneuver in close quarter combat. An improved bipod provides Soldiers with increased reliability and weapon accuracy, including on uneven terrain.
The M249 features a hammer-forged steel barrel for enhanced accuracy and long life as well as a hard chrome-plated bore and chamber for greater corrosion resistance.
Specifications
Standard M249
• Caliber: 5.56mm
• Weight: 18 pounds
• Length: 40.75 inches
• Range: point target 600 meters; area target 800 meters; Provides suppressive fire to 1,000 meters
M249 with Light-Weight Collapsible Buttstock and Short Barrel
• Caliber: 5.56mm
• Weight: 17.95 pounds
• Length: 30.75 - 36.25 inches
• Range: point target 600 meters; area target 800 meters