M240 machine gun

Machine Gun, 7.62 mm, M240
M240B equipped with a bipod
TypeGeneral-purpose machine gun
Place of origin
  • Belgium (designed)[1]
  • United States (manufactured)[1]
Service history
In service1977–present[2]
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
DesignerErnest Vervier
Designed1950s
Manufacturer
Unit costUS$6,600
Produced1977–present[2]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass27.6 lb (12.5 kg) (M240B)
Length49.7 in (1,260 mm)
Barrel length24.8 in (630 mm)
Width4.7 in (120 mm)
Height10.4 in (260 mm)

Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO[4]
ActionGas-operated long-stroke piston, open bolt
Rate of fire
  • Cyclic:
    • 650–750 rounds/min: Gas setting 1
    • 750–850 rounds/min: Gas setting 2
    • 850–950 rounds/min: Gas setting 3

500–550 rounds/min:Variations with single gas setting [5]

Muzzle velocity2,800 ft/s (853 m/s)[1]
Effective firing range800–1,800 m (875–1,969 yd) depending on mount
Maximum firing range3,725 m (4,074 yd)[1]
Feed systemBelt-fed using M13 disintegrating links, 50-round ammo pouch, or non-disintegrating DM1 belt
SightsIron sights: front blade and folding rear leaf with aperture and notch

The M240 machine gun, officially the Machine Gun, 7.62 mm, M240, is the U.S. military designation for the FN MAG,[6] a family of belt-fed, gas-operated medium machine guns that chamber the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.[1]

The M240 has been used by the United States Armed Forces since the late 1970s. It is used extensively by infantry, most often in rifle companies, as well as on ground vehicles, watercraft and aircraft. Though it is heavier than some comparable weapons, it is highly regarded for reliability and its standardization among NATO members is a major advantage.

All variants are fed from disintegrating belts and are capable of firing most types of 7.62 NATO ammunition. M240 variants can be converted to use non-disintegrating belts. There are significant differences in weight and some features among some versions which restrict the interchangeability of parts. The M240s used by the U.S. military are currently manufactured by FN America, the American subsidiary of the Belgian company FN Herstal.[7]

The M240B and M240G are usually fired from integrated bipods, tripods, or vehicular mounts; regarding tripod use, the U.S. Army primarily uses the M192 lightweight ground mount, while the U.S. Marine Corps uses the M122A1 tripod, a slightly updated M2 tripod.

  1. ^ a b c d e f "M240 Family of Medium Machine Guns". FN Manufacturing, LLC. October 12, 2006. Archived from the original on December 23, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "FN Machine Guns: M240 Series". FNH USA. 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
  3. ^ Smallwood, Michael (19 October 2015). "US M240 GPMG seen with Jabhat al-Nusra fighter in Syria". Armament Research Services. Archived from the original on 2016-05-05. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  4. ^ "M240B". FNHUSA.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012.
  5. ^ McNab 2018, p. 26.
  6. ^ Popenker, Maxim. "FN MAG". Modern Firearms. Archived from the original on January 2, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  7. ^ "Military Machine Guns". FN America. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.