M249 Question?

[Aquila]

Can anyone out there with knowledge (read or first hand) about the M249 SAW tell me if it is possible to control your rate of fire to one shot at a time? Its my uderstanding it does not have a single shot selector but can you be trained or practice to just get a single shot off as opposed to full auto? Also are troops trained to be able to fire this weapon in controlled bursts of 3 rounds or so? Thanks for the info, Aquila.

[globe]

An experienced SAW gunner can squeeze off one shot at a time even though the M249 is not select fire. The cyclic rate is controlled by a gas regulator using 2 settings (Normal & Adverse).

Edited for spelling error

[ibstolidude]

the m249 has a safety switch but no rate of fire selector - it is on or it is off

yes you can squeeze off a single round, but I'm not sure why it would be employed in such manner. As with any full automatic weapon, to just squeeze the trigger and watch it spray will overheat your barrel (and cause a number of malfunctions and weapon failure - or a barrel you can accidently shoot yourself in the foot with)

The previous model to the current US issued versions had an adjustable gas regulator but the new style barrel does not have the capability of changing/switching the gas regulator to deliver more power. Rotating the gas collar will not affect the cyclic rate.


Hey more importantly can I borrow your SAW tool - I proooomise I'll give it back ... ;)

[Apogee]

The 240 still has the 3 setting gass regulator to control the cyclic rate.

[ibstolidude]

I do believe we were talking about the M249 saw 5.56 - the original versions had an adjustable gas regulator the later versions do not.

[Aquila]

Thank you to everybody that replied. However now I have a new question. Does the M240 or M240G have a burst selector? or is it just full auto?

[ibstolidude]

Rock and roll or full stop..
only

[James]

Back to the M-249 -

I used (1994-95) mine as a big, automatic rifle most of the time. When I was a young grunt, I was able to fire bursts while standing with it in my shoulder. It is possible to fire single rounds by controlling the trigger, but that seemed to induce an inordinate amount of jamming. It fires from an open bolt, and isn't as accurate as an M-16 firing a single round.