Video—I Have This Old Gun: M249 SAW Machine Gun

by
posted on May 26, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Earlier this year, FN announced the M249S Para, a semi-automatic-only, closed-bolt version of the gun used by elite operators within the U.S. military. But the military's M249 SAW—Squad Automatic Weapon—introduced in 1984, is the Light Machine Gun of U.S. forces and many U.S. allies. It has seen action in every major conflict involving the United States since 1989. Firing the standard 5.56 mm NATO round, the M249 has stood the test of time due to its versatility and adaptability to circumstances. Learn more about the history and evolution of the FN M249 SAW in this "I Have This Old Gun" segment from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV








Latest

Belt1 1911 Timer
Belt1 1911 Timer

Tactical Belts For The Rest Of Us

Most shooters don’t need a "war belt." While enthusiasts like the idea of preparing for every contingency, the vast majority of us need a reliable platform for a range session, a training class or a local club match.

Review: Trijicon Credo 1-10x28 mm Riflescope

With a 10X magnification range, the Trijicon Credo 1-10x28 mm riflescope is ideal for close-range targets, long-range pursuits and everything in between.

Study Shows Widespread Public Approval for Self-Defense, Recreational Shooting

Research conducted by Responsive Management annually for the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CAHSS) found that, in 2025, 78 percent of adult residents in the United States believe learning self-defense skills with a firearm is completely acceptable.

18 New Shotguns for 2026

Among today's firearm platforms, the shotgun remains one of the most time-tested, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. Today's new crop of shotguns runs the gamut, giving modern shotgunners new options in nearly every conceivable category.

Derya Arms RAN Series: A New Take on the Lever-Action

Derya Arms' latest entry in the lever-action market, the RAN series of rifles and pistols, seeks to “reimagine” the modern lever gun.

Gun of the Week: Robinson Armament XCR-L

One man, Alex Robinson, took it upon himself to address what he saw as several shortcomings in the AR-15 design. He consulted with special forces operators and asked what they wanted in a rifle platform. The result was the Robinson Armament XCR.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.