Geissele Buys Barrett 240LW Machine Gun Technical Package

by
posted on January 16, 2020
** 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. **
old-m249-at-work.jpg

Above: DOD photo by Master Sgt. Michel Sauret.


Geissele Automatics has acquired the 240LW and 240LWS machine gun technical data package and intellectual property from Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. Barrett also announced it has entered into a technical support agreement for the 240LW and 240LWS with Geissele.

The 240LW and 240LWS are lighter, more robust versions of the medium machine guns fielded by U.S. and allied forces. The design uses a patented two-piece construction process that simplifies and solidifies the forged receiver without resorting to exotic materials or having to rely on rivets that can loosen.

“The Barrett team has taken the good performing, but dated, M240 weapon system and made it into a machine gun for the 21st century,” said Bill Geissele, president and founder of Geissele Automatics. “The 240LW/LWS is improved in every performance aspect: it’s lighter, more reliable, easier to load, easier to maintain, more ergonomic and more controllable. With the addition of Geissele’s forged long life barrels and NanoWeapon (Picatinny DSL) coating we look forward to providing the U.S. warfighter and our allies with 240LW/LWS machine guns.”

Since 2007 Geissele has been serving the U.S. Special Operations community and SOF units world-wide with high performance weapon systems and components. Geissele is also proud to provide these same products to our law enforcement officers and civilian shooters.

“Barrett is the leader in large-caliber, long-range precision rifles for the most demanding shooters on Earth,” said Sam Shallenberger, president of Barrett. “Barrett .50-caliber systems have been adopted by the U.S. Military as the US Rifle M107, and the Barrett MRAD has recently been adopted by USSOCOM as the Mark 22. After working with Geissele on other projects for several years, we are confident they are the right organization to maximize the potential of this latest Barrett firearms design.

Barrett is a family-owned and operated company and the world leader in large-caliber, long-distance, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military and more than 73 State Department approved countries around the world.

Latest

CZ 75 Legend 01
CZ 75 Legend 01

The CZ 75 Legend: Rebirth of an Icon

If you make a short list of the most influential handgun designs of the 20th century, the CZ 75 would make the cut. A half century since its introduction, CZ is honoring that legendary status with the CZ 75 Legend.

39 New Rifles for 2026

Today's new rifles run the gamut from the latest and greatest packed with the most up-to-date features money can buy to retro-inspired models that give us a glimpse of the way things used to be if you wanted to send a bullet "over there somewhere."

The Armed Citizen® June 1, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.