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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.
"At a gun show, I saw a Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion with 12 cylinder notches instead of the usual six. The dealer was not sure whether this was original to the gun. Were these extra notches a factory variation or just some frontier gunsmith’s backroom project?"
Following a nearly six-year, record-setting run, according to the latest NICS and NSSF reports, firearm sales have dropped just slightly below a million during the month of July.
Sporting polymer construction, partial compatibility with America's rifle, a unique bolt assembly and a no-lubricant-required design, American Rifleman staff decided the Extar EP9 Carbine, in 9 mm, deserved closer inspection.
Springfield Armory combined its innovative single-port integrated compensator with its compact striker-fired Echelon 4.0C platform to create an easily carried design that cuts down on recoil.
GrabAGun, a Texas-based online retailer of firearms, ammunition and accessories, went public on the New York Stock Exchange on July 16, 2025, receiving $179 million in gross proceeds that the company affirmed will be used to expand its online platform and fund strategic acquisitions.