How the M249 Machine Gun Evolved

M249 SAW was the ugly ducking evolving from a problem to the beast it is today! Find out how in this video! Meet the highest casualty producing weapon in the entire US Army’s regular infantry arsenal. The M249 belt fed Squad Automatic 5.56 x 45 mm Machine gun. In this video we’re going to take a look at its evolution as a weapon and its use in various combat situations then finally what the future next gen 249 could look like.
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Where did the need for this weapon originally come from? Well we can trace its roots all the way back to the year 1965 and the US Military was unhappy with the belt fed machines they were using at the time, the M60 and the M2 Browning. Both of these solutions technically required a crew of two in order to properly operate.
The military was acting like goldilocks here. They wanted a belt fed machine gun that was just right, not too big, not too small. They were looking for a middle child to add to the family and the M249 was just the problem child to fit that role. Just like a failing marriage, bringing in another child always solves the problem.

[@Taskandpurpose]

Thanks for watching! What do you think of the US Army's M249 ? Is it out dated at this point or should the military stick with what works? Check out video SEALS vs. Special Forces: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3apnYRul7KKnLs

[@AlexLee-dc2vb]

If the military would just get over itself and adopt the Beta C Mag we would have dropped this belt fed a LONG time ago and mass-issued the M27 IAR. We also could have adopted the Ultimax 100. Sticking with the M249 just does not seem like it was the best option.

[@adamhauskins6407]

Keep it but make it a platoon weapon and use the m27 at the squad level

[@sanglierbenjamin8617]

Nice video as usual ! Did you make this video inspired by the email I sent you a while ago ? (Email where I told you about the "FN EVOLYS" or is it just a coincidence ?)

[@TakNuke]

Can you make video about its competitors ie negev, hk mg4 and kac lmg?

[@donperignon7979]

Negev 5.56: Am I a joke to you? (can be fed Galil mags)

[@hazonku]

We learned really quick during our 2nd deployment to rural Al Anbar that it was tough to pin the enemy down and actually maneuver on them. They'd often try to use the PKM and AK variant's superior area fire to spray & pray from 700m+ out, then dip before the fight could even start. Our solution was three fold. First we were one of the first units to implement the DMR role & carry the M14 EBR into wider infantry combat. We were also one of the first units to receive a CROWS. lastly, we solved the jamming magazines issue in the M-249 in literally the simplest & stupidest way ever. We just added a second feeder spring to all of our magazines. This allowed the mags to keep up with the SAW's stupidly high rate of fire and didn't seem to bother our M4s at all. We had to be very methodical about those long maneuvers but it totally worked. The CROWS allowed the M2 to respond quickly and safely for just long enough to get the M14s into the fight. The M14 could deliver accurate fire long enough to get the SAW close, and if the SAW ran out of belts before it got there it could safely and reliably be fed by squad mates. What were once legit ambushes tapered off to little more than the occasional quick harassment burst or two at even further and more inaccurate ranges. In that case we'd respond with the M2 & M-240s in kind and just call in mortars or air.

[@remydaitch9815]

Nice tip on x2 springs, noted

[@harperthegoblin]

Why the US will never use robots for combat. AI would never come up with a solution like that.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

In 1988 at Ft. Carson I was still an M60 gunner after 3 years. Two years previously in Germany. I got my first M249 brand new from the factory. I loved the gun because it was lighter than the M60. I first fired it during Infantry AIT at Benning and loved it back then. It was a dream come true for me. It had a 200 round drum which was heavy at first but got lighter as I fired it more. Cleaning it was a bit difficult. The barrel and gas regulator built up carbon and copper deposits which I had to use the scraper. I found a secret to cleaning it. I used Hoppe's # 9 and steel wool. Soak the stainless steel gas regulator in the Hoppe's and apply some on the gas port to also soak. I used Brake Kleen to degrease the top cover and receiver and never hurt the finish. After cleaning all the big parts I cleaned the barrel and gas regulator by scrubbing off the carbon and copper with steel wool then spraying down with Brake Kleen. all the metal parts were dry and free of oil. I kept the plastic protected like the pistol grip and fore end away from Brake Kleen. The plastic I cleaned with rubbing alcohol. When it came close to turn in time to the armorer and squad leaders inspected it. I put oil on a shaving brush and coated it with CLP and wiped it down, my SAW was perfectly cleaned. 🤗🤪😜I did the same for my M60 before. I learned this from the HHC mechanics who cleaned their weapons by degreasing everything. The M249 SAW is still my favorite from memory, reliable and accurate from being a good gunner. I used it briefly during combat in Panama to punch out windows at buildings. Nothing but love for this weapon. ❤❤❤

[@organiccrack516]

I’m gonna be interested to see what comes of the marines adopting the m27, with them getting rid of their 249s and the next gen squad weapons coming along

[@JG54206]

Me too. I do believe the M27 is a good weapon and the idea of interchangeability with M4’s makes sense on paper. I’m just wondering if it actually plays out that way in practice.

[@JS-mz8nh]

M27 can’t fit the lmg roll because you can’t even fit a 100rd mag because you can’t even change the barrel lmao so just put a 30rd mag and call it a wonderful rifle

[@fuldaman1691]

@@JS-mz8nh actually i've heard the tactics regarding the M27 will be a different than the ones with the 249, and i also got wind of the marines maybe phasing 60 round quad-stack magazines into service but i'm pretty sure that kind of stuff would jam every 10 shots

[@Juozapas001]

Supposedly USMC will still have 249s in service, but none of the roles will actually use the thing, anyway i guess they think M27 will be worth replacing auto-rifleman with another standard rifleman in the squad

[@OriGummie]

@@JS-mz8nh 249 which M27 is replacing is not lmg. 240B and L are still gonna be in service isn't it? So M27 is supplementing 240 MG crews rather than completely replacing them. If they get rid of 240B/L and only left with M27 then it's a problem imo

[@blackstone777]

was a SAW gunner in Iraq too. as far as the use of mags, I found that if you double up the load spring in the mags, it will feed in the SAW well. it's the high ROF for the SAW that is the issue: it feeds faster than the mag can provide .

[@Andrewdtucker2]

Something I’ll say, the SAW is known for jamming while using the mag-feed option. I Personally put around 5-6 mags through my saw at a range once and didn’t have any malfunctions.

[@Gameprojordan]

I think it has something to do with the military mags being worn down or something, and the mags spring not pushing the follower up fast enough for the 249 bolt to catch a round due to the higher ROF

[@mardiffv.8775]

The problem lies in the gasregulator, which has only 1 setting: full open for the belt fed. For magazine fed you need less gas. The Negev has a gasregulator that you adjust to mag fed. And no more stoppages.

[@humbolt.869]

Key word Once

[@Gameprojordan]

@@mardiffv.8775 that's what it was about. I remember it being something about the bolt traveling too fast to catch a round from the mag but I thought it was a mag issue. You are 100% correct

[@ButtersRazz]

We ran our Minimis with mags quite often and I never had an issue with it.

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

I was with the 3/22 Inf Rgt 25th ID from 90-95. When I first got there the M-249 had the tubular stock and exposed barrel that was substantially thinner than the heavier barrels on the M-249 today. Guys were always burning their forearms on the exposed barrel. Our unit armorer was a genius and fabricated custom heat guards for our M-249's out of the upper portion of the barrel guard for M-16's with the M-203. So we had these cool squared off heat guards for our SAWS. The Tubular stock was a POS, it was always getting tangled in the brush and it had a lot of side to side give to it which made the weapon a lot more inaccurate when firing because the stock would wiggle back and forth a bit. Eventually we got the solid stock, new heavier barrel which was less prone to overheating and heat shield. It made the M-249 about 5 pounds heavier, noticeable in the field.

[@brianjob3018]

25th ID is based in Hawaii. I believe the nickname is "Tropic Lightning."

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

@@brianjob3018 You would be correct, Schofield Barracks.

[@brianjob3018]

@@CRAZYHORSE19682003 Aircraft Structural Repairer (sheetmetal/fiberglass), FT Campbell 86-87, Camp Casey 87-88. Oo-ah!! Btw, OOGN, are you the sworn enemy of the Democrats and their taxes and Social Justice blabber this November?

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

@@brianjob3018 Oo-ah? Do you mean Hua or Hooah? As far as this November goes, I personally believe it is to late to save the country. The USA is GONE, circling the drain and the only thing left to do now is wait for the final collapse. Our votes, MEAN NOTHING. Politics and Government is nothing but a puppet show to distract the masses into thinking they matter. Republicans and Democrats have their roles to play but they are both beholden to the corporate interests who have bought them. Our courts, politicians, agency officials are all bought and paid for. All of us are simply economic serfs working on the tax plantations for the tiny group of people who own everything in this country and who own the Government that is supposed to represent us.

[@tomwelshshore]

@@CRAZYHORSE19682003 yup live your life boys while we watch the collapse of rome

[@R3tr0V3rt1g0]

When i was assigned the 249 i thought it would suck carrying it around. Within a month i was shooting expert every time and to this day i think of how much fun it was to clear rooms live fire with one, or shoot it under nods and with lasers. I was sad when i had to rotate weapon systems.

[@Jw-no7id]

I've cleared a room or two with my SAW. More fun than it should have been. F***ers were lining up behind me to take their turn with it but oddly couldn't be found when it came time to clean the thing.

[@R3tr0V3rt1g0]

@@Jw-no7id They put that mini barrel on and suddenly everybody wants pics holding it.

[@Rake3577]

I’m not familiar with the m249 personally but I think if it’s built like a PKM ie stamped and riveted steel parts instead of spot welds, a reinforced barrel trunnion and a much more refined gas regulator with a distinct setting for mag feeding and a lower cyclic rate in general, I think these changes will turn the m249 into the ultimate 5.56 belt fed SAW

[@fleetSRT]

You can take a look at the Negev 5.56 LMG made by IWI. As far as I know it's one of the few Belt fed LMGs that doesn't jam with mags.

[@Mocha69A]

It's always been a 5.56. Belt fed SAW. And has always been called a SAW. That's its nickname

[@alstrza7272]

@@Mocha69A he’s saying it will be the “Ultimate 5.56 belt fed SAW” literally saying it will be the best compared to others in its category. It’s not hard to read people. 🤦‍♂️

[@skepticalbadger]

So if they make a completely different gun, it will be better?

[@hackerbot809]

@@skepticalbadger yes

[@TheArmourersBench]

4:30 FN didn't start calling it the XM249, that was the US Army's trials designation. Weapons in testing or development are assigned XM numbers, these then typically become their designation - ie. M249.

[@Grabbagar670]

The M249 feeds flawlessly with gen3 PMAGS. I've done mag dumps with m855, m855a1 and blanks, and they all fired without any malfunctions through gen3 pmags.

[@hiteshadhikari]

When new yes, give them time and let them age , the mags

[@Grabbagar670]

@@hiteshadhikari you came in broken and unreadable, say again, over.

[@remington_acr1651]

@@Grabbagar670 I believe they’re implying that as magazines become older malfunctions are more likely to occur.

[@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz]

PMAG are quality, but the old GI Mags had pretty bad followers. I suspect most M249 magazine issues were caused by those black and green followers.

[@hiteshadhikari]

@@Grabbagar670 the new magazines have a better stronger spring, as they age they get weaker ( most mil mags are that way, beaten up ) so when these pmags age they will also become unreliable

[@A_Man_Named_Mark]

Dude, I fired 4 bandaleers through that thing, firing from the hip for suppressive fire... while walking backwards from my LP/OP to FOB. I will ALWAYS love my SAW! ☝️😎🤟

[@dizzlethechef]

Wow I didn't even realize the SAW got the SCAR Ugg boot treatment.

[@Taskandpurpose]

lmao thats the best way I've heard it described

[@dizzlethechef]

@@Taskandpurposelmao, yeah pumpkin spice lattes and FDE leggings available for an additional fee.

[@danielsundberg1977]

I operated the aussie F89 minimi for years and heard all the magazine jamming comments but never did i have a jamming issue. I loved this weapon and firing from the shoulder was fantastic than firing the Mag58!

[@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz]

The US had magazines with black followers, green followers, and tan followers, each better than the last and usually fine in a rifle, but I imagine the jaming issues were mostly caused by poor follower designs. However, I have no idea what other countries used for follower designs.

[@nicjohnson6837]

Minimi with pmags works a treat

[@toolfreak78]

Awesome MG, thats for true, but i love the MAG more.. just because of its range and the sound of the 7.62 by 51.. But from the shoulder its better to shoot with the m249. But on the ground nothing beats the MAG.

[@toolfreak78]

A MAG isnt build to shoot from the shoulder..

[@user-njyzcip]

So do you have STANAG mags just for the SAW or do they accept F88 mags?

[@seppesneyers3592]

iirc the IWI Negev can also use STANAG mags, but it works way better than the 249. Could be interesting to make a video about that

[@jacobzehavi3279]

That’s because they have a specific gas setting for magazine feed

[@wormyboot]

@@jacobzehavi3279 I came here specifically for this. I wish the 249 had an adjustable gas block.

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

I think the Stoner 63 also used magazines. But that's out of service.

[@seppesneyers3592]

@@walangchahangyelingden8252 yes, but you had to change parts in order to use mags

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

@@seppesneyers3592 Ah, that's kinda disappointing.

[@revolverDOOMGUY]

The m249/fn minimi is not the only LMG design that can be fed with regular magazines, the IWI Negev can as well and even do that better since it has a gas block position specifically for that, so the bolt doesn't travel too fast and the magazine spring can do it's job properly.

[@pr5721]

Rpk and m27....

[@RVered]

the M249 is notoriously, infamously unreliable with a magazine. To the point of being unusable. The Negev is perfectly functional with a mag. Now, That IWI is a private company, it begs the question of why the M249 is used instead.

[@myusername3689]

@@pr5721 Mag fed only and kind of not machine gun designs, they’re more like heavy versions of their intermediate rifle counterparts. Something like the Ultimax 100 or Surefire MGX are more developed from the ground up to be machine guns while being mag fed.

[@pr5721]

@@myusername3689 the ak family was always a machine gun only stupid laws make them not

[@RobinP556]

You’ve got a great channel! You keep me up to date on all of the cool stuff. I have experience with the SAW from early to mid-1980s when I was in the 82nd Airborne. That was peacetime experience, but we never had any problems with in terms of reliability. Even when fed from a standard M16 magazine it worked fine, as long as the regulator was set to the slower rate of fire. We did have several complaints about it though such as the exposed barrel burning the snot out of everything that touched it, the carry handle being fixed and jabbing the jumper upon landing, and would have preferred a shorter barrel and folding stock. It beat the hell out what the automatic rifleman carried prior to that, a standard M16A1 with 3 extra 30 round magazines and a cheap bipod. I have some experience when I was in Special Forces with the FN MAG-58, but I was out of the military by the time that it was adopted as the M240, so I’ve never fired that version, when deployed or just on a flat range. I always preferred the FN MAG-58 to the M60, but by that time the existing M60s were pretty worn out.

[@macman1138]

Clips?

[@RobinP556]

@@macman1138 Clips?

[@Sensei_Foosball]

Thanks for severing the greatest country in the world.

[@RobinP556]

@@Sensei_Foosball Thnaks, but I think that autocorrect got you.

[@OriGummie]

We were trained 249 guy goes last in the room because it was prone to jam. I've had a real bad experience with it in basic. It missfed on me twice with a round stuck sideways out of the chamber. Had to remove with a multitool while drill sgt whispered sweet nothings in my ear

[@biggrinch5747]

4:48 "SQUARD automatic weapon" nice one cappy

[@Taskandpurpose]

SQWURD weaponnzz lol my bad! nice catch

[@blue-skyuniform]

the M249 was not the first way to use normal magazine M16. The Japanese type 11 LMG. had the same way of thinking. only with clips of 6.5, if the machine gunner ran out of ammo a soldier could give his clips to the gunner. I think the Type 11 was the first one in way of sharing of ammo

[@Gameprojordan]

Yep it was fed by 5 round type 38 clips by default. Not entirely the same concept though. The m16 mag adapter for the m249 was meant as a last resort when the gunner ran out of belted ammunition, whereas the type 11 only used the method of being fed by type 38 rifle clips

[@blue-skyuniform]

@@Gameprojordan true, but in the way of thinking, kind of then 😅 in my mind, is it a good idea, just as a precaution then, suppose the gunner has no more ammo than the M16 magzine still do something, despite less firepower than of course, everyone looks at it differently

[@ksrinivasrao7133]

Yes it but Japanese good reason to Japanese can not produce good amount magazine so they two types machine gun one type 11 is large number and type 99 is only used for small number

[@blue-skyuniform]

@@ksrinivasrao7133 production numbers type 11 in 6.5, 29.000. type 96 also in 6.5. 41.000 and the type 99 in 7.7 53.000 built the type 11 saw battles against the US throughout the war from 1941 to 1945. But most were given to imperial or Manchuku. most commonly used model against the US was the type 96 and the type 99 LMGS

[@ShiroiShinjuDC5]

I’ll never forget my grandpapa in Vietnam had 2 m60s in his squad he had one and his buddy had one, obviously there were others in the squad as well without them but when they were on the ground fighting he saw his buddy laying on the floor with the m60 next to him so he went and picked that one up and started blasting with 2 m60s one in each hand. An absolute chad

[@donaldlines7471]

I carried my SAW for almost 3 years. Including my 15 months in Afghanistan. Personally I loved it! The 1000 rounds does get heavy pretty quick tho. I always enjoyed the workout tho lol. I NEVER once had an issue with it. Always worked flawlessly. I’ve been out almost 12 years and I still remember my serial number. #83897

[@dethroneroyalty8086]

Love the info we get from you!

[@kevinstachovak8842]

Woww! KZbin suggested a gem of a channel to me! Edit: Thank you for being over there, and E. Vervier sounds like a regular J. Moses Browning

[@--SHEPHERD-OF-MOTHER-EARTH--]

"Someone get on Dat 60!" - Driver Me-"it's mine!"

[@diver11b1p2]

As a former SAW gunner, I can still hear the sound of the plastic 200 round drum detaching and the belt of ammo unspooling all over the ground as I picked up the SAW by the handle to bound forward...

[@digitalscribbler68]

In the FMF in the 80s, a small minority of Marines loved them, but most didn't want to get stuck with them. They are heavy and cumbersome, but they also couldn't really deliver consistent firepower because stoppages were ridiculously frequent and the barrels need frequent changing. The Marine infantry fireteam included an a-gunner, but in practice the automatic rifleman was usually on his own to deploy the POS. One man with two hands has a hard time maneuvering and operating his gun while switching barrels. Whoever designed it had no idea how such a weapon has to be carried and used.

[@kfeltenberger]

A classmate of mine was in the Marines during the late 80s and his comments to me, with the expletives removed, match yours. He absolutely hated the the thing and thought it was the best weapon a potential enemy ever had.

[@socaljarhead7670]

I hated the fucker too, especially scraping the black carbon built up on the small gas system parts.

[@terenceconnors9627]

Pogue here, thanks for helping keep some of my buddies safe back in day, dude. Qualifying with a SAW was one of the purest fun things I was privileged to do as topo.

[@gfield1607]

Chris I think this has to be the best produced and best presented video you have done so far well done 👍🏻

[@rikardnilsson7550]

I used one in my 11 mounth in the Swedish army, the one with small barrel. We call it Ksp90b. I loved that gun =)

[@LairdErnst]

Didn’t realize the 249 and 240 were made by the same person. Makes sense though, the always had a strong resemblance that I just figured they were made in parallel to one another.

[@KaDaJxClonE]

8:58 "The next step in the evolution of the M249 is the line" Had me cracking up. It really is the same old same old but with a cool color and furniture that'll never make it down to the platoon level. When I was an armorer (2015) we were sent a "modernization kit" for the M249's and they were just collapsible stocks and the short barrels... This is almost 6 years after adoption and standardization!

[@nor0845]

Good vid. Thanks for posting.

[@yourpaldeebs261]

You should look over the Negev 5.56 squad automatic still in service in isreal. It's inspired by the M249 and apparently feeds magazines with more reliability!

[@john.rc.3274]

Thank you for some very interesting information.

[@Taskandpurpose]

thanks for the comment pa ! hope all is well

[@Kris-ym2zr]

Great work, thanks for the video

[@dalestark3343]

Great overview Chris!

[@socaljarhead7670]

I always thought it was a heavy and time consuming to clean turd that wasn’t worth the weight given the caliber. In contrast, the 240 is worth every ounce. Completely reliable and much, much easier to maintain. Yeah, it generally required an A gunner but the devastating and more accurate fire it delivers makes the SAW seem unnecessary.

[@simonpharand7427]

Completely agree with you!! I hated the m249 .. it would jam on me unless I oiled the shit out of it

[@user-njyzcip]

Which is why the MC got the M27. At least it works From the combat footage I've seen, the SAW always jams and people seem to spend more time clearing them than shooting them

[@mr31337]

Great video. By the way, love your pyjamas.

[@Taskandpurpose]

thanks for watching glad you liked it and my PJs !

[@williamstone1536]

Very informative! Thanks!

[@rose14342010]

Nice Video brother.!!! Perfect way to describe the weapon & its uses.l, good Job...

[@Rossebma]

Meet the german HK MG5. 3 different Rates of Fire - pretty high too - but with 7,62x51mm. This thing is brutal. But you know what is even more brutal? The MG3. 1200 r/min 7.62x51mm. Looks like a MG42 but fires a BIT slower

[@michaelhorning6014]

I carried the first generation M249 in the late '80s. A basically sound design, fun to shoot, and very controllable. But it was not as sturdy as its 15 pound weight would make you think. And most crucially, the barrel was so thin that it overheated quickly, and every SAW I've ever seen had the rifling burned out. It also deposited melted copper from the bullet jackets onto the gas regulator.

[@user-njyzcip]

So this is why they said it was inaccurate...

[@VideoClam]

I'm a neverserved but I felt compelled to say that you and your team make great videos! I've been enjoying your content these last few days since I first discovered the channel and this is the video that got me to subscribe. Please keep up the great work, you are truly a cut above the rest and I know I'm not alone when I say that the straight forwardness and lack of politicizing is highly refreshing.

[@1978sjt]

in my 20's, as a 5'7 63kg Aussie Reserve Solider, it always surprised people that I'd volunteer to Carry the Minnimi. My Logic though, was If I had the Minnimi, I wouldn't have the Radio (which was usually a Vietnam Era 77 set, with a carry frame designed for someone over 6'0... meaning when I went to ground it would smack me in the back of the head and literally make it impossible for me to lift my face out of the dirt). On the Range I was always better with the Minnimi too, since use of the Bipod was allowed.

[@angelamaro3480]

Everyone forgets about the superior Stoner 63

[@IvorMektin1701]

M63 gets no love

[@sluggak1363]

Now u know the us military always has an excuse about why yhe better ones never got the contract spend billions on air craft well spend millions on small arms that are the shit and re do the tactics give flyboys a break

[@tommclain3335]

I had the M249 from 94-98 and i bought a SOG multiplier just to clear jams. battalion cmdr didnt like that! it wasnt uniform! I had the same problem with the plastic drums, swapped out the magazine pouches for SAW pouches. And guess who didnt like that either...

[@Taskandpurpose]

battalion command would rather you have garbage equipment as long as its all nice and neatly uniform haha

[@yuritarted984]

I'm lovin this new upload schedule

[@dernopenope2005]

love your videos keep it up man

[@catlee8064]

Used the minimi in 2004 in Iraq, loved it. Still not as good as a GPMG (M240 to you yanks!)

[@Gameprojordan]

MAG

[@Breakaway-ic5gj]

M240 is only the third weapon that you think of when saying GPMG

[@mungo75]

Ahhhh, finally some gpmg love. ❤️ 🇬🇧

[@OriGummie]

I don't get why these two are sometimes compared. Maybe it's just my indoctrination that these are two different types of roles

[@Juozapas001]

Don't like on platoon-level... US army issues... 2 or so M240 GPMGs? Rest are M249 auto-rifles? (Automatic rifleman for the win i guess :D )

[@ryanthorne5432]

The M249 has had more MWOs than any other Army small arm in my lifetime.

[@unbrandedindustriesincorpo1701]

Cappy, you do a fantastic job with these videos.

[@Taskandpurpose]

thanks glad you liked it much appreciated!

[@jakeberry2172]

Absolutely love this channel we salute you Chris cappy you average AF awesome human.

[@LucaZ283]

Hey Chris, would you mind doing an episode on the differences in infantry squad doctrine between the main militaries (e.g. US/NATO, China, Russia)? Cheers

[@SirMikeyV]

The saw always jammed in my platoon. Its dumb that it has to be in brand new clean conditions for it to function. At least it operated more thank the mk19. The mk19 jammed or misfired every other round

[@totallynottheatfwinter4491]

Love the video keep it up my dude!🤟

[@HGunner117]

oh my god i finally caught a video on release! GO CAPPY

[@elgru7142]

The failing marriage comment hit hard, we just had our 3rd child…

[@trob1173]

I carried one in the late '80s. On one exercise, the stock broke, (this happened several times in our company), I now had a belt fed assault weapon! Most fun I had carrying it. Aside from the barrel heating up quickly, I didn't love it or hate it, but at least it was lighter than a 60.

[@ravissary79]

That new 249e is pretty sweet. Make it in a polymer cased 6mm arc and now you've got a winner.

[@tonyhind6992]

Wish you put out more vids. Great channel.

[@Taskandpurpose]

we'll be releasing a new video every Tuesday and Thursday from now on

[@danepatterson8107]

More great humor, 'nutsack.' Question about its casualty count: How can one know that the 249 is causing casualties when all small arms use 5.56 in the squad?

[@redjellonian8126]

You can tell who the saw got because they and the area around them will be ordained. I'm telling you they will be more holy than any minister.

[@danepatterson8107]

@@redjellonian8126 LOL, I see your point there!

[@Justin-rq6kf]

If a guy is dead with 50 holes in him it was probaly the SAW

[@randall6666]

Great video!

[@Kupoinfo]

I was a saw gunner in my first unit too! Fun to shoot, not fun to clean or carry! That sunovabitch was difficult to keep clean especially with regular use, not surprised 50% of people had trouble maintaining it.

[@JAB6322]

Wait till Cappy's squad leader sees what abominations Cod players do to their guns lol

[@texasranger24]

Given the weight, this gun should've been replaced with something lighter like the Surefire MGX recoilless machine gun a long time ago. At least do it now, the SIG machine guns are like half the weight with more firepower.

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

The USMC wanted the Ultimax.

[@hailexiao2770]

@@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive Was there ever an Ultimax variant with belt feed? That might have been the hangup, given the bad reputation of the M249's mag feed.

[@Smithy250]

24lbs with comparable firepower to a 50 bmg and twice the effective range of the m249/m240B

[@shawnsanders9450]

Pretty sure the USMC is transitioning to the M27.

[@kameronjones7139]

@@Smithy250 the mgx definitely didn't have the same fire power as the 50bmg with that being said 12 pounds for the sig lmg is hard to pass up

[@toycoma98]

When i was qualifying with the 249, i found some ammo around the fox hole i was in, linked it up to mine and had a blast.

[@whitepony8443]

What a soulmate, I'm talking about the gun.

[@rcforb5255]

The mag fed option is something that was copied from the soviet RPK. The idea of a SAW like the RPK was that you could use the same magazines as your squadmates when you ran out of ammo. With a belt-fed machine gun this isn't possible, so that's why they added a magazine-fed option.

[@Taskandpurpose]

see I always learn the real information in the comments. I wanted to dive deeper into that section but I didn't have time thanks for the info!

[@Juozapas001]

Doesn't adding magwell also increase weight? Alongside the... usual belt-feed stuff?

[@hiteshadhikari]

@@Juozapas001 not much

[@Juozapas001]

I think he meant the principle behind mag -feed, for both weapons that is, dropping them boxes & drums i guess. I mean you can slap a STANAG sideways for one or bakelite mag for the other (them brown/orange-ish plastic russian mags)

[@Kyoptic]

@@teeteebangerx1595 Yeah, like the dude above me said, it was about being able to stick a "rifleman's magazine" into the automatic rifleman's gun. The RPK accepted AK mags even though it was designed to fire drum mags or 45 Rnd mags, so somebody thought the SAW should need to accept M4/M16 mags too.

[@Reticulosis]

“It’s ability to fire a regular magazine through a separate” Let me stop you right there…. No, the only thing I’ve ever seen is the ability to insert a STANAG but never effectively fire more then 1 round without a problem.

[@readsmith4223]

I loved my SAW, wish I had one now. When I was just an E-3 I had to instruct E-5’s an O-1and 0-2’s how to use it , they didn’t get it. My secret I carried a blued leather man on my LCE, I could rip those rounds jammed at the barrel in seconds. I learned right off the bat as left handed, sleeves down, BDU buttoned to the top, and gloves. Or I would be wearing that hot brass down my shirt and sleeves. As long as someone else buys the ammo, it’s my go too...lol

[@16Tango]

I was assigned a SAW for 2 years, 93 - 95. I was a Patriot Missile crew member and getting that thing out of a HEMTT was no fun but shooting it was so fun.

[@mrunaltondre6051]

I wish he would make a video on modernization of Indian army as they are arming against China

[@Taskandpurpose]

I just finished the indian army modernization video today! it was a big one, releasing it on Saturday !

[@mrunaltondre6051]

@@Taskandpurpose thank you sir ,as a indian it means a lot to me

[@Breakaway-ic5gj]

@@Taskandpurpose noice

[@rlbadger1698]

So 20% think it's inaccurate and ineffective, 30 % had it fail on them in combat, and 50% can't keep it running at all. DOD- WOW! wunder weapon! Lets buy more! Spray and pray works !!!

[@Taskandpurpose]

we're deep into how the mind of a DoD beurocrat works now haha

[@Justin-rq6kf]

It works tho

[@illuminated2494]

Back at it !

[@adammitchell3462]

I admire your humbleness sir, it's a quality that alot of guys could use

[@kermitthefrog5926]

I love the M249 SAW. However, being a perfectionist, I must ask myself, "Does a belt fed 223 have to be so heavy and bulky". The MK 48 LMG is a SAW that fires 7.62x51 NATO. Rangers love it, and some think it should even replace the M240 Bravo for all "light" infantry fireteams. So yeah, the SAW is so overbuilt they made a version in 7.62 NATO.😑🙄 If America's top brass had any integrity when it comes to getting weapons that soldiers actually need (and want), instead of pleasuring the Military Industrial Complex, maybe we would have a support weapon similar to the IMI Negev. It's lighter and much less bulky, but is still a belt fed full auto 223 that is reliable enough to "liberate" the hearts and minds of any goat molesting wife beater who wears a turban. However, I'm opposed to America buying weapons from other countries, WERE THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, and we're supposed to be the smartest (cuz we're all free, aren't we?) so we should be leading the world when it comes weapons design. So why are we still using the SAW, when there is something that could be lighter, faster, stronger, MACHINE GUN!!!!! *six million dollar man intro noises*

[@johnhumphrey9953]

I carried the m249 while I was in Desert Shield- Desert Storm with the 1-502, 101st Airborne Division. The only problem I had is it was heavy. I do not miss carrying it. I miss firing it.

[@hallu9438]

nice to see this channel grow really fast, also his narrating skills are top notch now. what do you guys think, a million by the end of the year? or more????

[@Chiller01]

Great episode. Really enjoy your self effacing style.

[@1961OnRock]

900 SAWs brought over for Desert Storm would be enough to give every fire team in 2 Army Divisions one.

[@MSRLR]

My dad was a army ranger from 1986-1992. He jumped into panama and used the m249. He still giggles everytime he sees it in the movies

[@dawnsparrow4477]

A wonderful channel for infantry weapons required in nearly attacking..of battlefields...hyper fast shooting causes enemies emotions defeats before physically eliminating them

[@126theman]

Great video :D

[@Taskandpurpose]

thanks!

[@126theman]

@@Taskandpurpose thank you! 😀 I’d never heard of that new saw before this, really interesting!

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Great info. Big Fat Full Auto Smile :-)

[@mandosandradios]

Excellent

[@Skyhulk95]

The way you said 13 in “Barrel” is funny you brought your accent out there lol

[@Taskandpurpose]

sometimes I turn my 'r' in a 'w' its bad haha

[@julwiezdeghorz5089]

Awesome!

[@donalgramae]

Thank you for your great content, presentation, and grunt humor ("Joes gonna' joe..." Lol)! "Strike Hold!" my 11B Brother!

[@Taskandpurpose]

hooah good friend! : D

[@cpt-cheese3489]

Why is cappy always uploading when I'm taking a shit, it's perfect... Too perfect

[@Taskandpurpose]

Your taking a dump too?? Are our daily shits schedule in sync ??

[@cpt-cheese3489]

@@Taskandpurpose shitmates ♥️♥️

[@recker3168]

Man I good times with the M249! I was never issued one sadly but I sure had a blast firing one.

[@ccfmfg]

Cappy, There are at least 4 other Light or medium Machineguns that Fire both from a belt and a Magazine., Israel Negev in 5.56 x 45mm, Ares Shrike/Fightlite MCR 5.56 x 45, Original Armalite Stoner AR10 LMG in 7.62 x 51mm / Colt AR16 in 5.56 x 45mm LMG, Czech Vz.52 in 7.62 x54/Vz.52/57 in 7.62 x 39 mm.

[@Jason06Bennett]

When my dad was in the SADF (now SANDF) they called their kit bags 'Balsak' (Afrikaans term for ball bag)

[@pinzgauerbelgium]

That fn evolys looks great👍

[@joshadsett4835]

nice one

[@Lafly84]

Fired a lot of magazines through it, but noticed brass shavings after I did so. Still loved it.

[@ThePatriotParadox]

For sure time for an upgrade, 700 rpm should be fine as long as it's lighter, but remains just as durable, quick barrel and caliber changes may be appreciated too.

[@alvarotrigueiro946]

Honestly I hope it sticks around, great looking mg.

[@johnbarrios1598]

Thank God Cappy, your jacked. Who would be able to fire that monster?? Where's HK when you need them?? Keep filming.. I was thinking Cappy for President!!!!

[@leopapio683]

Pros of the M27 really good rifle accurate easy to clean because of the gas piston. Cons we had to carry 12 magazines, reloading all the damn time and no barrel changes We were told that accurate shot placement was more lethal and more suppressive then accuracy by volume. Our M249 sucked they were so old and beat up and parts mismatched so a simple barrel change meant the rounds didn't chamber properly it was nice having a 200 round drum or 100 round nutsack but we use to call these things full automatic bolt action machine guns because you'd be lucky to get 3 rounds off with out a jam and had to pull the bolt back again lol, weirdly enough they fired more reliably with a magazine to the point that that's how we ran them lol Even though the M27 felt like it didn't absorb the recoil as well it did better at full auto, the M249 was just very inaccurate, there is a reason we never approved it for over head fire at ranges like we did the 240 or other rifles. Bottom line I prefer the M27 over the SAW but I don't believe the M27 is a correct replacement for it. This was over 10 years ago now so I have no idea if things have changed since I left the Marines but it was still new to us at the time.