M240G General Purpose Machinegun

M240G General Purpose Machinegun

The US military wanted to update or replace the M60 machinegun. The M60 had many good characteristics, but the Army wanted a gun that was even more reliable and easier to maintain in the field. Even though a new 5.56-mm Squad Automatic Weapon had recently been introduced, a light machinegun like the SAW wasn’t always good enough. Sometimes you need more power. After extensive tests, the Army focused on the M240 series produced by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium. The M240G is the ground version of the original M240/M240C/M240E1 coaxial/pintle mounted machinegun used on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the Abrams tank. The M240G is modified for ground use by the installation of an infantry modification kit. The kit is comprised of a front and rear sight assembly, flash suppressor, carrying handle for the barrel, a butt stock, a longer pistol grip, and a bipod. The M240G has a left hand feed, and is gas operated. The rate of fire can be controlled by three different regulator settings.

The M240G is an important crew-served weapon in the Ranger Battalions because of its long-range automatic fire for suppression or destruction of enemy targets. If necessary, it can be fired from the shoulder, but more commonly, with a long sling, from the hip. The M240G is sometimes used in the Ranger Special Operations Vehicle. A gunner may carry the weapon in the front passenger seat, dismount, and put the gun into action.

By Tim Davis

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