Love the M240.  You can actually hit shit with that gun.

By an AR10 mg version, I presume that you mean a belt fed weapon? Because the NFA's definition of a machine gun does not a true machine gun make... There actually was a belt fed version of the first Armilite AR10s. You can see an example in the vintage Armalite promotion video that was floating around a few years ago. I generally think that attempting to convert magazine fed weapons to belt fed is a poor choice of starting points. In general, belt fed weapons are designed with more bolt over travel, heavier operating systems and more reciprocating energy for lack of a better term. Reliably stripping ammunition out of belts is not easy. You want robust components designed from the ground up.

As for the infantry automatic rifle, I feel that it's a step backwards. There is a reason that we got away from magizine fed weapons like BAR / Bren gun.  Magazine feed is not particularly conducive to sustain suppressing fire.  A similar result could have been achieved by issuing full auto fire control groups and bypods.  Although there is probably some advantage to keeping heat out of the bolt carrier group with a piston.

Which one games? Depends on the use case, depends on if I have friends, depends on what my friends are bringing

 
M4/M16

Required reading, cover to cover. There will be a section quiz next week and this topic will be on the final.

This is the best.

Every time I see that pic'...

They are not weapons to be thought of using in an individual role like in some video game.

The way to look at them is to understand the structure of the organization or team that incorporates them into their mission.

The M240 is employed as a crew-served weapon system manned by 3 guys on what we called a gun team, consisting of:

* Machine Gunner
* Assistant Machine Gunner
* Ammo bearer

I personally don't like that set-up, but that was Army doctrine and what we did across many units I was in.

The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon is something that every Rifle Squad has 2 of, one per Fire Team.

It allows the Squad to have a weapon that can sustain more volume of fire during attacks and withdrawals, chance contact, battle drills, and can augment the fire of a local support element during the breach of a mined wire obstacle or compound, as well as provide good vehicle coverage in blocking positions covering avenues of approach to an objective.

There is no, "Which would you choose?"

My experience with the M60, M249 and M240 indicates that the M240 is easier to keep running and generally less maintenance heavy than the other two. I'll take the M240 if given the option.

A stud can carry 800rds individually for the SAW, maybe more.

I did it with a vest I made myself where I had a good mix of nutsacks and drums, so that I had 1 100rd nutsack in the gun, and as many 100rd nutsacks on my vest and belt kit as possible.

When the nutsack got fielded, there were only 4 issued per SAW, so unless you could acquire more, you were limited those and the 200rd plastic drums that get issued in the cans.

I could carry 700-900rds on my vest and belt, with however many more needed in the assault pack.

We would also cross-load SAW drums among the Squad, so they could plus you up if things got bad, or your mission got extended with a FRAGO or Mr. Murphy showed up and left you hanging in the breeze with no resupply.

I also preferred to carry at least 3 M4 mags additionally so that if the SAW went down or was separated from me, I could fight with an M4.

That's a thing of beauty, but we're talking about guns.

I see guns there.

I see two Mk.IV milk missiles.

The 249 is a squad weapon(2 per squad).  It can be operated by one person who can also carry all the ammo for it.  It can be fire from the standing and kneeling position.  That being said by now they are a gigantic turds that hardly ever get off a belt without malfunctioning(an i'm not talking rack the bolt and keep shooting i'm talking take it all apart get the multi tool out and spend minutes unfucking it).  

The 240 is a platoon weapon(2-3 per platoon) that is a crew served weapon, one guy carries the gun, one guy carries the tripod, one guy carries the ammo(well they all carry ammo).  Its a lot heavier ammo to carry a lot of, its hard to shoot it from the standing/kneeling(especially accurately).  That being said the 240 is a magnificent weapon that is great at what it does and can shoot 1000+ rounds without a malfunction.  

So as others have said, they both have their job and have their pros and cons.

Enough serious answers already, M249 SAW belt dump at 4:30

I'd just be happy if kids could read a -10 and fill out a '5988E without ordering 11 BBL's (And 5 spare BBL bags) for

a '240 because they don't understand the UOC's

The SAW and the 240 each fill a roll in a squad.  If you use one in the other's role it will get fucked up.  If you want to be light and manuverable and you are willing to give up the heavy hitting power of the pig the SAW can fill a couple of roles.  If you have to hold a hill or street corner, nothing makes the enemy piss their pants like a 240 chewing through a wall.  It will fuck an asshole and the asshole down the street.  But I aint humping that bitch.


LRRP, those 100 ball sacks were more valuable than gold in 03 when I went to Iraq.  We only got the one cloth sack and then we ended up with the 200 plastic drums.  Even when reloading I never dropped my cloth sack.

I only carried 600 rounds for the SAW and I had a 100 box of the 7.62 for the 240 gunner.  The rest went in the track.  Fuck humping that shit.

OP, its not a dumb question to ask which we prefer, but as for roles, they each fill a niche and dont do well when trying to do the other's job.

Yay! Mother fucking Murica!

Out of all of them I still love my PKM the best.

"Oh, just use one of those standard S-1798s and write in "pizza" where it says 'machine gun.'"

Holy fuck. Just the thought of that gives me a major freedom boner.

I think I'm in love.

lulz

"Five round bursts!"

"Roger, sar'nt!"

LOL!



 

There is NO way one guy is carrying all that. A couple belts on the gunner at most. Definitely a team effort required.

Now if you're in trucks it's a bit easier and your squad can help you lug it all back from the motor pool in cans or a crate...because they ALL know how valuable that weapon is if and when it's needed.