M249 SAW

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M 249 SAW
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TASK, CONDITIONS, STANDARDS

• TASK To familiarize the soldier with the M249
  Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW).
• CONDITION Given a block of instructions, M249
  SAW, and motivation.
• STANDARD To disassemble, separate into proper
  grouping, and reassemble the M249 SAW correctly
  with no deficiencies.

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M 249 SAW

• Features The Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), or
  5.56mm M249 is an individually portable, gas
  operated, magazine or disintegrating metallic
  link-belt fed, light machine gun with fixed
  headspace and quick change barrel feature. The
  M249 engages point targets out to 800 meters,
  firing the improved NATO standard 5.56mm
  cartridge.The SAW forms the basis of firepower
  for the fire team. The gunner has the option of
  using 30-round M16 magazines or linked ammunition
  from pre-loaded 200-round plastic magazines. The
  gunner's basic load is 600 rounds of linked
  ammunition.

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M 249 SAW

• Background The SAW was developed through an
  initially Army-led research and development
  effort and eventually a Joint NDO program in the
  late 1970s/early 1980s to restore sustained and
  accurate automatic weapons fire to the fire team
  and squad. When actually fielded in the
  mid-1980s, the SAW was issued as a one-for-one
  replacement for the designated "automatic rifle"
  (M16A1) in the Fire Team. In this regard, the SAW
  filled the void created by the retirement of the
  Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) during the 1950s
  because interim automatic weapons (e.g.
  M-14E2/M16A1) had failed as viable "base of fire"
  weapons.

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M 249 SAW

• Background Cont. -
• Early in the SAW's fielding, the Army identified
  the need for a Product Improvement Program (PIP)
  to enhance the weapon. This effort resulted in a
  "PIP kit" which modifies the barrel, handguard,
  stock, pistol grip, buffer, and sights.
• The M249 machine gun is an ideal complementary
  weapon system for the infantry squad platoon. It
  is light enough to be carried and operated by one
  man, and can be fired from the hip in an assault,
  even when loaded with a 200-round ammunition box.
  The barrel change facility ensures that it can
  continue to fire for long periods. The US Army
  has conducted strenuous trials on the M249 MG,
  showing that this weapon has a reliability factor
  that is well above that of most other small arms
  weapon systems. Today, the US Army and Marine
  Corps utilize the license-produced M249 SAW.

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M 249 SAW
Primary function Hand-held combat machine gun
Manufacturer Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing,
Inc. Length 40.75 inches (103.81 centimeters)
Weight With bipod and tools 17.00 pounds
(7.718 kilograms) 200-round box magazine 6.92
pounds (3.14 kilograms) 30-round magazine 1.07
pounds (.49 kilograms) Bore diameter 5.56mm
(.233 inches) Maximum effective range 3281
feet (1000 meters) for an area target Maximum
range 3600 Meters Rates of fire Cyclic
725 rounds per minute Sustained 50 rounds per
minute Unit Replacement Cost 4,087
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Major Components
1) Barrel Assembly (to include Gas Regulator)

• 2) Heat shield
• 3) Receiver Assembly (to include Rear Sight
  Assembly, Cover and Feed Tray Mechanism Assembly,
  Feed Pawl Assembly, and Cocking Handle Assembly)
• 4) Buttstock and Buffer Assembly
• 5) Bolt Assembly (to include Slide Assembly and
  Piston Assembly)
• 6) Rod Assembly (to include Spring)
• 7) Trigger Mechanism Assembly
• 8) Hand Guard Assembly
• 9) Sling and Snap Hook Assembly
• Bipod Assembly
• 11) Gas Cylinder Assembly

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Major Component Pictures
Receiver Assembly (To include Rear Sight, Cover
and Feed Tray Mechanism, Feed Pawl, And Cocking
Handle Assembly)
Heat shield
Barrel Assembly (To include Gas Regulator)
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Major Component Pictures
Buttstock Buffer Assembly
Rod Assembly (To Include Spring)
Bolt Assembly (To Include Slide Piston Assembly)
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Major Component Pictures
Sling Snap Hook Assembly
Bipod Leg Assembly
Hand Guard
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Firing Techniques
Kneeling Position Notice the weapon is fired
the same way the M16A2 is fired.
Prone Position Notice her non-firing hands
position the placement of her cheek.
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Disassemble M249

• 1) Clear Weapon
• 2) Ensure bolt is forward and feed tray is
  closed
• 3) Separate parts into proper grouping
• To clear Weapon
• Charge weapon (pull cocking handle rearward). Be
  sure bolt is locked in rear position. Push
  charging handle forward until you hear it click.
  
• Push Safety to right (No RED band visible)
• Raise Feed Tray Assembly. Look for any debris
  inside chamber, magazine well and Feed Pawl
  Assembly. Close Cover Assembly, and ensure it
  locks in place.
• Place Safety to left (RED band visible). Hold
  cocking handle to rear, pull trigger, and ride
  bolt forward to close and lock.

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Disassembled M249
Gas Regulator
Buffer Assembly
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Assemble M249

• 1) Assemble M249
• 2) Perform function check
• To Perform Function Check
• Ensure safety is to left (RED band visible) and
  charge weapon by pulling the cocking handle to
  the rear to lock the bolt (cock the weapon).
  Push cocking handle forward until you hear it
  click.
• Push safety to the right (RED band not visible).
• Pull the trigger (Nothing should happen).
• Push safety to left (RED band visible). Pull
  charging handle to the rear and pull the trigger
  riding the bolt forward, simultaneously watching
  link exit the weapon.
• Pull cocking handle to rear locking the bolt in
  place and placing it on safe (RED band not
  visible). Clear the weapon using the procedures
  for clearing the M249.
• Push safety to left (RED band visible). Pull
  cocking handle to the rear. Pull the trigger and
  ride the bolt forward.

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Assembled M249
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Check on Learning

1. What is the maximum range of the M249 to an area
   target?

A) 1000 meters
Q) What does SAW stand for when talking about
the M249?
A) Squad Automatic Weapon
Q) What are two of the three positions you can
fire the M249?
A) Kneeling, Prone, or Hip
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THE END

• Thank You!!!!!

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