M249 — Machine Gun

3,600 meters.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-1 / PDF 8)}

1,000 meters.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-1 / PDF 8)}

• Tripod — 1,000 meters.
• Bipod — 800 meters.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-1 / PDF 8)}

• Tripod — 800 meters.
• Bipod — 600 meters.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-1 / PDF 8)}

Squad Automatic Weapon.

16.41 lbs.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-1 / PDF 8)}

1,000 rounds (in 200 round drums).
_{(FM 3-22.68Jan 2003 / 1-1 / PDF 8)}

40.87 inches.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-1 / PDF 8)}

The M249 machine gun is a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt or magazine-fed, automatic weapon that fires from the open-bolt position.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-1 / PDF 7)}

FM 3-22.68.

• Sustained rate — 100 rounds per minute.
• Rapid rate — 200 rounds per minute.
• Cyclic rate — 650 to 850 rounds per minute.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-1 / PDF 8)}

1. Move the safety to the fire “F” position by pushing it to the left until the red ring is visible.
2. With his right hand, palm up, pulls the cocking handle to the rear, locking the bolt in place.
3. While holding the resistance on the cocking handle, moves the safety to the SAFE position by pushing it to the right until the red ring is not visible. (The weapon cannot be placed on safe unless the bolt is locked to the rear.)
4. Return and locks the cocking handle in the forward position.
5. Raise the cover and feed mechanism assembly, and conducts the five-point safety check for brass, links, or ammunition:
• Check the feed pawl assembly under the feed cover.
• Check the feed tray assembly.
• Lift the feed tray assembly and inspects the chamber.
• Check the space between the bolt assembly and the chamber.
• Insert two fingers of his left hand in the magazine well to extract any ammunition or brass.
6. Close the cover and feed mechanism assembly and moves the safety to the “F” position. With his right hand, palm up, returns the cocking handle to the rear position. Presses the trigger and at the same time eases the bolt forward by manually riding the cocking handle forward.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-5 / PDF 16)}

1. Operating Rod Group.
2. Barrel Group.
3. Handguard Group.
4. Buttstock and Buffer Assembly Group.
5. Trigger Mechanism Group.
6. Gas Cylinder Group.
7. Bipod Group.
8. Receiver Group.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-6 / PDF 19)}

The open bolt position.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-13 / PDF 33)}

1. Feeding
2. Chambering
3. Locking
4. Firing
5. Unlocking
6. Extracting
7. Cocking
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-16 / PDF 35)}

Adjustments for windage are made by traversing the rear sight right and left along the sliding scale.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-17 / PDF 37)}

Adjustments for elevation (range) require the automatic rifleman to turn the elevation knob (closest to the buttstock) on the rear sight to the desired range setting.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-17 / PDF 37)}

1. Shoulder.
2. Hip.
3. Underarm.
_{(FM 3-22.68 Jan 2003 / 1-1 / PDF 8)}

1. It has a regulator to change the rate of fire.
2. It is fed by M16 magazines as well as belt fed.