FN MAG

"L7A1" and "L7A2" redirect here. For the tank gun, see Royal Ordnance L7.
For the hoax, see Konspiration 58.
MAG

FN MAG fitted with the C79 optical sight.
Type General-purpose machine gun
Place of origin Belgium
Service history
In service 1958-present
Used by See Users
Wars Congo Crisis
Indonesian Confrontation
Rhodesian Bush War
South African Border War
Namibian War of Independence
Six-Day War
Vietnam War
War of Attrition
Yom Kippur War
The Troubles
Falklands War
Gulf War
2003 Iraq conflict
Afghanistan Conflict
Cambodian–Thai border dispute
Libyan Civil War
Production history
Designer Ernest Vervier
Designed 1950s
Manufacturer Fabrique Nationale (FN)
U.S. Ordnance
Produced 1958–present
Number built 200,000[1]
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Weight 11.79 kg (25.99 lb)
Length 1,263 mm (49.7 in)
Barrel length 630 mm (24.8 in)
Width 118.7 mm (4.7 in)
Height 263 mm (10.4 in)
Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO
Action Gas-operated, open bolt
Rate of fire 650–1,000 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 840 m/s (2,756 ft/s)
Effective firing range 800 m
Maximum firing range 1,800 m from tripod
Feed system Non-disintegrating DM1 or disintegrating M13 linked belt
Sights Folding leaf sight with aperture and notch, front blade

The FN MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale (FN) by Ernest Vervier. It has been used by more than 80 countries, and it has been made under licence in several countries, including Argentina, Egypt, India and the United Kingdom.[2]

The weapon's name is an abbreviation for Mitrailleuse d'Appui Général,[3] meaning general-purpose machine gun (GPMG). The MAG is available in three primary versions: the standard, infantry Model 60-20 machine gun, the Model 60-40 coaxial machine gun for armoured fighting vehicles and the Model 60-30 aircraft variant.

Design details

A U.S. Marine firing the British L7A2 version of the MAG.
An FN MAG mounted on a Eurocopter EC 725 Cougar MkII at the 2007 Paris Air Show held at Le Bourget airport.

The MAG Model 60-20 is an automatic, air-cooled, gas-operated machine gun, firing belt-fed 7.62×51mm NATO from an open bolt.

Operating mechanism

The MAG uses ignited powder gases vented through a port in the barrel to propel a gas piston rod connected to the locking assembly (it uses a long-stroke piston system). The barrel breech is locked with a vertically tilting, downward locking lever mechanism that is connected to the bolt carrier through an articulated joint. The locking shoulder and camming surfaces that guide the locking lever are located at the base of the receiver. The MAG uses a series of proven design concepts from other successful firearms, for example the locking mechanism is modeled on that of the Browning M1918 (BAR) automatic rifle, and the feed and trigger mechanisms are from the WWII-era MG42 universal machine gun.[4]

Diagram of long-stroke gas operation system

The MAG fires from an open bolt. Both the spring-powered extractor and ejector are contained in the bolt. After firing, spent cartridge casings are removed through an ejection port located at the base of the receiver (a spring-loaded dust cover of the MG42 type covers the ejection port). The machine gun has a striker firing mechanism (the bolt carrier acts as the striker as it contains a channel that houses the firing pin, which protrudes out from the surface of the bolt upon firing), an automatic-only trigger assembly and a manual cross-bolt push-button safety, which is located above the pistol grip. With the safety placed in the safe setting, the sear mechanism is disabled. The safety can only be engaged with the weapon cocked.[5]

Features

The weapon feeds from the left side from open-link, metal ammunition belts: either the American disintegrating M13 belt (NATO standard) or the segmented German DM1 belt, whose 50-round sections can be linked through a cartridge. In order to adapt the weapon to feed from one belt type to the other, several components of the feed mechanism need to be reconfigured since the position of the feed tray's cartridge stop and pawl angles in the top cover are different. The MAG features a pawl-type feeding mechanism that continues to move the feed link during both the rearward and forward cycles of the reciprocating bolt carrier, producing a smooth belt flow. The feeding mechanism's three pawls are actuated by a roller connected to the bolt carrier. The feed channel rail, feed link, both feed slides and the feed tray are chrome plated. The top cover body is an anodized aluminum casting. In the infantry assault role, the weapon can be fitted with a sheet metal container that houses a 50-round belt and is attached to the left side of the receiver.[5]

The quick-change barrel has a slotted flash suppressor. The barrel's chamber and bore are chromium-lined and the barrel has four right-hand grooves with a 305 mm (1:12 in) rifling twist rate. Also attached to the barrel is the front sight base, carry handle and gas block (equipped with an exhaust-type gas regulator valve with three settings).[5]

The machine gun is fitted with a folding bipod (attached to the end of the gas cylinder) that can be adjusted for height. For carrying or use as a forearm, the aluminum legs can be folded back and secured in slots under the receiver by hooks and a spring-loaded catch. When firing from the hip, the bipod legs remain extended and the left leg is gripped for support. The bipod can be removed from the gas cylinder by tapping-out a roll pin in the gas cylinder head until it is flush and the bipod can be rotated enough to clear the gas cylinder's retaining lugs.[5]

The MAG is also equipped with a fixed wooden stock, pistol grip, carrying handle and iron sights that consist of a forward blade (adjustable mechanically for both windage and elevation) and a folding leaf rear sight with an aperture in the down position for firing distances from 200 to 800 m in 100 m increments and an open U-notch for ranges from 800 to 1,800 m graduated every 100 m. The rear sight is hinged to a base with protective ears that is integral with the receiver's upper forging.

The MAG's receiver is constructed from sheet metal stampings reinforced by steel plates and rivets. The front is reinforced to accept the barrel nut and gas cylinder which are permanently mounted. Guide rails that support the bolt assembly and piston extension during their reciprocating movement are riveted to the side plates. The bolt's guide rails are shaped downward to drive the locking lever into engagement with the locking shoulder, which is also riveted to the side plates. The rear of the receiver has been reinforced and slotted to accept the butt-stock.[5]

In the static machine gun role, the weapon is mounted on a tripod that offers a higher degree of accuracy and control than the bipod, for example the FN 360° tripod, which features an elevation adjustment mechanism that enables the weapon's bore axis to be maintained from 300 mm (11.8 in) to 600 mm (23.6 in), has a 30° to +15° elevation change and a 360° traverse range.

Variants

FN production variants

The Type 74 machine gun, a Taiwanese version of the MAG.
7.62 Metralladora Tipo 60-20 MAG, Argentine version of the FN MAG used by the Argentine Army.
Designation Description
MAG 60.20 Standard infantry version with pistol grip, fixed buttstock, and bipod; Many subvariants including the T3 (L7A1) and T6 (L7A2)
MAG 60.30 Fixed aircraft version, firing from a solenoid trigger; Capable, at least in some subvariants, of left and right hand feeding
MAG 60.40 Coaxial version for armoured fighting vehicles; Many subvariants including the T3 (M240)
MAG 10.10 Jungle version with shorter barrel and buttstock.

The vehicle-mounted variant of the MAG lacks a stock, bipod, carry handle, pistol grip, ejection port dust cover and a mount for optical sights. It does, however, have a new closed-type gas regulator. Depending on the weapon's employment, the machine gun can also be fitted with an extended charging handle linkage, standard trigger group (with a pistol grip), or a specialized trigger assembly with an electrically fired trigger.

The pintle-mounted aircraft model is fed from either the right- or left-hand side exclusively with the M13 belt. Thus configured, weapons typically lack standard iron sights and are equipped with electrically powered triggers.

British subvariants

Designation Description
L7A1 7.62×51mm NATO FN MAG 60.20 T3 machine gun.
L7A2 L7A1 variant; FN MAG 60.20 T6; Improved feed mechanism and provision for 50 round belt-box.
L8A1 L7A1 variant; For mounting inside AFVs. No buttstock. Barrel fitted with fume extractor. Solenoid-triggered, but with folding pistol grip for emergency use.
L8A2 L8A1 variant; improved feed mechanism.
L19A1 L7A1 variant; extra-heavy barrel.
L20A1 L7A1 variant; for remote firing in gun pods and external mountings.
L20A2 L20A1 variant; improved feed mechanism.
L37A1 L8A1 variant; L8A1 breech & L7 barrel for mounting on AFVs. Conventional pistol grip and trigger, plus kit allowing dismounted use.
L37A2 L37A1 variant; L8A2 based. As above.
L43A1 L7A1 variant; for use as a ranging gun on the Scorpion light tank
L44A1 L20A1 variant; for Royal Navy
L112A1 L7A2 variant; for mounting on Lynx Helicopter

The L7 general-purpose machine gun is used by the British Army.[6] The L7 and the related L8 are license-built derivatives of the MAG. The official British Army designation for the current version is the L7A2 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun). The L7 was adopted by the British forces as a replacement for the long-serving Vickers machine gun (in the medium role) and the Bren (in the light assault role), following trials in 1957. Built under license originally by Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock and currently by Manroy Engineering,[7] it serves in the British Army, the Royal Marines and other services. There have been two main variants, the L7A1 and L7A2, developed for infantry use, with the L7A2 having superseded the earlier variant. Several other variants have been developed, notably the L8 (produced in the L8A1 and L8A2 versions), modified for mounting inside armoured vehicles (the L37 variant was developed for mounting on armoured vehicles). Although intended to replace the Bren entirely, that light machine gun (re-titled as the L4) continued in use in jungle terrain (especially in the Far East), where there was no requirement for the medium machine gun role, and with secondary units, until the adoption of the L86A1 Light Support Weapon (LSW). The LSW was intended to replace both the L7 and the L4 in the light machine gun role, but dissatisfaction with the L86's sustained fire capabilities and reliability resulted in combat units continuing to utilize the L7 whenever possible (although neither it, nor its 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition were supposed to be issued to infantry platoons). The British Army and Royal Marines have since been issued with the L110A2 (FN Minimi Para) to replace the LSW as the light section support or fire support weapon. This uses the same NATO-standard 5.56×45mm ammunition as the L85 assault rifle. However, 7.62 mm L7 variants continue to be used in both dismounted roles and mounted on some British military vehicles, naval vessels, and aircraft.

In 1961, the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield (now BAE Systems) in the United Kingdom, undertook license production of the MAG in the following versions: L7A2, L8A2, L37A2, L20A1 and the L43A1. These models all use the M13 ammunition belt.

The L7A2, general-purpose machine gun, replaced the L7A1 in service with the British Army. Compared to the MAG Model 60-20, it features, among other minor changes, a 10-position gas regulator valve, a plastic butt-stock and a bracket, used to mount optical day- and night-vision sights, mounted to the left side of the receiver. In a stationary defensive role, the L7A2 can be mounted on the L4A1 tripod in conjunction with a periscope sight.

The L8A2 coaxial tank machine gun (replaced the L8A1) has a different gas valve switch (closed, single-position), when compared to the analogous Model 60-40, a different flash hider and a modified cocking handle. The weapon also has a trigger group that accepts electrical input and a lever in the feed tray that enables the belt to be removed without lifting the feed tray cover.

Another tank machine gun is the L37A2 (succeeded the L37A1) designed to be mounted on tank turrets, in the commander's position, on wheeled armoured vehicles and on armored personnel carriers. It differs from the L8A2 primarily in its trigger, which was adapted from the L7A2 GPMG. The machine gun can be used in the ground role for self-defense, by dismounted vehicle crew members, the egress kit consists of an L7A2 barrel, bipod and buttstock.

The L20A1 aircraft machine gun was based on the L8A2, from which it differs by having an electrical trigger and a slotted flash suppressor. The L20A1 can be converted to right-hand feed by changing several components in the feed mechanism.

The L43A1, also developed from the L8A2, is a coaxially mounted tank machine gun used to sight-in the vehicle's main gun by firing ballistically matched tracer ammunition at the target to confirm the trajectory visually. The weapon's barrel, fitted with a flash hider, has a reinforced and heavier structure that increases the weapon's accuracy especially during sustained fire.

Swedish Army variants

All versions are licence-manufactured by FFV-Carl Gustaf. The Swedish abbreviation for "kulspruta" (machine gun, lit. "bullet sprayer") is "ksp". "Strv" is the abbreviation of "Stridsvagn" (battle tank).

Ksp 58B

Kulspruta 58: Ksp 58, adapted in 1958 using the 6.5×55mm Mauser rifle cartridge which at that time was the standard cartridge in the Swedish Army.

Kulspruta 58 B: In the early 1970s, the weapon was modified with a new gas regulator and at the same time the barrels were replaced to the new standard 7.62 NATO, same as used by the Ak 4. Ksp 58 replaced the considerably heavier Ksp m/42B in the infantry units.

Kulspruta 58 C: On Combat Vehicle 90, this version replaced the previously used Ksp m/39 in the third quarter of 2004.

Kulspruta 58 Strv: stripped variant mainly used for fixed mounting in tanks. Phased out along with Stridsvagn 103.

Kulspruta 58 D: Reserved designation for the renovated and modified Ksp 58B. The trial version is referred to as 'Ksp 58 DF', where the 'F' stands for 'Försök' (Experimental). Some of the modifications:[8]

USA

Main article: M240 machine gun
The heat shield on the M240B.
A US Marine Corps tripod-mounted M240G.
M240L paired with the lighter M192 tripod reducing system weight by 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg).

On January 14, 1977, the US Army awarded a contract to FN Herstal for the delivery of a modernized Model 60-40 variant tank machine gun designated the M240. Initially, the firearms were produced in Belgium. Currently they are manufactured in the USA by FN's US wholly owned subsidiary FNMI (FN Manufacturing Inc.) located in Columbia, South Carolina, and by U.S. Ordnance in McCarran, Nevada.

The M240 is built in several versions:

Users

An Australian soldier in Borneo manning a British L7A1 during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, 1965.
A sailor of a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion fires an M240B, a U.S. derivative of the MAG adopted for infantry use in the 1990s.
A Canadian soldier fires the C6 variant of the MAG.
IMI Negev (top) and two FN MAG (bottom)

See also

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "FN MAG® Standard - FN Herstal". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Hogg, Ian (2002). Jane's Guns Recognition Guide. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-00-712760-X.
  3. ↑ World Gun's FN MAG page. Retrieved on November 21, 2008.
  4. 1 2 "Modern Firearms - FN MAG". World.guns.ru. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Kokalis, Peter G. (March 1985). "Belgium's MAGnificent MG". Soldier of Fortune Magazine.
  6. ↑ "General Purpose Machine Gun". Army.mod.uk. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  7. ↑ Archived October 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ "Göta Vapenhistoriska Sällskapet". March 31, 2010.
  9. ↑ MAG 7.62 being used in military training exercises in Misiones, Argentina: http://www.infobae.com/adjuntos/imagenes/99/0079971B.jpg
  10. 1 2 3 Multiplying the Sources. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
  11. ↑ European arms exports to Latin America - An inventory. Retrieved on August 15, 2008.
  12. ↑ Archived October 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  13. ↑ "House Hansard 14 June 2005, p 209". Parlinfo.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  14. 1 2 7,62 mm Maschinengewehr FN MAG 58. Retrieved on April 2, 2008.
  15. ↑ BMLV - Presseabteilung - Referat Internet. "Österreichs Bundesheer - Waffen und Gerät - Turmdachmaschinengewehr MAG (für Leopard A4)" (in Dutch). Bmlv.gv.at. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. pp. 896–898. ISBN 0-7106-2869-2.
  17. ↑ "Landcomponent Onderwerp Bewapening MAG 7.62 mm" (in Dutch). Mil.be. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  18. ↑ Archived October 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  19. ↑ "Polícia Civil do Rio utiliza arma proibida pelo exército". Tribuna do Norte. 2013-05-14.
  20. ↑ "TC6 GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE-GUN". Army.forces.gc.ca. 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  21. ↑ "Canadian Small Arms – Automatic Rifles – A Visual Guide". Canadian American Strategic Review. Archived from the original on 2011-02-07. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gander, Terry J.; Hogg, Ian V. Jane's Infantry Weapons 1995/1996. Jane's Information Group; 21 edition (May 1995). ISBN 978-0-7106-1241-0.
  23. 1 2 Popenker, Maxim & Williams, Anthony G., page 41.
  24. ↑ http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?anno=2&depth=1&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com.ph&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://jczs.news.sina.com.cn/pc/2007-01-03/29/1239.html&usg=ALkJrhhryBsl-2EODvfCvbpm3nXvwqJBtQ
  25. ↑ http://danishairshow.dk/dk/aircrafts/aircraft/eh101-taktisk-troppetransport
  26. 1 2 Norman Friedman (January 1997). The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997-1998. Naval Institute Press. pp. 460–. ISBN 978-1-55750-268-1.
  27. ↑ "G3 Defence Magazine August 2010". En.calameo.com. 2010-08-04. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  28. ↑ "Eesti Kaitsevägi - Tehnika - Kuulipilduja KSP-58" (in Estonian). Mil.ee. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  29. ↑ "FN Herstal wins French Competition for 7.62 Machine Guns". Fnherstal.com. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  30. ↑ "Greece Ministry of Public Order Press Office: Special Anti-Terrorist Unit" (PDF). http://astynomia.gr - Official Website of the Hellenic Police. July 2004. Retrieved 2009-09-27. External link in |publisher= (help)
  31. ↑ "Kopassus & Kopaska - Specijalne Postrojbe Republike Indonezije" (in Croatian). Hrvatski Vojnik Magazine. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
  32. ↑ "Un repaso a las armas ligeras de Pindad" (in Spanish). ARMAS. Archived from the original on 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2010-07-05.
  33. ↑ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 359. ISBN 0-7106-2869-2.
  34. ↑ Army Weapons - General Purpose Machine Gun. Retrieved on April 2, 2008.
  35. ↑ "Modern Firearms: Negev machine gun". World.guns.ru. 2011-01-24. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  36. ↑ ncoicinnet. "Equipment - Weapons". Jdfmil.org. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  37. ↑ Special Operations Report -Spotlight Jordan
  38. ↑ Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  39. ↑ "Volstad Armies of the Gulf War". Gordon L. Rottman. 1993. p. 50.
  40. ↑
  41. ↑ "Lietuvos kariuomenė :: Ginkluotė ir karinė technika » Kulkosvaidžiai » Kulkosvaidis FN MAG" (in Lithuanian). Kariuomene.kam.lt. 2009-04-17. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  42. ↑ "Armement" (in French). Armee.lu. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  43. ↑ http://weaponsystems.net/weapon.php?weapon=AA06%20-%20MAG
  44. ↑ Giletta, Jacques (2005). Les Gardes Personnelles des Princes de Monaco (1st ed.). Taurus Editions. ISBN 2 912976-04-9.
  45. ↑ Ezell, Eward. Small Arms Today (Stackpole, 1988).
  46. ↑ "Mag, machinegeweer 7,62 mm" (in Dutch). Defensie.nl. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  47. ↑ "Machine Guns". Army.mil.nz. 2008-02-11. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  48. ↑ "Norwegian Armed Forces Adopt FN MINIMI™ Machine Gun". Fnherstal.com. 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  49. ↑ Cocks, Chris (2009). Fireforce: One Man's War in the Rhodesian Light Infantry. 30° South Publishers. p. 102. ISBN 0-9584890-9-2.
  50. ↑ Armor. U.S. Armor Association. 1996.
  51. ↑ "7.62 mm MAG Light Machine Gun". Slovenskavojska.si. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  52. ↑ http://www.infodefensa.com/es/2016/01/20/noticia-helicopteros-cougar-chinook-incorporaran-nuevas-ametralladoras-mag58.html
  53. ↑ Medeltung kulspruta 58. Retrieved on October 9, 2008. (Swedish)
  54. ↑ Henrik Svensk. "SoldF". SoldF. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  55. 1 2 Archived April 29, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.

Bibliography

  • Popenker, Maxim & Williams, Anthony G. (2008). Machine Gun. The Development of the Machine Gun from the Nineteenth Century to the Present Day. London: Crowood Press. ISBN 978-1-84797-030-5. 

External links

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