Fact file: FN MAG GPMG

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The FN MAG is a 7.62x51mm calibre general purpose machine gun designed by Ernest Vervier at Fabrique Nationale (FN) at Herstal in Belgium in the early 1950s.

The weapon’s name is an abbreviation for Mitrailleuse d’Appui Général, meaning general purpose machine gun (GPMG). The wikipedia notes the weapon has been used by more than 80 countries, and it has been made under licence in countries such as Argentina, Egypt, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The weapon has been in service with the South African military for many years. In the South African Army it is largely used by the infantry as the main automatic weapon of the dismounted section.

 

Type:

Air-cooled, gas-operated, belt-fed general purpose machine gun

Number in service:

Cost:

Associated project names: –

Manufacturer:

Calibre:

7.62×51 NATO.

Mass:

10.85kg (weapon), 10.5kg (tripod).

Magazine capacity:

Unlimited (belt fed); 100 round pear-shaped pouch in general use, 200-round disintegrating link metal belts common.

Barrel length:

0.545m.

Length:

1.255m.

Muzzle velocity:

850m/s.

Rate of fire:

700-1000rpm.

Effective range:

800m on bipod, 1400m on tripod.

Comment:

The MAG uses a gas operating system derived from the US Browning Automatic Rifle and a feeding mechanism copied from the German MG42. An excellent weapon.