Triggs' - FN Herstal M249 and Mk46/Mk48 Guide
Apr 5, 2011 3:02:30 GMT -5
Post by triggs (SABR) on Apr 5, 2011 3:02:30 GMT -5
This is a VERY quick overview of the various types and brands of the numerous FN Herstal M249 Light Machine Gun (LMG) variants available; I will be attempting to keep it up-to-date if possible.
There are 3 basic models available along with a few variations:
M249 Mk1 = No heat shield and a wire type stock. Also referred to as the FN Minimi
M249 Mk2 = The modern M249 with a heat shield and full stock similar to a M240B
M249 PARA = A short barreled M249 with heat shield and collapsible stock
M249 SPW = Similar to the PARA, but does not have a magwell for M4/M16 mags
Mk46 MOD0 = A modified M249 with no M16 magwell and a full Mk2 stock
Mk48 = Visually similar to a Mk46 except chambered for the larger 7.62x51mm
ARES (STAR) Mk2/PARA/Mk46 = Classic Army Clone
Price: $220 - $310
FPS: 330 - 350
Mags: Standard Classic Army M249 AEG high cap box mag (M249 series ONLY) and Proprietary ARES/STAR Mk46 AEG high cap box mag (Mk46 series ONLY)
Pros:
- Much more affordable than previous years
- Light weight due to plastic internals and externals
- Metal internals with plastic gearbox shells
- M249 series box mags are compatible with A&K/CA
- Mk46 series box mags are compatible with G&P
Cons:
- Plastic gearbox shells are a common failure point
- ABS externals can easily break
The ARES/STAR M249 series is commonly plagued with information on durability, with a 50/50 shot at complete failure or a functioning replica. They are however compatible with CA gearboxes so coupled with the ARES lightweight plastic body could be advantageous compared to others.
A&K Mk1/Mk2/PARA Automatic Electric Gun (AEG) = Classic Army Clone
Price: $280 - $350
FPS: 300 - 350
Mags: Standard Classic Army M249 AEG high cap box mag
Pros:
- Very affordable LMG
- Quick change spring guide for field adaptable FPS
- Solid externals and internals
Cons:
- Hop ups are known to have occasional problems from the factory but this is easily fixed
- Heavy, at about 20lbs loaded
- Tricky to load box mag
The A&K M249 series was, and is, the first affordable LMG line. Previously many had to turn to the expensive TOP series or G&P line to find a fieldable LMG. While the hop ups may have a few issues, there are a number of easy home modifications to fix it. Like the Classic Army M249, the box mag can be a bit of a challenge due to the design of the feeding port. For the price the A&K M249’s cannot be beat. However, their weight will keep many from using them.
Echo 1 Mk2/PARA Automatic Electric Gun (AEG) = Rebranded A&K
Price: $380 - $400
FPS: 300 - 350
Mags: Standard Classic Army M249 AEG high cap box mag
Pros:
- Same as A&K
Cons:
- Same as A&K
The Echo 1 M249’s are the same as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) A&K M249’s. Interestingly Echo 1 chose not to rebrand the Mk1 Minimi variant and only offers the Mk2 and PARA. The only notable difference is a 30 day warranty from Echo 1 for an extra $40 or so.
Classic Army Mk2/PARA = Original Design
Price: $470 - $550
FPS: 300 - 350
Mags: Standard Classic Army M249 AEG high cap box mag
Pros:
- Full metal, quality, internals and externals
- Full metal gearbox unlike the original STAR/ARES M249
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Tricky to load/reload new box mags
The Classic Army M249 follows the STAR/ARES M249 design rather than the G&P Mk46 design. However, unlike the STAR/ARES, it uses a metal gearbox shell instead of the commonly fragile plastic ones found in the STAR/ARES. Unfortunately, the metal comes at a high price. They are however; probably the nicest M249’s available.
G&P Mk2/PARA/Mk46 = Original Design
Price: $470 - $770
FPS: 380 - 400
Mags: Proprietary G&P M249/Mk46 AEG high cap box mag
Pros:
- Top quality internals and externals
- Full metal
- Standard version 2 gearbox
- Easily loaded box mag
- Offers the modern “Savit Corp” M249 Collapsible buttstock
Cons:
- Heavy like any LMG
- Based on the weaker version 2 gearbox unlike the CA “PGC” gearbox
- Extremely expensive
G&P is considered one of the top manufactures of airsoft guns. Their M249 line is no exception. However, the version 2 gearbox is a known poor design for high Rate of Fire (ROF) guns such as a LMG. They do however, make the nicest, and accurate Mk46.
TOP Mk1/Mk2/PARA = Original Design
Price: $640 - $1200
FPS: 280 - 300
Mags: Standard TOP M249 AEG high cap box mag
Pros:
- TOP “bellows” system which allows for sustained full-auto fire
- Box mags are compatible with Classic Army
- Lightweight
Cons:
- “Bellows” system is extremely fragile
- Aftermarket upgrades and parts are extremely hard to find
- Expensive
TOP is one of the premier airsoft machine gun manufacturers. However, they also come at a premier price. At a typical price tag of at least $1000 USD they are rarely seen as a fieldable rifle. The “bellows system” which allows for better sustained full automatic fire is also extremely fragile and can tear the “bellows” easily. When they work, they are the best of the best. However, finding replacement parts is difficult.
© Copyright triggs 2011
There are 3 basic models available along with a few variations:
M249 Mk1 = No heat shield and a wire type stock. Also referred to as the FN Minimi
M249 Mk2 = The modern M249 with a heat shield and full stock similar to a M240B
M249 PARA = A short barreled M249 with heat shield and collapsible stock
M249 SPW = Similar to the PARA, but does not have a magwell for M4/M16 mags
Mk46 MOD0 = A modified M249 with no M16 magwell and a full Mk2 stock
Mk48 = Visually similar to a Mk46 except chambered for the larger 7.62x51mm
ARES (STAR) Mk2/PARA/Mk46 = Classic Army Clone
Price: $220 - $310
FPS: 330 - 350
Mags: Standard Classic Army M249 AEG high cap box mag (M249 series ONLY) and Proprietary ARES/STAR Mk46 AEG high cap box mag (Mk46 series ONLY)
Pros:
- Much more affordable than previous years
- Light weight due to plastic internals and externals
- Metal internals with plastic gearbox shells
- M249 series box mags are compatible with A&K/CA
- Mk46 series box mags are compatible with G&P
Cons:
- Plastic gearbox shells are a common failure point
- ABS externals can easily break
The ARES/STAR M249 series is commonly plagued with information on durability, with a 50/50 shot at complete failure or a functioning replica. They are however compatible with CA gearboxes so coupled with the ARES lightweight plastic body could be advantageous compared to others.
A&K Mk1/Mk2/PARA Automatic Electric Gun (AEG) = Classic Army Clone
Price: $280 - $350
FPS: 300 - 350
Mags: Standard Classic Army M249 AEG high cap box mag
Pros:
- Very affordable LMG
- Quick change spring guide for field adaptable FPS
- Solid externals and internals
Cons:
- Hop ups are known to have occasional problems from the factory but this is easily fixed
- Heavy, at about 20lbs loaded
- Tricky to load box mag
The A&K M249 series was, and is, the first affordable LMG line. Previously many had to turn to the expensive TOP series or G&P line to find a fieldable LMG. While the hop ups may have a few issues, there are a number of easy home modifications to fix it. Like the Classic Army M249, the box mag can be a bit of a challenge due to the design of the feeding port. For the price the A&K M249’s cannot be beat. However, their weight will keep many from using them.
Echo 1 Mk2/PARA Automatic Electric Gun (AEG) = Rebranded A&K
Price: $380 - $400
FPS: 300 - 350
Mags: Standard Classic Army M249 AEG high cap box mag
Pros:
- Same as A&K
Cons:
- Same as A&K
The Echo 1 M249’s are the same as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) A&K M249’s. Interestingly Echo 1 chose not to rebrand the Mk1 Minimi variant and only offers the Mk2 and PARA. The only notable difference is a 30 day warranty from Echo 1 for an extra $40 or so.
Classic Army Mk2/PARA = Original Design
Price: $470 - $550
FPS: 300 - 350
Mags: Standard Classic Army M249 AEG high cap box mag
Pros:
- Full metal, quality, internals and externals
- Full metal gearbox unlike the original STAR/ARES M249
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Tricky to load/reload new box mags
The Classic Army M249 follows the STAR/ARES M249 design rather than the G&P Mk46 design. However, unlike the STAR/ARES, it uses a metal gearbox shell instead of the commonly fragile plastic ones found in the STAR/ARES. Unfortunately, the metal comes at a high price. They are however; probably the nicest M249’s available.
G&P Mk2/PARA/Mk46 = Original Design
Price: $470 - $770
FPS: 380 - 400
Mags: Proprietary G&P M249/Mk46 AEG high cap box mag
Pros:
- Top quality internals and externals
- Full metal
- Standard version 2 gearbox
- Easily loaded box mag
- Offers the modern “Savit Corp” M249 Collapsible buttstock
Cons:
- Heavy like any LMG
- Based on the weaker version 2 gearbox unlike the CA “PGC” gearbox
- Extremely expensive
G&P is considered one of the top manufactures of airsoft guns. Their M249 line is no exception. However, the version 2 gearbox is a known poor design for high Rate of Fire (ROF) guns such as a LMG. They do however, make the nicest, and accurate Mk46.
TOP Mk1/Mk2/PARA = Original Design
Price: $640 - $1200
FPS: 280 - 300
Mags: Standard TOP M249 AEG high cap box mag
Pros:
- TOP “bellows” system which allows for sustained full-auto fire
- Box mags are compatible with Classic Army
- Lightweight
Cons:
- “Bellows” system is extremely fragile
- Aftermarket upgrades and parts are extremely hard to find
- Expensive
TOP is one of the premier airsoft machine gun manufacturers. However, they also come at a premier price. At a typical price tag of at least $1000 USD they are rarely seen as a fieldable rifle. The “bellows system” which allows for better sustained full automatic fire is also extremely fragile and can tear the “bellows” easily. When they work, they are the best of the best. However, finding replacement parts is difficult.
© Copyright triggs 2011