The FN MAG (or MAG-58) is a machine gun manufactured by Fabrique Nationale (FN), Belgium. It was developed in the 1950s, in production since 1958, and has become a widely adopted 7.62 mm NATO-firing machine gun, used by more than 20 countries. MAG stands for Mitrailleuse d'Appui General, translated as 'general purpose machine gun' (GPMG).
Design
Chambered for the 7.62 x 51 mm NATO cartridge, the MAG uses a locking system similar to that of the Browning Automatic Rifle and has made use of some other work by John Browning who had worked on other, earlier designs in Belgium. The downward locking bolt drives the belt feed system, which is a similar type to that of the MG42, itself borrowing it from an earlier design. They are, however, not identical: the MAG works with the standard NATO belt type, which was a capability not added until a 1968 redesign of the MG3, a descendant of the MG42. The MG42 also influenced the MAG's trigger mechanism.
The FN MAG has proven to be extremely reliable under all conditions. In U.S. Army testing it could fire, on average, 26,000 rounds until a failure (such as a part breaking). Mean rounds to a stoppage was lower.
One popular feature of this weapon is that the barrels can be switched very quickly; indeed during sustained usage, a well trained crew can swap to a fresh barrel within about three seconds, and are technically supposed to do so after every second 220 round belt during sustained fire in order to prevent overheating. In practise, this is often skipped, with no detriment to the weapon. During the Falklands War British Paratroopers participating in the assault on Goose Green were forced to fire over eight thousand rounds through individual barrels without significant pause or opportunity to change them. The result was muzzles glowing red hot, but the weapons still proving effective.
Chambered for the 7.62 x 51 mm NATO cartridge, the MAG uses a locking system similar to that of the Browning Automatic Rifle and has made use of some other work by John Browning who had worked on other, earlier designs in Belgium. The downward locking bolt drives the belt feed system, which is a similar type to that of the MG42, itself borrowing it from an earlier design. They are, however, not identical: the MAG works with the standard NATO belt type, which was a capability not added until a 1968 redesign of the MG3, a descendant of the MG42. The MG42 also influenced the MAG's trigger mechanism.
The FN MAG has proven to be extremely reliable under all conditions. In U.S. Army testing it could fire, on average, 26,000 rounds until a failure (such as a part breaking). Mean rounds to a stoppage was lower.
One popular feature of this weapon is that the barrels can be switched very quickly; indeed during sustained usage, a well trained crew can swap to a fresh barrel within about three seconds, and are technically supposed to do so after every second 220 round belt during sustained fire in order to prevent overheating. In practise, this is often skipped, with no detriment to the weapon. During the Falklands War British Paratroopers participating in the assault on Goose Green were forced to fire over eight thousand rounds through individual barrels without significant pause or opportunity to change them. The result was muzzles glowing red hot, but the weapons still proving effective.
Operation
The weapon is cleared by pulling the charging handle to lock the piston assembly to the rear, pushing the safety button to safe, opening the feed cover, sweeping away any rounds or links, and lifting the feed tray to inspect the bolt. If a live round is on the bolt face, it is knocked loose. If there is a round in the chamber, and the weapon is hot (from firing), the soldier must move his face away from the weapon to prevent injury in event of the round cooking-off. If a cook-off is likely, the best course of action is to slam the feed cover shut, put the weapon to fire, and squeeze the trigger to fire off the round. Some militaries prescribe this course of action as an automatic drill, or variations thereof.
Loading the weapon is performed by pulling the charging handle to the rear, locking the piston assembly to the rear, placing the weapon on safe and then pushing the charging handle forwards. The feed tray cover is then lifted and rounds are laid against the feed stop on the feed tray. The feed cover is then closed and the weapon is ready for operation. In some armies, however; such as the Canadian Forces, it is broked down into two drills: the load and the ready. The load drill is to cant the weapon to the right (helps with keeping the rounds properly seated on the tray), lift the feed cover, place the rounds on the feed tray, close the feed cover, and bring the weapon upright. To ready the weapon: bring it into the shoulder, cock the weapon, and put it on safe.
The weapon is cleared by pulling the charging handle to lock the piston assembly to the rear, pushing the safety button to safe, opening the feed cover, sweeping away any rounds or links, and lifting the feed tray to inspect the bolt. If a live round is on the bolt face, it is knocked loose. If there is a round in the chamber, and the weapon is hot (from firing), the soldier must move his face away from the weapon to prevent injury in event of the round cooking-off. If a cook-off is likely, the best course of action is to slam the feed cover shut, put the weapon to fire, and squeeze the trigger to fire off the round. Some militaries prescribe this course of action as an automatic drill, or variations thereof.
Loading the weapon is performed by pulling the charging handle to the rear, locking the piston assembly to the rear, placing the weapon on safe and then pushing the charging handle forwards. The feed tray cover is then lifted and rounds are laid against the feed stop on the feed tray. The feed cover is then closed and the weapon is ready for operation. In some armies, however; such as the Canadian Forces, it is broked down into two drills: the load and the ready. The load drill is to cant the weapon to the right (helps with keeping the rounds properly seated on the tray), lift the feed cover, place the rounds on the feed tray, close the feed cover, and bring the weapon upright. To ready the weapon: bring it into the shoulder, cock the weapon, and put it on safe.
Gas setting
The rate of fire may be controlled by three different settings. The first setting allows the weapon to cycle at 750 round/min. The two remaining settings increase the rate of fire by 100 round/min per setting — second setting being 850 round/min and third setting, 950 round/min). These settings are changed by turning the gas regulator using the C-tool provided. It is generally performed before missions, as changing the setting is distracting at best under field or combat conditions. In event of sluggish operation due to fouling, the gas regulator is usually turned two positions up in situ to provide more gas for reliable operation. This operation is usually done by the assistant gunner, on instruction by the gunner. As well the barrels, gas plugs, and gas regulators are matched to a given machine gun, and mixing parts with other barrels or guns may cause gas stoppages. Having the gas setting too high when using blanks may cause stoppages where the cartridges get bent and jammed. An indication of this is usually a hard extraction, and an inspection of the round will show a dent in the side of the cartridge. This stoppage is most common with using blanks, and like all other stoppages hardly ever occurs on a well maintained gun when using ball and tracer ammunition. Proper preparation of the MG is to set the head space and timing for each barrel. For example, on some barrels the default gas setting may be on "2" in order for the piston assembly to be driven the proper distance to the rear.
The rate of fire may be controlled by three different settings. The first setting allows the weapon to cycle at 750 round/min. The two remaining settings increase the rate of fire by 100 round/min per setting — second setting being 850 round/min and third setting, 950 round/min). These settings are changed by turning the gas regulator using the C-tool provided. It is generally performed before missions, as changing the setting is distracting at best under field or combat conditions. In event of sluggish operation due to fouling, the gas regulator is usually turned two positions up in situ to provide more gas for reliable operation. This operation is usually done by the assistant gunner, on instruction by the gunner. As well the barrels, gas plugs, and gas regulators are matched to a given machine gun, and mixing parts with other barrels or guns may cause gas stoppages. Having the gas setting too high when using blanks may cause stoppages where the cartridges get bent and jammed. An indication of this is usually a hard extraction, and an inspection of the round will show a dent in the side of the cartridge. This stoppage is most common with using blanks, and like all other stoppages hardly ever occurs on a well maintained gun when using ball and tracer ammunition. Proper preparation of the MG is to set the head space and timing for each barrel. For example, on some barrels the default gas setting may be on "2" in order for the piston assembly to be driven the proper distance to the rear.
Changing barrels
The barrels can be exchanged rapidly, thanks to a barrel release button located on the left side of the weapon. The weapon is cleared first and then the button is held down, while the barrel's carrying handle is moved from the right side of the weapon to the center, unlocking it from the receiver. At this point, the barrel is pushed down and forward to remove it from the receiver, and placed to the side on a clean heat resistant surface. Ammo can lids work well for this making a V shape from the lids to prevent rolling. The new barrel is inspected for obstructions, inserted into the receiver, and then the carrying handle is shifted to the right, locking it into place. Take special care to not lift up on the carrying handle release button while locking or unlocking the barrel in place. When the carrying handle is rotated to lock the barrel in place, there should be distinct clicking sounds. A good gun crew will count and know how many clicks their barrels are supposed to make.
During prolonged firing, care must be taken to not allow exposed skin to come in contact with the weapon. The barrels can become hot enough to inflict second degree burns instantly without becoming visibly different. However, such barrels glow brightly to anyone using any sort of night-vision device. In winter use, care must also be taken not to let the removed barrel lay on bare snow, as it will melt its way through that in a very short time, causing some embarrassment, or worse, when the replacement barrel is lost in the snow.
Note: The FN MAG does not have a bolt, but a breach block assembly. When it comes forward it does not lock into the barrel such as the 5.56mm Minimi, therefor the barrels may be removed without the weapon being cocked. Some armies still prefer to cock the weapon and put it on safe after carrying out a complete unload to maintain the same drills as using the Minimi.
Type General Purpose Machine Gun Place of origin Belgium Service history Used by See Operators Wars South African Border War,Falklands War,Gulf War,2003 Iraq conflict Production history Designer Ernest Vervier Designed 1950s Manufacturer Fabrique Nationale (FN) Produced 1955— Variants British L7 and L8, M240 (US) Specifications Weight 10.15 kg Length 1231 mm Barrel length 546 mm
The barrels can be exchanged rapidly, thanks to a barrel release button located on the left side of the weapon. The weapon is cleared first and then the button is held down, while the barrel's carrying handle is moved from the right side of the weapon to the center, unlocking it from the receiver. At this point, the barrel is pushed down and forward to remove it from the receiver, and placed to the side on a clean heat resistant surface. Ammo can lids work well for this making a V shape from the lids to prevent rolling. The new barrel is inspected for obstructions, inserted into the receiver, and then the carrying handle is shifted to the right, locking it into place. Take special care to not lift up on the carrying handle release button while locking or unlocking the barrel in place. When the carrying handle is rotated to lock the barrel in place, there should be distinct clicking sounds. A good gun crew will count and know how many clicks their barrels are supposed to make.
During prolonged firing, care must be taken to not allow exposed skin to come in contact with the weapon. The barrels can become hot enough to inflict second degree burns instantly without becoming visibly different. However, such barrels glow brightly to anyone using any sort of night-vision device. In winter use, care must also be taken not to let the removed barrel lay on bare snow, as it will melt its way through that in a very short time, causing some embarrassment, or worse, when the replacement barrel is lost in the snow.
Note: The FN MAG does not have a bolt, but a breach block assembly. When it comes forward it does not lock into the barrel such as the 5.56mm Minimi, therefor the barrels may be removed without the weapon being cocked. Some armies still prefer to cock the weapon and put it on safe after carrying out a complete unload to maintain the same drills as using the Minimi.
Type General Purpose Machine Gun Place of origin Belgium Service history Used by See Operators Wars South African Border War,Falklands War,Gulf War,2003 Iraq conflict Production history Designer Ernest Vervier Designed 1950s Manufacturer Fabrique Nationale (FN) Produced 1955— Variants British L7 and L8, M240 (US) Specifications Weight 10.15 kg Length 1231 mm Barrel length 546 mm
Cartridge 7.62 × 51 mm NATO Caliber 7.62 mm (.308 in) Action gas-operated long piston Rate of fire 850 rounds/min Effective range 800 m (with bipod),on tripod 1800m (tracer burnout) Maximum range 2500m map predicted fire using dial sight Feed system Belt fed
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