Machine gun M240: Overview

The single machine gun M240g (USA) was developed in 1950 by the Belgian company Fabrique Nationale and quickly became widely used around the world. The reason for the popularity of weapons lies in the special simplicity and reliability of the design, the possibility of effective combat in a variety of conditions.

Design features

The M240 machine gun was developed on the basis of gas removal automation, which was commissioned by the famous inventor John Browning in the middle of the last century and was originally used in rifles of the brand FN MAG. The only difference between these systems is the use of an inverted "upside-down" locking unit, replacing the magazine supply of weapons with cartridges on a tape.

Receiver

The M240 machine gun contains a barrel identical to the quick-fire weapon of the Browning brand. Steel sidewalls are set on the lower plate and fixed with rivets. The front part of the mechanism is reinforced, which facilitates the placement of the front lock and the installation of the gas chamber. In this case, these elements can not be disassembled in the field after the factory equipment.

M240g - machine guns, in which the gate guides are connected by rivets with sidewalls and curved downwards. Such a construction contributes to the effective engagement of the support arm and the locking lever of the receiver.

The M240 machine gun has a quick-detachable barrel, on which is located a handle designed to transport weapons, a quick replacement for an overheated muzzle system. Here, too, is a fly on a high base and a flame arrester.

The barrel is fed from cartridges, usually of loose character. The way of supply of ammunition in the chamber is direct.

Shock mechanism

The M240 machine gun is equipped with a gas outlet that is located under the barrel and has a regulator with which to control the rate of fire. Locking is due to the operation of a special rocker arm. The latter is mounted on the bolt and is connected to the piston rod of the gas piston. During the locking of the shock system, the lever engages with the saddle, rotates down in the bottom of the receiver and propels the bolt.

Cartridge feeding system

In the upper part of the case the M240 machine gun contains a spring-loaded roller, thanks to the work of which the ammunition supply system is activated. If the roller does not fall into the feed channel when the gate mechanism is moved to the rear position, the subsequent stage of the cartridges is not delivered. The implementation of this principle completely excludes the occurrence of any violations in the progress and supply of ammunition.

Equipment

In the basic assembly, the M240 machine gun is equipped with a pistol-type handle with a trigger mechanism, a foldable lightweight bipod based on a gas outlet block, a plastic or wooden butt.

The bottom of the receiver contains fasteners in the form of steel stamped parts, which serve as a mount for the installation of a machine gun on self-propelled machinery. In the upper part there is an open sighting system. The latest modifications are equipped with a specific guide, which allows you to install on the weapon almost any optical sights.

Eventually

Due to the ease of use and maintenance, the American M240 machine gun has the status of one of the most common quick-fire weapons in the world. In fact, the design of the model is only slightly different from its prototype FN MAG, developed back in the 50s. However, this does not prevent the M240 machine gun from remaining highly reliable, safe in operation and in demand weapons.