A single machine gun M240g (USA) was developed in 1950 by the Belgian company Fabrique Nationale and quickly became widespread throughout the world. The reason for the popularity of weapons lies in the particular 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 exhaust automation, which was commissioned by eminent inventor John Browning in the middle of the last century and was originally used in FN MAG rifles. The only difference between these systems is the use of an inverted “upside down” locking unit, replacing the magazine’s store supply of cartridges with tape.
Receiver
The M240 machine gun contains a receiver that is identical to the Browning brand of rapid-fire weapons. Steel sidewalls are mounted on the bottom plate and secured with rivets. The front of the mechanism is reinforced, which contributes to the placement of the front lock and the installation of a gas chamber. At the same time, these elements cannot be disassembled in the field after factory equipment.
M240g - machine guns in which the shutter guides are riveted to the sidewalls and bent down. This design 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 there is a handle designed to transport weapons, and quickly replace an overheated muzzle system. It also contains a fly on a high base and a flame arrester.
The barrel is powered by cartridges made of metal tape, usually of a loose nature. The method of supplying ammunition in the chamber is direct.
Shock mechanism
The M240 machine gun is equipped with a gas outlet unit, which is located under the barrel and has a regulator, with the help of which the rate of fire is controlled. Locking occurs due to the operation of a special swinging lever. The latter is mounted on the valve and connected to the rod of the gas piston. During the locking of the shock system, the lever engages with the caliper, turns down in the bottom of the receiver and props the bolt.
Ammo feed system
In the upper part of the body, the M240 machine gun contains a spring-loaded roller, due to the operation of which the ammunition supply system is activated. If the roller does not fall into the power channel when moving the bolt mechanism to the rear position, the next stage of cartridge delivery is not carried out. The implementation of this principle completely eliminates the occurrence of any violations during the promotion and supply of ammunition.
Equipment
In the basic assembly, the M240 machine gun is equipped with a pistol grip with a trigger mechanism, a folding lightweight bipod based on a gas outlet block, a plastic or wooden butt.
The bottom of the receiver contains mounts in the form of stamped steel parts that serve as a mount for installing 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 almost any optical sights on the weapon.
Eventually
Due to the ease of use and maintenance, the American M240 machine gun has the status of one of the most common rapid-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 1950s. However, this does not prevent the M240 machine gun from remaining highly reliable, safe to use and in high demand with weapons.