The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

FN MAG

The FN MAG is a Belgian gas operated, air cooled, quick change barrel, general purpose machine-gun produced from 1955. It is a very popular military weapon, having been adopted by over 80 countries and being built under license in Britain (as the L7A1 and L7A2), the USA, Argentina, Egypt, India and Singapore. It uses a gas-system operation similar to the BAR and a feed system adapted from the German MG42. The FN MAG is chambered for the 7.62 mm NATO cartridge and is belt fed, firing at a cyclic rate of 600 to 1000 rounds-per-minute at a muzzle velocity of 840 meters per second to an effective range of 1200 meters. The FN MAG has a 545 mm long barrel and is fitted with a blade foresight and an aperture/U notch rearsight. Various variants are also made for fitting to vehicles and helicopters.
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