The M249 SAW is a 5.56mm light support weapon, designed originally by the Belgium FN, It is adapted to fire rounds from either a belt fed box usaually carrying 200rounds of linked ammunition or from a standard M16 magazine consisting of usaually 30rounds, With a rate of fire at around 900rpm it makes a fast and versatile weapon in puting down quick and effective support fire, Adopted by many armies around the world some built under license by there own given designation, The British army had a consigment supplied during actions in the Gulf War II, this truly is a formidable weapon, Special Forces version are also available, minus a stock and a new provided forward pistol grip to enable steady fireing from the waist, also would normally be supplied with a shorter barrel, to see this weapon in action check out Black Hawk Down

In my opinion this is the greatest assult rifle ever created of our age, extremly accurate in the right hands the M4A1, colt commando or C.A.R 15 is easy to maintain, also the preferred choice of many elite forces including the SAS, Fireing the standard NATO 5.56mm FMJ, it makes a compact carbine capable of dropping a target at ranges up to 550m, although general combat action is usaually up to 220m making an incredably deadly weapon that fires at 800rpm cycle

The standard British Assult rifle, While one of the accurate rifles in the world at ranges up to 600m over the last few years this weapon has been plauged with problems, While here i can speak from experience, While out on manourves with the Army Cadets, our rifles became jammed when exposed to excess amounts of water as soldiers reported the same problems while faced with extreme heat and dust in kuwait and other hot desert style countries, The weapon itself is well design for short effective fire, the magazine is positioned to the rear of the pistol grip shortening the overall lenght of the rifle making it easier to use in more confined space, It fires the NATO 5.56mm round and carrys a 30 round magazine