#SAW

Welcome back to another TFB review. This week, I wanted to take a look at a grail gun that I have always wanted since I was a young man watching action films. There are some firearms that are just the definition of cool factor and even though you won't be able to buy them, they still can be idolized in your head. Late last year, I decided I was going to go for it and pursue my childhood dream of owning a SAW, even if it's the 249S version. I have had this rifle for a few months now and have had some time to get behind it. Let's take a closer look at the FN M249 SAW.

As the army adopts new weapons, I am curious about other systems that have been proposed and tested in the past, which led me to the XM106. The U.S. Army's experience revealed significant shortcomings in the infantry squad’s firepower during the Vietnam War. The challenges encountered in Vietnam prompted a reevaluation of infantry small arms, resulting in various studies and programs to enhance infantry lethality.

In 1957, the M14 rifle and M60 machine gun were adopted. The M14 program, which aimed to develop the M15 squad automatic rifle, was canceled in 1959. Later, the M14E2 was introduced as an interim solution to provide the infantry squads with a suitable solution. The United States Army Infantry School developed the M14E2 concept as a squad automatic weapon. This variant was issued in 1963, redesignated as M14A1 in 1966, and saw limited service during the Vietnam War. From the 1950s to the 1980s, there was no suitable replacement for the BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle), leaving infantry squads vulnerable and inadequate. During the Vietnam War, the M60 served as a company-level machine gun assigned to a platoon weapons squad.