FN MAG Coaxial

MAG 60.40 | M240C | L8A1

Overview

MAG Coaxial

A M240C coaxial machine gun of US origin.
Source: www.oneshotonline.com - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin

Belgium

Type

Vehicle machine gun

Entered service

Early 1960’s

Status

In service

Development

Late 1950’s

Developer

Belgium - Fabrique Nationale

Production

Early 1960’s - present

Producer

Belgium - Fabrique Nationale
United States - Fabrique Nationale

Number produced

Produced in large quantities

Designations

MAG 60.40
MAG Coaxe
M240, M240C (US models)
L8A1, L8A2 (UK models)

Notable users

United States
United Kingdom

Description

The MAG Coaxial is an early Cold War era vehicle machine gun of Belgian origin. The MAG Coaxial is a further development of the FN MAG general purpose machine gun for infantry use.

The coaxial models lack buttstock, carrying handle and bipod. They can be either trigger or solenoid fired. Some nations issue egress kits that allow a coaxial model to be converted for infantry use.

Since the early 1960's a wide range of Western vehicles has been fitted with the MAG Coaxial. These range from small armored cars to main battle tanks. The MAG Coaxial remains in widespread service today.

Variants

MAG 60.40

Original Belgian coaxial model of the FN MAG. Also known as MAG Coaxial or Coaxe. Various sub models have been developed over the years. These may differ in the type of belt they use, the feed direction on vehicle specific mounting brackets.

M240 & M240C

American production model of the MAG 60.40. The US production models are known as the M240 and M240C, with left and right hand feed respectively.

L8A1 & L8A2

British service models, acquired from Belgium and produced locally. In the UK the coaxial models are known as the L8A1 and L8A2 with improved feed mechanism. The L37A1 and L37A2 are variants of the L8A1 and L8A2 for flexible use. They feature a normal trigger assembly and there is a kit for dismounted use.

Details

Facts M240C

General

Origin

United States

Type

Vehicle machine gun

Caliber

Caliber

7.62x51mm NATO

Feed system

Belt fed

Barrel length

627 mm

Rifling

4 grooves, 305 mm right hand twist

Muzzle velocity

840 m/s

Operation

Action

Gas operated, long stroke gas piston

Trigger

Solenoid fired

Fire selector

0 - F

Rate of fire

650 - 850 rpm

Dimensions

Stock type

None

Length

1.046 m

Weight

10.35 kg

Sights

Mechanical

Optional

FN MAG

The MAG Coaxial is derived from the FN MAG as designed for infantry and crew served use.

PKT

The PKT can be considered the Soviet counterpart of the MAG Coaxial. The PKT is a belt-fed machine gun firing the 7.62x54mm Russian round. These machine guns are used in main battle tanks and various light armored vehicles.

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