Army Weapons - General Purpose Machine Gun
Today the Defence Forces use the FN MAG (Fabrique Nationale Mitrailleuses D'Appui General or machine gun of general purpose) 58 in the GPMG role. Its calibre is 7.62mm and has an effective range of 200 - 1800 metres.
The MAG is a belt-fed, gas-operated light machine gun. It air-cooled and has a barrel designed for quick-change by its 2 man crew.
One key benefit of using the MAG is that it is extremely easy to maintain. In fact it can be disassembled in 10 seconds by an experienced soldier. This greatly enhances its reliability in the field.
The General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) is normally mounted on a bipod, but it can be used in a sustained fire role, mounted on a tripod. The GPMG can also be seen mounted on the MOWAG armoured personnel carrier.
The MAG is used by many nations worldwide and has served in conflicts from The Gulf War to the Falklands.
| Manufacturer | FN Herstal |
|---|---|
| Weapon Type | Light Machine Gun |
| Country of Manufacture | Belgium |
| Entered Service | 1964 ---- Lt. Col. Ward ext. 6053 |
| Calibre | 7.62 millimetres |
| Ammunition feed | Belt fed with 50 rounds per belt |
| Range | 200 - 1800 metres |
| Weight | 10.9 kilogrammes |
| Mode of fire | Automatic fire only |
| Rate of Fire | 650 - 1000 rounds per minute |
| Length | 1260 millimetres |
| Sight | Rear Ramp type |