SAW

[Vince]

I heard FN is going to make a .223, civilian semi auto, version of the SAW.

I'll wait a couple years and buy one. For no practical purpose but man it would be fun. I can live out all my Walter Mitty war hero fantasies.

Vince

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[Elkman]

That would truly be interesting. Not sure I would buy one but interesting. :?

 

[wildgene]

That would truly be interesting. Not sure I would buy one but interesting. :?

..."cause reloading is fer sissies"... :roll: :twisted: :mrgreen:

 

[Guy Miner]

When it was introduced in the 1980's the SAW gave the USMC fire team a much needed weapon and it was much appreciated. Last time I had my hands on one was back in the early 1990's. I've heard reports of the SAW being unreliable in combat in recent years. Anyone with more recent military experience able to shed some light on that?

Also, FYI, this is how the fire team was organized back when I was on active duty:

Fire Team Leader, usually a LCPL or CPL, M-16
Automatic Rifleman, SAW, (had M-16 prior to intro of the SAW)
Grenadier, M-16/M203
Rifleman, M-16

The SAW could take either belted ammo or could use the same magazines as the M-16. I was impressed with their accuracy at longer ranges. Could lay down a lot of fire, accurately, without calling on the medium or heavy machineguns for that task. The SAW and the M203 put a lot of power in the hands of that little fireteam. Three fire teams plus a squad leader made up an infantry squad, usually led by a Corporal or Sergeant.

I saw that FN was going to produce a semi-auto "civilian" version - don't want one, but what a fun toy! Better buy up a lot of 5.56 ammo!

Guy

 

[SJB358]

Pretty awesome weapon. I haven't heard of any real issues with the SAW. Like Guy mentioned, it is a fierce capability without excessive weight.

 

[DrMike]

I'm certain it would be prohib in Canada. Still, the semi-auto version would allow digesting a lot of ammunition in a short time.

 

[CMBTshooter]

The SAW is a beast. I carried one for eight months in Iraq. I wouldn't mind owning a semi-auto version but I don't think it would be nearly as fun. It would be kind of like shooting a really heavy, belt-fed AR but would make you look much cooler.

 

[Guy Miner]

Well, looks are important... 8)

 

[Vince]

Looks make the gun.

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[Elkman]

Guy
Automatic Rifleman, SAW, (had M-16 prior to intro of the SAW)

Did you mean M-60?

 

[Guy Miner]

No.

The M-60 machineguns were all in the Weapons Platoon.

Basic four-man fireteam had four M-16's and the M-203 grenade launcher, until the SAW was introduced.

Guy

 

[Woodycreek]

We had feeding problems with the ones at my first unit. Never could get through a whole belt without a few jams. Was more than happy to move on to fire team leader and the 203.

 

[salmonchaser]

I have trouble immagining the degree of frustration an unreliable weapon system, in combat, must cause. I appreciate the problems the rigors of combat can create, mud, sand etc., is the saw plagued by a design problem, or is it just a case of you can only introduce so much heat, fouling, and debris carried in before it quits?

 

[Vince]

I have trouble immagining the degree of frustration an unreliable weapon system, in combat, must cause. I appreciate the problems the rigors of combat can create, mud, sand etc., is the saw plagued by a design problem, or is it just a case of you can only introduce so much heat, fouling, and debris carried in before it quits?

Great question!
I too am interested in the answer. Not that I'll likely ever be using any of my arms in combat these days.

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[CMBTshooter]

I have trouble immagining the degree of frustration an unreliable weapon system, in combat, must cause. I appreciate the problems the rigors of combat can create, mud, sand etc., is the saw plagued by a design problem, or is it just a case of you can only introduce so much heat, fouling, and debris carried in before it quits?

Sometimes the links don't eject like they should and the springs under the feed pawls can get weak pretty quickly. With the right maintenance they run like animals.

 

[salmonchaser]

Good to know.

 

[SJB358]

With the right maintenance they run like animals.

My experience with them as well. Maintained well they are pretty robust. We ran them through both IZ and AFG.. They didn't require anymore maintenance than our other guns which in the sandy environments was quite alot but they worked when needed.

 

[salmonchaser]

Thanks Scotty, I currently do not have any relatives serving overseas, but I still worry for those who are. I for one like the robust description. Having just completed my taxes at least I know a portion paid for something useful.

 

[Guy Miner]

Sandy places are rough on weapons... No doubt.

 

[Woodycreek]

Funny thing was this was problems encountered on the range with clean well lubed 249s. I think the unit armourer had them sent back to the states and swapped out for new ones. Didn't have a problem after that.