SpecOps87 SG Was wondering why doesn’t the SAF upgrade the GMPGs in service to be fitted with the plastic stock which saves weight and is a hell lot lighter then the current wooden one?
ditzy SG Because it costs $$$, and you know where saf gets $$$ from? Yes, the taxpayers of PP and HG.
moca SG It could also be license agreement. Our license is to build FN MAG in its original form with wooden furniture. I don't know if a mid-life refit like replacing the butt with a different one requires new license? I often wondered the same about our M-16 then. I kept wondering why we weren't replacing the triangular handguard with the new ribbed ones like those on the M-16A2 series (onwards). It could just be a dollar and cents issue...
pwnz0r SG With regards to the M16 handguard, it was probably always their intention to replace it with a newer rifle, hence not needing any upgrades. Looking at the GPMG, they might have the same intention to replace it with a newer MG, most likely one designed and manufactured by Chartered or ST.
moca SG You're probably spot on. With the (relative) success of the lightweight Ultimax and CIS .50 HMG, they're probably already working on a much-needed lightweight 7.62 GPMG as replacement for the FN MAG.
tankee1981 SG Now that we are talking about replacement, let me proposed a candidate. It will take quite some time,money and considerable effort to come out with a brand new GPMG so a licenced production of a current model will be a good idea. Further more spares will be more easily avaliable since we can produced them and can be obtained from other countries as well since its already being used by some SEA countries. Here is a comparism with the FN MAG which we are currently using. HK 21e Caliber 7,62mm NATO Weigth 9.3 kg on bipod Length 1140 mm Length of barrel 550 mm Feeding box magazine 20 or 30 rounds, drum 80 rounds or belt 50 or 100 rounds Rate of fire 800 rounds/min http://world.guns.ru/machine/mg18-e.htm FN MAG Caliber: 7,62x51mm NATO Weight: 11 - 13 kg on bipod (depending on version), ~21 kg on tripod Length: 1260 mm Barrel length: 545 mm Feed: belt Rate of fire: selectable, 650-750 and 950-1000 rounds per minute http://world.guns.ru/machine/mg06-e.htm It is easy to note that the HK21e is shorter,lighter and have the versatility of being box,drum and belt fed. One possible problem may be that there is no option for changing of barrel. But i suspect this can be done in a way similar to that of the MG3 but this is also a problem as its much more tedious.
moca SG I think license-produce is no longer an option Singapore will consider when it comes to small arms. Singapore is out to become the best arsenal in Asia and will definitely look at something that is independently produced that can be exported without paying too much fees to someone like H&K. Why not a lightweight 7.62mm GPMG with the same combat proven constant recoil mechanism as on the Ultimax? PS, there is a canvas bag for the belt available for the M240. The reason the FN MAG still preferred over all other GPMG is that it is still the most accurate and reliable of all GPMGs.
baer SG Originally posted by moca: [b]I think license-produce is no longer an option Singapore ... [b]Who said we have a licence from FN? Remember reading somewhere that we never got such a licence.
tankee1981 SG Those are the info avaliable from the link which i have provided. For additional info you may wish to do a google search.
moca SG No meh? I remember reading that we produce our own FN MAG. No license how can? Pirate copy ah?
insouciant SG Never seen a scope mounted on a GPMG before. At least one that wasn't for night vision.
LazerLordz SG Without going into too much, I can say certain minute specs are different. I believe we have an agreement to produce our variant.We do not produce the M240B, nor the FN MAG anymore. Our production version is closer to the UK's L7A1 GPMG, with barrel variant of the M240G used by the USMC. The M240B(US Army) has a heatguard as opposed to none on the M240G.
Shotgun SG I think the weight issue isn't as important as having low recoil. If we want to make a name for ourselves, we shud try to specialise in an area... perhaps if we can come up with a whole series of low recoil weapons? A gimpy thats low recoiled is helpful in terms of user's comfort when shooting. Dun have to fight the recoil so much and can focus on aiming.
moca SG The members of the MG team attached to my (reservist) platoon can only just barely manage the GPMG between the three of them. Only the NCO, a tall atheletic Sgt, could manage the weapon when the platoon was assaulting the FIBUA village. So instead of being the GPMG NCO, during assault he became the gunner. If you ask me, the FN MAG in infantry use must be replaced, along with the 84mm, the PRC-77 radioset etc... All these equipment are way too heavy for Asians especially conscripts and reservists of SAF.
