New configuration for FN MAG machine gun

FN Herstal has announced that the 7.62x51mm NATO calibre FN MAG now comes now standard with a polymer buttstock. Traditionally supplied with a wooden buttstock, the change is a result of new trends showing a move away from wooden materials.

According to FN Herstal, wooden parts on weapons are impossible to decontaminate after contact with nuclear, biological and/or chemical agents. As a result, a conversion kit is now available to those customers wishing to replace the wooden buttstocks of their existing FN MAG machine guns with polymer buttstocks. The company said that conversion
takes a few minutes and requires no specific tools. An FN MAG machine gun with a wooden buttstock remains available on specific request, as spare parts for wooden buttstocks are available.

The FN MAG machine gun has been adopted by over 90 countries across the globe, with 200,000 units manufactured so far. Also known under various designations, MAG58, GPMG, M240, L7A2, the weapon can be mounted without any modification on the deFNder Light or deFNder Medium Remote Weapon Stations. Variants of the FN MAG are found on
combat vehicles, helicopters, ships and boats, either in coax- or pintle-mounting mode.