A&K M249 MK1 SAW; Polymer Version

Anyone with support weapon experience will know, all is well and good until the latter part of the game day when things get tough on the arms. A&K's polymer M249 series is intended to make support gunning easier for the average man without compromising on performance, packing the same V249 gearbox designed purely for volume of fire and a 490mm inner barrel coupled with an alloy rotary HOP-up unit as its full metal sibling.

While there are lighter options out there, none use the reinforced M249 gearbox type, meaning they are no match for the A&K when it comes to performance and strength. If you want a proper M249 gearbox inside your LMG, this is as light as it gets!

Starting at the front we can find the flared trumpet M249 MK1 flash hider which matches the real thing perfectly, marking this out as the MK1 of the iconic SAW LMG. The flash hider is constructed from alloy, as is the outer barrel, and if you fancy an alternative muzzle device or you want a tracer to light the enemy up you can add any muzzle device which fits the common 14mm CCW male threading at the tip of the barrel. The outer barrel also has the correct taper towards the muzzle to match the real thing which was designed in to reduce the weight at the front of the platform for improved handling.

Moving rearwards we come to the front iron sight and gas block assembly which are both constructed from high density polymer in this weight reduced version of the A&K M249 MK1. The front sight is set into a protective ring to keep it safe from any accidental bumps or scrapes in game and is a non-adjustable front post to remove weight and complexity from the original A&K M249.  The mock gas adjuster, found at the front of the gas block just below the barrel, can be turned to select two different positions, and although this does not change the way this AEG works it is a nice touch for authenticity.

The bipod is mounted to the gas block and has adjustable leg length to allow you to set the M249 MK1 up on uneven ground and raise and lower it for the best firing position. The legs can be folded and unfolded quickly by squeezing them together and indexing them with the hole in the underside of the handguard. Adjusting the legs is as simple as pulling the legs out to the desired length, and stowing them again requires you to press the steel locking pieces protruding from the outer edge of each bipod leg and slide them back into position. The bipod also allows for tilting the M249 by a few degrees left and right which reduces the chances of the bipod restricting your ability to engage a moving target.

Next up, we reach the handguard and heatshield of the M249 MK1, both of which are constructed from high density polymer, with the lower handguard being comprised of two polymer side pieces mounted to a central steel piece. The heatshield/upper handguard is covered in cooling vents which serve to help prevent heat build up in the barrel of the real M249 and also give it the aggressive machinegun look. The handguard has checkering on each side to assist with wet weather handling and is wider at the bottom to fill out the hand comfortably.

The battery compartment of the M249 MK1 is located inside the handguard and can be accessed by pushing the handguard forward, after which it can be lifted free. Inside you will find a mini-Tamiya battery connector to which you mount your chosen battery. We recommend a 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo battery in crane/nunchuck configuration, though you may be able to fit bigger batteries inside if you are careful when installing them.

Between the handguard/heatshield and receiver, we can find the barrel removal/carry handle which serves in the real M249 to remove a toasty barrel after a long firing session without burning the hands of the user. The handle can also be used to support and steer the front end of the SAW for some Rambo-like hip firing action. We don't recommend carrying the M249 by this handle alone, as although it is constructed from steel it may put undue stress on the LMG as it wasn't designed for this purpose.

The receiver of the A&K M249 MK1 is constructed from high density polymer, decreasing weight and improving resistance to scratches compared to the metal version. The charging handle is located on the right side and travels on a steel track but is only there to look cool and isn't required to operate the LMG. The magazine mounting lug and M4/AR-15 magazine well are both constructed from alloy to ensure reliable feeding and the trigger guard and dust cover are constructed from steel. All of the body pins and other trim parts are also constructed from steel to keep the structure of the M249 rigid and wobble free.

To load the included electric auto-winding box magazine you will need to remove the left side panel by pulling it clear of its attachment lugs, install 2 x AA batteries (not included), pour your BBs into the upper section and close the magazine up again. To mount the box mag to the SAW you will need to lock the box magazine onto its attachment lug on the bottom of the receiver and then insert the BB feed chute into the AR magazine well.

The activation switch is on the bottom of the mag, and each mode is helpfully indicated on the mag with embossed lettering. The central position is the "off" position, pushing the switch to the left activates sound control and pushing it to the right activates "auto-winding" mode. Sound control means the box magazine will wind as it detects the M249 MK1 shooting, and auto-winding will constantly wind the magazine as long as the switch is in position.

Just like the real thing, the A&K M249 allows you to borrow magazines from teammates wielding M4/AR-15 AEG platforms in a sticky situation when your box mag runs dry. The AR magazine well is on the left side in the same spot you install your box magazine feed chute and protrudes at an angle so you can still get nice and low in the prone position when using AR mags. The magazine catch of the AR magwell is integrated into its very own dust cover which seals the magwell when it is not in use. This means inserting the magazine works the same as with an AR, just push the mag in and it will lock, but removing it requires the protruding tab to be pressed in.

The controls of the M249 are super simple, with a push-through fire selector located just above the pistol grip offering SAFE and FULL AUTO. Just like the real thing, there is no semi-automatic function on the A&K M249 MK1, making it a purebred support weapon designed for volume of fire. When the push-through fire selector protrudes on the right side the trigger will be locked and in safe mode, and with the selector protruding on the left the M249 is hot and set to fully automatic.

The grip is a comfortable design which was derived from that of the FN FAL and has been added to several tactical AK variants to improve their ergonomics and handling. The grip also boasts linear texture on all sides to keep the hefty SAW in your hands during wet weather or when wearing gloves, and also has a palm ledge at the bottom to improve stability.

The adjustable HOP-up of the M249 is located inside the receiver at the front and can be accessed by lifting the receiver top cover and mock feed tray. Pressing the two buttons on either side of the rear of the receiver will release the top cover and it will spring open to reveal the internals. The HOP-up unit is a rotary design, meaning it should hold its setting well under the vibrations of full auto fire and can be adjusted in finer increments than the older gear adjuster design. The unit is also constructed from alloy, guaranteeing that it will never break or fail during normal use.

Mounted to the upper surface of the top cover you will find the rear aperture iron sight which is non-adjustable to reduce weight and simplify the design. At the rear of the receiver, we can see the M249 MK1 tubular skeleton stock assembly which is constructed from alloy and has a folding shoulder brace/stabiliser built into the butt plate. The folding shoulder support/stabiliser provides an additional point of stability when steering the M249 while shooting from a standing position and also allows better control of the stock when shooting prone with the bipod deployed.

Deploying the stabiliser doesn't require any buttons, simply lift it up to deploy and push it back down again to stow it. This makes it super quick and easy to use in the field when working under pressure and very effective when combined with the bipod. Also built into the butt plate of the stock is a ring to facilitate sling mounting, and as always, we recommend a strong sling for this particular platform due to its above average weight.

Internally, the A&K M249 MK1 Polymer Version is kitted out the same way its full metal sibling is; with the Classic Army M249 style gearbox designed from the ground up for use in support gun setups. The gearbox is far bigger than the usual V2 or V3 type and is considerably reinforced to allow for greater volume of fire and longer bursts without overstressing the internals.

While there are other M249s on the market which use a version 2 gearbox, these are simply miles behind the specifically designed M249 gearbox in the A&K model and are limited by the design of the V2 and its compatibility with other more compact platforms. Opening the top cover up allows you to take a peek at the gearbox, and if you have seen a V2 before you will notice how much more substantially built the M249 gearbox is than almost any of its rivals.

If you had your eye on a lightweight M249, the A&K M249 MK1 Polymer Version belongs at the top of your list thanks to its uncompromised internals and plethora of realistic features. With all the menacing firepower of the full metal version but with far less weight you should be able to maintain energy throughout the day and provide supporting fire for your teammates wherever it is needed!

Features

• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• M249 MK1 trumpet muzzle device - Unique and realistic flash hider style
• Steel bipod included and pre-installed - Adjustable leg length, easy and quick to fold
• Auto winding box magazine with sound control included - 2400 BB capacity, AKA loads
• SAFE/FULL AUTO only via push-through fire selector- A true light machinegun
• Realistic replica of the M249 MK1 - Perfect for Blackhawk Down or Japanese Ground Self Defence Force loadout
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Alloy construction, accessible with the top cover raised
• Compatible with either the included box mag or M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Share mags in game
• Alloy M249 type gearbox - Very strong, significantly reinforced compared to V2 or V3
• Front wired - Mini-Tamiya battery connector inside the handguard
• Polymer receiver - Reduces weight and makes support gunning more manageable
• Fixed alloy skeleton stock - A well designed solid stock derived from the FAL
• Textured pistol grip - Ergonomic design, comfortable for a variety of hand sizes
• Steel barrel removal/carry handle - Not to be used to support the weight of the gun alone
• Quick removal barrel - Easy to store in smaller cases with the barrel removed
• Rear sling point on the butt plate - We recommend a strong sling for this beast!

Package Includes

• A&K M249 MK1 SAW; Polymer Version
• 2400rnd Auto-winding box magazine
• Cleaning/unjamming rod