Cybergun FN Herstal MINIMI® M249 PARA AEG; ETU Version

If you'd love to run an LMG but the weight puts you off, the Cybergun FN Herstal MINIMI® M249 PARA AEG; ETU Version is the LMG for you. This licenced replica of the real steel Minimi boasts FN Herstal trademarks and the latest M249 externals; equipped with a 20mm Picatinny railed lower handguard and receiver, ready for your choice of 20mm accessories. 

The real M249 MINIMI® has been issued to almost every Western Armed Forces unit in various different forms. The PARA version is used by the British Army and SFSG (Special Forces Support Group), the US Army Rangers and numerous others, making it a fine choice for a modern machinegun loadout. 

This version of Cybergun's '249 is equipped with a version 2 gearbox with a pre-installed in-line MOSFET/ETU system, improving trigger response and lifting the rate of fire thanks to electrical efficiency improvements. This also means you have access to version 2 gearbox upgrade parts, giving you almost unlimited upgrade options including more advanced Gate TITAN and ASTER MOSFETs, Warhead Brushless Motors and speedy 13:1 gearsets. Make no mistake, this is the '249 for the upgrade fiends! 

Starting up front as we usually do, we can find an M249 PARA-style muzzle device constructed from polymer, mounted to the 14mm CCW male threading at the tip of the alloy outer barrel. This device is exactly what appears on the real M249 PARA and is a big part of its unique looks. If you want to change it out for something a bit different, or you want to add a tracer unit this is absolutely possible thanks to the common 14mm CCW threading. If you find your alternative muzzle device does not screw down tightly on the threads due to the protruding mock gas adjuster, we recommend using a barrel extension to get more clearance. 

The front sight and gas block assembly mount to the barrel, providing a fine front sight post protected inside a ring and a mock gas adjuster below, appropriately simulating the adjustable gas system of the real M249 PARA. The mock gas adjuster can be turned to select different positions but provides no function in an Airsoft gun other than adding to its realism.

The bipod is mounted to the gas block and has adjustable leg length to allow you to set the M249 PARA 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 LMG 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 PARA, both of which are constructed from high-density polymer. 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 lower handguard is the latest design for the real steel M249, equipped with 20mm Picatinny rails at the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions, punctuated with vent ports. The 20mm rails allow you to kit your M249 out Special Forces style, with a PEQ-15 laser, tactical flashlight and vertical grip!

Between the handguard/heatshield and receiver, we have a folding carry handle which sits flat against the top when not in use. To deploy the handle simply push it rearwards and turn it 90 degrees upwards where it will lock into place. The carry handle is intended to allow users of the real M249 to remove a spicy hot barrel after a long firing session without burning their hands but 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 this version of the Cybergun M249 PARA is constructed from polymer, reducing weight and improving scratch resistance when compared to the full metal version. The weight savings mean you can move faster in game and keep pace with those assault rifle-toting teammates while bringing along the same firepower advantage as you would have with the original full-metal Cybergun M249. That said, this SAW is still a bit of a monster, tipping the scales at approximately 3.9 KG and will definitely feel like a whole different beast to your usual M4, though the polymer receiver makes LMG gunning that much more accessible for everyone.

FN Herstal trademarks are present on the left side of the receiver, matching the manufacturer's markings of the real thing perfectly. The markings read "MINIMI 5.56" with the FN Herstal logo just to the left. A lovely touch is the fact that these trades are properly engraved and not laser engraved, avoiding the usual bright white of lasered trades in favour of discrete recessed markings.

The polymer itself is rock solid and of high quality, with no flex or wobble to be found. The magazine mounting lug and M4/AR-15 magazine well are both constructed from steel to ensure reliable feeding and the trigger guard and dust cover are also constructed from steel. The charging handle doesn't actuate a mock bolt in the M249 design but can still be pulled, and this works far better than other polymer M249s thanks to the steel charging handle track on the Cybergun version. All of the body pins and other trim parts are also constructed from steel to keep the structure of the M249 PARA rigid and wobble-free.

Just like the real thing, the Cybergun M249 PARA allows you to borrow magazines from teammates wielding M4/AR-15 AEG platforms in a sticky situation. A 300-round high-cap magazine is included in the box, but the M249 is compatible with standard M249 AEG box magazines. The AR magazine well is on the left side 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 PARA 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 Cybergun M249 PARA, 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 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. Boasting linear texture on all sides to keep the hefty SAW in your hands during wet weather or when wearing gloves, the grip 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 not adjustable but is visually identical to the real M249 rear sight and should be perfectly functional at Airsoft skirmish ranges despite its lack of adjustability. Just ahead of the rear sight we are treated to a 20mm Picatinny receiver rail, meaning red dot sights or scopes can be added without further mods. This matches well with the later L110A2 Minimi design and can be used to mount an ELCAN Spectre-style optic if you are running a Milsim British Army kit.

At the rear of the receiver, we come across the sliding stock added to the M249 PARA to reduce its overall length and make it easier to store, jump out of Aircraft and move in and out of vehicles with. This stock assembly is constructed with an alloy base with a built-in sling point, alloy stock bars and a polymer rotating/sliding mechanism. The butt plate also features a folding shoulder support/stabiliser which provides an additional point of stability when steering the M249 PARA while shooting from a standing position and also allows better control of the stock when shooting prone with the bipod deployed.

The battery compartment is located inside the rear of the receiver, accessible when the stock is removed via the two pins retaining it. With not a lot of space to work with, we recommend a 7.4V 600mAh LiPo in PDW stick configuration. You may be able to fit larger batteries inside but make sure you measure before buying to avoid disappointment!

To deploy the stock all you need to do is pull the stock straight out and rotate it by 90 degrees where it will lock into position. Collapsing the stock again only requires pulling the polymer rotating piece away from the receiver, rotating it back into the original position and sliding the bars forward again. 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 operating the stock and shoulder stabiliser quick and easy to use in the field when working under pressure and under fire!

Internally, this M249 is equipped with the common Version 2 gearbox, granting it wide compatibility with the almost unlimited aftermarket for version 2 upgrade parts. As it comes, we have an 18:1 steel gearset, aluminium cylinder, radiused cylinder window corners to improve strength and an in-line ETU/MOSFET system intended to improve trigger response and rate of fire. 

The advantage of using a V2 gearbox over the M249 specific gearbox is its ability to take advanced Gate TITAN and ASTER MOSFETs, Warhead Brushless Motors, enhanced air seal components and high-speed gearsets, something which is much harder to achieve if not impossible with the usual '249 gearbox. While it shoots well out of the box, there is plenty of upgrade potential in this M249 for those who simply cannot touch an AEG without upgrading it!

If you like to move fast with a big gun and want unlimited upgrade potential, the Cybergun FN Herstal MINIMI® M249 PARA AEG; ETU Version is the one to go for. Based on the latest real steel M249 configuration in shortened PARA format, this M249 lets you maintain agility with the option to upgrade it to the nines and run massive aftermarket box magazines!

Features

• Polymer receiver - Keeps the weight manageable
• MOSFET/ETU pre-installed - Improves trigger response and rate of fire
• Alloy outer barrel and stock base - Strength where needed
• Polymer bipod included and pre-installed - Adjustable leg length, easily folded
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• SAFE/FULL AUTO only - A true light machinegun
• PARA Length M249 SAW - Great for a British Army L110A1 setup
• Aperture iron sights - Non-adjustable design
• Folding carry handle - Great for hip fire but we don't recommend carrying it with the handle!
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Alloy construction, accessible with the top cover raised
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - 300rnd High-cap included
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for red dot sights and scopes
• 20mm Picatinny tri-rail lower handguard - Add a PEQ/DBAL lasers, tactical flashlights & more
• Sliding "PARA" stock with folding steel shoulder stabiliser
• Rear sling point on the stock base - Alloy construction
• Push-through safety design - Ambidextrous and easy to use
• Alloy version 2 gearbox - Compatible with aftermarket upgrade parts for V2 gearboxes
• Textured pistol grip - Comfortable design, great for heavy platforms
• Rear wired: Mini-Tamiya connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 600mAh LiPo in PDW Stick config.
• Functional barrel quick release - Realistic and very, very cool (no pun intended)

Package Includes

• Cybergun FN Herstal MINIMI® M249 PARA AEG; ETU Version
• 300rnd High-cap magazine

Special Instructions

The Cybergun M249 is supplied with the stock uninstalled. 2 Pins are supplied in the box to mount the stock but we recommend proceeding with care when installing the stock due to the polymer receiver construction. Rather than hitting them with a hammer, push them through carefully while checking the holes are aligned before applying any force.