Our mission to modernize and improve the M249 platform, the US Military's Squad Automatic Weapon.
resulted in the MGA SAW™, a Re-Engineered, Multi-Caliber, belt-fed machine-gun system featuring greater capabilities yet backwards compatible with the existing parts.
New for 2025: an ultra-light & compact SAW - modular, multi-mission weapon system
Full-sized, multi-caliber, multi-mission belt-fed weapon systems with options for improved accuracy & new trigger group options
ALL MGA SAW™ and MGA SAW K™ machine guns are truly MULTI-CALIBER, and offer the following ADVANTAGES (HOVER over to expand):
Both the full-sized MGA SAW™, and the compact MGA SAW K™, are true multi-caliber platforms. Each receiver is built to accept all our caliber conversion kits. The following calibers can currently be used: 5.56x45mm, 6.8mm SPC (w/disintegrating links), .260 Remington (for our improved-accuracy models), 7.62x51mm, 7.62x39mm (using RPD or 6.8 SPC links), 5.45x39mm, and 300 AAC BLK (Subsonic & Supersonic, suppressed or not).
The full-sized MGA SAW™, and the compact MGA SAW K™, use many of the same parts as the currently deployed belt-fed light machine guns (US DoD M249, MK46, MK48 & FN MINIMI® systems).
Thus, almost all of standard MGA SAW™ parts can be purchased and used to retrofit existing systems. Some of the more modern accessories on the MGA SAW™ do require use of an MGA SAW™ receiver, but in those cases US Machine Gun Association can retrofit old machine guns to use our modernized parts.
NOTE: Clients with existing M249/FN MINIMI® parts can use those parts in the MGA SAW™ machine gun.
Many of the MGA SAW™ caliber conversion kits will fit existing systems with nothing more than a barrel, bolt and sometimes feed tray change. We sell, for example, a caliber conversion kit meant to convert FN MINIMI® 5.56mm to the newest linked 6.8mm SPC & 300 AAC BLK (300 Blackout).
Both the full-sized MGA SAW™ and the compact MGA SAW K™can be configured with a variety of improved-accuracy measures. Improved-accuracy options range from select-fire trigger kits that allow for a safe/semi-auto/full-auto selection to a closed-bolt variant that feature internal hammers and full select-fire operation (including 2 or 3 round bursts).
Using a rear butt-stock plate adaptor and a modernized spring/polymer recoil buffer system that is internal to the MGA SAW™ and MGA SAW K™ receivers, our guns are offered with lightweight M16-style butt stocks, such as the Magpull UBR.
Using this new system for M16-style stocks, the weight of the MGA SAW™ drops up to two pounds (.9 kg) over alternative weapons.
By placing the stock directly in line with the barrel, unlike previous collapsible stock options for M249 platforms, muzzle rise is significantly reduced when firing from the shoulder.
For ten years, the US Machine Gun Association has made and exported parts specifically for FN MINIMI® platforms as well as UD DOD M249, MK46, & MK48.
Since the MGA SAW™ and MGA SAW K™ use many of the same parts as M249 & FN MINIMI® platforms, MGA SAW™ spare parts can also repair the other systems.
Using a modernized spring/polymer internal buffer system not only saves weight and allows use of M16 stocks, but also allows changing the cyclic rate of fire from ~600 rpm to ~1100 rpm by changing which internal buffer installed in the receiver.
Both the MGA SAW™ and compact MGA SAW K™ are designed for new accessories to enhance the soldier's experience. New rail systems are available for stacked optics and smaller overall width to enhance manueverability. New QD options are available for slings and weapon supports. New ammunition feed boxes are available for smaller or larger ammunition belts.
Unlike chrome lined barrels that can wear quickly once the chrome starts to chip, we use the more modern system of Melonite™ which makes our barrels harder and last longer.
Similarly, for the moving parts such as the bolt and slide, we use advanced metallurgy and modern coatings to increase longevity and reduce the need for lubrication.
The US Machine Gun Association, is fully focused on continuing its pursuit of modernizing & improving the belt-fed Squad Automatic Weapon.
NEW FOR 2025 is the exciting MGA SAW K™ modular, multi-caliber, ultra-light, ultracompact belt-fed machine gun.
Shown below, it is not much larger than an HK® UMP but is a open-bolt machine gun with large belt-fed ammo capacities, short and long barrels, detachable vehicle mount adapters and much more.
The MGA SAW K™ is up to 8 inches (203mm) shorter & 7 lbs (3.2 kg) lighter than common FN MINIMI®/US DOD M249.
It should also be noted that the MGA SAW™ and ultralight and compact MGA SAW K™ machine guns are re-engineered, and modernized MULTI-CALIBER machine-gun systems that happen to be backwards compatible with existing belt-fed light machine guns such as the FN MINIMI®, US DOD M249/MK46/MK48.