^^^ True, but it obviously was designed so that a magazine COULD be used if need be. The main reason why I initially asked the question was because some people who had been in the military had commented on other websites that mags didn't work so well. Good to hear that you're having luck though.

I have several semi belt feds and my vote would be the 249s. Factory gun has its benefits as others have mentioned, and it's pretty darn fun to buy a bunch of M249 parts and be able to use them. I spent a few years picking up different pieces and really enjoy the gun. Trigger isn't the best but mine has been reliable and I haven't had any issues.

I got the itch for a beltfed after shooting a buddy’s HK23E from Michael’s Machine … however after seeing an Ares Defense that’s what I went with and it scratched the itch!

I wanted to go with the 223/5.56 because of ammo prices so I bought the “lite” version that didn’t come with sights or carry handle & a skinny 16” barrel. After getting the 12” heavy barrel & f/a bolt I had less than $5k in it. I picked up some 200 end boxes and nut-sacks at gun shows, it’ll also run on mags & beta-mags. I can run it on a semi or use my binary lower or my M16.

quote:

Originally posted by Andyb:
I have several semi belt feds and my vote would be the 249s. Factory gun has its benefits as others have mentioned, and it's pretty darn fun to buy a bunch of M249 parts and be able to use them.

What is this buttstock arrangement? I've been looking for a solid way to get a higher cheekrest.

It's the current m249 "improved" 240 style stock. The stock itself isn't too hard to find but the high cheek riser was. Most of the time they have the low one. Gunbroker is probably your best bet.

I'm not laying on the ground to fire any weapon. My fat a$$ deserves a camping stool.

You can find transferable fullauto 1919s for $20-25k. If you’re willing to spend $10k, just go the extra mile and get the real deal fullauto 1919.

What makes a 249 jam with mags is that the 249 needs em faster than the mag can give them, I think you’d be fine in a semi auto

I have a 249s and really like until I sent it in for the mandatory factory recall. Originally it was easy to rack and had a decent 6lb trigger pull. When I got it back it too 3 men and a boy to rack and the trigger pull was 16LB's. That ruined the 2249s as far as I'm concerned. I've only fired it once since I got it back from FN so now it's a safe queen. Save your money and get a 1919.

YMMV, but I have used a 249s. Probably shot 300-400 rds through one. The trigger is pretty terrible (9+ lbs) and has a longer travel. It's a novelty more than anything, and the accuracy was not super impressive. Unless you are using a select fire setup, the utility of these belt fed 5.56 platforms is outweighed by the cost and weight. I haven't tried the fightlight MCR, but the price seems somewhat outrageous for those as well.