FNH USA has announced a new semi-auto variant of the M249 series that will be available this fall! As far as I know, this is the first time a major manufacturer has released a belt-fed semi-auto to the general public.

From our newest writer Rusty S reporting from the NRA show.

“This morning I headed over to the FNH USA booth at the NRA show to get some exciting details about the new M249S and FN15 military collector’s series. FN is planning on having the 1st 200 models of the M249S to be a “collector’s series”. Said models will ship in a hard case with a 200 round hard box magazine with links, FN15 magazine, and spare barrel, along with a certificate. Standard production models will ship with the 200 round box and links. The expected MSRP will be between $7,000-$7,500 for the standard production models. Not too bad for a belt-fed! They were able to keep the cost low due to the fact that it uses so many original SAW components that they already have in production. Pricing TBD on the collector’s series. The guns will take all original accessories for the M249, including stocks, forends, etc. The model itself looks outwardly like the M249 PIP version, with the fixed plastic stock and handguard on top of the barrel. It will weigh roughly 17 lbs. The model on display was the one fired in their promotional video. With a 4.5-6lb trigger, I’m sure one could get this thing to run pretty fast! ”

M249S Civilian

From FNH USA:

FN M249S™
Commercial, Law Enforcement
Made In The USA

The FN M249S, a semi-automatic version of the M249 SAW light machinegun, was originally developed by FN Herstal as the FN MINIMI® and adopted by the U.S. Military in 1988. The rifle features the signature 20.5-inch FN cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel and operates from a closed bolt position. Chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, the rifle will accept both magazine and linked ammunition belt and offers a 4.5-6.5 pound trigger pull out-of-the-box.