FN Awarded Contract for M240 and M249 Machine Gun Barrels

Large amounts of rounds fired creates a need for new barrels.

by
posted on April 1, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
FN Machinegun barrels

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Land and Maritime has awarded FN America with a firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract—valued up to $39,643,953—to supply for M240 and M249 machine gun barrels. The company collaborates with and is a key partner of the combat-support agency in the DoD, which is one of the largest suppliers of spare parts that serves more than 20,000 customers throughout all U.S. military branches, civil agencies and a variety of other DoD organizations.

“The contract to provide barrels for M240 and M249 machine guns is a testament to our partnership with the U.S. DoD, a partnership that dates to the early 1980s,” said Mark Cherpes, president and CEO for FN America. “We’re incredibly honored to support the U.S. military with the highest-quality, cold-hammer-forged barrels. The durability and accuracy of FN barrels provides our servicemen and women with the most effective and highest performing products available.”

The M240 general-purpose machine gun, which is derived from the FN MAG 58, was adopted by the U.S. military in the late 1970s, and has been in continual service since its introduction. FN has created multiple variants of the M240, including the M240 coaxial, the M240B, M240L, M240D and M240H models. The FN M249 has been a mainstay throughout the U.S. military since 1986 and is currently in service in more than 30 countries.

Throughout its history, FN has been one of the largest suppliers of small arms to the U.S. military and continues to develop innovative, future technology. In addition to the M240 and its variants, the company currently holds contracts for the FN M249 lightweight machine gun; the FN MK 46, MK 48, MK 17 and MK 20 SSR for USSOCOM, and various other contracts.

 

Latest

carbon fiber holster
carbon fiber holster

First Look: New Carbon Fiber Holsters From Falco Holsters

Designed to work with or without a light on your pistol.

New Pistol Suppressors for 2025

We hear you (pun intended)! This year, we are reporting manufacturer’s sound-reduction rating where available. Now, not every manufacturer makes that information publicly available, so you’ll see a fair number of “N/As” where no decibel-reduction numbers were provided, but rest assured that, despite what you might think, the noise-reduction rating is one of the least important factors when choosing a new suppressor (more on that in a future article).

Rural Defense – Part II

The long and short of it.

New Rifle Suppressors for 2025

The long gun suppressor world continues to grow.

Concealed Carry: The First Steps

it's time to put theory into practice.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.