The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), working closely with SIG Sauer, has completed a safety certification of the new SIG Sauer MG 338 Machine Gun, SIG Sauer .338 Norma Mag. ammunition and Next Generation Suppressors. Following the official safety certification, the famed manufacturer completed deliveries of multiple systems to the military. All the equipment was researched, designed, engineered and manufactured by SIG Sauer in the United States.
“The safety certification of the complete SIG Sauer MG 338 system and delivery of the system to USSOCOM is historically very significant,” said Ron Cohen, president and CEO of SIG Sauer. “For the first time in decades the U.S. Military certified a new machine gun, ammunition and suppressor at the same time, bringing new innovation, portability and increased lethality to our ground forces, with all components coming from one company. This certification was achieved following the outstanding performance of the complete MG 338 system through the rigors of the extensive function, durability and safety tests set forth by USSOCOM.”
The SIG MG 338 bridges the gap between the current machine guns currently in use with the U.S. Military. In comparison to the current M240 (7.62 NATO) machine gun, which has been in service with the U.S. Military for 60 years, the SIG MG 338, is lighter, weighing only 20 pounds, and provides significantly more range and lethality. In comparison to the M2 (.50 caliber), which has been in service with the U.S. Military for 110 years, the MG 338 is approximately one-quarter the weight, and in a historic first, offers a man-portable solution with similar effective-range. Making this system even more desirable is the company’s Next Generation Suppressors which drastically reduces the impact of harmful toxic fumes and signature.
The MG 338 machine gun is a belt-fed, lightweight medium machine gun weighing under 20 pounds. It is chambered in .338 Norma Mag. and features a short-stroke gas piston system, a proprietary recoil mitigation system, with a free-floating, quick-change barrel, ambidextrous controls, switchable feed tray, charging handle that can be alternated to either side depending on operator preference. It’s also easily convertible to 7.62 NATO.
“We are incredibly proud of this historical accomplishment and honored to have received this safety certification by USSOCOM for the performance of the complete MG 338 system,” concluded Cohen.
