Cybergun FN Herstal M249 PARA Sports Line AEG

The real M249 MINIMI® has been issued to almost every Western Armed Forces unit in various forms. This, the PARA version, is a close match for the L110A2 PARA issued to the British Army from 2002 until 2018, ideal for Squaddie-themed LMG gunner loadouts.

The Cybergun "Sports Line" M249 PARA is fitted with a 20mm Picatinny-railed handguard and receiver top cover, allowing optical sights, aiming lasers, and other 20mm Picatinny accessories to be fitted wherever you need them, just like the most recent real steel M249 variants. Its high-density polymer construction makes this M249 remarkably easy to use in-game, saving you the bicep-burning agony and letting you move like a gazelle with an auto-winding 2000-round box mag in tow!

Starting up front as we usually do, we can find an M249 PARA-style muzzle device constructed from polymer, mounted to the 14mm CCW male threading at the tip of the alloy outer barrel. This device is exactly what appears on the real M249 PARA and is a big part of its unique looks. 

If you want to change it out for something a bit different, or want to add a tracer unit, this is absolutely possible thanks to the common 14mm CCW threading. If you find your alternative muzzle device does not screw down tightly on the threads due to the protruding mock gas adjuster, we recommend using a barrel extension to get more clearance. 

The front sight and gas block assembly mount to the barrel, providing a fine front sight post protected inside a ring and a mock gas adjuster below, appropriately simulating the adjustable gas system of the real M249 E2. The mock gas adjuster can be turned to select different positions, but provides no function in an Airsoft gun other than adding to its realism.

The high-density polymer bipod is mounted to the gas block and has adjustable leg length to allow you to set the M249 up on uneven ground and raise and lower it for the best firing position. The legs can be folded and unfolded quickly by squeezing them together and indexing them in the rail-mounted bipod retainer. The bipod also allows for tilting the LMG by a few degrees left and right, which reduces the chances of the bipod restricting your ability to engage a moving target.

Next up, we reach the handguard and heatshield of the M249, both of which are constructed from high-density polymer. The heatshield/upper handguard is covered in cooling vents, which serve to help prevent heat buildup in the barrel of the real M249 and also give it the aggressive machinegun look.

The lower handguard is the latest design for the real steel M249, equipped with 20mm Picatinny rails at the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions, punctuated with vent ports. The 20mm rails allow you to kit your M249 out Special Forces style with 20mm Picatinny accessories, including PEQ-15 lasers, tactical flashlights and vertical grips!

Between the handguard/heatshield and receiver, we have a folding carry handle which sits flat against the top when not in use. To deploy the handle, simply push it rearwards and turn it 90 degrees upwards, where it will lock into place. The carry handle is intended to allow users of the real M249 to remove a spicy hot barrel after a long firing session without burning their hands, but can also be used to support and steer the front end of the SAW for some Rambo-like hip firing action. We don't recommend carrying the M249 by this handle alone, as although it is constructed from steel, it may put undue stress on the LMG, as it wasn't designed for this purpose.

The receiver of this version of the Cybergun M249 is constructed from polymer, reducing weight and improving scratch resistance when compared to the full metal version. The weight savings mean you can move faster in-game and keep pace with those assault rifle-toting teammates while bringing along the same firepower advantage as you would have with the original full-metal Cybergun M249.

That said, this SAW is still a bit of a monster, tipping the scales at approximately 3.6 KG will definitely feel like a whole different beast to your usual M4, though the polymer receiver makes LMG gunning that much more accessible for everyone. FN Herstal trademarks are present on the left side of the receiver, matching the manufacturer's markings of the real thing perfectly. The markings read "MINIMI 6mm" with the FN Herstal logo just to the left.

The polymer itself is rock solid and of high quality, with no flex or wobble to be found. The charging handle doesn't actuate a mock bolt in the M249 design, but can still be pulled back slightly. All of the body pins and other trim parts are also constructed from steel to keep the structure of the M249 rigid and wobble-free.

Just like the real thing, the Cybergun M249 allows you to borrow magazines from teammates wielding M4/AR-15 AEG platforms in a sticky situation. The AR magazine well is on the left side and protrudes at an angle, so you can still get nice and low in the prone position when using AR mags. The magazine catch of the AR magwell is integrated into its very own dust cover, which seals the magwell when it is not in use. This means inserting the magazine works the same as with an AR, just push the mag in, and it will lock, but removing it requires the protruding tab to be pressed in.

The controls of the M249 are super simple, with a push-through fire selector located just above the pistol grip offering SAFE and FULL AUTO. Just like the real thing, there is no semi-automatic function on the Cybergun M249, making it a purebred support weapon designed for volume of fire. When the push-through fire selector protrudes on the right side, the trigger will be locked, and in safe mode, and with the selector protruding on the left, the M249 is set to fully automatic.

The grip is a comfortable design which was derived from that of the FN FAL and has been added to several tactical AK variants to improve their ergonomics. Boasting linear texture on all sides to keep the hefty SAW in your hands during wet weather or when wearing gloves, the grip also has a palm ledge at the bottom to improve stability.

The adjustable HOP-up of the M249 is located inside the receiver at the front and can be accessed by lifting the receiver top cover and mock feed tray. Pressing the two buttons on either side of the rear of the receiver will release the top cover, and it will spring open to reveal the internals.

The HOP-up unit is a rotary design, meaning it should hold its setting well under the vibrations of full auto fire and can be adjusted in finer increments than the older gear adjuster design. The unit is also constructed from alloy, guaranteeing that it will never break or fail during normal use.

Mounted to the upper surface of the top cover, you will find the rear aperture iron sight, which is not adjustable but is visually identical to the real M249 rear sight and should be perfectly functional at Airsoft skirmish ranges despite its lack of adjustability. Just ahead of the rear sight, we are treated to a 20mm Picatinny receiver rail, meaning red dot sights or scopes can be added without further mods. This matches well with the later M249 SAW versions issued to the US Army, and can be used to mount an ELCAN Spectre or ACOG-style optic if you are running a Milsim kit.

The battery compartment is located inside the rear of the receiver, accessible when the stock is removed via the two pins retaining it. With not a lot of space to work with, we recommend a 7.4V 600mAh LiPo in PDW stick configuration. You may be able to fit larger batteries inside, but make sure you measure before buying to avoid disappointment!

To deploy the stock, all you need to do is pull the stock straight out and rotate it by 90 degrees, where it will lock into position. Collapsing the stock again only requires pulling the polymer rotating piece away from the receiver, rotating it back into the original position and sliding the bars forward again. Deploying the stabiliser doesn't require any buttons; simply lift it up to deploy and push it back down again to stow it. This makes operating the stock and shoulder stabiliser quick and easy to use in the field when working under pressure and under fire!

Internally, this M249 is equipped with the common Version 2 gearbox, granting it wide compatibility with the almost unlimited aftermarket for Version 2 upgrade parts. As it comes, we have an 18:1 steel gearset and an aluminium cylinder, with standard TM AEG-spec compression group parts.

The advantage of using a V2 gearbox over the M249 specific gearbox is its ability to take advanced Gate TITAN and ASTER MOSFETs, Warhead Brushless Motors, enhanced air seal components and high-speed gearsets, something which is much harder to achieve, if not impossible, with the usual '249 gearbox. While it shoots well out of the box, there is plenty of upgrade potential in this M249 for those who simply cannot touch an AEG without upgrading it!

Whether you're dusting off your DDPM for a British Army LMG gunner kit or you want the Rambo vibe without hitting the gym, the Cybergun FN Herstal M249 PARA Sports Line AEG is a fantastic option. An authentic build with realistic trademarks, accessory rails, a 2000-round magazine and plenty of upgrade options thanks to its V2 gearbox, this M249 makes the support gunner role that bit more accessible!

Features

• High-density polymer build - Alloy outer barrel & trim parts
• Alloy outer barrel and stock base - Strength where needed
• Polymer bipod included and pre-installed - Easy and fast to fold
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready with Barrel extension
• M249 PARA muzzle device - A perfect match for the real M249 PARA
• SAFE/FULL AUTO only - A true light machine gun
• PARA M249 SAW - An ideal stand-in for the British Army L110A2 Minimi PARA
• Aperture iron sights - Elevation & windage adjustment on the rear sight
• Folding carry handle - Great for hip fire, but we don't recommend carrying it with the handle!
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Accessible with the top cover raised
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Share mags with teammates
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for red dot sights and scopes
• 20mm Picatinny tri-rail lower handguard - Add a PEQ/DBAL lasers, tactical flashlights & more
• Rear sling point on the butt plate - Add a two-point sling using the sling points on the heat shield
• Push-through safety design - Ambidextrous and easy to use
• Alloy version 2 gearbox - Compatible with aftermarket upgrade parts for V2 gearboxes
• Textured pistol grip - Comfortable design, great for heavy platforms
• Rear wired: Mini-Tamiya connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 600mAh LiPo
• Functional barrel quick release - Realistic and very, very cool (no pun intended)
• OEM: S&T Armament

Package Includes

• Cybergun FN Herstal M249 PARA Sports Line AEG
  • 2000rnd Auto-winding box magazine

Special Instructions

This variant of the Cybergun M249 includes an auto-winding 2000-round box magazine with sound control. Auto winding mode will wind continuously when selected (usually used to prime the magazine before shooting). Sound control mode will wind the magazine automatically as your platform shoots.

This magazine requires 2 x AA cells to operate. Instructions to load the magazine can be found below:

• Disconnect the snap button and unzip the zip.
• Insert 2 x AA cells into the battery compartment on the bottom of the mag.
• Open the feed hatch on the side of the magazine, above the snap button.
• Pour your BBs in and close the hatch.
• Select your winding mode using the switch on the bottom.