Here is a detailed review of the manual machine gun produced in Belgium. The main customer of this system is the United States. But surprisingly, the roots of the origin of this model go to the USSR. Now we will explain everything.
Some historical facts
The action took place in the twentieth century. It was 1977. Plant IZHMASH, part of the defense complex of the Soviet Union, made and agreed to sell the patent for a new Kalashnikov machine gun. He had a caliber of 5.56 and tape feed. The buyer was the Belgian company Fabrique Nationale.
The sale of the patent was not related to any conspiracy or sabotage. The deal was calculated. Launch of this instance is not threatened. At that time, the USSR already produced PKM and RPK-74, which surpassed the model sold to the Belgians in most characteristics.
Over the next three years, the Soviet development was not in demand, until the 80th year. It was then that the Belgians received an order from NATO for the mass production of a machine gun. Now it had to be finalized. This was entrusted to a talented weapons engineer Ernest Vervier. On his account was already FN MAG, which has established itself as a reliable, powerful machine.
The result of his improvements makes an impression. Taking the Soviet scheme as a basis and using German pedantry and accuracy, we managed to create an amazing machine gun. Two years were spent on modernization, and then passed successful seven-month tests. At the end of their FN Minimi adopted.
This system is equipped with a division of the Marine Corps of the US Army. With the Marines machine gun went around half the world. He successfully performed his functions in South America, in Africa and in Asia. The Desert Storm was the hardest test for him. But here, FN Minimi proved to be a reliable, unpretentious, efficient weapon.
Complete set of the FN Minimi machine gun
Complete set for cleaning includes:
- combined four-stage ramrod;
- rubbing;
- curved awl;
- rough and soft ruffs;
- screwdriver;
- a pair of rubber plugs;
- knockout;
- oiler.
This set is enough to keep the weapon in working condition always and in any conditions.
With regard to stores, it can be noted that there is nothing remarkable about them. Other business is a bag under them. Convenience and aesthetics, they are one step ahead of the domestic ones in service today. Noteworthy boxes for tapes. This is a metal folding frame, covered with a durable tarpaulin.
This design is extremely successful. Tarpaulin easily is removed, and the framework develops. As a result, an empty box weighs little and does not take up much space. But there is a minus. Cartridges often get out of the box. Plastic counterparts are more efficient and reliable in this respect.
Surprised by the lack of a handle pouch. It seems strange that the machine gun was created for carrying on the belt. This is inconvenient, and it is unlikely that it will be possible to move with him in that position for a long time. Although the bag itself claims no. There are pockets for ribbons, optics and much more for what. In general, a solid four, or even five with a minus.
The appearance of the machine gun FN Minimi
Regarding appearance, you can have long discussions. This copy is like an ugly girl who is scary to show without makeup and people. In the "basic" form, it looks poor, produces a feeling of understaffing. Visually, it seems that someone removed the parts and components and did not put them in place.
But if the machine gun is "dressed up": install optics, change a poor butt (as if from the time of the Second World War) to the original swing-out or from the M4 - that's when it looks like a powerful slaughter machine. Now his appearance is impressive and organic.
Equipment
The barrel is a mysterious development of the company Fabrique Nationale. Incomprehensible superhard alloy and chrome plating of the inner surface. Minimi is equipped with quick-detachable type trunks of various lengths (depending on version):
- shortened version - 349 mm;
- Stock option - 465 mm;
- the “sharpened” version under 7.62 caliber has the greatest length - 502 mm.
The barrel is equipped with a flame arrester, the design resembling RPK-74. A huge plus is the presence of a special handle for removing the barrel when overheated. On the other hand, this indicates a flaw, since the extraction requires the use of hands. Leverage actions are not enough.
Handguard is made of plastic, has longitudinal holes and guides. Fastened to the barrel cooler, which caused it to overheat. With the advent of the new millennium, the forearm has undergone modernization. In different countries, the design varies, but in any embodiment it is plastic and light. Guides are designed for installation "body kit":
- lighting lanterns;
- tactical handles;
- LCC.
Nastvolnye linings in the described models are plastic or aluminum (duralumin). They have a special slot that allows you to remove the barrel without removing the lining. Models produced in the early period, were equipped with lining, which were attached directly to the barrel and were not equipped with sights.
For setting on the machine there is a ring. The procedure requires that the forearm was removed, and the bipod bent or unfastened. From the bottom of the barrel is a tube of the on-off regulator. This design makes it possible not to stop firing, even with severe contamination and the presence of gunpowder.
Bipods foldable, and can be removed under the trunk or handguard. The telescopic design has three fixed positions in height. This gives advantages in battle. It is more convenient, easier and faster to set the machine gun horizontally in any position and with any uneven ground.
The underbarrel box looks like an underassembled unit, and it is much more difficult to disassemble it than its competitors. Here are springs, dowels, thrusts, and more. Shop with ammunition at the exhibition on the machine works as the third reference point.
Rifle handle - self-fastened knot. In case of its pollution, failure and other troubles, it can be immediately replaced with a new, working one. On the left panel is a painfully simple fuse. The system is this: the movement blocks the bolt carrier. Easier design is not found.
The receiver has a feature. It is located on the left, but at an angle:
- 900 for boxes with cartridges;
- 450 for the store.
The presence of two receivers - a kind of innovation. This has increased the versatility of weapons. If necessary, enough to perepegnut chuck another type, and the fight can continue. In order to prevent foreign objects from getting into the unused receiver, the design assumes the presence of special sliding shutters on each of them.
Pros and cons of design
This machine gun is equipped with a terrible sighting mechanism. Increased aiming line and diopter type. Perhaps the designers initially set a goal to develop a machine for the use of optics. One gets the feeling that this is a design flaw.
Butt vice versa. He unfastened (folds) by pressing the lever and a single movement of the hand. The design is primitive, but reliable and durable. The system does not razbaltyvaetsya even with heavy use of the machine gun.
Well, the complexity of the design. This is definitely a minus, especially when it comes to care in the field. Many complex mechanisms created to improve performance, can serve a cruel joke on a warrior if at least one of them fails.
