The M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) is a squad-oriented, gas-operated, fully automatic light machine gun. It was developed in the late 1970s for the military as a light man-carried machine gun for use as fire support. It is chambered for use with the standardized 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge an extremely common assault rifle round. The M249 has undergone several design changes and variation since its original inception, and was scheduled to be replaced in 2005 by a new lightweight machine gun. However, since no new selection was ever made, the M249 remains in service today.

	An M249 with an M16 style Magazine

The M249 comes standard with a rifle stock and pistol style grip allowing it to be shoulder fired by the operator on the move. In addition, it features a built-in bipod and a tripod mounting lug for use with stationary fire positions (supported fire). The M249 also boasts an incredible 850 to 900 round per minute fire rate, and features a quick change barrel that helps prevent overheating during sustained fire. However, in the post apocalyptic world of zombie survival, ammo conservation is key, and an ammo hungry beast such as the M249 may not always be the best choice as your primary defense, but may better find its home in a stationary position as your shelter defense.

The M249 is has several variations including shortened barrels and a collapsible stock witch aid in making it much more effective in close quarters combat: a situation you may find yourself in all too often when raiding buildings in search of food or supplies in zombie infected areas. Its all-metal construction makes it fairly durable. However, it is far too bulky to be used effectively as a melee weapon. The weapon's high rate of fire allows the operator to land more hits on the target. But remember, when dealing with zombies, only head shots count, so accuracy is much more important than fire rate. Luckily, the M249 has a point-target effective range of 656 yards (600 m), meaning you can accurately hit a target over 2 football fields away. The 5.56mm ammunition it uses is nowhere near the highest on the stopping power charts, but it will easily get the job done.

	The M249 in action

As mentioned earlier, the M249 uses the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, a standard cartridge for NATO forces and for several nations not part of NATO. The M249 has several ammunition handling options. The M249 can accept belts of linked ammunition through the top-mounted feed tray from either a loose belt or from a plastic box or cloth pouch (200 rounds) clipped under the receiver. It can even accept M16-type magazines through the side-mounted port. This allows the weapon to use riflemen's magazines in an emergency if you run out of belted ammunition, although this often causes jams as the magazine spring cannot adequately keep up with the weapon's high rate of fire. Another great feature about the M249 is that it can use the civilian issue .223 Remington cartridges. The rounds are nearly identical in milling and specifications; although this is not recommended, it will work in a pinch. Again, this round is not the best rifle round when talking about stopping power, but it isn't the worst by any means either.

The M249 is a very light weapon... if you're not the one who has to carry it. It weighs in at a massive 22.08 pounds (10.02 kg) fully loaded. Believe me, you will feel the fatigue of carrying this thing for any extended period of time. However, it IS portable; a feat not typically reached by modern machine guns. When compared to other machine guns, it is easily one of the lightest and most wieldy. In the world of zombie warfare, this weapon will better find its home in a stationary position as shelter defense.

The M249 is not a very practical choice for a primary means of personal defense. It is better left at home if you plan on having to move quickly from place to place. However, it will do the job it is designed for with flying colors: Providing defense and suppressive fire support.