04-10-2014, 03:14 PM
I like Cory's idea about shortening the middle hoop of the link.
I will also say that the feed tray mechanism on the SAW is the same one from the MAG58/M240, just scaled down slightly for 5.56 NATO. Where the SAW fails is in the operating system, the way the receiver is constructed, and the magazine well add-on.
To lessen the effects of recoil, constant recoil operating makes sense. Then you have to decide on what locking mechanism to use. The MAG58 uses a tilting lock mechanism, whereas the SAW uses an AK-patterned rotating bolt inside of an AK bolt carrier, with AK op rod and piston head. The SAW thus has very reduced longevity, because it is a bad design. The welded guide rails for the bolt carrier in a sheet steel receiver are good for a certain round count, and then the tolerances hit a point where belt-fed wear have beaten the system to death, and it becomes a jam-o-matic.
![[Image: 138881234231.png]](http://www.operatorchan.org/k/src/138881234231.png)
They addressed a lot of these issues with the Product Improvement Program, but I have not been able to evaluate any of those PIP SAW's, since it happened after I got out. My perspective is that you can put band aids on a system and address peripheral issues, but if the core design of the weapon is faulty, it's time to ditch it for the turd that it is.
![[Image: m249.jpg]](http://peosoldier.armylive.dodlive.mil/files/2013/05/m249.jpg)
I will also say that the feed tray mechanism on the SAW is the same one from the MAG58/M240, just scaled down slightly for 5.56 NATO. Where the SAW fails is in the operating system, the way the receiver is constructed, and the magazine well add-on.
To lessen the effects of recoil, constant recoil operating makes sense. Then you have to decide on what locking mechanism to use. The MAG58 uses a tilting lock mechanism, whereas the SAW uses an AK-patterned rotating bolt inside of an AK bolt carrier, with AK op rod and piston head. The SAW thus has very reduced longevity, because it is a bad design. The welded guide rails for the bolt carrier in a sheet steel receiver are good for a certain round count, and then the tolerances hit a point where belt-fed wear have beaten the system to death, and it becomes a jam-o-matic.
They addressed a lot of these issues with the Product Improvement Program, but I have not been able to evaluate any of those PIP SAW's, since it happened after I got out. My perspective is that you can put band aids on a system and address peripheral issues, but if the core design of the weapon is faulty, it's time to ditch it for the turd that it is.