M249 Squad Automatic Weapon

M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
Production information
Affiliation	Hazardous Environment Combat Unit Black Ops
Manufacturer	FN Herstal
Model	FN Minimi
Type	Light machine gun
Technical specifications
Damage	15 points per bullet
Magazine size	50
Maximum ammunition	200
Fire mode	Automatic
Ammunition type	5.56×45mm NATO
Operation	Gas-operated, open bolt
Rate of fire	850 RPM
Accuracy	Low
Range	Medium
Usage
Used by	HECU Marines Male Black Ops Adrian Shephard
Game information
Entity / spawn codes	weapon_m249

 

The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, also known as the SAW Machine Gun or simply SAW, is a weapon featured in Half-Life: Opposing Force. It is a powerful automatic weapon used by the HECU.

Overview

• The M249 is a machine gun that offers squad-level support. However, it also has a lot of recoil added to it as well so that the SMG is not made completely obsolete. In addition to decreasing accuracy, the longer the player fires the gun, the M249's recoil knocks the player back a bit as long as the fire key is held down.

• The M249 can first be obtained by taking it from a dead ally in the chapter Friendly Fire. If not picked up there, it can be obtained at the beginning of the chapter Foxtrot Uniform.

Tactics

Shephard after the Black Mesa Medical Lab, featured during the Opposing Force installation process.

• The M249 is very effective against strong foes, such as Shock Troopers and Voltigores. It should not be wasted on enemies that can be easily killed with the SMG, such as Zombies or Pit Drones.

• Headshots will make quick work of even the strongest enemies, so one should try to aim for the head if possible.

• Crouching will make the weapon more accurate, so one should be sure to crouch as often as possible when using it.

• Ammo for this weapon is extremely rare until the end of the chapter Vicarious Reality.

• The M249 has a fairly long reload time, so one should make sure to be safe before reloading.

• Tapping the primary fire button instead of holding it will greatly reduce the recoil. Moving forward removes the recoil but decreases accuracy.

• If sufficient ammunition is available, the M249 can be used to impede falls by shooting downwards while falling. The backwards recoil will constantly push towards the player's back, regardless of direction, resulting in lower downwards momentum.

Trivia

The M249 Machine Gun also appears in the Counter-Strike series, but without the bipod and head, and uses a 100 round magazine.

Gallery

• 

  HUD icon.

• 

  Worldmodel.

• 

  Viewmodel.

• 

  Ammo box.

• 

  Shell model used when firing.

• 

  Composite screenshot of Shephard with his M249 chased by Pit Drones in an early version of the Loader room in Sector C, featured during the Opposing Force installation process.

List of appearances

• Half-Life: Opposing Force (First appearance)

External links

• M249 Squad Automatic Weapon on Wikipedia