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Yesterday, Sig Sauer announced the United States Operation Command (USSOCOM) has completed a safety certification and purchase of the Sig MG 338 machine gun. The safety certification includes the MG 338, Sig Sauer 338 Norma ammunition, and next generation Sig suppressors.
Yesterday, Sig Sauer announced the United States Operation Command (USSOCOM) has completed a safety certification and purchase of the Sig MG 338 machine gun. The safety certification includes the MG 338, Sig Sauer 338 Norma ammunition, and next generation Sig suppressors. Sig Sauer also released a companion video introducing and showing the key features of the Sig MG 338. (Video above)
Bridging the Gap
The MG 338 was designed to bridge the gap between M240 (7.62×51) and M2 (.50 cal) machine guns on the battlefield. The MG 338 is lighter than both the M240 and M2 machine guns weighing in at 20 lbs. The MG 338 provides greater range and lethality versus M240. That increase in range and lethality is due to the MG 338 being chambered in Sig Sauer .338 Norma. The MG 338 doesn’t pack the power that .50 cal does. Nor does it have the psychological factor that .50 BMG brings. Yet, MG 338 has it advantages as being a man portable weapon system with a higher rate of fire (M2:450 rounds a min vs MG 338:600 rounds a min) making the MG 338 a better option to take on to the battlefield. While also maintaining effective range of a M2 machine gun of 2,000 yards.
The MG 338 features a short stroke piston system, with a proprietary recoil mitigation system, a free floating quick change barrel, ambidextrous safety controls, switchable feed tray, and quick detach suppressors mount. The MG 338 is a modular machine gun which allow for the MG 338 to be converted to 7.62×51.
The first MG 338 machine guns, ammunition, and suppressors have already been delivered to SOCOM units and more currently in route.
Below is Sig Sauer press release on the safety certification purchase of the MG 338 machine gun by SOCOM.
NEWINGTON, N.H., (January 15, 2020) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the United States Special Operation Command (USSOCOM), working closely with SIG SAUER, has completed a safety certification of the new SIG SAUER MG 338 Machine Gun, SIG SAUER 338 Norma Mag Ammunition, and Next Generation Suppressors. Following this historic official safety certification, SIG SAUER has completed deliveries of multiple systems, comprised of the MG 338 Machine Guns, 338 Norma Mag Ammunition, and Next Generation Suppressors – all researched, designed, engineered, and manufactured by SIG SAUER in the U.S.A.
The safety certification of the complete SIG SAUER MG 338 system and delivery of the system to USSOCOM is historically very significant. For the first time in decades the U.S. Military certified a new machine gun, ammunition, and suppressor at the same time, bringing new innovation, portability, and increased lethality to our ground forces, with all components coming from one company,” began Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc. “This certification was achieved following the outstanding performance of the complete MG 338 system through the rigors of the extensive function, durability, and safety tests set forth by USSOCOM.”
The SIG MG 338 bridges the gap between the current machine guns currently in use with the U.S. Military. In comparison to the current M240 (7.62x51cal) machine gun, which has been in service with the U.S. Military for 60 years, the SIG MG 338, is noticeably lighter, weighing only 20 pounds, and provides significantly more range and lethality. In comparison to the M2 (.50cal), which has been in service with the U.S. Military for 110 years, the MG 338 is approximately one-quarter the weight, and in a historic first, offers a man-portable solution with similar effective-range. Making this system even more desirable is the new SIG SAUER Next Generation
Suppressors which drastically reduces the impact of harmful toxic fumes and signature, making the operator less vulnerable.
The SIG SAUER MG 338 machine gun is a belt-fed, lightweight medium machine gun weighing under 20lbs., chambered in 338 Norma Mag. The MG 338 features a short-stroke gas piston system and a proprietary recoil mitigation system, with a free-floating, quick-change barrel, ambidextrous controls, switchable feed tray, charging handle that can be alternated to either side depending on operator preference, and as a modern, multi-caliber, modular system the new SIG MG 338 is easily convertible to 7.62x51cal.
“We are incredibly proud of this historical accomplishment and honored to have received this safety certification by USSOCOM for the performance of the complete MG 338 system,” concluded Cohen.
What do you think of Sig’s new MG 338 machine guns? Let us know in the comments below.
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Hello, everyone and welcome to The Loadout Blog. The purpose of this website is to share educate, inform, and build a lasting culture around firearms. I want to create a hub of reliable, cohesive, and relevant material for today's shooter. I am seeking to appeal to all demographics so from the novice, to experienced, along with LE and military communities. I am here to be transparent and honest on all matters discussed or chronicled on this site. I will post content once a week at minimum or more often if time allows.
Now, a little bit about me. I served six years in the Marines Corps as an 0311. I was in 2nd BN 4th Marines, 5th Marine Reg, 1st Mar Div. I was in Golf Company while in 2/4. I was deployed twice during my time in. I did one deployment to Afghanistan and my second was on apart of 31st MEU. I departed the military in September of 2015. I currently work as an RSO at a local range in Vegas.
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