# M249 SAW

▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ \[HERC DATABASE ENTRY: M249 SAW\] ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-damage-attacks-per-s" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 3px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 13.2514%;"></col><col style="width: 14.3275%;"></col><col style="width: 16.5924%;"></col><col style="width: 15.4002%;"></col><col style="width: 11.6994%;"></col><col style="width: 14.5646%;"></col><col style="width: 14.3258%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr><td class="align-center" style="height: 48.5938px; border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle;">**Damage**</td><td class="align-center" style="height: 48.5938px; border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle;">**Attacks Per Second**</td><td class="align-center" style="height: 48.5938px; border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle;">**Range**</td><td class="align-center" style="height: 48.5938px; border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle;">**Magazine Size**</td><td class="align-center" style="height: 48.5938px; border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle;">**Accuracy**</td><td class="align-center" style="height: 48.5938px; border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle;">**Ammo Cost**</td><td class="align-center" style="height: 48.5938px; border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle;">**Knockback**</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px;">13 - 18</td><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px;">8.57</td><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px;">12</td><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px;">100</td><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px;">40%</td><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px;">100</td><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px;">8%</td></tr><tr><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 14.3266%;">**DPS**</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 14.3266%;">**Fire Mode**</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 14.3266%;">**Minimum Effective Range**</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 14.3266%;">**Reload Speed**</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 14.3266%;">**Noise**</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 14.3266%;">**Move Speed Penalty**</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 14.3266%;">**Other Effects**</td></tr></tbody><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px; width: 14.3266%;">35.1 DPS</td><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px; width: 14.3266%;">Automatic</td><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px; width: 14.3266%;">  
</td><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px; width: 14.3266%;">6 seconds</td><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px; width: 14.3266%;">14</td><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px; width: 14.3266%;">-20%</td><td class="align-center" style="vertical-align: middle; border-width: 3px; width: 14.3266%;">  
</td></tr></tbody></table>


##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**How to Obtain:**</span>

- It can be scavenged during Level 14+ missions.

##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Crafting:**</span>

- The weapon can be upgraded up to Level 20.
- Level 17 Sighted Scoped variants can be crafted using an M249 SAW, 50 [Machined Parts](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/standard-components/page/machined-parts "Machined Parts"), 1 [Sight](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/standard-components/page/sights "Sights"), 1 [Pipe](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/standard-components/page/pipe "Pipe"), 2 [Lenses](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/standard-components/page/lense "Lense"), and 10 [Rivets](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/standard-components/page/rivets "Rivets") at a Level 7+ [Weapons Bench](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/general/page/weapons-bench "Weapons Bench") for <span class="mw-default-size">29[![image.png](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-01/cyZGFHJ8kv0Y6yYu-image.png)](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/premium-resource/page/fuel "Fuel")</span> *(after buying the required [schematic](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/schematics "Schematics") from the Store for 500 <span class="mw-default-size">[![image.png](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-01/cyZGFHJ8kv0Y6yYu-image.png)](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/premium-resource/page/fuel "Fuel")</span>) (also requires a Level 17+ [Engineer](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/survivor-classes/page/engineer) and [Fighter](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/survivor-classes/page/fighter "Fighter")).*
- Level 19 Custom Stock variants can be crafted using an M249 SAW, and 8 Machined Parts at a Level 9+ Weapons Bench for <span class="mw-default-size">11[![image.png](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-01/cyZGFHJ8kv0Y6yYu-image.png)](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/premium-resource/page/fuel "Fuel")</span> *(after scavenging the required schematic).*
- Level 20 Stabilized Custom Stock variants can be crafted using an M249 SAW, and 26 Machined Parts at a Level 8+ Weapons Bench for <span class="mw-default-size">25[![image.png](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-01/cyZGFHJ8kv0Y6yYu-image.png)](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/premium-resource/page/fuel "Fuel")</span> *(after scavenging the required schematic) (also requires a Level 20+ [Engineer](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/survivor-classes/page/engineer) and Fighter).*

##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Recycling Products:**</span>


- [Barrel](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/standard-components/page/barrel "Barrel") x 1
- [Firing Pin](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/standard-components/page/firing-pin "Firing Pin") x 1
- [Return Spring](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/standard-components/page/return-spring "Return Spring") x 1
- [Trigger System](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/standard-components/page/trigger-system "Trigger System") x 1
- [Machined Parts](https://wiki.deadzonegame.net/books/standard-components/page/machined-parts) x Variable *(dependent on the item's Level and attachments/conditions)*

##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Overview:**</span>

<p class="callout success"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">**PROS:**</span>  
- Good Damage  
- High Fire Rate  
- Automatic  
- Very Large Magazine</p>

<p class="callout danger"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">**CONS:**</span>  
- Inaccurate *(versus of all LMGs)*  
- Low Range *(lowest of all LMGs)*  
- Reloads Slowly  
- Very High Ammo Cost  
- High Move Speed Penalty</p>

<p class="callout warning"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">**TACTICS:**</span>  
The M249 SAW has a respectable service history with military organizations, so its ability to eliminate large numbers of infected targets is well known among HERC operatives. Its very generous magazine size, high fire rate and good ballistic performance per shot makes it a valuable, if heavy tool wherever it is deployed. However, once its magazine is inevitably emptied, it takes a very long time to be reloaded, leaving its wielder vulnerable to retaliation. Wise infantry procedure is to keep allied operators nearby to provide cover while the weapon is replenished, as well as ensuring it's always fully loaded by reloading during periods of decreased infected activity.***<span class="mw-headline">  
</span>***<span class="mw-headline">Operators with a Light Machine Gun specialization will help improve the weapon's relatively low accuracy.</span>  
***<span class="mw-headline"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Recommended gear:</span>  
</span>***<span class="mw-headline">- **Ammunition Pouches**/**Bandoliers** improves the weapon's weakest trait, the slow reload.</span>  
- **Extended Mags** further improve the weapon's ability to lay down fire without engaging in the slow reloading process.  
- **Shoes** mitigate the movement speed penalty that wielding the weapon incurs.</p>

<p class="callout info"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">**WEAPON BRIEF:**</span>  
The **<u>S</u>**quad **<u>A</u>**utomatic **<u>W</u>**eapon is an American derivative of the Belgian Minimi, intended to provide infantry squads with a light machine gun that better combines portability and belt-fed firepower over preceding designs. It has served the U.S. military in every major conflict since its inception, setting the bench mark for subsequent LMG designs.  
The weapon is used exclusively by the military.</p>

##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Variations:** </span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-suppressed-sighted-s" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 97.5%; height: 313.406px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.9756%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr style="height: 30.5px;"><td class="align-center" style="height: 30.5px; vertical-align: middle;">**SCOPED**</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr style="height: 152.328px;"><td class="align-center" style="height: 152.328px; vertical-align: middle;">  
</td></tr><tr style="height: 130.578px;"><td style="height: 130.578px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Obtained By:**</span> Looting, Crafting

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Guaranteed Stats:**</span>

+15% Range

+3% Accuracy

</td></tr></tbody></table>


<span style="text-decoration: underline;">  
</span>

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