The M249 SAW in Call of Duty has appeared across the series for nearly two decades, starting with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. It has shifted between roles, stats, and names, but it remains one of the most recognizable light machine guns in the franchise. This guide covers its performance, features, and evolution from the original Modern Warfare through recent titles.
Table of Contents
M249 SAW in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
The M249 SAW made its first major appearance in Call of Duty 4, where it was a fully automatic LMG with a high rate of fire and strong performance at medium to long range. It was carried by the United States Marine Corps and the SAS, and it was also the signature weapon of SSgt. Griggs.
Damage and Fire Rate
In single-player, the M249 hit much harder than in multiplayer. Its single-player profile dealt 130–90 damage, allowing it to outperform the RPD while firing at 937 RPM. In multiplayer, the weapon dealt 30 damage per shot, requiring four hits to kill at any range. A headshot dealt 42 damage, reducing the kill requirement to three shots if one bullet struck the head.
Stopping Power markedly improved the weapon in multiplayer, raising damage to 42 per shot, creating fast three-shot kills. With Double Tap, the fire rate jumped to 1250 RPM, giving the weapon strong time-to-kill potential if the user could control the recoil.
Recoil and Accuracy
The M249 SAW had lighter recoil than the RPD and M60E4. It featured an unusual downward recoil value, which made vertical drift easier to manage. Horizontal recoil remained the biggest challenge, but its centerspeed and high rate of fire allowed steady control at medium range.
The iron sights were obstructive but workable. The weapon’s 100-round belt allowed long periods of sustained fire, but the reload animation was slow at 6.45 seconds, though reload cancelling could speed this up to 5.23 seconds.
Attachments
Only three attachments were available, but each changed the weapon noticeably.
- Grip: The most useful attachment. It raised centerspeed from 1700 to 1900 and significantly improved hip-fire accuracy. With the Grip equipped, the M249 handled closer to an assault rifle at short range and improved consistency at distance.
- Red Dot Sight: Provided a clearer sight picture without affecting recoil or mobility.
- ACOG Scope: Gave a long-range optic but reduced centerspeed and added heavy idle sway, making the weapon less accurate.
Many multiplayer players preferred the Grip due to the immediate improvement in control and hip-fire reliability.
Campaign Use in Modern Warfare
In Call of Duty 4, the M249 appeared in several campaign missions including “Charlie Don’t Surf,” “The Bog,” and “Ultimatum.” Griggs almost always carried it. It was more effective than the RPD in single-player due to higher damage and a larger presence in scripted encounters.
Mounted versions of the SAW also appeared in vehicle sections and defensive positions, offering increased damage values and sustained fire.
M249 SAW in Old School Mode
Old School Mode included the M249 with 100 rounds in the belt and 100 rounds in reserve. It could be found in specific map locations, sometimes paired with the Grip or ACOG.
M249 SAW in Later Modern Warfare Titles
Modern Warfare 2
In Modern Warfare 2, the M249 SAW did not return as a normal weapon. It appeared only as a mounted machine gun in missions like “The Hornet’s Nest” and “Whiskey Hotel.” A console command allowed players to spawn a portable version in Spec Ops, but this was not available through normal gameplay.
These mounted variants used the same model and pickup icon as the original Modern Warfare version, and they often behaved differently, such as firing automatically when NPCs controlled them.
Modern Warfare: Mobilized
The handheld version returned in Modern Warfare: Mobilized. It had a 600 RPM fire rate and a 100-round belt, with a 200-round belt in Survival Mode. Damage was higher than the console version, and recoil was almost nonexistent. Mobility remained limited, but sprinting speed matched other weapons, which was a notable change for an LMG.
Modern Warfare 3 (Console)
The weapon did not return as a usable LMG. The M249 pickup icon appeared in some mounted positions, but players could not use the SAW directly.
Modern Warfare 3: Defiance
In the Nintendo DS title, the M249 returned with stats similar to the Mobilized version, but with added recoil. It was issued to friendly forces and unlocked in multiplayer after 500 total kills.
M249 SAW as the Bruen Mk9 in Modern Warfare (2019)
The M249’s modern reinterpretation arrived as the Bruen Mk9 in Modern Warfare (2019). It used a 5.56 NATO belt and fired at 752 RPM, lower than the classic SAW but with greater stability.
Damage values ranged from 31–28–22 across different distances, with a 1.5× headshot multiplier. It accepted a wide range of Gunsmith attachments, including:
- 60-round mags
- 200-round belt
- Multiple barrels and optics
- Sleight of Hand
- Heavy suppressors and compensators
The Bruen Mk9 became popular due to its accuracy, large magazine options, and strong mid-range control.
Bruen Mk9 in Call of Duty: Mobile
The Bruen Mk9 appeared again in Call of Duty: Mobile. It fired at 750 RPM with a similar 100-round belt. Its damage profile matched its console counterpart, with clear drop-offs at 20 meters and 38 meters.
It offered a long list of attachments, including 60-round magazines and 200-round drums, making it adaptable to aggressive or defensive playstyles. It also had slightly milder recoil than most LMGs in the mobile title.
Bruen Mk9 in Modern Warfare III
The Bruen Mk9 returned once more in Modern Warfare III. It supported both 5.56 NATO and .300 Blackout, a change that allowed players to modify damage and range.
It remained a high-capacity LMG with a 100-round belt and access to 60-round and 200-round magazines. In Zombies mode under Operation Deadbolt, the Pack-a-Punched version became the Mafdet, gaining enhanced damage and scaling power.
M249 SAW as the PML 5.56 in Black Ops 6
The most recent version of the SAW is the PML 5.56 in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. It fires at 799 RPM and uses a 100-round belt by default. It supports magazine conversions from 30-round mags to a huge 500-round belt-fed system.
In Zombies, the upgraded version is named Veni Vidi Vici. It doubles its magazine size and increases reserve ammunition, making it one of the strongest sustained-fire weapons in the mode.
Why the M249 SAW Stands Out Across the Series
The M249 SAW holds a consistent identity throughout the franchise. It delivers high rates of fire, long bursts, and a solid balance of accuracy and mobility for an LMG. While later versions changed the name to Bruen Mk9 or PML 5.56, the core design stayed the same: a fast-firing belt-fed LMG with strong mid-range pressure.
Players who prefer constant suppression and large magazines often favor this weapon across titles. Its role shifts slightly from game to game, but its purpose remains stable.
Final Thoughts
The M249 SAW in Call of Duty has one of the longest-running histories in the series. From its early days as Griggs’ go-to gun to its current form in the Bruen Mk9 and PML 5.56, it continues to evolve while keeping its identity. Its mix of fire rate, magazine capacity, and consistent handling helps it remain relevant across different eras of the franchise.
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