FN Minimi / M249 vs HK MG4: how to tell them apart

Two machine guns that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

FN Minimi / M249

Machine gun, Belgium. In service since 1980

What gives it away

Short heavy barrel with a carrying handle, squared receiver and a magazine well on the left side.

Used by

USA, UK, Belgium, Denmark and many others

HK MG4

Machine gun, Germany. In service since 2005

What gives it away

5.56 mm belt-fed light machine gun with a polymer side-folding stock, a carry handle and a bipod; squarer than the Minimi.

Used by

Germany, Spain, Portugal, Estonia and others

FN Minimi / M249 · HK MG4 · All guides