Which is Better? M134 Gatling Gun vs. M240

Firepower At Its Finest!

There are several other factors to consider when comparing accuracy of each weapon but this is a pretty good test. It’s not exactly perfect but it’s okay. The M134 Gatling Gun has a muzzle velocity of 2,800 ft/sec and rate of fire of 2,000–6,000 rpm which is quite high. This six-barrel machine gun has a 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.

It features Gatling-style rotating barrels with an external power source, normally an electric motor. The minigun’s multi-barrel design helps prevent overheating, but also serves other functions. Multiple barrels allow for a greater capacity for a high firing rate, since the serial process of firing/extraction/loading is taking place in all barrels simultaneously.

On the other hand, the M240 machine gun also fires the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge and even has the same muzzle velocity of 2,800 ft/s but its rate of fire is just at 750–950 rpm. While the M134 uses an electrically-driven rotary breech, the M240 is open bolt and gas-operated.

Despite not being the lightest medium machine gun in service, it is highly regarded for reliability, and its standardization among NATO members is also seen as a major advantage.

They’re both undeniably good!