Editing FN Minimi (section)

==Design details==
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2021}}

===Operating mechanism===
[[File:Een prospectus-foto van een lichte mitrailleur met bandvoeding. Het betreft een FN Minimi, die getest wordt als mogelijke opvolger van de FN MAG (2086-064-010).jpg|thumb|left|FN Minimi in its initial configuration]]
The Minimi uses a [[Gas-operated reloading|gas-actuated]] long-stroke piston system. The barrel is locked with a [[Rotating bolt|rotary bolt]], equipped with two massive locking lugs, forced into battery by a helical camming guide in the bolt carrier. Upon firing, the piston is forced to the rear by expanding propellant gases bled through a port in the barrel near the muzzle end. The piston rod acts against the bolt carrier, which begins its rearward motion guided on two rails welded to the [[Receiver (firearms)|receiver]] walls, while the bolt itself remains locked. This sequence provides a slight delay that ensures [[Chamber (firearms)|chamber]] pressure has dropped to a safe level by the time a cam in the bolt carrier rotates and unlocks the bolt, increasing extraction reliability as the empty cartridge casing has had the time to cool down and contract, exerting less friction against the chamber walls.

The Minimi fires from an [[open bolt]], which reduces the danger of a round [[cooking off]] after extended periods of continuous fire, since a cartridge is only momentarily introduced into the chamber prior to ignition, and the movement of the bolt and bolt carrier forces air through the chamber and barrel after each shot, ventilating the barrel and removing heat. Gas escaping the gas cylinder is directed upward, avoiding kicking up dust and debris that would reveal the shooter's position.

===Features===
[[File:Minimi.jpg|thumb|left|The Minimi Para with a [[telescopic sight]], spare barrel and ammunition pouches.]]
The Minimi has a manually adjustable gas valve with two positions, normal and adverse. The adverse setting increases the cyclic rate of fire from 700–850 rounds per minute to 950–1,150 rounds per minute and is used only in extreme environmental conditions or when heavy fouling is present in the weapon's gas tube. The spring [[Extractor (firearms)|extractor]] is located inside the bolt, while the tilting lever ejector is contained inside the receiver housing. Spent casings are removed through a port located at the bottom of the right side of the receiver, protected from debris with a spring-loaded dust cover. The Minimi is striker-fired and the bolt carrier functions as the striker mechanism.

The Minimi has a push-button type manual safety installed in the trigger housing, above the pistol grip. In the "weapon safe" position, it disables the sear mechanism; pushing the button to the right side exposes a red-coloured rim on the left side of the firearm and indicates the weapon is ready to fire. The black polymer pistol grip from the [[FN FAL|FAL]] and [[FN FNC|FNC]] rifles was initially used, but the Minimi is currently fitted with a modified grip with lateral grooves, installed at a smaller angle to the receiver.

The Minimi features a welded receiver made from stamped [[steel]]. Both the standard and Para variants are equipped with a fixed, folding [[bipod]] mounted to the gas tube and stowed under the handguard. The bipod can be adjusted in height and each leg has three height settings. The bipod also offers a 15° range of rotation to either side. With the bipod fully extended, the bore axis is elevated to a height of {{convert|465|mm|abbr=on|1}}. The Minimi can also be fired from the Belgian FN360° tripod or the American M122 mount using an M60 pintle. The vehicle-mounted Minimi is fitted with an electrically powered trigger that enables it to be fired remotely from within an armoured fighting vehicle.

[[File:FN Minimi Para Left.jpg|thumb|right|The short barrel Minimi Para]]
The standard light machine gun version has a {{convert|465|mm|abbr=on|1}} barrel and a skeletonized [[aluminium]] stock with a folding wire shoulder strap. The shortened Para model has a {{convert|349|mm|abbr=on|1}} barrel and a collapsible metal stock, while the vehicle-mounted model has a {{convert|465|mm|abbr=on|1}} barrel but does not have a stock or [[iron sight]]s. All models can alternatively be fitted with a fixed synthetic stock, the same used on the M249, which contains a hydraulic buffer that contributes to stabilizing the rate of fire and reducing recoil forces.<ref>"The MINIMI 5.56 can be fitted with a hydraulic buffer for stabilized rate of fire and reduced recoil forces. The design of the buttstock contributes to simple, comfortable and accurate firing."—[http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=249&backPID=306&productID=18&pid_product=233&pidList=306&categorySelector=2&detail= MINIMI 5.56 Standard] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080823203027/http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=249&backPID=306&productID=18&pid_product=233&pidList=306&categorySelector=2&detail= |date=2008-08-23 }}, FNHerstal.com.</ref>

===Feeding===
[[File:Minimi-img 1022.jpg|thumb|left|Lifting the feed tray cover reveals the rotary bolt locking mechanism]]
[[File:Evers M249SAW& FN Minimi feeding.svg|thumb|left|Feeding schematic of the FN Minimi]]
The weapon is fed from the left-hand side by disintegrating-link [[M27 link|M27]] ammunition [[Belt (firearm)|belts]] (a miniaturized version of the [[7.62×51mm NATO|7.62mm]] [[M13 link|M13]] belt), from either an unsupported loose belt, enclosed in a [[polymer]] ammunition box with a 200-round capacity attached to the base of the receiver, or from detachable [[STANAG magazine]]s, used in other [[NATO]] 5.56&nbsp;mm [[assault rifle]]s such as the [[M16 rifle|M16]] and [[FN FNC|FNC]]. Magazine feeding is used only as an auxiliary measure, when belted ammunition has been exhausted. The ammunition belt is introduced into the feed tray, magazines are seated inside the magazine port at a 45° angle, located beneath the feed tray port. When a belt is placed in the feed tray it covers the magazine port. Likewise, a magazine inserted into the magazine well will prevent the simultaneous insertion of a belt. The magazine port, when not in use, is closed with an L-shaped hinged flap equipped with a tooth, which engages a corresponding opening in the magazine and serves as a magazine release. This feature was developed by FN's Maurice V. Bourlet and allows the Minimi to be instantly changed from belt feed to magazine feed without any modification.<ref>[https://patents.google.com/patent/US4112817 Supply device for a portable firearm] Patent number: 4112817, Google patents.</ref>

The pawl-type feeding mechanism is modelled on the system used in the [[FN MAG|MAG]] [[general-purpose machine gun]], which was originally used in the [[World War II]]-era [[MG 42]]. The belt is moved in two stages during both the forward and rearward movement of the reciprocating bolt carrier, which provides for a smooth and continuous feeding cycle. The feeding mechanism top cover features a device that indicates the presence of a cartridge in the feed path.

===Barrel===
[[File:FN MINIMI Standard.jpg|thumb|right]]
The barrels used in the Minimi have an increased heat capacity for sustained fire, feature a [[Chrome plating|chrome]]-lined rifled bore (six right-hand grooves) and are manufactured in two versions: with a 178&nbsp;mm (1:7 in) twist rate used to stabilize the heavier Belgian 5.56×45mm SS109 projectile, or a 305&nbsp;mm (1:12 in) twist for use with American M193 ammunition. The barrels have a quick-change capability; a lever is provided on the left side of the weapon that unlocks the barrel allowing the shooter to push it forward removing it from its trunnion. A carrying handle is also fixed to the barrel and assists in the barrel change process. A trained soldier can perform a barrel change and ready the weapon for aimed fire in 6 to 7 seconds. Early models of the Minimi had a [[flash suppressor]] with side ports as seen on the [[FN FAL]], [[FN CAL]], and [[FN FNC]] rifles; new production guns have a shorter, [[cone (geometry)|cone]]-shaped slotted flash suppressor.

===Sights===
Both the standard and Para models come with a rear sight, adjustable for windage and elevation, that provides a peep aperture for ranges from {{convert|300|-|1000|m|abbr=on}}, in {{convert|100|m|abbr=on}} increments. The sight line radius is {{convert|490|mm|in|1|sp=us}}. The hooded front sight is installed in a post on the gas block and is also adjustable for elevation and windage. Early models of the Minimi had the rear sight mounted forward of the feed cover and the front post secured to the barrel, closer to the muzzle end. An adapter can also be used that allows the use of standard NATO night and day sights.

===Accessories===
Standard equipment supplied with the Minimi consists of three ammunition boxes, a cleaning kit stored inside the forearm, lubricant bottle, sling and blank-firing barrel.