Question 1

What is the M249's damage and headshot TTK in CS2?

Accepted Answer

The M249 deals 32 base body damage with a ×4 headshot multiplier and 80% armor pen. An unarmored headshot deals ~128, and a full-armor headshot ~102, typically 1 shot(s).

Question 2

What is the M249's armor penetration and falloff?

Accepted Answer

The M249 has 80% armor penetration and a 1 range modifier (no falloff). Legs ignore armor. Use the TTK panel above for exact distance and hit-part math.

Question 3

What is the M249's price and kill reward?

Accepted Answer

The M249 costs $5200 with a $300 kill reward. It sits in the Full Buy economy phase (Max-firepower loadout — the premium choice when your economy is healthy.).

Question 4

How does the M249's recoil behave?

Accepted Answer

The M249 rates 6/10 for recoil and 7/10 for run inaccuracy. It is Heavy machine gun, sustained suppression. Practice your spray control before taking it into serious matches.

Question 5

Is the M249 worth buying?

Accepted Answer

It costs $5200 with a $300 kill reward, sits in the Full Buy phase (Max-firepower loadout — the premium choice when your economy is healthy.), and runs a 100-round mag at 750 RPM. The category compare table and this page's TTK panel are your stress test.

Question 6

How many body shots to kill with the M249 against full armor?

Accepted Answer

Using CS2's math (base × multiplier × RangeMod^(dist/500) × pen%), at 80% armor pen the M249 deals ~26 to kevlar — 4 body shots. Legs ignore armor; the TTK panel gives any exact combo.

Question 7

Does a helmet save you from the M249 headshot?

Accepted Answer

A helmet applies the weapon's penetration to head damage: ~128 bare-headed vs ~102 against helmet. Whether that still one-taps is exactly what decides the $350 helmet question.

Question 8

Which maps suit the M249 best?

Accepted Answer

cache / nuke / anubis. Drum suppression across garage and mid floor.

Question 9

Has the M249 been buffed or nerfed recently?

Accepted Answer

No stat changes in the archived updates this year; its current numbers stand.

Question 10

Does the M249 have a special mechanic (suppressor, scope, full-auto)?

Accepted Answer

No alternate mode — output comes down to spray control and timing.

Question 11

How often is the M249 data updated?

Accepted Answer

Stats follow the official client. GameGrids ships versioned static data (v2026.09, verified 2026-08-29); balance changes are archived in Patch Notes and linked back onto this page.

Weapon	Price	DMG	AP%	HS×	RPM	Tier
Negev	$1700	35	80%	4×	800	C
M249	$5200	32	80%	4×	750	C

M249

Armor Penetration Bar

Damage by Range (H/B/S/L)

TTK Calculator

Body TTK vs Same Category (no armor)

Damage & Feel at a Glance

M249 + Best Maps

Pros Who Use the M249

Weapon Guide

When to Buy

Recoil & Accuracy

Compare with Other Machine Guns

M249 FAQ