QUOTE (senor freebie @ Aug 26 2008, 05:08 AM)

More weight = less recoil
More forward power = more recoil
M-249 recoil < M-16 recoil
UNLESS ... the M-16 is better designed to compensate for recoil which I don't see as being logical.
Sort of. You've got the right idea, but but not all the contributing factors and variables.
Recoil is based on the size and power of the round being fired, the weight of the gun, barrel length, and any muzzle devices fitted.
FELT recoil is a product of the round, firearm shape/layout, muzzledevice, barrel length, and any reciprocating mass inside the weapon.
The M249 to me feels to have more recoil than an M-16 because of the greater reciprocating mass size and the stock layout.