Heavy Comparison
Sawed-Off vs M249
The M249 leads in 7 of 13 stats, giving it an overall advantage over the Sawed-Off.
Side-by-Side Stat Comparison
| Stat | Sawed-Off | M249 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,100 | $5,200 |
| Kill Reward | $900 | $300 |
| Damage | 32 | 32 |
| Armor Penetration | 75% | 80% |
| Fire Rate (RPM) | 71 | 750 |
| Magazine Size | 7 | 100 |
| Reserve Ammo | 32 | 200 |
| Reload Time | 0.50s | 5.70s |
| Move Speed | 210 u/s | 195 u/s |
| Range Modifier | 0.45 | 0.97 |
| Wall Penetration | 1 | 2 |
| Headshot Multiplier | 4.00x | 4.00x |
| DPS (Raw) | 38 | 400 |
DPS & Time to Kill
DPS is calculated as damage x RPM / 60. TTK assumes consecutive body shots against armored targets.
Time to Kill (Armored Body Shots)
| Target HP | Sawed-Off Shots | Sawed-Off TTK | M249 Shots | M249 TTK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 HP | 5 | 3380ms | 4 | 240ms |
| 125 HP | 6 | 4225ms | 5 | 320ms |
| 150 HP | 7 | 5070ms | 6 | 400ms |
Key Differences
- The Sawed-Off is $4,100 cheaper than the M249, making it a better budget option.
- The M249 has a higher fire rate at 750 RPM vs 71 RPM.
- The M249 delivers more raw DPS (400 vs 38), meaning faster kills on paper.
- The M249 has a larger magazine (100 rounds vs 7), giving more sustained fire before reloading.
- Players move faster with the Sawed-Off (210 u/s vs 195 u/s).
- The M249 has higher armor penetration (80% vs 75%), making it stronger against armored opponents.
The Economics
The price gap is $4,100: the Sawed-Off costs $1,100 against $5,200 for the M249. On a full buy with armor and utility (~$1,000-1,400 on top of the gun), that difference decides whether a third teammate can buy a smoke or a flash — weapon choice is a team-economy decision, not just a personal one. Kill rewards differ too: $900 per kill with the Sawed-Off versus $300 with the M249 — over a 3-kill round that is a $1800 swing for your next buy. Run full round scenarios in the economy calculator.
Bottom line: The M249 leads in 7 of 13 stats, giving it an overall advantage over the Sawed-Off. Raw output favors the M249 (400 DPS vs 38), but CS2 rounds are won on first-shot accuracy and positioning — treat the stat edge as a tiebreaker, not the decision. Once you know which one you are carrying, dress it: see the best Sawed-Off skins and best M249 skins.
When to Use Each Weapon
Sawed-Off
- Choose the Sawed-Off on eco or semi-buy rounds when your team has limited funds.
- Use the Sawed-Off for aggressive play or rotations — its higher move speed lets you reposition quickly.
- If the round looks favorable, the Sawed-Off's higher kill reward helps build economy faster.
M249
- Buy the M249 on full-buy rounds when economy allows, since it costs more.
- The M249's faster fire rate makes it effective in close-range duels and spray-downs.
- The M249's larger magazine is ideal for holding rushes or clearing multiple enemies without reloading.
- The M249 is the better pick against fully-armored opponents due to its superior armor penetration.
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Sawed-Off better than the M249 in CS2?
- It depends on the situation. The Sawed-Off has a lower price point, while the M249 fires faster. The M249 leads in 7 of 13 stats, giving it an overall advantage over the Sawed-Off.
- When should I buy the Sawed-Off over the M249?
- Buy the Sawed-Off when your economy is tight — it saves you $4100. Consider the M249 when the round calls for faster fire rate.
- Which has more DPS: Sawed-Off or M249?
- The M249 has higher raw DPS. M249: 400 DPS vs Sawed-Off: 38 DPS. Keep in mind raw DPS doesn't account for accuracy or recoil.
- What is the TTK for Sawed-Off vs M249?
- Against a 100 HP armored target, the Sawed-Off needs 5 shots (3380ms) while the M249 needs 4 shots (240ms). Real TTK varies with accuracy, headshots, and distance.