Trying to find a source or dealer in North America that may have a Venezuelan FN-49 7 x 57 MM magazine, are there any even around ? Picked up an FN -49 Venezulan, rifle recently , it had no mag, dealer told me they were available on line, After exhaustive searching, Numrich, Sarco, LibertyTree, #####, I have come to the conclusion I made a poor decision buying this and the possibility of restoring this beauty to shooting condition may never happen, any suggestions or other sources collectors could recommend ? Any collectors out there that would have a spare they could part with ? Thanks for any suggestions.
Chasing unicorn farts or a pot of gold under the rainbow
- Thread starter gladius 2
- Start date
8mm Mauser magazine bodies are virtually identical to the 7mm Mauser one, the only actual difference would be the follower which may not even be an issue. It would at least give you something to work with...
And if you are making an order I should also mention to order the two piece firing pin if yours doesn't have it and a new firing pin spring to prevent slamfires since only soft primer commercial ammo is kicking around these days. The gas adjustment wrench is also handy.
And if you are making an order I should also mention to order the two piece firing pin if yours doesn't have it and a new firing pin spring to prevent slamfires since only soft primer commercial ammo is kicking around these days. The gas adjustment wrench is also handy.
Last edited:
Thanks Goo98 for your reply, the 8mm mag may end up been my last option, looking to find one in Canada, if not I may have to see about getting one imported, would the 8mm follower feed Ven. 7x57 ? 20 + years or so ago I remember pack rats at some of the AB. shows would always have a couple for sale, those times are long gone now, was never interested in the 49 until the OIC happened, now I have a very lovely first contract order Venezuelan that some bozo sold the mag out of to make a few extra bucks. I have since replaced the firing pin to the two piece model and new longer firing pin spring, that should solve any problems other than a reliable mag. Ordering a gas wrench later this month from Numrich. Cheers.
There is no difference between the 8mm magazine and the 7mm magazine. Put two of them side by side and the only difference will be serial numbers or maybe an inspection stamp.
They are interchangeable.
They are interchangeable.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I was next to a Venezuelan FN 49 that had a kaboom breech explosion and disassembled itself. The shooter was holding a front half and a back half with no wood connecting the two. The magazine blew out onto the range floor.
Thanks for that info bearhunter, that been the case I can probably bring up or substitute an 8mm Egyptian from the states or Canada and have some confidence it will fit. I have experience with the Egyptian and Belgian 49´s but have never seen a Venezuelan close up until now to note differences in parts.
Venezuelan fn -49
Thanks for that bit of info Maple_leaf_eh, that does not inspire much confidence in the Veny FN-49, I have shot Egyptian and Belgian 49´s, especially the Egyptian with the one piece firing pin and no firing pin safety stop, no problems, I have a two piece firing pin for the Ven. on order and it still has the unique firing pin safety stop on the b.block, so hopefully no problems on the firing line.
Thanks for that bit of info Maple_leaf_eh, that does not inspire much confidence in the Veny FN-49, I have shot Egyptian and Belgian 49´s, especially the Egyptian with the one piece firing pin and no firing pin safety stop, no problems, I have a two piece firing pin for the Ven. on order and it still has the unique firing pin safety stop on the b.block, so hopefully no problems on the firing line.
Ummm I believe that situation can occur with any FN49.
It's relevant and something that should be addressed.
My FN49 is an Argentine version in 7.62x51.
It has the two piece firing pin, firing pin safety and a very strong firing pin spring.
On all my semi's I put together a test case, primer, bullet and of course no powder and cycle it through the action as hard as possible, than watch for any firing pin marks on the primer.
The FN49 does not leave a mark on the primer, have put several hundred rounds through it without any issues.
It has the two piece firing pin, firing pin safety and a very strong firing pin spring.
On all my semi's I put together a test case, primer, bullet and of course no powder and cycle it through the action as hard as possible, than watch for any firing pin marks on the primer.
The FN49 does not leave a mark on the primer, have put several hundred rounds through it without any issues.
It seems strange that these early semi auto rifles had this problem and it wasn't addressed before being accepted for service
The Swede Agb42 had a similar issue, as well as a parts breakage issue.
I did have an Agb42 Kaboom on me, because of a stuck firing pin, but that was a one off. None of my FN49 types ever went full auto.
I believe the biggest issue they were concerned with was out of battery ignition, which is what happened with my Swede.
Lots of fiddly little parts on these, which doesn't help the situation and a little bit of hard cold grease or dirt can cause a lot of issues
The M1 Garand is far more robust and trouble free, but it also has issues, mostly related to maintenance in the field.
The early FN49 did have slamfire problems since the one piece firing pin would break, the front piece would get stuck in the firing pin hole, the Belgians found this out in Korea.
Of all the versions of this rifle the Egyptians decided they did not need the firing pin safety , so you have to be very careful with these and only use handloads with the hardest primer and the strongest firing pin spring you van find.
Of all the versions of this rifle the Egyptians decided they did not need the firing pin safety , so you have to be very careful with these and only use handloads with the hardest primer and the strongest firing pin spring you van find.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The firing pin on a Garand or M14 has a safety bridge that blocks its travel until the bolt rotates to its final locked position. One of those incredibly subtle machining stages that is not found in the tilting bolt designs we're otherwise discussing.
