FN-49, educate me.

[LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1]

Learned about this rifle in a recent thread and it peaked my interest. So, I would eventually like to acquire one, thing is I know nothing about them lol.

So, Educate me on the FN-49. Things like who used it, what to avoid, which ones are generally in better condition, how many were made, current price, calibers (other them 8mm?), ect.

Thanks.

 

[bryan.14]

Model FN49:

A gas operated semi-automatic rifle chambered for 7x57, 7.92mm, and 30-06. It has a 23" barrel and military-type sights. The fixed magazine holds 10 rounds. The finish is blued and the stock is walnut. This is a well-made gun that was acually designed before WWII. When the Germans were in the process of taking over Belgium, a group of engineers fled to England and took the plans for this rifle with them, preventing the German military from aquiring a very fine weapon.

This model was introduced in 1949, after hostilities had ceased. This model was sold to Egypt in 7.92mm, to Venezuela in 7x57mm, and to Argentina, Columbia, Indonesasia, Belgium, and Luxembourg in 30-06. Argentina also had a few in 7.65x53mm and 7.62mm NATO(used by Navy). There were also Sniper Rifle, but I don't know enough about them.

 

[svt1940]

Model FN49:

A gas operated semi-automatic rifle chambered for 7x57, 7.92mm, and 30-06. It has a 23" barrel and military-type sights. The fixed magazine holds 10 rounds. The finish is blued and the stock is walnut. This is a well-made gun that was acually designed before WWII. When the Germans were in the process of taking over Belgium, a group of engineers fled to England and took the plans for this rifle with them, preventing the German military from aquiring a very fine weapon.

This model was introduced in 1949, after hostilities had ceased. This model was sold to Egypt in 7.92mm, to Venezuela in 7x57mm, and to Argentina, Columbia, Indonesasia, Belgium, and Luxembourg in 30-06. Argentina also had a few in 7.65x53mm and 7.62mm NATO(used by Navy). There were also Sniper Rifle, but I don't know enough about them.

Somes egyptians (possibly the others too) FN49 have 1 piece firing pin,prone to breakage,and when they break, the front section can be jammed foward, resulting in a risk of slam fire. Its a very good idea to replace those by the 2 piece firing pin to avoid potential issues.

 

[Woodeneye]

Learned about this rifle in a recent thread and it peaked my interest. So, I would eventually like to acquire one, thing is I know nothing about them lol.

So, Educate me on the FN-49. Things like who used it, what to avoid, which ones are generally in better condition, how many were made, current price, calibers (other them 8mm?), ect.

Thanks.

Wiki is your friend Lots of info.

 

[RangeRover]

Excellent rifles. The build quality on them is great. I have one, an Egyptian in 8mm, and I love it.

The firing pin issue previously identified is a caution with the Egyptians, as is care in ammo selection/reloading. The general view is that the rifle does not like soft primers and there is a risk of an out-of-battery incident that leads to damage and the risk of injury. Too much firing pin protrusion is also suspected as playing a role in the OOB incidents. Milsurp ammo is good. Avoid the Turkish 8mm as its powder burn rate puts it out of step with the gas cycling in the semi-auto. Mine loves the Romanian from the 70s, and others I believe have had good success with the Yugo ammo. If you're reloading, the suggestion is to use CCI 34 primers (though I haven't seen any of those for a loonnng time) or CCI 200/250 primers.

There is a book, the FN-49 "bible" if you will, that is well worth buying:
http://www.fn-browning.com/fn-49_the_last_elegant_old_world_military_rifle_book.htm. The author, Wayne Johnson, shows up on several other boards as "Goose52" (try gunboards) and is very helpful.

As for which ones to avoid. Aside from the issues identified above, they're all good. The Egyptians, in 8mm, are the most common, generally have been harder used, and the most affordable. Other contracts had the rifle chambered in 30-06, 7mm and .308. Those variations, in a bit shorter supply and often in better condition, tend to draw a little more money.

Prices? $500 seems to be the floor about now, for a "shooter" in 8mm, and not many show up at that price. They go up from there. On the Egyptian 8mm rifles, watch out for those that were assembled by Century Arms from spare sparts. Not because there are any mechanical issues, but they are not "as issued" military surplus rifles.

Good luck in the search. Looking forward to seeing your FN-49 when you get it.

So, Educate me on the FN-49. Things like who used it, what to avoid, which ones are generally in better condition, how many were made, current price, calibers (other them 8mm?), ect.

Thanks.

 

[svt1940]

Excellent rifles. The build quality on them is great. I have one, an Egyptian in 8mm, and I love it.

The firing pin issue previously identified is a caution with the Egyptians, as is care in ammo selection/reloading. The general view is that the rifle does not like soft primers and there is a risk of an out-of-battery incident that leads to damage and the risk of injury. Too much firing pin protrusion is also suspected as playing a role in the OOB incidents. Milsurp ammo is good. Avoid the Turkish 8mm as its powder burn rate puts it out of step with the gas cycling in the semi-auto. Mine loves the Romanian from the 70s, and others I believe have had good success with the Yugo ammo. If you're reloading, the suggestion is to use CCI 34 primers (though I haven't seen any of those for a loonnng time) or CCI 200/250 primers.

There is a book, the FN-49 "bible" if you will, that is well worth buying:
http://www.fn-browning.com/fn-49_the_last_elegant_old_world_military_rifle_book.htm. The author, Wayne Johnson, shows up on several other boards as "Goose52" (try gunboards) and is very helpful.

As for which ones to avoid. Aside from the issues identified above, they're all good. The Egyptians, in 8mm, are the most common, generally have been harder used, and the most affordable. Other contracts had the rifle chambered in 30-06, 7mm and .308. Those variations, in a bit shorter supply and often in better condition, tend to draw a little more money.

Prices? $500 seems to be the floor about now, for a "shooter" in 8mm, and not many show up at that price. They go up from there. On the Egyptian 8mm rifles, watch out for those that were assembled by Century Arms from spare sparts. Not because there are any mechanical issues, but they are not "as issued" military surplus rifles.

Good luck in the search. Looking forward to seeing your FN-49 when you get it.

Learned about this rifle in a recent thread and it peaked my interest. So, I would eventually like to acquire one, thing is I know nothing about them lol.

So, Educate me on the FN-49. Things like who used it, what to avoid, which ones are generally in better condition, how many were made, current price, calibers (other them 8mm?), ect.

Thanks.

Here's my egyptian FN49 8mm, i bought it on the EE last fall for $425 shipped. The rifle is in good cond but the bore is very good+. This rifle already have the 2 piece firing pin but the spring was broken so i order a new kit(firing pin 2 pieces + spring) as well the small wrench you can see on the pic for the gas adjustment, from Numrich. I wait when the snow will be gone to shoot it, i heard that those rifle are pretty good shooter. They are easy to strip but the little latch that lock the receiver cover is very tight,at least on mine, so strong fingers are required! Like already stated, they are very well built,great machining,fit and finish. If you have the opportunity, grab 1!

[/IMG]

 

[Deltasilver]

Rifles to own and be smug about because you know something most firearm owners don't - K31, M38 Swede, Vergueiro mauser, VZ24, Israeli k98s, VZ52/57, Finn M39 and any SAFN 49.

 

[Red Herring]

Glad someone took some interest in that post! I really like the look of those guns, and would love to have one!

 

[UCSPanther]

Rifles to own and be smug about because you know something most firearm owners don't - K31, M38 Swede, Vergueiro mauser, VZ24, Israeli k98s, VZ52/57, Finn M39 and any SAFN 49.

You also forgot the Hakim, Ag42 and rashid...

 

[LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1]

Sounds like a hell of a rifle. Can't wait to track on down... After I get some Money of coarse.

 

[shredder]

Do those have pinned to 5 rnd magazines?

 

[stickhunter]

Do those have pinned to 5 rnd magazines?

Yes, they have to be pinned to 5 rds. The magazine is unconventional in that it is only a container for the spring and follower --- the feed lips are actually milled into the receiver. As a result, once removed from the rifle, the magazine cannot hold only rounds. Loading the magazine is therefore done through the receiver either freehand or with a stripper clip.

There are lots of minor variations in FN49's depending on age and contract. For example, some magazines lack a follower catch, so when removed, not only will the rounds pop free, but so will the follower and spring.

As mentioned by a previous poster, Wayne Johnson's book on the FN49 is a must have for any owner --- it's chock full of helpful information for determining the origin of an FN49 with a scrubbed receiver.

 

[Deltasilver]

You also forgot the Hakim, Ag42 and rashid...

Nope, didn't forget them. They're high on anybody's list of neat-o milsurps but the AG42 is the only one of the three that comes close in workmanship to the rifles I mentioned and it's still a brass killer unless you add the vented plug mod.

Put a Hakim next to a Venezuelan SAFN and you'll see the fit and finish aren't even close, the Rashid is only remarkable for it's rarity.

 

[UCSPanther]

Nope, didn't forget them. They're high on anybody's list of neat-o milsurps but the AG42 is the only one of the three that comes close in workmanship to the rifles I mentioned and it's still a brass killer unless you add the vented plug mod.

The reason I brought them up, is that I am smug about being the owner of a Hakim, a rifle that almost nobody in this MTV and COD MW generation has even heard of.

Workmanship aside, they are right beside the FN 49 in my books as an example of old-style battle rifle craftsmanship and design, and just as worthy of respect.

 

[Deltasilver]

The reason I brought them up, is that I am smug about being the owner of a Hakim, a rifle that almost nobody in this MTV and COD MW generation has even heard of.

Workmanship aside, they are right beside the FN 49 in my books as an example of old-style battle rifle craftsmanship and design, and just as worthy of respect.

LOL and you earned yours the hard way. I didn't include it because it's a rework of another rifle and the finished product isn't up to the standards of the original.

K31 - Arguably the finest military bolt action rifle ever built. GP11 is a work of art in itself. Wartime materials and manufacturing short cuts? Pffft. Not here.
M38 - Husky fit & finish in a carbine built with that high-nickel barrel & shooting one of the most versatile cartridges available to folks to roll-their-own.
Verguerio Mauser - If you've shot one you know why I listed it here, if not, I'm sorry. I found my first by accident, the one rifle I compulsively "collect" regardless of condition.
VZ24 - King of the pre-war 98's. Most people ignore them because of the straight bolt and the full hand guard but an amazing rifle especially if you can find one the Russians didn't get at.
Israeli k98 - I've never seen a pretty one but they shoot better than any Czech or German k98 I've ever owned and eat either .308 OR 7.62x51. A "Dual Fuel" rifle =)
The VZ52/57 - Shoots the same thing as the SKS, is way cooler and has Czech build quality. 'Nuff said.
Finn M39 - The last of the Finn Mosin rifles and (I think) the best. Where else do you find furniture like that?
SAFN49 - Just be glad they've never been in a big movie or TV show and you can get one for a lot less than a Garand even though it's a nicer rifle...

 

[UCSPanther]

LOL and you earned yours the hard way. I didn't include it because it's a rework of another rifle and the finished product isn't up to the standards of the original.

K31 - Arguably the finest military bolt action rifle ever built. GP11 is a work of art in itself. Wartime materials and manufacturing short cuts? Pffft. Not here.
M38 - Husky fit & finish in a carbine built with that high-nickel barrel & shooting one of the most versatile cartridges available to folks to roll-their-own.
Verguerio Mauser - If you've shot one you know why I listed it here, if not, I'm sorry. I found my first by accident, the one rifle I compulsively "collect" regardless of condition.
VZ24 - King of the pre-war 98's. Most people ignore them because of the straight bolt and the full hand guard but an amazing rifle especially if you can find one the Russians didn't get at.
Israeli k98 - I've never seen a pretty one but they shoot better than any Czech or German k98 I've ever owned and eat either .308 OR 7.62x51. A "Dual Fuel" rifle =)
The VZ52/57 - Shoots the same thing as the SKS, is way cooler and has Czech build quality. 'Nuff said.
Finn M39 - The last of the Finn Mosin rifles and (I think) the best. Where else do you find furniture like that?
SAFN49 - Just be glad they've never been in a big movie or TV show and you can get one for a lot less than a Garand even though it's a nicer rifle...

Say what you will about the Hakim, but as far as I am concerned, it is a damn fine rifle...

 

[svt1940]

FN49 loads

About FN49 and Hakim too, any lead for reloads using 198gr fmj bullet,matching the common military load? I look for versatil load that i can used in my semi autos and k98m as well. Thanks for inputs

 

[Deltasilver]

Say what you will about the Hakim, but as far as I am concerned, it is a damn fine rifle...

I'm not dissing the Hakim. I love mine. Great rifle. It's still a worthy addition to any collection and a good shooter in it's own right. As with anything in 8mm my biggest beef is lack of milsurp ammo, corrosive or no.
I just didn't have it on my short list of special rifles because it's not really all that special. It's a stop-gap copy of another nation's design and has neither the superior workmanship or accuracy that makes one of the others I mentioned noteworthy. I didn't mention the Garand or G/K43 either and they're both better rifles.

 

[35Wailin]

Both myself and my buddy had Egyptian FN-49s. Both of us had OOB incidents. I assumed that because I was using handloads, the problem was with me. My buddy was using factory ammo with his. Both of them ended up with warped slides and were very sticky to work the action. Both were cut up with a hacksaw and the stocks and non-critical parts were shipped off to Numrich Arms. Too bad. They were nice rifles to shoot prior to our respective incidents. Due to the heavy weight, and self loading action, recoil was milder than expected.

 

[svt1940]

Both myself and my buddy had Egyptian FN-49s. Both of us had OOB incidents. I assumed that because I was using handloads, the problem was with me. My buddy was using factory ammo with his. Both of them ended up with warped slides and were very sticky to work the action. Both were cut up with a hacksaw and the stocks and non-critical parts were shipped off to Numrich Arms. Too bad. They were nice rifles to shoot prior to our respective incidents. Due to the heavy weight, and self loading action, recoil was milder than expected.

What kind of firing pin you had? 1 piece model or 2 piece model?