Fn-49

hfp75

hfp75

CGN Regular
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Location
Calgary AB
Well,

I was at my local used gun store and I noticed an FN-49 (8mm) on the shelf for $350 (+7%). I remember hearing favorable feedback on this gun and it was in fairly good shape. I also remember seeing them at the Calgary gun show for 500-600 bones. After a quick examination of the bore, ect I decided to purchase it. I now have another item to play with. It is definatly an interresting peice. Very solid, very tough.

It will be getting a good thorough cleaning this week and possibly a test firing.

The wood, all-be-it rough, has two interresting marks on the top handguard closest to the receiver, I cant help but wonder if they are old kill marks from some Egyptian War. Might consider refinishing the wood, it is very dark.

I'll post my feedback on this rifle after a run at the range (I am not a sniper). If pics are requested I'll figure out how to post em'.

Hans
 
Gas adjustment

Just make sure you have the right adjustment for that gas valve and a very clean chamber; FNs can be very tough on brass when the right combination of gas valve setting and dirty/rough chamber is present. Sometimes, the rim is partially torn upon ejection.
There have been cases of broken extractors, too.
That little problem apart, the FN-49 is a real sweetie to shoot, rivaling the Ljungman-based Hakim. And both are a bit allergic to Turkish surplus ammo...

You did well in purchasing that one.
Good shooting!
PP.
 
While you are stripping it down for cleaning, take a moment to admire the craftmanship. You also now own the closest you can get to a FN FAL without the 12.(X) - forget which one it is, 12.5?
 
One caution - take the bolt apart and CHECK THE FIRING PIN - the originals have been know to break, with the tip lodged forward...a rather nasty out of battery ignition will occur.
 
Check that gas adjustment. I had problems with mine, i own an egyptian. One day i was shooting and BLAM-BLAM, the rifle let two round go. My gas cover came off and my spring guide bended. A friend of mine had an egyptian also. The same thing happend to him, BLAM-BLAM but fired out of battery. No harm was done but part where broken. I dont known if it is because they are egyptians or if a contrac for an other country was better, but now my FN 49 is a safe queen.
 
Stay away from the Turkish ammo, quite a few FN-49 and Hakim has been badly damaged by over powered ammo.
 
Memnoch said:
Check that gas adjustment. I had problems with mine, i own an egyptian. One day i was shooting and BLAM-BLAM, the rifle let two round go. My gas cover came off and my spring guide bended. A friend of mine had an egyptian also. The same thing happend to him, BLAM-BLAM but fired out of battery. No harm was done but part where broken. I dont known if it is because they are egyptians or if a contrac for an other country was better, but now my FN 49 is a safe queen.
Click to expand...


I think they were all made by FN......
All FN-49s except the Egyptian contract rifles used a firing pin safety stop that prevents the firing pin from releasing until the bolt is in battery.
 
Memnoch said:
Check that gas adjustment. I had problems with mine, i own an egyptian. One day i was shooting and BLAM-BLAM, the rifle let two round go. My gas cover came off and my spring guide bended. A friend of mine had an egyptian also. The same thing happend to him, BLAM-BLAM but fired out of battery. No harm was done but part where broken. I dont known if it is because they are egyptians or if a contrac for an other country was better, but now my FN 49 is a safe queen.
Click to expand...

That doesn't sound like gas adjustment problems - that was an out-of-battery ignition! Typically when the SAFN blows the ol' cover off, thats an OBI. Once again - check the firing pin!!
 
It's not exactly OVER powered ammo, although Turkish 8mm are hot; it is more a question of longer pressure wave caused by a slow-burning powder.
It works well in a bolt action but a gas-operated semi-auto has problems because, with that ammo, there's a higher pressure remaining once the bullet uncovers the gas port and that pressure batters the opening mechanism and causes malfunctioning.
Sometimes, there's so much pressure remaining that the unsupported case bursts and releases gas in the action, ballooning the magazine and cracking the wood around it.
PP.
 
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