SAFN 49 questions

r.fallon

r.fallon

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So I finally got one of these. And it is 30-06:) my question is do these suffer from the same bent op rod as the M1 Garand when full power loads are used? Next question is since I am going to reload what is a good bullet powder combo?
thanks RF
 
The only issue I am aware of is the early one piece firing pins were prone to breakage. If you have a two piece pin there are no issues. Other than that, the rifle is a tank.
 
The SAFN has a adjustable gas system, open it all the way, should not be able to cycle ANY ammunition at this point, and slowly close it till you get reliable cycling of the action.

Dimitri
 
Safn 49

I have had many of the 49's and I agree they are tough.

I am considering changing my 8mm to 7mm because I have a spare barrel in 7mm and just have to checked if it can be done and the cost involved.
 
Once I wear out my Egyptians 8mm Barrel I am thinking a conversion to 308Win will be happening. However I do not shoot it often, its in such good shape for a 57 year old rifle it would be a shame to damage it. Now that I have my M1A the FN49 will be more or less a safe queen with the occasional time in the bush.

Dimitri
 
El Cid said:
The only issue I am aware of is the early one piece firing pins were prone to breakage. If you have a two piece pin there are no issues. Other than that, the rifle is a tank.
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Yes indeed one-piece firing pins are prone to breakage. I saw a nice FN49 that break itself into several big pieces. Likely because the firing pin got stuck out and fired the primer out of battery as it was feeding.

About 30 yrs ago my friend and I were learning about FN49 rifles, and took someone's advice to swap out one-piece for two-piece firing pins. It seems these lessons need to be restated regularly until every rifle that needs to gets retrofitted.
 
Dimitri said:
Once I wear out my Egyptians 8mm Barrel I am thinking a conversion to 308Win will be happening. However I do not shoot it often, its in such good shape for a 57 year old rifle it would be a shame to damage it. Now that I have my M1A the FN49 will be more or less a safe queen with the occasional time in the bush.

Dimitri
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The nice people at International Military Antiques in the US sold me a "pipe" that coincidently fits the receiver threads on an 8mm FN49. The barrel profiles are very straight-forward flats and tapers. As long as you get the receiver ring, threads and gas block dimensions, it dosn't look like a big job to turn down a generic barrel blank.
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
As long as you get the receiver ring, threads and gas block dimensions, it dosn't look like a big job to turn down a generic barrel blank.
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That is what I was thinking. However the barrel on my FN looks new inside and out so it will be a while before I need to change it. Then again you know there are still new in grease FN49 barrels in 8mm in the USA!

Dimitri
 
I've read about but never checked the firing pin type on my 8mm. I've only fired about 20 rounds through it, but what a rifle. I await one more case of surplus 8mm. :(
 
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