Trade my Garand for a FN49?

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 11, 2019

Sounds crazy at first, right?

The more I think about it, though.........

So my LGS has a decent Belgian contract FN49 in .30-06. Ive always been enamored of the design, and consider it superior in every technical way to the Garand: adjustable gas system, no stupid Enbloc clips to get lost, 10 round capacity, lighter, etc.

They are asking $650 which is reasonable as the condition is "shooter" grade, but Im broke, so I would have to trade for it. Indeed, my '43 SA M1 would be called CMP Field grade, but its still worth a bit more, so I could probably walk out with the FN49 and some cash.

I rarely shoot the M1 and my father has a much nicer one which I can shoot whenever I want, so theres that.

Still, being without a Garand seems so darn Un-American!

What does the gestalt think?

kBob · Sep 11, 2019

That would be a hard one for me. On the other hand M1s are more common and I have shot them a lot.

To this day I regret not buying an FN49 when I was able to in Louisiana because I thought I could not anyway (turns out PCS orders did full fill residency requirements of GCA 68 at that time so I was wrong there) and we had had it drummed into us that their were no privately owned weapons allowed ( turns out they meant bearing of such and I had merely to turn it in to the arms room) so I passed on a Belgian .30-06 SAFN such as I have yet to see the likes of in over 40 years.

Sure an M1 is going up in price, but you can save your nickels and dimes and get one next year and that FN49 will be in someone else's safe

I say if your Garand has no specific sentimental value and you are sure that FN is in good shape, go for it.

But don't come whining to me about me encouraging bad choices....friends Mom's have been saying that about me since the early '60's!

-kBob

saiga308 · Sep 11, 2019

i never knew it seen that action in korea
https://www.liquisearch.com/fn_model_1949/history/production_lifetime

The rifle worked well in the Korean War in the hands of Belgian troops. Many military reports list the FN-49 rifle as both more reliable and more accurate than the US made M1 Garand rifle.

https://www.buymilsurp.com/fn49-venezuelan-semiauto-7mm-rifle-p-5958.html

The Belgian Army was the first to adopt the rifle, between 1949 and 1951, in caliber .30-06, designating it the ABL SAFN-49. ABL is an acronym for the Belgian army; the "AB" of ABL stands for Armée Belge - the French words for "Belgian Army," while the "BL" stands for "Belgish Leger" - the Flemish words for Belgian Army. SAFN stands for either Saive Automatique, Fabrique Nationale, or Semi-Automatique, Fabrique Nationale.

The rifle worked well in the Korean War in the hands of Belgian troops.

rbernie · Sep 11, 2019

I never knew that the FN49 was made in 30-06 - I'd only ever seen the 7x57 and 8x57 versions.

The FN is a neat gun, but I don't know that it fills a niche any different than the Garand. If you don't much shoot the Garand - why trade for something similar?

saiga308 · Sep 11, 2019

rbernie said:
I never knew that the FN49 was made in 30-06 - I'd only ever seen the 7x57 and 8x57 versions.

The FN is a neat gun, but I don't know that it fills a niche any different than the Garand. If you don't much shoot the Garand - why trade for something similar?

308 would be a better choice it shhots a little more accurite and you can shoot cheap steel case for plinking like i do my sagia
for 26 cents a round

log%2Fproduct%2Fcache%2F1%2Fimage%2F398x%2F9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95%2FT%2FL%2FTLTA308150.jpg

verse 50 cents STEEL case a round for 06
https://ammoseek.com/ammo/308-winchester

bannockburn · Sep 11, 2019

NIGHTLORD40K

If the FN is something you've always wanted and your M1 isn't getting much range time (and you do have a back-up plan with your Dad's M1), then I would say make the deal!

As always let us know what you decide to do.

saiga308 · Sep 11, 2019

30-06 is fine with bolt rifles you tend not to blast away your ammo but a semi auto m1 grand or fn 49 would be hard to NOT plink since it chambers for yah and you get a inchy trigger finger with them :evil:

.455_Hunter · Sep 11, 2019

I would do the trade. You can always get another M1.

Pat Riot · Sep 11, 2019

I would express interest to the dealer and if they are interested I would sleep on it then decide.

H&R Glock · Sep 11, 2019

Go to your local bank or credit union and make a loan. I have done that in the past, for a gun, when I was a little short. Dollar down and a dollar a week gets er' done.
A friend of mine has an FN49 in mint condition and he would not part with it for my $800 offer.
The only problem with FN49's is the 140 some odd parts they have. Garands are cheaper to fix with much less parts to go bad.

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 11, 2019

rbernie said:
I never knew that the FN49 was made in 30-06 - I'd only ever seen the 7x57 and 8x57 versions.

The FN is a neat gun, but I don't know that it fills a niche any different than the Garand. If you don't much shoot the Garand - why trade for something similar?

Though it fills a similiar role- semiauto battle rifle- the shooting and handling experience is totally different. The adjustable gas system is a BIG plus if youre shooting commercial hunting ammo, which stock Garands dont tolerate well, risking op-rod damage (though my M1 does already have a ported gas plug).

I anticipate that the FN would get more range time than my Garand currently does.
Also, I HATE enbloc clips........ :cuss:

Corpral_Agarn · Sep 11, 2019

What kind of heresy is this?

Trade an M1?

Dude.

Get both or get out.

also:

[not serious]

I would honestly get both. But then, I love my M1 and shoot it.

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 11, 2019

Pat Riot said:
I would express interest to the dealer and if they are interested I would sleep on it then decide.

He was nice enough to put it behind the counter for me until tomorrow, lol.

Ive done a lot of business there over the years.

Random 8 · Sep 11, 2019

The m1 is replaceable assuming not extra rare or other attachments. An FN 49 in shootable condition and 30-06 is a harder find. Your rifle, your call. I'd do it.

MEHavey · Sep 11, 2019

I have both.
Keep the Garand if you can only have one.

GBExpat · Sep 11, 2019

NIGHTLORD40K said:
What does the gestalt think?

Considering the details in the OP, I would go for it.

kBob · Sep 11, 2019

OK its been 2 1/2 hours have you driven down and made the trade? Or at that price just bought the darned thing?

-kBob

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 11, 2019

kBob said:
OK its been 2 1/2 hours have you driven down and made the trade? Or at that price just bought the darned thing?

-kBob

Im goin back in the AM. They are holding it for me.

bannockburn · Sep 11, 2019

kBob

Or at that price just bought the darned thing?

NIGHTLORD40K can't do that at this time hence the consensus on trading his M1.

They are asking $650 which is reasonable as the condition is "shooter" grade, but Im broke, so I would have to trade for it.

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 11, 2019

Random 8 said:
The m1 is replaceable assuming not extra rare or other attachments. An FN 49 in shootable condition and 30-06 is a harder find. Your rifle, your call. I'd do it.

Yep, it's only the second one Ive ever seen in '06. The first was a gorgeous Luxembourg contract gun about 10 years ago at the same shop. That one sold for a cool grand back then, and I kicked myself for not finding a way to grab it. Prolly worth more now......

Im pretty sure Im going to pull the trigger, though Im looking now at a couple other items in my armory that dont get shot much as possible trade fodder rather than the M1.

One way or another, Im thinkin the FN is coming home with me!

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 11, 2019

MEHavey said:
I have both.
Keep the Garand if you can only have one.

Anything you dont like about the '49?

shootstraight57 · Sep 11, 2019

I inherited one from my father and it is from the Belgium contract in 30-06. Shoots fantastic and I love it. I would not trade it for anything but I don't have a Garand! LOL

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 11, 2019

saiga308 said:
308 would be a better choice it shhots a little more accurite and you can shoot cheap steel case for plinking like i do my sagia
for 26 cents a round View attachment 859669 verse 50 cents STEEL case a round for 06
https://ammoseek.com/ammo/308-winchester

The Argentines did convert a few from 7.65 Mauser to 7.62 NATO, but Ive never seen one of those in the flesh.

mshootnit · Sep 11, 2019

maybe we need a good FN49 thread?
Was this in the hands of the French in Vietnam?

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 11, 2019

mshootnit said:
maybe we need a good FN49 thread?
Was this in the hands of the French in Vietnam?

Naw, the French have always preferred to use indiginous equipment. They mostly carried MAS 39 and MAS 49 rifles in Nam. Indeed they marketed the MAS rifle as a direct competitor to the FN, but it found few buyers.

Trade my Garand for a FN49?

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