FN FS2000: CQB perfection?

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lloydkristmas said:
Im not sure what the threading is underneath, as Ive never removed the brake (its pinned in place), but I do recall reading that its NOT standard AR-type threading. I believe any muzzle device that will fit an FAL will fit the FS2000.

Interesting tidbit - the FS2000 is completely manufactured and shipped from Belgium. Unlike some other military style rifles, the FS2000 doesnt have to be modified state-side to comply with import restrictions. It might look scary, but its technically got a thumbhole stock, the muzzle device is a brake, not a flash hider, and it ships with a standard AR type 10 round mag. In theory, its a "sporting" rifle in every sense of the legal definition. Hehehe:evil:
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I didn't know they pinned the hider and called it a brake... And now that you mention the design, it makes me wonder if was made to pass the 94 ban. Pretty slick if it were, because the thumbhole stocks were the worst (the ones that were made to appease the ridiculous ban, that it).

I have picked these up and been interested in them... I disassembled one at a store once to see how it was made. Looks like the Glock of the rifle world --reliable, functional to the hilt, but with a less than nice trigger. Which was the only reason I didn't get one.

On the other hand, the design of the trigger mechanism does leave room for improvement. If one were so inclined, I'd bet a much better trigger could be designed. That said, it did have a better feel to the trigger than any other bullpup I have handled.

The only thing I couldn't figure out is how to IMT with this rifle...
 
A guy has actually designed something called the nue-trigger that lessens both the weight and sponginess of the trigger. I believe he has a product for the FS2000, the AUG series, and maybe even the PS90. I havent bothered to buy it, as I seem to get by just fine with the trigger the way it is. It definately breaks in nicely with some usage. I can hit a 250m steel plate while standing despite the stock trigger, and thats good enough for my purposes. Im by no means a marksman, but I cant imagine needing more distance than that out of this gun.
 
I've used in in competitions, classes, hunting, general range shooting, and everything in between. Im no tactical wizard or anything, but I've racked up high round counts through guns like the SCAR, the Sig 55x series, the HK MP5, HK416, and other "serious" weapons. Enough of a base of experience, at least, to be able to compare the FN to them.
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And that's what makes your post 100% useful and appreciated... I just often reach assumptions based on titles.

It's been a while since I shot my friend's FS2000 but I don't remember any issues with muzzle blast, certainly less blast than a 16" AR with a brake. (And if you want to experience unreal blast, try a 14.5" .308 AR with a brake; it's just painful, worse than the 50 BMG I've shot.)

Here's my short list of comments on the FS2000, from one single chance to shoot it about 2 years ago:
-odd ergonomics and feel
-long, squishy, awful trigger
-did not like factory optical sight (although far better than the FN sight on a PS90 I shot at the same time)
-was reliable with a USGI aluminum 30rd mag, but not with a Cammenga 30rd Easymag. The Cammenga has one of the best anti-tilt followers I've ever seen, so follower tilt was probably not the issue. Perhaps magazine dimensions were an issue, but the same mag has been 100% in 5-6 different AR15s.
-Nothing remarkable good or bad on recoil, blast, speed of operation or anything not listed above.

I like bullpups in theory, but have yet to find one I really want to own. I've also handled but not shot the MSAR STG-556 (AUG clone) and liked it perhaps marginally better, but not enough to buy one even at CDNN's blowout prices.
 
I guess its kinda like Sushi, an 'acquired taste' so to speak. When I first picked up the gun, I thought "damn, this thing is a lot thicker than I thought, its nto very comfortable" but the more time I spent with it, the more I liked it. After three years and several thousand rounds, my AK's and other rifles feel like javelins when I pick them up. The FN just points and moves so quick.

The trigger is bad, yes. I guess I've just gotten used to it. For what its worth, it does break in with use, and quite substantially. I'd venture to guess that what started out as a 12-13lb trigger is now more like an 8-10lb trigger.

I hate the factory optic. I think it looks cheesy as hell and the 'tube' creates a very tunnel-like effect when aiming it.

It wont work with PMAGS, EMAGS

It definately wont work with EasyMags, Tapco AR mags, or other nonstandard polymer mags.

It does work with the new Lancer L5 clear mags, but was occasionally misfeeding. Wouldnt trust them.

With USGI mags (and good followers) being so cheap and plentiful, I never really let the magazine issue get to me.

As for comparing it to the MSAR STG and E4 rifles....well....eh I dont know what to think on that matter. On one hand I applaud Microtech for bringing an innovative product to market, and standing behind its faults. HOWEVER there are simply too many anomaly-type issues with MSARs rifles for me to trust one 100%. Its not like there are consistent problems that can be easily remedied. Some had broken bolt sleeves, others bad mags, others defective optics, etc etc. I wanted to like the Microtech, I really did. As they stand right now, however, I'd pass.

For what its worth, I got together for a West TX desert shoot/camping trip with some buddies a while back, and a bunch of us brought along our weapons and a ton of ammo.

Here was the lineup, and a breakdown of each guns performance over the course of 750-1000 rounds per rifle. Most guys shot at least a case of ammo.

-FN SCAR :very light, handy, desperately needs SBR though (1 malfunction, stovepipe)
-BM ACR Basic: nose heavy, but not as bad as people make it out to be. Surprisingly accurate (0 malfunction)
-BM Ar15 (dont remember the exact variant) Accurate, but didnt last long before consistent malfunctions occurred
-Some other AR15, maybe a Bravo Company (ran well, handful of malfunctions after several hundred rounds had been shot)
-FN FS2000 - desperately needs better iron sights, bought the magpuls after this trip. Ran 100%
-MSAR STG Aug clone - jammomatic
-Sig Arms 556 - Sig could have done better, but the thing was 100% reliable
-2x WASR AK - ugly, but both 100%
-Arsenal/Saiga AK in 5.45 - slick little rifle, 100%
 
lloydkristmas said:
Its slower than an AR, but then again most guns are...

Since it doesnt have a drop free mag, you have to reach up and yank the mag, insert a fresh one, and rack the charging handle. Its more or less the same procedure as reloading an AK, an MP5, an HK53, or an AUG.

The AR is the fastest, and the AK/FS2000 are about the same, with the FS being slightly faster, likely because of the straight-insert mags and left side charging handle.
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It may be splitting hairs but ... the AUG has the bolt hold open on last round, but you do have to pull the charge handle to release it ... and the AUG NATO stock uses the AR mag so its straight-insert as well, however even with the NATO stock the mag doesn't drop free, but there is a button on the side you can hit with your thumb ... its easier than the release behind the mag as on the original stock.

P5110037.jpg ​
 
My only complaint is that it can be picky about what mags it takes.
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Ditto with mine, its growing on me but not working with Pmags is a bid of a downer, half my range mags are Pmags the other half are old GI surplus Okay, Labelle, D&H, Center Industries, etc. Its the old ones work in it. The FN factory mag it came with is dimensionally GI as far as I can tell.

C-products, Fusil steel and Korean steel work with brass cased ammo in it but not with steel cased ammo.

I've the one with the built in 1.6X optic and it works really well for me with both eyes open.

Great for reloaders as the brass just piles up at your feet :)
 
How about clearing malfunctions? Seems like it would be a PITA with the chamber and mag being so far back.
 
^^Regarding the above question about malfunctions....

When I said 4000 rounds and zero malfunctions, I technically lied a little bit. I have intentionally induced some malfunctions in order to practice this scenario. I've loaded mags with a random snap cap (wont feed) or an empty casing (wont feed). Although intentional, no malfunction I encountered couldnt be cleared by simply pulling the mag and racking the charging handle a couple times. The offending casingl just falls out the magwell. Contrary to what some people on the internet say, you do NOT have to disassemble the entire gun to clear a malf. Maybe something catastrophic, but this sort of issue would require extensive attention on an AR or AK as well.

The fold-up chamber cover is pointless for diagnosing a malfunction. All Ive ever used it for is to check the status of a loaded chamber. You could open the cover and look in if you wanted to, but why bother, its just a waste of valuable time when you could be clearing your weapon.

In short, pull mag, rack charging handle, should clear 95% of malfunctions
 
Oh and another thing, some people debate the reliability of the forward eject tube/chute.

Casings will not get clogged in the tube, no matter how hard you try. You can close the dust cover, but the empties will simply push it open and fall out normally. You can fire the gun upwards and the empties still eject. Hell, Slovenia tested the F2000 for its alpine scout soldiers and the only way they could jam up the tube was to cram an epoxy-covered dowel rod into it.

As far as Im concerned, the forward eject mechanism is as reliable as it is innovative.
 
Let me start off by saying I am a huge FN fan. I like how the FS2000 looks, but it's so darn bulky compared to the PS90 and SCARs. I just wished the FS2000 felt better in my hands.

I haven't shot the FS2000, but I do own the RFB and I don't notice the blast and this is with the supplied A2 FH. I will be replacing the A2 with an FSC30.

As long as you are happy with the FS2000...that is all that matters.
 
Love these things. I don't really have much trigger time on them. I enjoyed the FS2000 more than the AUG...superior ergonomics, less recoil, incredibly easy to get on target. Good to see that it holds up under heavy use!
 
^^The Aug is a great design but its biggest drawback is the lack of instant ambidextrosity (if thats a word)
 
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