FN49 questions

[mr.trooper]

So Iv decided that i want a full power battle rifle sometime in the next few months. This is not a panic buy. I have been playing with the idea for a few months, and I will have the funds to buy one in the next month or two. PLEASE keep your political feelings and political comments to yourself.

I like the big 3 (the M1A, the AR-10, and the PTR-91) well enough as far as features and ergonomics go, but the PTR is the cheapest at $1,100, the AR-10 is next at $1,400, and the M1A tips the scales at $1,600 for standard and as much as $1,800 for the smaller scout squad confused

Basically, I don't want to pay the price of admission for the name-brand wiz-bang gizmos. The good condition FN-49s seem to be selling on Gunbroker from $650-$850 depending on caliber and matching numbers. Iv always liked the looks of this rifle, so it seems to be right up my alley.

My two concerns are parts and chargers:

* How common are spare parts?

* Does it use the same magazine chargers as common rifles in its caliber? IE, what chargers do the 30-06, 8mm, and 7mm rifles use? I would THINK they would use 1903 Springfield chargers for the 30-06 version, and Mauser chargers for the 8mm and 7mm. Is that a correct assumption?

As always, thanks for reading, and any help is appreciated.

 

[CU74]

Spare parts may be a problem. I have found some at Numrich, but often have to wait and keep checking. Since my FN-49 is a fun shooting rifle rather than a "go-to" rifle, that's not a problem for me. Don't know about the stripper clips - I just load by hand on my infrequent range trips.

May I suggest you look at the M1 Garand? CMP http://www.thecmp.org/m1garand.htm has them at reasonable prices. They are sturdy and reliable, parts are readily available, and they use the 8-round enbloc clip (much better than stripper clips) and the plentiful .30-06 round. The CMP Service Grade rifle is typically in very good condition and shoots minute of bad guy out to ranges that are as far as most shooters can see. I have several, and if a social situation should arise they would probably be my "go-to" rifles for longer ranges.

 

[takhtakaal]

Might want to consider a Hakim?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=116625968

 

[mr.trooper]

The enbloc setup has its own intrinsic problems and certainly isn't superior. Ask anyone with an M95 or a carcano how much fun they have reloading the same clip over and over; clips are very rare for those rifles, and as with any enbloc system, the rifle won't function without them. A charger system allows the gun to function without them, and also allows you to reload a partial magazine: something you CANT do with an M1 Garand.

Additionally, I'm not a member of a shooting club, nor do i plan on becoming one. Thus i have no access to the CMP. Too bad, because they are the only way to get an M1 for less than $800 that isn't in total crap condition. I suppose i could qualify with my CCW permit, but i don't really want an M1 Garand...

Thanks for your advice, but i asked about the FN49, not the M1 Garand.

*Edit*
Takhtakaal : same questions about the Hakim - are there spare parts, and does it use Mauser chargers?

 

[Trebor]

You can get a membership in the Garand Collector's Association for about $20 or $25. That meets the CMP requirements for "Affiliated club."

If you have a CCW permit, that meets the shooting requirements.

So, you *could* get a Garand from the CMP if you wanted one.

As far as the FN 49, parts are always going to be an issue. It's not a U.S. rifle so parts are harder to find. Add in the fact that is out of production by 50 years or so.

And, while the design is fundametnally sound, it is not as robust as a Garand, so it is a little more likely that something will break.

They are also known for out of battery firings with certain models that use a one piece firing pin. If you can find a two piece firing pin to replace the original, that would alleviate that concern.

I don't know what stripper clips they use, sorry. I could guess, but it would be a guess.

For the Hakim, spare parts are going to be even harder to find.

For what you want, about the only disadvantage of the Garand is that it uses clips instead of chargers. Garand clips are still easy to find though and you get pre clipped ammo from the CMP. (I do sometimes wish it had a 10 round internal mag fed with chargers though. That would have been cool).

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

A charger system allows the gun to function without them, and also allows you to reload a partial magazine: something you CANT do with an M1 Garand.

The M1 Garand can be reloaded with a partially-loaded en bloc. It can also be topped off. I am not sure what makes you believe otherwise.

 

[Onmilo]

FN49 uses standard Mauser rifle type clips.
If you find a rifle see if the firing pin is a one piece or two piece type.
The one piece firing pins have a tendency to slam fire same as the firing pins in an FN-FAL rifle.
Upgrade the firing pin to a two piece variety.

If the rifle is one rebuilt by Century Arms you will want to get rid of the cheap plastic buttplate and replace it with an FN metal buttplate.

Other than these two little issues, the magazine springs are the most common part to break in these rifles.

If you can find a Belgian rifle in .30/06, this would be the best choice to acquire.
Most of the 7mm caliber rifles were well used and put away wet.
Most of the 8mm caliber rifles in the US are Century rebuilds.

 

[mr.trooper]

Forgive me for wanting something different. Please pass the koolaid: it must be some powerful stuff.

EDITED TO ADD: Looks like Numrich has ALL of the parts mentioned IN STOCK for the FN-49, and all it will cost me a whopping $75 for a new 2 piece firing pin assembly, magazine spring, extractor, and extractor spring. Looks like parts are no more expensive than many other rifles. I had to rebuild an older savage about a month ago, and some of those parts cost me more than the parts for an FN-49.

I think I'll get one anyway.

 

[takhtakaal]

Forgive me for wanting something different. Please pass the koolaid: it must be some powerful stuff.

No sweat, troop. As a hooker once explained to me on the street, "Variety is the spice of life, baby." FWIW, I very nearly bought an FN-49 myself, but it was missing some things and the price was a little over the top, considering.

 

[grimjaw]

I had an 8mm Century build. It wasn't a bad gun at all. Mine was a decent grouper at 100 yards (4-5 MOA at worst) and reliable once I got the gas system dialed in. Good surplus just happened to dry up right about then and I sold it. Since I haven't used a Garand I can't compare, but I found the FN49 to be a bit clunky when it came to reloads w/o stripper clips.

jm

 

[berettashotgun]

The top cover lever on my 7mm venz is broken - haven't really looked for a spare, and wasn't able to find one when I last looked.
That said, the FN49 is a very robust rifle IMHO and the one in my possession is accurate beyond my shooting abilities. EASY to shoot and well designed; as a real plus it has a little history.
I'd get one, the 7mm I bought has been looking for a brother for years.

 

[CU74]

Forgive me for wanting something different. Please pass the koolaid: it must be some powerful stuff.

EDITED TO ADD: Looks like Numrich has ALL of the parts mentioned IN STOCK for the FN-49, and all it will cost me a whopping $75 for a new 2 piece firing pin assembly, magazine spring, extractor, and extractor spring. Looks like parts are no more expensive than many other rifles. I had to rebuild an older savage about a month ago, and some of those parts cost me more than the parts for an FN-49.

I think I'll get one anyway.
Last edited by mr.trooper; Today at 12:36 PM.

I don't think anyone here is trying to pee in your Wheaties....... I know I wasn't - I merely tried to answer your questions with a bit of my experience with my FN-49 and offered up the Garand as an alternative.

I'll take a chance here and offer another suggestion: Based on my experience with Numrich over the years, if they have all the FN-49 parts you want in stock, buy them NOW before someone else does.

 

[NC Cruffler]

If I actually owned any firearms (wink), I'd have several FN-49s in various calibers. I think the 8mm Egyptian is the easiest to find spare parts for. There are parts occasionally for sale on Auction Arms and on Ebay. That's where I'd watch to fill the parts bins. Sometimes a "beater" comes along that cries out to be used for spare parts.

The FN-49 shoots well and is accurate. The gas system is more challenging that that of a Hakim. It must be reset every time you change ammunition brands or bullet type. The Hakim does too but the dial is not hidden under the forearm. Also, the gas system is a might harder to clean than the Hakim if you shoot corrosive milsurp in it.

Both are fum guns and one of either follows me to the range about every other time I go there to visit. As does a Soviet SVT.

Dave

 

[mr.trooper]

Thanks for the help.

AIM has a deal on 8mm Romanian surplus that comes on chargers for a good price.

I would be looking at either an 8mm Egyptian contract or a 30-06 belgian. The 8mm is the most likely because they are so much more common.