FNC 223 Sporter / FN FNC-80

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Backpacker33

Backpacker33

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In the movie "Heat," Al Pacino's character uses a FN-FNC-80 that has the barrel shortened to "Para" length. I don't know what that means.
I'd like to know if the 223 Sporter can legally be shortened like the one in the movie, and if it can safely shoot 5.56 military ammo. The movie gun also has a M-16-style birdcage flash suppressor.

In the 1980s I used a FN FAL in what is still my favourite rifle calibur, the 7.62 NATO. Loved it. I gather the "223 Sporter" is available only in 223 and, I would hope, 5.56. Will it handle 5.56? Quick internet searches don't answer the question.

Asking prices for the 223 Sporter are, uhm, sporty. Any help, here?

Backpacker 33, Born OK the First Time Nordic.
 
If the barrel would be less than 16 inches shortened, then you would need to pay a $200 tax stamp and register it as a short barreled rifle (SBR).
 
Thanks for the response.
The problem is I can't find out the actual barrel length. I'm hoping to avoid the BATFE hassle. I purchased a Class III from out of state. It took BATFE 18 months to approve all the transfers. Inexcusable, but there isn't a thing can be done about it, so If I have to make the barrel 17" I will.
BP33
 
Hey, thanks!
That answered a lot of questions about the FNC. Interesting read, too.
It was kinda interesting to read on imfdb about the gun choices. I wonder if any NYC police dept would (have) be(en) using 7.62 NATO . . ..

Still looking for the "223 Sporter" info, though.
 
As always, take it with a grain of salt, but there's a wiki page too:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_FNC

Years back, there was a fellow (in Florida iirc) who had a bunch of registered FCGs for the FNC. For a fairly reasonable price ($800?) they'd marry the parts to your rifle, recut the selector markings and refinish the gun (oh, don't forget the transfer tax too).


I still kick myself for not grabbing an FNC and having it done.
 
I loved the pic of it with a bayonette . . ..

I'm trying REEEEAL hard to avoid a Class III gun. $$ plus the PITA BATFE.

"kick myself" Yeah, in the '80s I coulda had one (FN FAL) very easily. *sigh*
 
You could always have someone cut the barrel to 14.5 inches and then permanently attach the flash suppressor to make the final length 16 inches like they do with M4 barrels.
 
The FN FNC is one of the cheapest ways to get into full auto. FNC's can still be found (though rarely) for around $3k and a FNC full auto sear for around $3k and then just pay someone with the right skills to do a little gunsmithing and you can have a full auto FNC for well under $10k which is very cheap in the world of full auto.

I had the opportunity to buy a practically mint condition FNC a few months ago for $2,500 and I waited too long and to this day I kick myself for not just putting the damn thing on my credit card. They appear on gunbroker every now and then but coming across one in your local gun shop is very uncommon.

The FNC is very similar to the SCAR but because Pachino used it in HEAT the FNC is way cooler:D
 
Well, now that's a possibility. I didn't know the addition of the flash suppressor would make the barrel length legal.
Then, since a FNC-80 seems to be going for about $3000 already, I agree with you that the full auto parts would make a reasonable conversion. And I DO know a gunsmith locally who can do the work.
DAMN! This could wind up costing me a LOT more than i had planned. Or, back to Plan A and a "223 Sporter." 'Cept THEY are running $3000, too. *sigh*
 
BTW, Oldest Son, who is professional military, came back from, er, somewhere, a couple years ago, with a select-fire SCAR. I tried to steal it from him but he knows me too &%$#& well. If he shows up with the 7.62 model . . ..
BP33
 
If you find an FNC for 3k or less, grab it immediately. They are in high demand because they can be a (relatively) inexpensive auto conversion. The reason for this is it is rumored that there are actually more auto sears available than rifles. I don't have any proof to back this, but it is a popular rumor on the interwebz.
 
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