Garand vs. FN49

[gopguy]

The firing pins on the FN 49 are somewhat fragile, that goes for the newer FNC as well. I have had several Egyptian contract in 8mm. I had but also sold my ABL marked 30-06. I still have an Argentine Navy in 7.62 Nato. In most things I find them about equal except the feeding. I think the fact you can top off the FN 49 magazine is a big plus. The Garand can not be topped off. If you don't think this is important ask any vet who you might know who used one in combat. That twang as the enbloc clip blew out was a dead give away you were empty....Both are great old guns,but if you had to press one into to service for defense and have your choice of either, I think it would be easy for me. The FN wins, and I love my old Garands.

 

[enichols]

That twang as the enbloc clip blew out was a dead give away you were empty

I have to seriously question this statement every time I hear it. If you're on the receiving end of some .30-06 rounds fired from the Garand, you would likely not hear the ping over the sound of the fired round, even from one rifle. Add this to lots of people shooting at once and the general noise of combat and the ping is probably even less of an issue. Also, I don't think charging the source of the ping would be such a good idea, as said source would likely have company. And the Garand can be reloaded FAST... I can probably reload it and be ready to shoot again before you can charge up and get me.

Just a thought or two...

 

[Coronach]

In order for the *PING* to be an issue, you have to be:

1. Aware of what it is.
2. Listening for it.
3. Close enough to hear it.
4. In an environment that is quiet enough to hear it.
5. possessed of enough hearing ability to pick it out of the ringing in your ears from the other eight (at least) gunshots that just happened in your immediate vicinity.

I'd say it could happen in theory, but probably never was an issue.

Mike