FN M249S Semiauto for Military Collectors
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ค. 2024
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In 2015, FN USA introduced a Military Collector product line - semiautomatic versions of their military contract small arms. These were the M4, M16, and - most interestingly - the M249 SAW. The SAW is a version of FN's Minimi light machine gun, developed in 1974 and adopted by the US in 1982. The semiauto version, designated M249S, is exactly the same as the military M249 but adapted to fire from a closed bolt in semiautomatic only, making it a non-NFA item like any other semiautomatic rifle. The semiauto conversion as done by essentially chopping off the back of the bolt carrier to act as a linear hammer, thus allowing the use of the original style of trigger mechanism. Since its introduction in 2016, FN USA has made more than 10,000 of these rifles, truly proving the depth of American collector interest in this sort of thing (much to the surprise of the Belgian FN administration...).
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Get Entered to WIN this insane FN M249S!
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DEADLINE to ENTER is 07/26/24 @ 11:59pm (PST).
That's a lottery, that is illegal in the states.
FN really went the extra mile with the after sales service as well - to keep it as close as possible to the military version, 2 years after buying one, they send you an exact copy of the letter you would get from the VA to let you know your disk herniation is not service related.
>implying the saw is heavy
>come on now 😏
Ha ha ha! When I was in BLT (US Army NCO school), as we were in line at the armory getting our weapons for the FTX I requested the instructors to let me have the M-249 - which they allowed. Since I had previously done 4 years in 81mm mortar platoons, carrying the M-249 was a piece of cake.
Why would you want one? Considering the cost.
@@Mygg_Jeager Have you ever handled one? They are.
@@yyyyyeeeee4060isn’t 30lbs of ammo for a 556 like 1200 rounds? I’m not in the military so I wouldn’t know. I’m surprised that gunners have to carry two barrels as well. I thought they had someone else carrying half the ammo and barrels. I was under the impression that SAW gunners usually carried usually carried 600 rounds.
The M27 link is also magical. Its ability to become invisible inside sand and then magically teleport to inside your elbow while you are shooting prone is unparalleled.
How is you elbow doing?
Wouldn’t this gun instantly turn full auto if it had a trigger without the disconnector?
@@joshuabrown7815 There must be something more to it for it to get approved... I mean looking at it, it seemed like it'd be full auto even if you just held the trigger at the right spot.
@@joshuabrown7815 No, that's actually the M60 - any iteration - the dis connector and sear are connected and it would be impossible for it to jump to full without swapping out the parts for the full auto version - I've my criticism of this piece of junk - but it couldn't run away on you like the Pig could....an incredibly dangerous condition ...
@@Zach_Hazard *[Zach and Ian crossover possibility increasing]*
A belt-fed without full auto is like an angel without wings.
Amen
@@daleorth7690
You could try to bump fire it, or pressure someone to make a binary trigger
A semi auto lmg
But it’s still and angel
It's like a shoemaker without a toilet seat
"Nobody needs a 100 round magazine!"
Absolutely correct, that's just silly when 200 round magazines exist.
'200? how droll - no self respecting gunner would be caught without at least 300 minimum'
"That's why I wear belts of rounds."
@@Defraggler89 It worked for Rambo
*FN Semimi*
Semen
I will call him... "Semimi"
Local gun store had one of these in FDE a few months ago, listed for $10,500.
It sold in 2 days....
The FN Belgian administrators literally exemplified the "The European mind cannot comprehend this" meme.
FN Herstal make machines for killing people. The idea of doing it for fun is weird.
HK Germany as well.
Dawg… if u do the math they made over one billion dollars just selling the to the civilian market💀💀💀 im sure the Europeans are pleasantly surprised
@@Groincrusherhk hates americans don’t compare those liberal communists to my beloved FN and SIG sauer
This is stupid, but I have long thought from a marketing perspective it would be cooler to call it the M249 S-AW (Semi-Automatic Weapon)
I see what you did there
Not stupid, clever dad joke. I approve.
Phonetically said as "S-uh Aww"
What about M249 NAW (Not Automatic Weapon)?
@@RaytheonTechnologies_Official
You'd never sell the concept to the Belgians. People think Germans have no sense of humor...
In the new zealand army I was what was called at the time a machine gunner's mate, which meant I carried the ammo. The guy who actually carried the minimi in my squad was six inches shorter and twenty kilos lighter, because that is how these things are done in the military.
Machine gunners are a preferred target of the enemy. Smaller statured soldiers offer less hit area.
Could be worse.
Could be the paratrooper who gets to jump with the mortar baseplate
In the US, you would be the assistant gunner, or simply the 'A-gunner'.
@metikol it has been that way since at least WWII, the smaller guy gets the MG or even the BAR because they are a smaller target and move quicker, at least in theory.
@@petesheppard1709I’m in the Marine Corps. Sometimes we refer to this individual as the “ammo b!tch” and everyone gets a fair share
Now I want an M240S. Get on it FN.
Ohio ordinance makes one, so unless it has to be from fn, we have m240s at home.
@@DanielSmith-ui4gr I forgot they made those, I was recently looking at HCARs and glazed over those and the M2.
A friend of mine works for FN America and has told me that FN makes about 6k per unit sold on these and has been laughing all the way to the bank with everyone of them sold
Making 6k per unit in gross profit on a 7k item is not as absurd as it might seem. A chip factory makes similar gross margins, but a chip factory costs 4-7 billion in construction and tooling, so you have to sell a whole lot of chips before you just break even on the capital expense. I don't know what it cost to set up shop, for the M249, in the US, but I suspect the unit bid price was pretty much calculated as "If we only get the US as a customer we're just going to be on the safe side of break even. Actual profits will have to come from additional sales". That they happened to get a medium sized country's worth of sales from the American public, on top of the original projections, is certainly making them grin from ear to ear, but in and of itself 10k units of something with as absurdly many machining and process operations, is relatively little compared to the capital expense of the tool line.
The last I knew, the cost per unit to the US military was 4K so that sounds about right.
"laughing all the way to the bank" -- do people actually say that? They make a product and sell it, what is funny about that? Sounds like basic open market concepts.
@@Skylynedyes that's a very common saying. Also it's not all that difficult to imagine that someone can believe their customers to be credulous, and find that amusing.
And welcome to Earth by the way; I see you're new here.
@@drworm5007 Sorry, haven't heard anyone say "laughing all the way to the bank" since the mid-70s, and it wasn't ever used to describe a company successfully making a product the customer demanded. That would indicate that FN believed there wasn't a market for the guns at the pricepoint they determined best fit the market. That also implies a level of ignorance within FN for not knowing their customer base nor the market value of something they put significant R&D effort in.
"You cannot use the belt and the magazine at the same time."
I'd like to see someone try though.
The new elbonian dual double feed squad automatic.
I herniated two discs just looking at this thing
Where is this meme coming from? Lmao.
@@Mygg_Jeager i also wanna know hahaha
@@Mygg_Jeager The M249 is quite heavy, when carrying ammo as well, coming in at 10 kg with a 200 round belt. And you might be carrying a couple extra belts + barrels too. =)
@@jubuttibIt's really very light without the ammo though. At least the one I got to hold- Australian SASR minime.
@@Theduckwebcomics It's certainly not bad for an LMG! Pretty much all the belt fed 5.56 LMGs I could find were in the 7-7.5 kg range of the M249. I think the comparison really is to the M4 that the others in the group would be carrying, that can be half the weight of an empty M249 with a 30 round mag in it.
And indeed I've read about multiple operators of M249s also carrying 2-3 extra belt boxes + multiple smaller canvas pouches for about 100 round belts ("nutsacks") and 1-2 spare barrels, so the weight they're carrying definitely creeps up... Some lunatic said he carried one box in the gun, one on each hip, 3 more boxes in the assault pack + 1 barrel, and 4 "nutsacks" meticulously loaded up to 120+ rounds each, for a total of 1744 rounds...
Finally... the Squad Semiautomatic Weapon
*Fully semi-automatic
I bought one when they first came out. Back then, they had a very nice 4 lb. trigger pull. Later, FN did some redesigning of the internals (they claimed that there was a safety issue which most of us know is a lie) and increased the trigger pull to somewhere between 15-18 lbs. I've tried a new one and it's like using a mechanical staple gun. I paid 8K for mine and have no regrets but there is no way in the world I'd pay 10.5K for a staple gun trigger.
I’ll give you 15 for it
@@Nighthawk6942015 what? I need a little clarification here.
@@Nighthawk69420 Please elaborate.
Gun Jesus in Gun Jesus camo armed with an M9 and a M249 at a brutality match...
Only if it’s the original full-fun model.
Žiga would absolutely run this, no doubt
@@kyuzotatsuya9641 Absolutely patriotic.
yes!
Brown nose
It's really surprising that FN took the time to cater to the civilian market for such a complex and expensive gun. But I am glad they did - very cool of them.
I appreciate it in-concept, but not in practicality & market demand...
H&K could take a couple of notes...
Heh - the magazine like that made me think of Infinity War and how Bucky's superpower was to get his M249 to feed from a coffin mag with zero faults.
That's why it's called science fiction 😂
Dude had a bionic arm and chose a 30 round mag instead of a 100+ belt in a box.
@@michaelfranciotti3900 nah he had a 100rd ar15 mag loaded for maximum stupidness. m249 wont feed from a 30rd but a 100rd? thats really stupid... or maybe not, maybe they cancel out each others issues
@@lorddestructive 100 round BELT. I never said anything about a 100 round mag.
Hollywood actually likes mag fed 249s for blanks because the bolt needs less energy since it doesn't need to delink ammo
They've sold more than 10,000 of these, so obviously there's a market.
Are they easy to convert? 10,000 is a crazy number of these.
Considering they sell for 7 grand and they are made at 1 grand a pop, with a 6 grand profit margin. It's not really that big of a contract. $60k only.
@pablowentscobar very easy like just a little bit of grinding and welding
@@RealCadde 6,000 x 10,000 = $60,000,000
@@RichCommander I am tired... I was thinking over and over again... That can't be right. But i posted it anyways.
Belgians: How many Semi-Auto 249 do you think you can sell in the US? Americans: Yes
All of them?
Belgians: Who would want a semi-automatic belt machine gun
Americans: WTF IS A KILOMETER🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
It's the same as a "click".
At least it didn't have to be converted into a single shot break-action...
California-compliant m249
You joke but I've seen UK spec FG42s and MP44s, converted to bolt action only, still mag fed which is something I guess.
You don't live in CA, NY, or IL, right?
It's interesting looking at all the small differences between the C9's we use up here in Canada and the version down in the US. Having worked on these for years, the concept of the firing pin being a part of the bolt instead of the bolt carrier/piston assembly is such a tiny change that fucks with my mind so much.
The European mind not being able to comprehend why an American would want to drop $10k on a semi auto belt fed is actually hilarious.
The politicians can't
I would totally buy this if i could
Because you are actually dropping $10k on a collectable firearm that is both rare and a copy of a desirable gun familiar to many through games, movies, using one in service, etc.
absolutely no funny triggers will be made for them
No, it's European *firearm manufacturers* who can't understand. FN, HK, etc. always seem to be surprised that people WANT TO BUY THEIR STUFF.
HK in particular - when they first imported the HK SP5, they imported... 12 of them. With 12 more in back order. Let me tell you, they didn't stay long on the shelves.
Meanwhile, look at the guns manufactured by SSD... or the average price of a FR-F2, which isn't that great of a sniper rifle by modern standards... Hell, a vintage Garand or M1911 will set you back THOUSANDS of euros...
The European mind cannot comprehend many things, such as the inalienable rights of Americans.
As a collector (and as an item that is prohibitive to have in its original form), that was a dream scenario - Made by the same company, with the same parts & tooling, probably on the same assembly lines as the real thing. Literally as close as you can get to a legit M249 without a transferable MG.
So...Next week's video is you taking this to a 2-gun right? Right?
What would've been really cool on these collectors series guns would be a factory binary trigger
What would be cool is if we where Free and or if we did not have a slave mentality. All laws should be obeyed, they are for our saftey
@@user-oi1fd6fx2j i was thinking within the bounds of current reality, getting the NFA repealed is still 10-30 years out depending on how things go
@@heavilyarmedhippie75 Yes, lets make it easier for the cartels to buy these things up and distribute them.
@@SaladofStones the cartels are buying the real deal from shady supply Sargents my guy.
@@SaladofStones cartels buy the full auto versions, they aren't stupid enough to follow laws.
I carried a M249 for about 4 years. I'm amazed the ATF approved this. ;)
I really appreciate the full auto mark being on the switch, that has always bugged me about some of those retro and imitation rifles. Im glad someone has the common sense to realize that a marking doesnt make it a full auto weapon
All the “why make a semi auto mg?” Comments people clearly do not understand collector and the collector mind-set. I would never want or pay for one, but as a guy who collects vintage Japanese prints I bet I have paid hundreds of dollars more for “a piece of paper” than most people would.
I was once one of those 'Why?' guys. It's neat, but expensive and heavy for something I could replace with a basic AR. Then I got to play with one, just shy of shooting it. Now, I'd kind of like one, despite it being expensive and heavy.
If I had stupid money I would absolutely drop some of it on one of these for the collection.
@@HALO-2304 The short barrel and collapsible stock makes it feel heavier for some reason. I guess it might have to do with the center of gravity.
They also don't understand that SOTs are a thing and converting one of these, legally, is easier than getting a post sample factory MG
All of those questions are basically related to income level. If $7k is the choice between having the landlord kick you out, on top of you starvation, and a 249S it makes absolutely no sense. If $7k is the choice between buying more stocks for your $500k portfolio or buying a nice toy, that you'll have as much fun with as you can with your pants on, then this makes perfect sense.
In 1988 while stationed at Ft. Carson 3 months before our brigade rotation to Ft. Irwin's NTC. I was issued an M249 SAW right out of the box from FN. I was very happy and I thought Christmas came to early for me and I was excited. Previously I was the squad's M-60 gunner and found the M249's weight to be awesome. I already knew how to take it apart and clean it during Infantry AIT at Benning prior. A week after issue we SAW gunners went to the range to qualify and fire for a week. Our battalion commander and CSM were present along with the 4th ID Commanding General. I qualified as top SAW gunner in my battalion with 4 other guys and competed against the other 3 infantry battalions best SAW gunners. My battalion 1/10th Infantry came second but we got beaten by a few points by 1/12th Infantry who took first place. My battalion chain of command was very happy with us 4 gunners that we got Army Achievement Medals and a 4 day weekend for trying to kick ass. During NTC I had no problems with a brand new SAW operating it. Blanks were always an issue during force on force engagements. I zeroed my MILES laser very carefully. Loved smoking the OPFOR infantry with the SAW even though we lost our battles but during our company engagements our platoon stopped an OPFOR company trying to breach our position but got bypassed by the next unit. My SAW came to shine after the force on force which was the Brigade CALFEX, the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. First we had pop up targets which was easy, next came the drone airplanes and I had real fun. They had sent a total of 10 targets and I was lucky to smoke 3 drones. My platoon sergeant and platoon leader were pleased by my shooting skills that both used my SAW during the CALFEX. They both smoked targets easy because I zeroed and maintained my SAW very well. I got another AAM for my last NTC deployment before I left for Panama before Christmas for leave. The SAW during Panama did very well in combat but I became a leader later and carried my other favorite weapon the M203. I did enjoy my time with the SAW as a young soldier back then.
Those are the original legs, not the newer round ones. Downside is the dirt that they collect.
The gas block is not adjustable, which is not from the original design. It was used to adjust gas pressure to make the magazine fed mode operate more reliably. So it's the latest barrel design.
The handguard pin is designed to be pushed out using the main spring guide rod. Same applies to the other pins that normal disassembly entails. (Not the tip of a cartridge.)
Otherwise really nice.
Yeah, I cringed when he said you could pop it out with a cartridge.
I also thought it was weird when he laid it on its side to disassemble it.
@@kevinfelton689probably laid down for camera convenience.
The magazine feed gas setting was not a consideration when the Minimi was designed. It was high and low fire rate. It wasn't until Israel adopted it that THEY added a magazine gas mode.
This is a certified Ian classic
that canted magazine well is dakka as hell
You know, I think that thing would technically be MA legal.
M-249S
'the S stands for Sarcasm'
Amazingly these are legal in Maryland
Though the price tag is a burden
that and the RPD apparently
That's the point. It's legal because they know most people can't afford it. They don't want the working class to have a level playing field with the state in the ability to do violence.
@@lilze69when you look at the inner cities you understand why.
@@nickkennedy9034Really? Is that because they are not listed on the restricted firearms list, or what?
@@wyomins
From the Maryland government website Reviewed Firearms List
Fabrique Nationale FN Herstal M249S Not Banned Neither a "Copycat" nor cosmetically similar to anything on the current enumerated banned weapon list as of 1/26/2017
The semi-auto conversion is pretty ingenious.
I can see it being easily reversed... a couple springs turned solid on the "hammer disconnect" and some sear geometry changes to the FCG.
@@Mis73rRand0mnah it definitely is irreversible 100%. that bolt wont be able to be welded for reasons that are obvious fr fr. fullauto is definitely out of the question without replacing the entire gun because it was totally redesigned from the ground up to not be reversed. no cap on god💯
the ATF and FN did a very thorough job😁👀
This is the Gen 2 version. The Gen 1's didn't have the disconnector in the slide / hammer assembly. Both Gen's have a disconnector in the FCG.They had some issues with the Gen 1 not always staying Semi-auto! 😂 I have a Gen 1, but either can be easily converted if you have the proper permission of the crown and the money to do so. Parts are expensive but you have to pay to play!
I was the section lmg gunner and used the minimi, yes i'm x British Army and thats what we called it!! It was accurate for a machine gun and i loved it, i had a sgt who was a wizard with the GPMG, he used to get double taps by adjusting the gas settings. He showed me how to do it on the lmg and i can tell.....i could get VERY accurate double taps and single fire. I know that's not what a machine gun is used for but when your getting accurate rounds down at 400m+ it's epic!!!
This thing Yearns for the Dremel.
A dremel won't get you anything but damage.
Bubba's favorite "gunsmithing tool"! 😅
Yep, moron detected, let's go turn a gun full auto with a dremel, that's definitely how you convert real machine guns
There is a pre-production Colt Tool Room BAR that has this exact setup; where the hammer is disconnected from the bolt carrier and has it's own spring so it fires from a closed bolt. Nothing new under the sun, as they say
Finally… Gun Jesus takes a closer look at the FN Minimi!!!
What an incredibly elegant way of converting this firing system to closed bolt semi-auto. Brilliant.
Mr. Ian are you sure they've made approximately 10000 of these beauties? Maybe they just started the serial number at 10000? I certainly hope they've sold 10000 units though - that thought makes me smile wide and toothy.
Yes, I've seen #00005.
I carried a short barrelled version in Afghan. It’s was a major ball
ache. When back slung the chafing handle would stab you in the kidneys. It was a nightmare.
The Belgiums obvious did not get "The Rule of Cool".
Let me start by saying, I am not rich…I work really hard and have several expensive rifles and handguns. I have been very tempted to get one of these, but when I think about feeding this thing with ammo, reality sets in and it doesn’t seem like I would shoot it that much.
I mean its semi automatic. Its not like you'll be ripping through hundreds of rounds per trigger pull like the military version.
@@cobra29935True. But when I take mine to the range, I will often go through 300 rounds in an hour. That's taking the time to aim properly, and abide by range rules. So that's $150 worth of ammo in an hour.
Why would it use more ammo than any other semiautomatic firearm?
@@callaway86 200 rounds without needing to reload. Plus, you just have the urge to fire it faster than you do with an AR. I don't know why.
Seeing a couple of these at my local PSA store for $3499 each is very tempting
That’s very cheap. Buy one.
No fucking way, I thought they were still around 8k, it isn’t in the NC store is it?
Are you kidding? I'd trade my 1919 in .308 if I thought you could functionally convert the thing.
Dude what? I might need to go buy one then. Just hire someone to CNC you a binary trigger
Yeah you should drop the name and location of that store homie
"Its just awesome" you're damn right, Ian
On the open bolt models, you would always remove the pistol grip, otherwise you would stage the sear and be unable to reinsert the bcg into the receiver without depressing the trigger
Try PMags in the mag well. Works in all M249s I've tried over the last 2 decades.
Can confirm. I posted a picture of it in the inrange Reddit. Search for pmag adapter in the subreddit.
No way, stanags are the limit, PMAGs fit terribly and you have to jerk it alot to get it to work, its a pain, and PMAGs are bassicly becoming standard so its an issue, somewhat
Every home should have one!
Fun fact my cousin works at the factory that makes these in SC, so it’s possible he handled that very rifle at some point.
Does he know how many of them end up in the hands of Mexican cartels?
@@L1amaprobably a bunch, prepare accordingly.
I want an semi auto IWI Negev now. Think about it. A dual feed weapon that is semi auto, although it is kinda criminal. But it works.
Better, a semi auto PKM.
Uh Yeah!
No PKM. RPK, RPD yes. It just makes no sense for such a large, and universal machine gun to be converted to semi.
@@ifyoudontfailyouarenoteven6210 - I understand your rationale. RPK and RPD are better choices. My rationale for Semi auto PKM is that since an semi auto M249 is made, why not a PKM? I guess negev is another option. It too is a dual feed weapon.
@@sarath431 Full power cartridge of the PKM. Size and portability of this weapon. Type of the belt. All of it makes a behemoth, that is hard to justify in semi-auto.
@@ifyoudontfailyouarenoteven6210 - now it makes sense. I forgot that PKM uses the bigger 7.62*54R cartridge compared to 5.56mm cartridge of F249S. If a bigger bullet like the .308 is used, I too expect to be full auto. A semi auto,belt fed makes little to no sense. You raised some good points
If you think this is wasted potential as-is, just know that in Canada it's legal but with a maximum capacity of 5rds 😭
Is it? We have the conversation in germany right now, at least in my shooting club. The last update of the law fixed us at 10 round mags, but a belt is not a magazin under the law. Soooo, is a belt of 100 rounds ok?
@@janharms3948
In Canada, belts designed pre 1945 are not subject to the regulations limiting magazine capacity, but those designed post 1945 are. So only 5 round belts for the SAW
@@CanadianMarksman The german law is a bit strange in that regards. If you have a 30 round mag and can prove that you got it from a store before 2019 (june, i believe), it is perfectly legal. After that date: illegal weapon. You´ll lose your guns and your licence. But it only says "magazin", so technically belts should be legal. Or at least unregulated.
Hahaha, I DID notice the bell direction issue....I was wondering when you'd catch it...
I loved the SAW back when I was still serving, and I can see the appeal of this semo-auto version for collectors. But I'm a practical sort when it comes to my own arsenal, and this semi-auto version just... isn't.
I dont know how reliable the 249Ss are, but the full auto ones i used in the Army were notoriously unreliable. The 240s were the preferred beltfed
I could never imagine paying $15,000 for a semi auto belt gun.
Me either but damn I want this
@@clubjed6276 I’m a sot, Ohio Ord sells them full auto for $7,500. Only hard part is trying to get a law letter now days though.
@@redrider7730 Bargain! I'll have two.
The one gun where overpricing is universally relative.
Oh, the "HELL YEAH" Gun!
You forgot in use by the SGC for offworld operations.
Rule of cool definitely is reason enough to do something.
You know with the binary this wouldn’t be too bad
At the time this was created, in belgium and other EU countries you could legally own such machine guns. The law changed just a few years ago. So it is normal FN was not interested in SA version
Different EU countries still have different laws. One of or just in general most gun friendly country of the EU laws made full-autos may-issue (hard to get type of may issue, like friends of cops etc.) like two decades ago. For 1M of legally owned = registred firearms only about 1000 of them incl. suppressors. (at time suppressors were forbidden type of firearms -> hard to get may issue category). But if you are lucky to get that may issue permit, yea then you can own it and on some ranges even shoot it. But legally you are prohibited to allow anyone else to shoot.
Looking forward to seeing this one in action!
Back in the day, I bought a wise lite m53. $2600 was painful, but I got over it.
To buy one now, they are over $8k.
Really fun and the looks I'd get at the range were priceless.
This was in Illinois, so no mg for me or anyone not an sot.
Beautiful
Once I win this thing, we're gonna have to sit down on a video call so you can show me how to uh... fix it.
I live 15 minutes from the FN plant, cool to see it mentioned here. Thank you Ian for all the great content!
I found this video interesting because the M249 was my assigned weapon in the Nevada Army National Guard from 2003 to 2011, including a deployment to Kuwait for OIF II. I was an experienced military armorer before joining the Guard and was already a semi-skilled machine gunner. In the Nevada Army National Guard, I ran the machine gun ranges for the 422nd Signal Battalion--so not only did I get trigger time, but some operational experience (no firefights, fortunately) and lots of time familiarizing other Guardsmen in machine gun use.
One range there was no linked 5.56mm ammo but we did have an adequate supply of STANAG 5.56mm magazines with the lime green follower. I had an assistant machine gun instructor, a sergeant who had carried the M249 in combat. We kept track of malfunctions--zero! If I had to guess, the original M16 magazines were designed for a cyclic rate of 600 rounds per minute. Current M16/M4 cyclic rates are 750. The M249 runs at 950 rpm. It may be that the older M16 magazines were not pushing the cartridges in the bolt's path rapidly enough, and the older followers may have been tipping in the magazine. Disassemble an old magazine and a current-issue magazine and note the longer tail on the new follower. In semiautomatic fire there should be no bobbles. I was concerned that the rumors of the M249 jamming when fed from M16 magazines would derail the machine gun range--but no malfunctions!
You have demonstrated that despite my experience with the M249, READ THE MANUAL. There are just enough differences to get me into trouble with the M249S--such as firing from the closed bolt, a block to hold the bolt open, being unable to shove a magazine in the magazine well with the bolt forward, and a few other issues.
I learned to thumb the M249 to SAFE and use the index finger knuckle to move the safety to FIRE and could feel the difference in the dark even when wearing gloves.
The pride of my collection!
Why?
@@Dog_Onewhy not?
@alanhelton Me too! 😊
Who wouldn't spend $10K+ for a 17 pound( empty) .223 rifle
I mean, gophers
Coming right for us
We have sold those where I work. Some of them have been the subject of BATF gun traces.
Most of those who have bought them are not the usual gun collectors or shooters.
What is a "usual gun collector" and who decides that?? You? The state? Grow your brain and don't judge others on what they like or look like. No, I do not own one, but I own strange firearms
@@user-oi1fd6fx2jhe means this is probably a cartel favorite like the Barrett’s same thing as most people don’t have 8-15k to drop on these since your into basic pre86 mg price at that point like mac10-11 Uzi etc
@Apolloneek please re read my question, it was NOT who the buyer is.
@@user-oi1fd6fx2j Calm down, hes just saying the people who bought them where atypical for the ususal customer
@@user-oi1fd6fx2j he is right, they get tracked bc lots of them end up in cartel armories. not that difficult to convert them to full auto since they buy chinese cnc machines and they can also weld
You know when Ian refers to a part design as "pretty clever", it's downright brilliant.
I would love to add it to my collection. I have a M 1919A4 S.A. But 10k+ that’s a little too steep for my pockets
Don't have to worry about magazine restrictions when you use belts.
Not true. Most magazine capacity laws also contain something about "ammo feeding device" to specifically include belts longer than whatever unconstitutional restriction the law states.
Is that... a tigerstripe pattern hawaiin shirt?
Yes. Otte Gear.
A belt-fed in semiauto is like seeing Ian without facial hair: unforgivably cursed
My eyes! My eyes! Aaaaaaargh!
Is this like a wink wink nod "What ever you do don't drill this one hole out or grind this down a bit, that would be very illegal" type thing?
"to comply with ATF policy". Definitely noticed that specifically chosen verbiage.
This video was very enjoyable! Great content
Definitely on my wishlist
I live in the Black Country near Birmingham in England, I’m sure it’s worth me entering the give away.
With the current rules you can have one but first take the gas piston out so it's manually operated..... you would get some interesting comments on the fireing line at bisley .......
@@cedhome7945 Call it the M249 SP (straight pull).
My first thought was that there will be those collectors who will make a few adjustments to the internals and make it more entertaining to shoot.
I love the Hawaiian tiger stripe vacation camo.
If only HK could take some notes for some of their civilian longarms!
3:12 Side track. IMO, Colt has made CZ worse instead of CZ making Colt better. It's been a big disappointment for me.
Great review!! Thanks Ian!!
The features of FN 49 is really awesome
Since it´s nationalisation by regional Walloon government in the 90´s you can´t buy FN rifles in Europe. There were some grey import Scars sold for 5000€ here but FN Herstal traced them back to the US sellers and from what i´ve read they no longer sell weapons to those dealers.
as an european, our governments suck ass
That probably has nothing to do with the takeover by the Walloon government but instead with the fact that most European countries rightly see no need to have military arms in the hands of their citizens. The non-military-style weapons are sold under FN's "Browning" brand.
I've heard if you live in a state that borders Mexico and purchase one of these, you're pretty much guaranteed to get a visit from the ATF.
Seems fair enough. All they want to see is that you still have it in your possession, which should take all of 20 seconds to prove.
@@andersjjensen That's not the ATF's purview. This is not a class three NFA item.
Not if your cia agent is the one that gets for you😉
Why would a cartel want one of these unless they need a parts donor for a real one obtained on the black market? It seems like it would take a highly skilled machinist/gunsmith to convert one of these.
@@michaelprather8371 The cartels have outright fortifications in some places, that the police simply don't dare to try breech. Having one of these, with six boxes of ammo, three spare barrels, and the Hubble Telescope mounted on it, in an elevated and hardened position, is still a formidable amount of fire power. Full auto or not.
If the Hughes amendment ever gets thrown out, a FA SAW is on my list. After the MP5K and FN P90
They're also on the list for that guy with the mental health issues who imagines shooting up the local school...
I've always really dug the M249S.. what a cool rifle 🤘
It is cool; but is not cool enough to pay 10500 USD for it.
I'd say this is one of those things where I agree in my current situation, but I would totally drop the cash if I was in a higher tax bracket.. 😅😆
@@ZombieWilfredI took out a 2 year loan to buy mine ;)
Me trying to figure out how to "fix" the fire contol group 🧐
Just weld the bolt carrier back together 🤫
You missed that the disconnector is in the linear hammer, and the "disconnector" in the fire control group is just to give you the sense of the clean break people are familiar with from other semi auto weapons. FN weren't stupid enough to make a system where a full auto fire control group would just slot on to the semi auto version and turn it into a closed bolt full auto.
@@andersjjensen I think you meant that they wanted to be able to sell it Mr intellectual
The European mind could not comprehend this level of freedom
I am the only person i know who hasn't had a jam with the 249 and loves carrying it around. It just FEELS awesome to have (as long as your sling is good). I would do so much to have this model, even if it's just semi auto. Being able to field strip it with my eyes closed is fun, and being able to do that at home would be even better.
Nice gun. But real fans want to know where you got that sweet "tactical" Aloha shirt!?
Otte Gear, but I believe they are sold out.
Non-American: “Why would you…”
American: “Because we can.”