FN-49 Range Report

Saive Automatique, Fabrique Nationale (SAFN)
Model 1949 Range Report

Prior to this article, I had not really had the opportunity to
handle or shoot the SAFN-49 (also called the FN-49).
This is true primarily for a couple reasons. 1) I have not
seen many FN-49 rifles at firearm shows or at local
stores to purchase and 2) the ones that I have seen are
priced too high for MY wallet (or this is what I thought).
Usually the specimens I have found range in price from
$500 to $1000. I will on occasion spend that much for a
mil-surp rifle, but I REALLY have to WANT the rifle to do
so.
I usually get a lot of emails after I write an article asking
me - "Hey Jamie, where can I get one of those rifles?".
Let me say this - the FN-49 is not usually something you
are going to find in ads in Shotgun News for a couple
hundred dollars shipped to your front door.
Although the FN-49 is a C&R rifle (Classified as -
Fabrique Nationale, model SAFN49 semiautomatic rifles,
any caliber by the BATF), you will usually only find them
in quantities of one or two and maybe on consignment
from someone like you and me.
The FN-49 is something you are going to have to keep
an eye out for when you are perusing the isles of the Gun
Show or when you are visiting Gun Stores, Pawn Shops,
etc.
Page 1 of 9 Collecting and Shooting the SAFN-49 Battle Rifle - Range Report
12/10/2003 http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/fn49/index.asp
My friend Tony getting ready to load up and shoot the 7.62x51
Nato FN-49 we had with us.
Designed by Dieudonne Saive of Fabrique Nationale
(FN) prior to WWII, but not manufactured until after
WWII, the FN-49 is very similar in functionality to the
Soviet SVT rifles and the Simonov carbines (SKS). If you
are familiar with any one of the three rifles, I have found
that you can easily understand the operating principles
and maintenance of all three.
The FN-49 is the predecessor to the famous FN-FAL
rifle, which was manufactured and carried by most non-
communist countries in the post WWII world.
If not for the overwhelming abundance and availability of
surplus military arms after WWII probably many more
FN-49 rifles would have been manufactured and sold by
the FN company. It is a fact that Great Britain, the Soviet
Union, and The United States supplied amazing amounts
of WWII era weapons to most countries making it very
difficult for weapons manufacturers to sell their rifles.
Another contributing factor to the demise of the FN-49 is
by the time it was actually manufactured the design was
already obsolete.

Figure 1 - Venezuelan FN converted to 7.62x51 Nato
The FN-49 weighs almost as much as the M1 Garand but
for some reason, to me, seems almost "carbine" like in
overall dimensions. What I mean by this statement is that
it seems shorter than the Garand, but in reality it is about
the same length and size. Kind of reminds me of pulling
an SKS up to your shoulder - but heavier.
The 3 piece stock is usually European walnut with a
military oil finish. The design is very ergonomic with a
semi-pistol grip and two handguards.
The most common FN-49 magazine is a 10 round non-
detachable type. The magazine is not really designed to
be removed to feed the rifle. The rifle is loaded through
the top of the receiver via a stripper clip, but is easily
loaded a single cartridge at a time.

Figure 2 - Venezuelan FN converted to 7.62x51 Nato
I was given the opportunity to take two different FN-49
rifles to the range for a test shoot.
The first (as shown in figure 2) was a Venezuelan FN-49
that had been converted to the abundantly available
7.62x51 Nato cartridge. I picked up some surplus ammo
that only cost around $3 per 20 rounds.
Quality ammo for most of the available FN-49 models
(30.06, 8mm, and 7.62 Nato) is bountifully available in
the surplus market and is at bargain-basement prices. A
perfect combination for a fun and accurate shooter.

Figure 3 - Cheap and accurate Portuguese 7.62x51 Nato ammo
The second FN-49 (as shown in figures 4 and 5) was a
very nice looking 30.06 Luxembourg model. It had either
been arsenal refurbished or was pretty much brand new.

Figure 4 - Loaded 30.06 Luxembourg FN-49
The 30.06 FN-49 had two draw-backs when first fired
(but both were error on the part of the shooter - me).
1) The gas cylinder plug was set to non-semiautomatic,
grenade launch mode. This is when the "R" is visible on
the gas cylinder plug (this is true on all FN-49 rifles
except for 8mm Mauser rifles of which the letter "A" and
"R" are in Arabic). When I fired the first cartridge all of
the gas was vented off before reaching the gas piston.
The first couple of rounds I fired would not cycle the bolt
at all and the empty cases would not eject unless I
manually cycled the bolt. After I turned the gas cylinder
plug till the letter "A" was displayed facing upward, the
rifle cycled in semiautomatic mode just like it was
designed to do.

Figure 5 - 30.06 Luxembourg FN-49
2) I was firing ammo that was intended for the M1
Garand. Several of the fired cases actually stuck in the
bore and the bolt's extractor ripped the bottom of the
case off. No, the case did not rupture. It was broken off at
the base of the case by the extractor. It was one of the
strangest things I had seen in a while. I later discovered
that this problem was caused by extreme gas pressure.
Extreme gas pressure can cause early extraction of the
case before bore pressures have reduced enough to
allow the cartridge case to contract and be released from
the walls of the chamber. I also found that this condition
could be easily countered by adjusting the gas cylinder.
Amazing how a rifle works correctly when it is properly
adjusted for the mode and ammo you are shooting!

Figure 6 - Proper sight picture for the FN-49
I like the simplicity of the sights on the FN-49. Provided is
an easy to use rear aperture sight and an excellent sight
picture (as shown in figure 6).
The elevation of the rear sight is graduated to 1000
meters and can be adjusted in increments of 100 meters.
On the FN-49 the "battle sight" position is when the rear
sight is pulled all of the way to the rear of the gradient.
The range of the "battle sight" measures out at 300
meters. A "battle sight" usually refers to a setting on a
rifle that allows for the shooter to hit a man sized target
between X distance and Y distance without having to
adjust elevation of the rear sight. With the FN-49 X = 50
Meters and Y = 350 meters.
Windage on the FN-49 sights can be set at either the
front or rear sights, but not easily in my opinion. The rear
sight is adjusted via screws but has no settings or marks
as a guide, while the front sight is adjustable via a
hammer and punch method. Like most mil-surp rifles that
have been sitting for more than 50 years, good luck
moving the front sight easily.

Figure 7 - FN-49 (7.62x51 Nato) 5 shot grouping at 50 yards
The 30.06 FN-49 had noticeably stout recoil in
comparison to the 7.62 Nato FN-49. As a result I only
ended up shooting around 40 rounds through the 30.06
rifle (as shown in figures 7, 8, and 9) while Tony and I
probably put over 100 rounds through the 7.62 Nato rifle
(as shown in figures 10, 11, and 12).
I would have to say the 7.62 Nato FN-49 was a real
pleasure to shoot and very accurate as well. Regardless
of recoil, both rifles pulled in exceptional accuracy.


Figure 10 - FN-49 (30.06) 10 shot grouping at 50 yards
So, have I decided to purchase an FN-49 yet? If I had
the money readily available - yes. I do have my eye on
one (the 30.06 model used in this article) and probably
will get it as finances allow.
For someone who is looking for a rifle to collect there are
enough diversity in the models found today to make it
interesting enough to collect the FN-49. Although
collecting would be an expensive proposition, none the
less it would be rewarding.
To gauge the quality of the FN-49 I think it might be
helpful to compare it to another rifle. If I had to make a
comparison between the FN-49 and another rifle I guess
I would choose the SKS. I make this choice because of
the similarity in functionality and size.
I would say the following: The FN-49 and SKS function
almost identically. But this is where the similarities stop.
Comparing the FN-49 to the SKS (and I really like the
SKS) is like comparing a Ford Focus with a Mercedes
Benz. Both vehicles have four wheels, an engine, brakes,
etc. The FN-49 is like someone took the SKS and said -

Copyright 2003 Jamie Mangrum
"Let's make a luxury version of the SKS, cut no
manufacturing corners, and not worry about cost and
materials".
In all fairness - the beauty of the SKS is - it is simple and
inexpensive to manufacture. But then again this is
probably why so many SKS were manufactured above
and beyond the number of FN-49 produced.
This is my report and opinion of the FN-49.
jlm;)
Rifles used in article courtesy of River City Gun Exchange

Bibliography:
Joe Poyer, "The SAFN-49 Battle Rifle: A Shooters and Collector's
Guide", North Cape Publications, 1998.
W.H.B. Smith and Joseph E. Smith, "The Book of Rifles, Third
Edition", The Stackpole Company, 1963.

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Model 1949 Range Report

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