| REM.303 - I have had an FN-49 in .308 for several years (Argentinian Navy), at the time they were brought in, the magazines were butchered down to 10 rounds. The magazines work just fine, it just looks like bubba chopped them down with a hatchet.
My FN-49 Argentinian in .308 functionally shoots as it was supposed to, except for sighting. I have a rifle that I am afraid I will shoot myself in the back with, because it shoots so far to the left. With the front sight all the way to loose to the left, which moves the strike to the right, and with the rear sight adjusted all the way to the right, which also moves the strike to the right, I still have to aim at the right side of the target to hit the bullseye. It will hold a 1 1/2 inch group, on my target (within the 10 ring), at 100 yards with sights centered front and rear, if I aim at the target to the right of mine. The barrel has been checked for straightness, and is near perfect, but the squareness of the barrel with the receiver is in question. Since it is in excellent condition otherwise, I will keep it with the rest of my FN-49 Collection, and leave it alone. I like it as well as the other FN-49's I have, I am just disappointed with the sighting problem.
I would suggest that if you get one, get at least one extra magazine (I know they are expensive) as you may want to shoot it in NRA/CMP competition someday, and if you don't compete with it, the extra magazine will increase the value of the rifle more than the extra magazine costs!
I would also suggest that you purchase the FN-49 book from North Cape, and while you are waiting to make your decision, take a look at the web site you reach by searching on FN-49. That web site has beaucoup information on the FN-49, and you will appreciate the rifle more. |