FN m249s Review

Fabrique Nationale (usually just FN) has been a Belgian-based arms manufacturer since 1889.  With a factory in Columbia, South Carolina, FN produces a number of firearms for the US military and civilian markets.  One such gun is the M249s, a semi-auto civilian variant of the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW).  Let’s dive into this rather unique gun, and see how it performs outside of the military.

Background

The FN Minimi was produced by Fabrique Nationale in the late 1970’s, and is in service in around 75 different nations.  In the glorious 80’s, the US government procured a modified Minimi and dubbed it the M249.  Since then the platform has undergone a number of changes, to include the Para(trooper) model I used in 2nd Ranger Bn., and the upgraded MK46.

My FN m249s Review

Given the unique nature of the M249s, with its military origins and subsequent civilian rehash, I have to include a disclaimer on this article.  I am solely reviewing the rifle for Gun University from the perspective of a prospective civilian firearms customer.  Being a former Airborne Ranger, I’ll cover the gun from a nostalgic Veteran customer’s point of view elsewhere, at a later date.

My first exposure to the M249 platform came in the year 2000.  I joined the US Army a full year before 9/11, and had made it into 2nd Ranger Bn. early in 2001.  While the M249 Para I was issued had a shorter barrel, collapsing stock, and accessory rails, it is otherwise functionally identical.  Most of my 5 combat deployments were as a SAW gunner, so it’s safe to say I’m familiar with the platform.

The M249s Standard I’m reviewing has a fixed polymer stock, plastic handguard (that the bipod can tuck away into), and an 18.5″ barrel.  I’m reviewing this rifle in comparison to other commercially available title-1 firearms, not against machine guns.

Unboxing the M249s is an event the magnitude of which you just don’t get with your usual AR-15 or AK-47.  There’s bags of M27 links with which to string up your own belts, a 200-round drum, a 30-round AR-15 compatible FN magazine, and the gun itself.  For once, there’s a user’s manual that you’ll really want to read.  This is especially true if you have prior experience with the full auto M249, there’s a couple changes to the operating procedures due to the redesigned semi-auto, closed-bolt system.

For example, there is no more locking the bolt back to the rear.  Instead, FN has included a polymer block to stuff into the receiver to hold the bolt back.  Additionally, if you try to rack the bolt while the weapon is on ‘safe’ and the slide hammer is forward, instead of just being stopped, the bolt will travel partway back, then the slide hammer will jam up.  No, making the system semi-automatic did not make it easier to clear malfunctions, only harder.

I linked up a couple hundred rounds of Prvi Partisan Rangemaster 55gr 5.56 ammo, lubed the gun, and loaded the drum.

Firing the M249s is really satisfying.  The weight of the gun, combined with the hydraulic buffer, reduce the already low recoil impulse of .223/5.56 to even lower levels.  The weight of the bolt/operating rod assembly keeps the system from unlocking until the bullet is further downrange than with an AR-15 or the like.  So, even with the big bolt carrier moving back and forth, the lack of gas coming into the receiver keeps the noise level at the shooter’s ear relatively low.

What I really want to do is add a suppressor, but I’ll keep this review sticking to the rifle as sold, suppressor and other accessories will be in future articles.

Features

1 Formed steel frame with claw extractor design

2 Quick-change barrel capability

3 Redesigned trigger mechanism for semi-auto fire

4 Hydraulic recoil buffer system

Shooting with the FN m249s

After getting some preliminary shooting done with the iron sights, I added my vintage M68 (Aimpoint CompM2), the same optic I used in Afghanistan, Iraq, and a couple quick trips into neighboring countries.  Peanut butter and jelly are classics, and so is this optic/belt-fed duo.  These iron sights are low, so getting a co-witness will be a challenge with most optics.  I got zeroed at 25 yards, and decided what we all needed to see was a measurement of the M249s’ accuracy.  Closed bolt, semi-auto rifle, right?

After shooting a few groups at 25 yards, the M249s got between 4.7 and 8 MOA for the M249s with Prvi Partisan Rangemaster ammo and the Aimpoint CompM2 with its 4 MOA dot.  But, I believed it could do better.  I could hardly see the target with that huge dot, so I mounted a PSA 5-25x scope.  I couldn’t open the feed tray cover, but I could shoot.  That scope improved things to 3.3 to 5.25 MOA using the Prvi Partisan 55gr ammo.

I loaded the the 30-round mag with Federal Gold Medal Match 77gr in , and repeated the testing.  There, the gun, 5-25x scope, and ammo brought in groups from 2.63 to 4.29 MOA.

I have no doubt the weakest link in this setup is the trigger/slide hammer interface.  When disassembled, the trigger itself is really light.  Once the pressure of the slide hammer and spring are on it, the trigger pull becomes extremely heavy.  Originally, a much lighter pull was available, but after a recall the system was redesigned yet further to the 8-15lbs trigger pull I’m using now.  It’s not just a problem that the trigger is heavy, it’s also really inconsistent.  A proper trigger squeeze actually exacerbates the issue, while a quick jerk on the trigger seems the best way to work the M249s. 

Since finishing testing accuracy through groups, I’ve focused more on running drills, and shooting steel out at distance.  Follow-up shots could be lightning quick given the 5.7×28 comparable level of recoil, were it not for the heavy trigger.  While this gun might not have surgically precise accuracy, it is a highly effective system capable of dropping rounds on target at a quarter mile with relative ease.

What are civilian shooters who lack prior experience with the full-auto version going to notice about the m249s?

First, the weight.  Yes, I’m out here doing CQB drills with the equivalent of three V7 Sovereign AR-15’s.  If you aren’t prepared for it, you’re in for a wake up call.  This is a range day and a workout, rolled into one.

Second, this is a machine.  Like a 1920’s typewriter, or a piece of old farming equipment.  Imagine jumping straight from your first bolt-action .22lr to a modern AR-15.  The increase in operational complexity is about as large as the jump from there to an M249 of any stripe in my opinion.  Jump any further, and you’re replacing glow plugs in a Humvee.

Third, the adjustable height bipod.  It’s built-in, and at nearly 20lbs, the gun itself really encourages you to lay down and take a break.  The bipod has versatility beyond the obvious, acting as a barrier offset (stretched forward), a makeshift forward grip (held vertical, legs together and pulled to the side), or as a hook that snags anything you pass by if you aren’t careful.

Ask 100 SAW gunners if they liked the SAW, and you’ll end up with a wide range of answers.  Many complaints aren’t due to the system itself, rather are due to the fact that  many M249’s were pushed far past their operational lifespan by misanthropic SPC4’s and Lance Corporals .

The M249s however, shows how good the design is, as well as the high level of machining quality FN puts into these guns, prior to them being subjected to harsh military use.  I only have a sample size of one, but it has been 100% reliable so far.  Yes, that even includes feeding from the included 30-round magazine, a notorious source of trouble for military versions when the gun is ripping rounds out at 800 rounds per minute. 

Taking a look online for some additional (anecdotal, second or third hand) experiences, and the general consensus seems to be that the M249s also has no trouble feeding from belts.

FN m249s Pros and Cons 

Objectively expensive, but the M249s is nearly a singular object.  A company like FN offering factory versions of their military production guns directly to the civilian market is almost unheard of.  FN should be applauded for taking a chance in a risk averse corporate world.  The M249s is a product of high quality, even if the complexity and limited market demand price it out of the reach of most.

How to Care for Your FN m249s