FN FALs? Or Something Else

[fightingquaker13]

I went to Gander today, as I stated in an earlier post. I got distracted by the huge gun sale, and lost track of the time (imagine that ). Anywhoo, on the way out, I noticed some FNs in the surplus rack. They looked like FALs, but appeared to have a fixed mag (like an SKS). They might have been detachable. I literally had less than a minute to look before I had to hurry up to keep an appointment. Am I delusional (rhetorical question )? What were they? They looked well used and were about 8 or 9 bills. I'd guess sixties vintage judging by the stocks some wood, some fiberglass. Any ideas?
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

FN 49 ?

[fightingquaker13]

FN 49 ?

That would be them. As I said, I had less than a minute to check them out, but they seemed like a cool little rifle. However, given that Gander was asking $800 and up, and I could buy a new BAR for about $550 during their sale in the same caliber? Survey says no. Still, a neat little piece of history.
FQ13
Here's the wiki entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_Model_1949

[tombogan03884]

A friend of mine has an 8mm, and an -06 $800 is reasonable depending of course on condition. The 7mm is the most expensive (IIRC ).
To answer your question about the mag, it was like the Enfield, the mag is removable for cleaning and repair , it's not meant for "tactical reloads". They shoot nice  
If you are interested in a new rifle,  Swiss K-31, the most accurate general  issue battle rifle, the trigger is awesome, as good as the match M1a I fired  afterward.
Your pals at Classic had a pretty good deal on them and cheap ammo.
Last time I looked Rifle and a case of ammo around $400

[fightingquaker13]

A friend of mine has an 8mm, and an -06 $800 is reasonable depending of course on condition. The 7mm is the most expensive (IIRC ).
To answer your question about the mag, it was like the Enfield, the mag is removable for cleaning and repair , it's not meant for "tactical reloads". They shoot nice  
If you are interested in a new rifle,  Swiss K-31, the most accurate general  issue battle rifle, the trigger is awesome, as good as the match M1a I fired  afterward.
Your pals at Classic had a pretty good deal on them and cheap ammo.
Last time I looked Rifle and a case of ammo around $400

They did look good, but why? Unless you just want to collect (and I would if I could), you could buy a better deer rifle for less and a better SHTF rifle for about the same. The K-31 intrigues me. Still, its like the Moison. I'd love one (or a dozen ), I just can't justify it.
FQ13

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

 From FQ :
"I just can't justify it."

So don't try, just get it then test the accuracy. Remember the Swiss have "Shutzefest"  
 A POS K 31 is a tack driver, the  accurate ones drive sewing needles  

[fightingquaker13]

From FQ :
"I just can't justify it."

So don't try, just get it then test the accuracy. Remember the Swiss have "Shutzefest"  
 A POS K 31 is a tack driver, the  accurate ones drive sewing needles  

As accurate as a Swiss watch. Well, f they go to that much trouble to know what time it is, how much more trouble would they go to keep the damn Germans out..........
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

 Look at their knives 

[kilopaparomeo]

you could buy a better deer rifle for less and a better SHTF rifle for about the same

Thing is...you don't buy a surplus rifle like a FN49 as a deer or SHTF rifle -- at least I don't.  You buy them because they are mechanically interesting, you want to collect, you're interested in the history, etc, etc.  Not saying that you can't use a milsurp for those things...certainly can.  They are rarely the first choice for those uses, however.

By the way, the FN49 was designed by Diodonne Saive -- same guy you designed the FAL and finished the P35 for John Browning.  The locking mechanism and gas plug on the FN49 is almost exactly the same as a FAL.  That rifle looks like a Garand and an FAL got in a hot tub with some whiskey and Lou Rawles music.

I have an Egyptian contract model in 7.92x57mm.  



Cold War era battle rifles

CETME, 7.62x51mm
PTR91, 7.62x51mm
DSA StG58A, 7.62x51mm
DSA SA58, 7.62x51mm
Egyptian FN49, 7.92x57mm
Springfield Armory M1A Loaded, 7.62x51mm
WASR-10 AKM, , 7.62x39mm
Yugoslavian SKS M59/66, 7.62x39mm

[TAB]

Owning a K31, I can tell you alot of thier accuarcy is do to the great surplus ammo you can get. Its almost match grade.  I'm not so sure I'd want to take a k31 into battle, the tolerances on them are pretty tight.( atleast by miltary standards.)