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FN M249S Semi-Automatic Belt-Fed Rifle Back in Production

FN America resumes its market interpretations of firearms it produced for the U.S. military, this time with the M249S semi-automatic belt-fed rifle in standard and paratrooper configurations. 

FN M249S Semi-Automatic Belt-Fed Rifle Back in Production

FN M249S Semi-Automatic Belt-Fed Rifle in Para Black (Photo courtesy of FN America)

FN America has announced that the FN M249S semi-automatic belt-fed rifle is now available to order in both the Paratrooper, or Para, and Standard configuration. After a manufacturing hiatus, these new rifles are now in production and available for order.

“Since it was introduced, the FN M249S has outpaced our expectations in terms of customer interest and sales,” remarked Chris Cole, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for FN America, LLC. “After a hiatus in manufacturing to focus on other core FN products, we are extremely excited to make these available to our customers and loyal brand fans again. We are expecting new inventory to be readily available at retailers by the spring.”

The FN M249S semi-automatic belt-fed is part of the FN Military Collector Series, introduced in 2015 to bring to market classic interpretations of the firearms that FN designed and sold to the U.S. military. The line also includes the FN Military Collector M4 and M16, semi-automatic versions of the military’s M4A1 and M16A4.

FN M249S Semi-Automatic Belt-Fed Rifle Back in Production
FN M249S Semi-Automatic Belt-Fed Rifle in Para Black. (Photo courtesy of FN America)

The closed-bolt FN M249S Standard is the classic FN M249 SAW configuration with an 18.5-inch cold-hammer-forged and chrome-lined barrel made from FN’s proprietary steel with quick-change capabilities, an ergonomic polymer buttstock with hydraulic recoil buffer, crossbolt safety and feeds from a disintegrating M27 linked ammunition belt. The Paratrooper model, or Para for short, is the compact configuration of the M249 SAW and features a shortened 16.5-inch barrel along with a telescoping and collapsing buttstock.


FN M249S Semi-Automatic Belt-Fed Rifle Back in Production
FN M249S Semi-Automatic Belt-Fed Rifle in Standard Black. (Photo courtesy of FN America)

Primary Features

  • Semi-automatic, closed-bolt operation
  • Primary sights graduated to 1000 meters with MIL-STD 1913 rail system for optics
  • Quick change barrel and integral steel bipod

Receiver

  • Formed steel frame with magazine well for alternate feed
  • Fixed, pivoting ejector for robust ejection
  • Top cover integrated MIL-STD 1913 mounting rail for sighting systems

Barrel

  • Changeable barrel
  • Cold hammer-forged steel
  • Chrome-lined bore and chamber
  • Heat shield and carry handle included

Stock


  • Standard - Highly ergonomic polymer butt-stock assembly with hydraulic recoil buffer system and non-slip buttplate
  • Para - Rotating, telescoping buttstock with hydraulic recoil buffer and non-slip buttplate

Operating Controls

  • Crossbolt safety
  • Curved trigger for improved finger position and control
  • Non-reciprocating charging handle

Feed System




  • Standard disintegrating link belt-fed
  • Under-mounted polymer ammunition container helps keep ammunition cleaner for reduced wear and added reliability
FN M249S Semi-Automatic Belt-Fed Rifle Back in Production
FN M249S Semi-Automatic Belt-Fed Rifle in Para FDE (Flat Dark Earth). (Photo courtesy of FN America)

Product / Designation / UPC

  • 46-100169 / M249S Standard Black / 845737015077
  • 46-100170 / M249S Standard FDE / 845737015091
  • 46-100171 / M249S Para Black / 845737015084
  • 46-100172 / M249S Para FDE / 845737015107
FN M249S Semi-Automatic Belt-Fed Rifle Back in Production
FN M249S Semi-Automatic Belt-Fed Rifle in Standard FDE. (Photo courtesy of FN America)

FN M249S Standard Specifications

  • Caliber: 5.56x45mm
  • Capacity: 30/200 Rd. 
  • Weight: 17.2 lbs.
  • Length: 40.7 in.
  • Barrel Length: 18.5 in.

FN M249S Para Specifications

  • Caliber: 5.56x45mm
  • Capacity: 30/200 Rd.
  • Weight: 16.9
  • Length: 31.5-37 in.
  • Barrel Length: 16.1 in.  
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