Unusual FN49: need identification

[rkdh]

Hello all. This thread is posted on several forums.
I have been collecting FN49s for many years and recently acquired a rifle with some unusual features. Spotted this rifle in a pawn shop labeled “Venezuelan Fabrique National”. It had seen some field use. There was no magazine.
It had a slotted muzzle brake, milled scope mount slot, but the wrong butt plate for a Vene. Then I noticed the large magazine release.
I asked to see the gun. No Import stamps. Sloppy black paint. ARA markings as I suspected. After bargained the price down as the gun had no magazine and a repaired crack in the stock I purchased it.

Here are my other FNs.


I have degreased it and posted pictures so you can evaluate my newest find.

















The Insides. All numbers match. The bolt is not numbered.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

It's not Arge navy is it? 7.62 nato? Uses FN mags?

[rkdh]

It is an Argentine Navy contract rifle converted to 7.62 NATO and uses a proprietary 20 round magazine.
It is not import marked. I have never seen, or can find reference to this rifle with muzzle brake and scope slot.
It may just be a Bubba'ed gun but I find it interesting.

[browningautorifle]

Pardon? 7.65 NATO? 7.65 is Argentine, not NATO. 7.62 is NATO.

[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

Pardon? 7.65 NATO? 7.65 is Argentine, not NATO. 7.62 is NATO.

The Argies used FN FALs and FN MAGs mgs in 7.62 NATO. Apparently, they had enough SAFN rifles to justify converting some (all?) to the more common cartridge and a detachable box magazine. The only ones in North America are south of the 49th Parallel. :-(

[browningautorifle]

OK, I was trying to clarify it being in 7.62 nato. I knew they had 7.65, but that was in bolt guns and I think they had some of these in the original form in 7.65??

[rkdh]

You were Correct Jim. The original FN contract did call for FN49s in 7.65mm. The Navy later performed an in-country conversion of the rifle to 7.62 NATO , the same caliber as the Argentine Army's FALs.

[Calif-Steve]

Most of the 7.62mm conversions are in nice shape. I had a buddy who owned one and it never ran right. He would fire a round, jam, then spend time clearing it, fire again, jam. Very sad rifle to shoot. Not sure if it was that particular rifle or all of them. No idea where to find magazines.

[browningautorifle]

Are the mags not compatible with the FAL mags? If I had one, I'd sure be sorting out the feed problem. That'd be a dream to shoot. Heavy enough that the recoil would be gone...

[Charlie]

The mag is not compatible with any other rifle. There was a place in MD that was selling them in 2011. The function problem is with the mag. I have one mag that jams after every shot. The others work fine.