+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: SAFN-49 newbie questions

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member RangeRover's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Last On
    09-25-2024 @ 12:29 PM
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    Posts
    241
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    05:34 PM

    SAFN-49 newbie questions

    I'm encouraged by the existing levels of conversation around the SAFN-49 on the boards here as it means perhaps I'm not all that crazy to be looking for one.

    I'd be curious, at the risk of starting a debate that has had to be quenched earlier, about the relative merits of the 30.06 vs. 8mm versions of the firearm. I'm leaning toward the 30.06 but could be swayed. Big questions for me are:

    - quality/reliability of the two calibres (especially in light of recent posts in various places about single-piece firing pins, slamfiring and resultant damage/injury)
    - availability/cost of ammunition, and
    - availability/cost of replacement parts.

    For example, there's apparently an Egyptian 8mm for sale here in Alberta without a magazine. How difficult would it be to get a mag and stripper clips for it?

    Any and all input welcomed.

    Thanks.
    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.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Administrator

    Site Owner
    Badger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    @
    Location
    Toronto, Canada
    Age
    76
    Posts
    12,967
    Real Name
    Doug
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:34 PM
    My Videos in Video Club
    12
    I have a 30.06 version and I really like it....

    Here's a couple of reference books.

    The first one I have and I think it is a very good read.

    The FN-49 The Last Elegant Old-World Military Rifle

    SAFN-49 BATTLE RIFLE SHOOTERS & COLLECTORS GUIDE BOOK

    Regards,
    Badger

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Head Moderator
    (Founding Partner)

    Site Founder
    Stevo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    08-31-2015 @ 06:39 PM
    Location
    NW Alberta
    Posts
    2,357
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    05:34 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by RangeRover View Post
    Big questions for me are:

    - quality/reliability of the two calibres (especially in light of recent posts in various places about single-piece firing pins, slamfiring and resultant damage/injury)
    - availability/cost of ammunition, and
    - availability/cost of replacement parts.

    For example, there's apparently an Egyptian 8mm for sale here in Alberta without a magazine. How difficult would it be to get a mag and stripper clips for it?

    Any and all input welcomed.

    Thanks.
    I've got an Egyptian 8mm and I quite like it.

    -I've not heard any difference in quality or reliability between calibres. The one piece firing pin MAY be a liability, but can be replaced from somewhere like Numrich.
    -I've seen much more 8x57 surplus than .30-06 at gunshows around here, but not that much of either, if you follow. If you have to buy commercial, you will pay about the same for both calibres. You may run into slamfire issues with soft commercial primers. Best to reload with CCI No 34 milspec primers. I've been hoarding surplus 8x57 for 20 years and I lucked into 2 cases of Romanian a couple years ago so my supply is secure.
    -Parts for both are uncommon in Canadaicon.

    I've never seen a lone SAFN mag for sale. Chargers are a pain in the ***. K98icon one's don't work but you can mod them with a Dremel to fit.

  6. #4
    Moderator
    (Swiss Rifles Forum)
    diopter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Last On
    10-17-2020 @ 12:12 AM
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    175
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:34 PM

    Great Rifles

    I have a 7mm and just got a 30 06, my brother has an 8mm.

    The 8mm fired Czechicon milsurp ammo his K98kicon would not fire until the second hit on the primer. We'll try out the 30 06 tomorrow. No disappoints so far.

    Check on parts availiability, caliber specific, before you buy the rifle.

    Wayne Johnson's book is a must have.
    http://www.fn49.com/
    Last edited by diopter; 11-20-2007 at 06:52 AM.

  7. #5
    Moderator
    (Edged Weapons Forum)
    sdh1911's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    02-23-2016 @ 03:41 PM
    Location
    Stanhope, New Jersey
    Age
    67
    Posts
    927
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:34 PM
    I'm with Stevo, I have the 8 mm and love it. Mine is strictly a mis-matched shooter. Combination of 8mm parts and 30/06 parts. I'm considering putting on an old pso-1 Romanian scope for a little x-tra help with these old eyes. I'm getting 2.5"@100 yards with it doing my part,, good luck either way, they are a blast-SDH

  8. #6
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    guninhand's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last On
    10-27-2011 @ 03:54 PM
    Posts
    6
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:34 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by sdh1911 View Post
    I'm with Stevo, I have the 8 mm and love it. Mine is strictly a mis-matched shooter. Combination of 8mm parts and 30/06 parts. I'm considering putting on an old pso-1 Romanian scope for a little x-tra help with these old eyes. I'm getting 2.5"@100 yards with it doing my part,, good luck either way, they are a blast-SDH
    I have several thousand rounds of 8X57 but some day it will be gone and reloading will be my only source of ammo. As I've got a dogpile of good 30-06 brass, anyone have opinions on getting my SAFN rechambered to 8mm-06?

  9. #7
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Dimitri's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    06-26-2018 @ 10:46 PM
    Location
    Southern Ontario
    Posts
    262
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:34 PM
    E-Gun does have the magazine for the FN49 in 8mm and you do not need a export license from the US to export it cause its under 20 rounds, but the problem comes into play if it will cross the boarder being a 10 round magazine or not. And E-Gun Parts will not modify the magazine before they ship it.

    I had this problem cause my FN49 rifles magazine was turned into police when requested in a letter from them many years ago, and I needed to find a replacement magazine for the rifle.

    Dimitri

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. SAFN range video
    By Agit-Prop in forum Range Reports - Show us how good you are!
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 12-22-2007, 09:43 PM
  2. SAFN-49 first misfire
    By sdh1911 in forum Milsurps General Discussion Forum
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 10-03-2007, 08:28 PM
  3. Safn-49 Pics
    By sdh1911 in forum Milsurps General Discussion Forum
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 06-03-2007, 10:38 AM
  4. Safn-49
    By sdh1911 in forum Milsurps General Discussion Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-15-2007, 01:51 AM
  5. Yes, more questions!
    By Oatmeal Savage in forum Commercial Auction and Sale "Gossip"
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 12-05-2006, 03:12 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts