Deal on FN-49, Should I Jump On It?

[Rubber_Duck]

A gunsmith at one of my local gun shops has an FN-49 for sale, he's asking $700. The gun looks to be in good condition, however I didn't look at it up close since I was simply skimming through the guns on my way home from work.

I don't know much about these besides that they are predecessors to the FAL the way the Garand was to the M14. I also know that they came in three calibers, .30-06, 7.62x51mm (.308), and 8mm Mauser. This one is an 8mm. That's what I don't like about it.

I'm not crazy about the 8mm chambering, I would really prefer a 7.62x51 or even a .30-06 version. 8mm isn't a caliber I want to add to my collection (somewhat pricey and I don't want corrosive ammo in an autoloader), but would I be a fool to pass this one up? Should I hold out for a 7.62x51mm version, or are they scarce rifles?

What do you guys think? And what should I look for when I examine the rifle up close? What about the price? I was considering spening more on a new rifle, so this falls perfectly within my budget, with some change left over.

Thanks in advance.

 

[grimjaw]

I think I paid $650 for mine a couple of years ago. I think that's a fair price in today's market. If it's in good condition with a non-corroded gas system, I wouldn't say no. If I could have afforded to shoot mine on a regular basis, I'd have kept it. They're nice rifles.

jm

 

[Float Pilot]

They also made a large number of them in 7x57mm Mauser for various south American countries.
Venezuelan contract of 8012 rifles in 7 x57mm Mauser caliber.
Egypt bought over 37,000 rifles in 7.92x57mm Mauser caliber.
Belgium eventually bought 87,777 rifles in 30-06 caliber.
6,300 30-06 versions were also made for Luxemburg and many saw UN service in Korea.
Indonesia, the Belgian Congo, and Colombia also bought rifles in 30-06 caliber.

The Argentine Navy bought around 5,500 rifles in the mid 1950s. In the 1960s these were converted to 7.62 NATO in Argentina. FN did not make these rifles in 7.62 NAto except for a couple factory examples.
The Argentine 7.62 NATO conversions take an odd magazine that looks like an FN-FAL mag but is is not really the same thing.

Mine is a Venezuelan 7mm and it shoots OK groups for this type of rifle.

 

[Coronach]

One thing to consider. A LOT of the surplus 8mm is corrosive. If you get one, CLEAN IT, including the gas system, every time you shoot.

I have a FN49 in 7mm Mauser. It is a sweet shooter.

Mike

 

[CU74]

I'd buy it. 'Course I'm not exactly unbiased - I have a Luxembourg .30-06 that I enjoy shooting............

 

[earlthegoat2]

There is one for sale at a store near me. An Egyptian one in 8mm with a brand new barrel. They only want 600.