When Fabrique Nationale (FN) first dropped the bombshell that they were releasing the M249S—a semi-auto variant of the U.S. military’s beloved M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW)—the reaction was as mixed as a bag of surplus 5.56 rounds. Some folks shrugged it off, thinking, “Who’s going to drop seven grand on a semi-auto SAW?” Sure, a handful of FFL/SOT manufacturers saw an opportunity to convert these into post-sample machine guns, but was there really a civilian market for this beast?
Turns out, yes. A resounding, money-spewing yes. FN sold every single one of the first batch. Then they sold out the next batch. Fast forward a few years, and here I am with one in my hands, feeling like it’s 2004 all over again, minus the sand and the existential dread of deployment. Let me break down what I think, what I know, and what I’ve gleefully discovered about the FN M249S.
At first glance, you’d swear this thing was ripped straight from an arms room. The M249S keeps much of the same DNA as its full-auto big brother. We’re talking the same feeding mechanisms—belt-fed glory with the option for standard AR magazines if you hate yourself—the same hydraulic-buffered buttstock, bipod, and barrels. A lot of M249 parts swap right over, though they’re not completely interchangeable. Close enough for government work, though.
Now, the magic happens inside. FN had to make the M249S semi-auto compliant because the ATF frowns upon civilians owning easily convertible machine guns. So, they reworked the internals: modified bolt, firing pin, op rod, and the addition of a slide hammer. This turns the M249S into a closed-bolt system, which is less sexy but necessary to keep the feds happy.
Early models had a trigger so sweet you’d think FN hired the ghost of John Browning himself to fine-tune it—a crisp 4-pound pull. But FN, in their infinite wisdom (or ATF-induced paranoia), decided to “improve” things. They modified the firing pin and slide hammer, slapped in a stronger trigger spring, and voila: a trigger pull ranging from 8 to 15 pounds. Yes, 15 pounds. That’s not a trigger pull; that’s a workout. The culprit? The extended slide hammer fighting against the hydraulic buffer. It’s like arm wrestling a hydraulic piston every time you squeeze off a round.
Apart from the obvious lack of full-auto giggles, there are a couple of quirks. If you rack the bolt with the safety on, the slide hammer might get stuck halfway back. Not a crisis—just pop the feed tray cover, jam your thumb on the slide hammer, and you’re back in business. Also, there’s no bolt hold-open feature anymore, which makes barrel swaps a tad more annoying. But let’s be real: you’re not changing barrels mid-firefight at the local range.
I haven’t gone full “mall ninja” with this M249S, but I did make some tasteful upgrades. Out went the plastic forend, replaced by a Knights Armament rail system for mounting my old forward grip and a Surefire light. I topped it off with an Aimpoint Comp M2 red dot, because if it was good enough for me back in the day, it’s good enough now. If I keep this bad boy, I’ll probably add a Para buttstock, PAQ-4 IR laser, and maybe a suppressor because why not?
You’d think a semi-auto SAW priced at around $10K would be a hard sell. You’d be wrong. FN can’t keep them in stock. So, who’s buying?
- FFL/SOTs: They see it as a cost-effective base for building post-sample machine guns. Duh.
- Tactical Cosplayers: No judgment. Some folks want to LARP as Airborne Rangers on the weekends. Whether it’s gear collectors, milsim enthusiasts, or guys reliving their glory days, there’s a market.
- Old Vets (Like Me): This is pure nostalgia. It’s like buying a muscle car you couldn’t afford when you were younger, except this one feeds belts of 5.56 and smells like freedom.
Shooting the M249S feels like slipping on an old pair of combat boots—familiar, comforting, and just a little bit ridiculous. Prvi Partisan was kind enough to supply some 55-grain ammo for testing. After linking it up, zeroing the red dot, and running some close-quarters drills, it felt like no time had passed.
Recoil? Practically nonexistent. It’s like shooting an MP5 that gained 15 pounds and started lifting weights. The hefty bolt, op rod, and hydraulic buffer soak up the recoil, spreading it out like butter on hot toast. Even standing, hitting steel at 100 yards is laughably easy.
Curious about accuracy, I slapped on a 5-25x optic (which made accessing the feed tray impossible, but hey, science). Using Federal Gold Medal Match 77-grain ammo, I managed 2.6 to 4.3 MOA groups at 25 yards. Not sniper-rifle precision, but respectable for a gun designed to suppress, not impress.
Through the first 1,000 rounds, not a single hiccup. Whether feeding from belts or STANAG mags, the M249S ran like a champ. Maintenance is simple: wipe it down occasionally and keep it lubed. Pro tip from an old Ranger: “Always Needs Ample Lube.”
So, you’ve bought an M249S. What now? The aftermarket isn’t huge, but there are options: different barrels (even rare 300 BLK conversions), gas systems, buttstocks, and forends. Want to ditch the bulky drum? Grab a 100- or 200-round “nutsack” pouch. Just be prepared for sticker shock—nothing SAW-related is cheap.
Feeling adventurous? Mount it on a tripod for long-range fun. Or, if you really want to flex, pick up a surplus Humvee to haul it around. Heck, import a Toyota Hilux and create your own technical. (I’m half-joking. Or am I?)
Is it cool? Absolutely. Is it practical? Not even a little. Would I spend $9,000 on one? Probably not, unless I sell off some neglected safe queens. But for those with the cash and the craving for nostalgia, it’s worth every penny.
For anyone scoffing, “A semi-auto SAW is pointless,” I beg to differ. It’s a functional collector’s piece, a range toy, and a future post-sample conversion waiting to happen. Plus, every M249S sold means fewer people bidding against me on GunBroker. So really, it’s a win-win.