The FN FNC: Affordable Select-Fire 5.56

Posted January 8, 2013 in NFA / Suppressors / Class III, Rifles by Alex C. with 38 Comments
Tags: machine guns, Other Gear & Gadgets, photos, rifles, weapons

In the world of fully automatic rifles here in the States, there is no question that the M16 reigns supreme. If you are fortunate enough to possess a legally registered M16 lower receiver the world is your oyster; You essentially have a full auto tinker toy that you can configure into any caliber or configuration that your heart desires, and parts are cheap and readily available. The downside is that an M16 these days on average will cost the buyer around $20,000 (which could put one heck of a dent in your mortgage). However, all hope is not lost for a buyer looking for a great 5.56 rifle that you can rock and roll with at the range; The FN FNC is a great entry level machine gun that costs less than half of what you can buy an M16 for these days.

The FN FNC was designed in the 70′s by, well, you guessed it, FN Herstal of Belgium. It replaced the more expensive FN CAL rifle and became the standard service rifle of Belgium in the late 80′s. It is still in service within the armed forces of Belgium, and licensed copies of the rifle are in service in Sweden as the AK5, and Indonesia as the Pindad SS1. It is said that approximately 6,000 FN FNC rifles were imported into the USA in the 80′s, and for the price of about $750 you could buy yourself a new one. Some of these guns were converted to selective fire by registering the receivers, but S&H Arms conversions via the installation of a registered auto sear are the most common. One funny thing about the FNC sears is that there are in fact more registered auto sears in the USA than there are FNC Rifles! Anyways, you can buy a semi automatic FNC for about $3,000 and a sear for about the same price, so for about $6500 you can have a legal fun switch on a great little rifle. This quick write up is more or less to supplement a weekly gun glamor segment I would like to start. Enjoy these photos of my FNC rifles, and please do not hesitate to ask any questions. I would be more than happy to answer them to the best of my ability!

And here is a tiny piece of metal that will cost you a pretty penny! This is one of two sears I have purchased that is pending transfer to me at my SOT. I find it comical that the dealer taped the sear to the approved Form 3, and that they found a new way to spell “machine gun”.

Alex C.

Alex is a writer for The Firearm Blog who was born and raised in Texas with years of experience in hunting, shooting competitions, and general collecting. A degree from Baylor University with an emphasis on the Age of Imperialism and a minor in English have contributed to his love of early firearms technology.

More In: NFA / Suppressors / Class III, Rifles

http://elastomatik.wordpress.com/ edgarinventor

Can I take this occasion to smuggly snear, once more, at Bull-pups?
“Enemies comming ritht at me, now where the #$#% is that #”$”#$# magazine going to fit? Ah, here it – BANG!”
http://elastomatik.wordpress.com/ edgarinventor

And this was a compliment to the FN, for NOT being a Bull-pup.
Bull-pups are for the French, wait, not even for thm anymore?
Hum.
Grimbob

Someone has been watching “Upotte!!”
Steve Calovich

Gun Glamor Segment? Sounds great.
Keaton

I am curious, did the guns come in that condition, or did you add some sort of finish like gun-cote to the front? I was just noticing that they seemed to be in superb condition, at least on the outside.
- RickH
  
  Just the way they look, I had two still have one (both semi). The coating on the steel components like the upper receiver, barrel, is like a”satin” paint finish, the lower receiver is which is aluminum is a black blued/anodized type finish. Then again you are right, they do look in great condition. Also, the oem FNC mag is steel.
- Alex C.
  
  The finish on the guns is the way they came right out of the factory, and it looks almost ceramic up close. The two guns with the fixed stocks are also unfired, which may explain why they appear to be in unusually good condition. The folder however has been used and abused!
Frank W. James

You are absolutely right. I purchase a registered receiver FNC recently for exactly the same reason. It was about the same in price as an M2 Carbine. Still waiting on the paperwork, but shooting it at the S.O.T. we found it didn’t cycle correctly as it acted like it wasn’t getting enough gas pressure. Not sure what the problem is, but will work with it once the paperwork comes through. However, it does have a 14″ barrel and not the original 20″ barrel, so that could be part of the problem.

Cyclic rate was slower than I imagined, which isn’t altogether a bad thing…

All The Best,
Frank W. James
Bad Enough

How do you like the pistol grips? They seem like they are at an awkward enough angle to get uncomfortable quickly.
- Alex C.
  
  They are the same grips that you will find on an FN FAL, so for people familiar with an M16A2 grip angle then it will take some getting used to. However, any FN FAL grip will fit these guns so you can alter the angle as you see fit!
Esh325

I doubt now or ever you could find many FNC’s that are only 3000$’s.
- Alex C.
  
  All three of these guns were purchased for $3,000 or less in the past year.
  - RickH
    
    $3000.00 seems to be the high point. I sold mine 5-6 years ago on GB for that amount. I had seen a few wanting $4000.00, but not sure if those sold.
  - Pacino
    
    Umm… a lot as changed in the past month. Expect to pay 4500+. Still a deal.
noob

Interesting- since there is no buffer tube extension into the stock, could you bullpup a full auto fnc?

Might be cheaper than a full auto aug and definitely attention getting.

Btw, I finally found out how to shoot a right hand bolt austeyr from the support hand. You cant the weapon 90 degrees and chicken wing your left elbow out so the brass ejects into your neck region. Not ideal, but possible for okay accuracy – rounds hit low and to the right of point of aim. With the new quad rail ef88 and f90 rifles, I guess you can put a red dot on the 9o’clock rail and zero it correctly. And wear a taller collar shirt.
Joe

Hey just a heads up on your FNC, if you want to modernize the gun TBA suppressors can install a quad rail, ambidextrous selector. Or if you want just a receiver pic rail check out stormwerkz for their top rail. They also have a million stock options. Also bill Springfield will lighten up the trigger if you want for something like 50 bucks.
Noodles

End of the world comes you can always pop that sear into a SCAR and rock and roll. Although best to not do that while the ATF exists.
Bryan S.

Or another alternative is this nifty system: http://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en&client=mv-google&gl=US&v=Lh-IVfXyrBY&nomobile=1
- Noodles
  
  MY…. EYES!!!!
- W
  
  holy shit…that is awesome
Jay

Those fixed stock rifles look bloody awesome. Congrats!
Jeff

Gun glamour sounds awesome, especially with more articles like this one which help people (like me) who are curious about things like a cheaper class 3 weapon. Just the random questions that come up from time to time that we might not know the answers to.
- Michael
  
  If you’re interested in a cheaper full auto, then look hard at a Mac 11 with a Lage slow fire upper and a stock. Cheaper to shoot too than .223. The engineering feat that Lage pulled off is amazing. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $3k.
  - Alex C.
    
    I have an M10 with a Lage upper
Lance

I still stick to a M-16 but if your a fan of the movie HEAT I guess you want one FNC then LOL.
idahoguy101

It looks a lot like the Daewoo K2 from my days in S. Korea. I wonder if Daewoo used the FNC for developing the K2?
Joe

Id love to see an In depth review of this gun!
Gregory

It’s my understanding that a major drawback to an automatic FNC is parts availability. Especially parts which break in full auto operation. How are you planning to deal with that?
- Alex C.
  
  There is a good parts source on Uzi Talk, where a certain individual can get you all the small bits that you may require. There is also a company that makes new production three round burst kits! Green Mountain makes barrels for these now too. Lastly, DSA is producing firing pins and importing some Brügger & Thomet accessories. Rumors of FNC parts kits have been circulating for years too, and it is likely that either Belgium or Indonesia will decom their rifles sooner or later.
Randy

I am sure other will understand when i say “I hate you.” now put those away and let me weep in peace.
thedonn007

Are those M16 mags? Also, is there a .22lr conversion?
- Masoo2
  
  Yes, the FNC takes standard STANAG mags, not to sure on the .22 though.
Windy Wilson

Considering the picayune ways of the BATF, will the misspelling of “Machine Gun” cause the dealer any problems? I mean, I understand that abbreviating “county” is a bust on the transfer form.
Joe

I think I understand this correctly. The only part that is registered in a full auto firearm is the sear. Assuming that is correct I can understand spending big bucks to buy one and then build a modern firearm around it. Is the sear a part that wears out? Is there a rough life expectancy?
JD

I so want to get an FNC and try my best to turn it into an AK5.
Ronnie White

Dear Alex,

It so happens that I have a new, semi-auto FNC.

Can you recommend a Class III dealer than can provide and install the full-auto sear (once the ATF paperwork is approved)?

Sincerely,

Ronnie White
- Alex C.
  
  Curtis at S&H is still doing conversions, as is Todd at TBA Suppressors. As for buying a sear, you will have to locate one on a popular classifieds website, both of the aforementioned gunsmiths are out.
Mike Knox

“Macinegun” Lawlz..

The FN FNC: Affordable Select-Fire 5.56

Alex C.

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