Although FNH USA prominently featured their commercial version of the M249 at last spring’s NRA Meeting, they’re just now announcing the official launch of the FN Military Collector Series. Considering how popular that semi-auto SAW was back in April, it seems safe to say the series will be quite a hit. At the NRA Meeting FNH USA’s M249-S was in a glass display case, but I was fortunate enough to meet with a rep who unlocked the case and gave me a chance to take some pictures – and, yes, get my hands on the substantial heft of a rifle many infantry guys never hesitate to remind me is no fun at all to hump across the desert with a supply of ammo.

Well, now FNH USA will have an entire line of guns with military roots. No, you won’t be seeing anything like an RPG, but maybe you can find something to break in at one of the new Gunsite classes coming in 2016 (yes, Gunsite does a lot more than just pistols). The guns launching the series are commercial versions of the M4 and M16, which were announced with the M249-S.

President and CEO Mark Cherpes is enthusiastic about the new line himself and said “”This new line of products allows us to showcase FN’s battle-proven legacy of producing firearms for militaries world-wide and passing this technology on to our commercial customers.” The guns will give civilians a chance to get their hands on commercial-market-friendly versions of military firearms and veterans the opportunity to take a walk down memory lane.

The new guns are set to ship during the coming winter and should be for sale during the first quarter of 2016. Although the M4, M16, and M249-2 are the only three we can confirm today, there will be others coming.

Visit the company’s website at www.fnhusa.com

FN 15™ Military Collector M4

SKU / Product Number 36318

Caliber 5.56mm NATO

Barrel  16″ Button-broached, chrome-lined, alloy-steel  w/ pinned and welded compensator

Twist Rate 1:7″ RH

Muzzle device A2-style compensator

Sights A2-style front (F height), Back up iron sight

Stock Collapsible butt-stock 6 positions

Forearm Knights Armament M4 RAS Adapter rail w/ rail adapter covers

Weight 6.64 lbs

Length 30.75″ – 34″

Length of Pull 11″ – 14.25″

Magazine (one each) Aluminum 30-round magazine

Trigger Pull 4.75-7.75 lbs

MSRP $1,749

FN 15™ Military Collector M16

SKU / Product Number 36320

Caliber 5.56mm NATO

Barrel 20″ Button-broached, chrome-lined, alloy-steel

Twist Rate 1:7″ RH

Muzzle device A2-style compensator

Sights A2-style front (F height), Back-up iron sight

Stock Fixed stock

Forearm Knights Armament M5 RAS Adapter rail w/ rail adapter covers

Weight 8.29 lbs

Length 39.7″

Magazine (one each) Aluminum 30-round magazine

Trigger Pull 4.75-7.75 lbs

MSRP $1,749

FN M249S™

SKU / Product Number 56460

Caliber 5.56x45MM NATO

Barrel  20.5″ Cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined, alloy-steel

Twist Rate 1:7″ RH

Color Matte black non-reflective finish on all surfaces

Operation Semi-automatic, closed bolt

Sights Primary sights graduated to 1000 m., MIL-STD 1913 rail system

Stock Fixed, ergonomically-shaped polymer butt stock with pistol grip

Weight (with empty magazine) 17 lbs. (empty)

Length 40.75″

Height 9.5″

Magazine (one each) Belt-fed or standard AR magazine

Trigger Pull 4.0-6.5 lbs.

MSRP $7,999