#M249S

Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the awesome YHM R9 multi-host suppressor. Last week we brought you a look at the Hansohn Brothers Vidar 22 rimfire silencer. Today we take a look at the challenges of adding a beltfed rifle suppressor to a crew served machinegun. Is this the future of beltfed weapon systems? Let’s take a look.

At the last four SHOT Shows I have longingly fondled the FN 249S semiautomatic belt-fed rifles. I have made wishes while blowing out birthday candles, on shooting stars, and on pulled wishbones. In 2020 I even asked Santa (publicly) for an FDE Para version and the bastard stiffed me hard. And so, at the beginning of 2022, I sit here, sans crew-served weapon. However, there is first-world problem hope – FN has just announced the return of the M249S series.

Sitting on Santa’s lap as an adult is a completely different experience from when you were a young kid. Back then you had no money, completely dependent on your parents for any sort of commercially available goods and services. As a grown-up, you have the means and ability to save your cash and (eventually) buy the things you want. So, for me, bending the Big Man’s ear is all about semi-realistic hopes and dreams. I’m not swinging for the fences asking for a transferable MP5, a 10K of ammo or a Dillon Aero minigun. All I want for Christmas is an FN M249S, an H&K MK23 with a KAC suppressor and an LMT M203 40mm grenade launcher. Now that I think about it, my mid-life Christmas list is almost identical to the list I had in elementary school.

One of the more interesting new gun announcements of 2016 was the M249S rifle from FN America. The gun was a semi-automatic rifle version of the M249 light machine gun (aka squad automatic weapon or SAW.)

Other news are in the FN 15 family and what FN call “significant developments” in their pistol product offerings.

The much-hyped M249S (S for “Semi-Automatic”) is finally starting to make it out to the wild after being the showpiece for many a tradeshow. One of the first to get one in their hands is Copper Customs, Military Arms Channel’s sister company, which means that a YouTube video was inevitable.