AFN-49: The Forgotten Full-Auto Brother of the FN-49

Published on October 20, 2023
Duration: 11:19

The AFN-49 is the selective-fire variant of the FN-49 rifle, with nearly half of its production being automatic. Key features include a selector lever and a specialized locking pin requiring an armorer's tool for full-auto use. Its high rate of fire and fixed 10-round magazine make automatic fire challenging to control, emptying the magazine in about one second.

Quick Summary

The AFN-49 is the selective-fire variant of the FN-49 rifle, with nearly half of its production being automatic. It features a selector lever and a specialized locking pin requiring an armorer's tool for full-auto use. Its high rate of fire and fixed 10-round magazine make automatic fire challenging to control.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the AFN-49
  2. 01:00Development and Military Contracts
  3. 02:00Selector Switch and Locking Mechanism
  4. 03:33Internal Trigger Group Mechanics
  5. 05:20The Auto-Sear and Safety Trip
  6. 07:26Practicality and Rate of Fire
  7. 08:42US Import History and Conversions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AFN-49?

The AFN-49 is the selective-fire variant of the FN-49 rifle. It was developed in the late 1940s and saw service with armies like Belgium and Luxembourg, with nearly half of all FN-49 production being automatic models.

What are the key differences between the FN-49 and AFN-49?

The primary external difference is the selector lever on the AFN-49, marked 'SA' for semi-auto and 'A' for automatic. Internally, the AFN-49 features a more complex trigger group and an auto-sear to enable full-automatic fire.

How was the AFN-49 converted to semi-automatic for US import?

In 1966, Interarms imported AFN-49s and converted them to semi-automatic by removing selector components and grinding off markings. This was done to comply with US firearm regulations before the 'once a machine gun' rule was fully established.

What is the rate of fire for the AFN-49?

The AFN-49 fires at a rate of approximately 10 to 11 rounds per second. Given its 10-round fixed magazine, this means the entire magazine can be expended in about one second.

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