If ever you’ve wanted to own a WWII-era battle rifle but were put off by the cost of the M1 Garand, the Russian SVT-40 and the German G.41 or G.43, allow me to suggest a decent alternative, the Belgian FN-49, as offered by Collectors in its “Egyptian” variant.
Why choose a gun that was obsolete almost as soon as it began production?
Let’s start off with the fact that it was designed by Dieudonné Saive, the man who refined the John Moses Browning High Power pistol. He began work on the design just before Belgium was invaded in WWII by you-know-who, and only got to finish it in the late 1940s. So you know the gun is going to work well.
Secondly, it uses stripper clips rather than a detachable magazine, which means that replacement / additional mag costs are zero because 8mm clips are cheap and readily available.
Thirdly, it shoots the manly 7.92x57mm (a.k.a. 8mm Mauser) cartridge. (Those wanting less recoil should opt for the Venezuelan contract model, which shoots the 7x57mm cartridge. I lost mine in the Great Canoeing Accident On The Brazos, but I can attest to its greatness.)
Finally, it is a joy to shoot: smooth operation, reliable feeding (even when chambering the rimmed 7×57), manageable recoil and excellent accuracy. (One caveat: the older single-piece firing pin is prone to breaking, and when it does, you’ll get the occasional double-fire slamfire which is irritating not to mention dangerous. When you buy yours, have the seller affirm that it’s been fitted with a two-piece firing pin.)
Yes, it’s a heavy gun, just like the Garand and G.41, but that’s why the recoil is bearable.
If you already own a Mauser K98 boltie (as every rifleman should), why then, you’ll have an adequate supply of ammo, won’t you?
And if you have rifles chambered in .30-06 Springfield, then you should get the “Belgian” contract FN-49, which are thus chambered. (If you want to read more about it, go here or here.)
Sheesh… as I write this, I can sense that I’m talking myself into wanting this lovely rifle.
You could do worse, a lot worse, than having the FN-49 as your SHTF rifle.
