Saw these this past weekend at the annual NRA meeting in Nashville. The rep told me they are identical to their military line sans the trigger group. They come with Matech BUIS and Knights RAS with full kit (covers and VFG) just as delivered to the military. The M4 is actually a 14.5" barrel with a pinned flash hider. I believe he said the first 250 of each will come in a Pelican case with issue bayonet, sling, etc. Probably some special certificate too I’d say for commemoration. They were behind glass along with the new Semi Only M249S SAW.
I must say I’m jonesin’ bad for that M16A4.
EDIT to add…He also said the M4 has a SOCOM heavy barrel.
Like I said, they were behind glass so I didn’t get to physically touch them to confirm everything.
I’m pretty sure he said the price was well under 2K. But the version with the Pelican case etc. I’m sure will be that high.
My KYNG unit got brand new M16A2s by FN back in '97. That’s why I’d also like one of the A4s. They were nice rifles.
I’m not quite as excited about the M249 as the guy in the photo, but I like the idea, I guess I would like to see the M240G in Semi auto with a trigger pack from CMC or Geissele
This is akin to Chevy putting out a new Corvette that is affordable (almost) and then using the motor from a Chevy Chevette. 5.56 ammo and the associated links are expensive. Hell, I know some guys that have legit FN M249 and M240 stuff and they can’t even get support (stuff like spare parts).
So are their M16/M4 variants built to the TDP? IIRC their “commercial” offerings they launched a little while back cannot legally be built to the TDP per legal red tape and Colt’s ownership.
When the question of “the TDP” was mentioned there was some sheepish looks and quickly change of subject to other products. I.E. the 249. If I was in need of a new AR it should be a decent option depending on pricing…
I’m curious about pricing as well. With Colt offering their no frills “naked” rifles, I feel like after a barrel chop/re-thread you could replicate a GI model very easily and affordably on one of those.
Bourbon + Nitequil + M4C post = incomplete thoughts. I was trying to say how excited I would be for an improved M240 from FN on the civilian market, but this will go down as one of least of my mistakes while on Booker’s Bourbon.
I have to agree. I have developed a love/hate relationship with the M249 after relying on her in a couple dozen firefights. Why would anyone want to shoot this best on semi-auto? Kinda defeats the purpose of it being an Automatic weapon, right?
like scottryan, I am interested in the lower roll mark. That white banner on their other commercial rifles was an abomination. If im looking to do something similar to a GI model, and if im buying a colt or FN that’s what im after, I just cant stomach that mess they had on their initial run of commercial guns. Hope this is different. Aesthetics matter to me when im building a clone (ish) rifle. That said, I do like what ive seen of the new “M4” and M16" models. thanks for sharing.
