Hi all, does anyone know where i can find prints for the M249 or Mk46? im wanting to build a closed bolt semi auto of my own. not only do i want one but i also dont like the FN M249S and even more so i belive this build is fully within my capabilities. i want to modify the charging handle and receiver to act as a bolt hold open. when you pull the charging handle to the rear a hook will catch on a raised notch in the receiver and hold the bolt open for barrel changes and such. then you just slap the charging handle forward and the hook releases.
Interesting idea. What is going to engage the bolt catch? In magazines fed firearms, the mag follower of the empty magazine lifts the catch to hold the bolt. What mechanism would you design to accomplish this in a belt fed?
Honestly, what is there to dislike about the m249S other than the price? It’s a factory FN made semiauto 249. Pretty awesome and very collectible if you’re into semiauto beltfeds. I would bet the cost to roll your own will exceed that of simply buying a 249S. And then you toss in the variables of additional design changes that may or may not function as intended. In the end, you will have a cobbled together home build that should you decide to sell, likely will not sell for anything close to what you invest in it. If this is a “because I can and want to” project and you don’t care about costs, resale, etc then by all means have at it. You may be better served by buying a 249s and figuring out how to add your desired features.
You may be right. but i am going at this with more of a “i just really want to” mentality. the costs can be mitigated my making as much as i can. the more i look into it the more i think i can make a good bit of it. its just a matter of how much of my free time am i willing to invest in a part VS buying it. id also like to get more familiar with the weapon system in a way i never had the chance to in the military. like beyond the armorer’s level of familiarity as well. and i hate the slide hammer of the 249s and id really like to not have a magwell. they are unreliable, they tear up your mags and its just extra weight and bulk.
Also the hold open im planning would not be a last round hold open. it would just be a notch on the receiver and charging handle. id be making a custom charging handle that pivots just enough so that little hook can engage and disengage. the charging handle does not reciprocate so you would not have to worry about it inducing malfunctions. and even if it did it would be a simple matter of striking it forward with your palm to get the weapon back in battery. also also id like to make mine hammer fired so i can try to make the echo trigger work in it. hopefully they dont get banned before i can do so.
NOTHIN TAH SEE ERE… TOTALLY NOT TRYING TO EXERCISE MY RIGHTS. NO SIR!..
FN probably protects their intellectual property pretty closely, but I’m sure you could reverse engineer it in your secret boonker if you had the scratch to buy a 249 Semi, which seems like no problem since you have all those expensive machines own there running off covert thermal power.
Good luck, don’t forget the tinfoil hat and your Jr. G-man badge!
So on this topic, what is involved in converting a 249 to mk46?
I think its just things removed to make it lighter. like the magwell is gone. they tear up mags and dont run reliably anyways. the tripod mount points are gone. as far as i know a Mk46 is just a SAW with stuff left off to make it lighter.
LOL cant let the Earth Federal Forces find out what im working on, ya know.
Zaku,
Contact me at my e-mail address…………
Ive tried to reply through the email you sent and through PMs here. ill try through the email function of the forums.