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Posted: 6/25/2008 4:19:47 PM EDT
| How good is the FNC I've heard its a good rifle, is it? |
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The FNC was designed to be an affordible and easily produced 5.56x45 rifle, without sacrificing quality or performance. In theory, its similar to the Beretta AR70, Sig 540 or AR-18. Rifles that are reliable/effective, yet easy and affordible to produce. The FNC is essentially a "Westernized AK-74M", chambered in 5.56 NATO. The parts and operation are nearly identical. The production methods, materials and ease are also comperable. Given the state of Western manufacturing, the FNC is made to higher qualities than the Combloc "competition". FN had experemented with 5.56 rifles in the past, including 5.56 FAL's and the maligned CAL. The FNC is better than both. At the time that the FNC was developed, many countries were in the process of dropping thier MBR's and looking for 5.56 infantry weapons. Since many of those countries were already using the FAL, FN sought to provide them with their 5.56 rifles as well. With the ease of manufacture and design and FN's general willingness to license production, it was a great choice for some nations. However, the FNC never really sold well. Governments and LE agencies purchased them, however they aren't nearly popular as other designs. Belgium adopted them*obviously* as did Sweeden, albeit in a modified form called the AK5. Otherwise, contracts were small... As one member here put it, FNC's are more evolutionary than revolutionary. They are good guns, but not any better than comperable 5.56 gas piston guns. They are essentially a 5.56 AK made by FN. The FNC was banned from importation in 1989 and thus they have become scarce collectors item. Plan on paying north of 2500.00 for one. The are most popular among the class 3 community as they represent one of the best values in 5.56 select fire weapons. An M16 is a 10,000.00+ investment, with most around 20k. You can have a FNC and sear for around 7k, depending on the market. Other than being cool and collectible, they don't have any advantages over contemporary piston guns...or even older designs like the Daewoo. The FNC's operating system now serves as the basis for the FN SCAR. |
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The FNC is more or less an also-ran in the history of 5.56mm rifles. It's not a bad gun, or a bad design, by any means. It has a lot of qualities to recommend it. AK-style piston operating system, M16 magazine compatibility, true folding stock. Unlike traditional AKs, it's fairly well suited to optics mounting. It does have some questionable design choices - no last round bolt hold open, unprotected magazine release button, and its construction looks "cheap" for lack of a better word. But these are minor issues at most. I guess the biggest problem with it is that it's just not clearly superior to any other rifle in any way. Name a characteristic, and I can probably name a rifle that does it better than the FNC. What IS great about the FNC is that it's one of the cheapest 5.56mm MGs on the market. S&H made tons of FNC sears in the 1980s (supposedly more than the number of FNCs that were imported). Because of this they are common and readily available as MGs. The only thing in its price range is the AC556, and when you compare the FNC to a full auto Mini-14, the FNC looks pretty good. A S&H conversion runs about $7K. Buy one. |
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