You know I never see any talk of these rifles.  The cost is around the same if not a bit less than the Steyr AUG, yet you always hear about AUGs and you see them more at toystores and the range.  How many people have and shoot FNCs regularly, and got some gun porn pics?

I think it's more a replacement parts issue.  You can find AUG parts, but try finding some for a FNC, or a DR200.

Ive found people who own semi auto FAMAS and a L85 on these boards, but nobody with a FNC?

I've had a semi, and a full auto.  Great guns.  They take M16 mags.  Parts are expensive, if you need them, but they are very robust, so I never worried about getting them.  The only thing I didn't like was the fact that when the shell ejected, it hit the charging handle, and dented the case, making them impossible to reload.

Here is a pic of the full-auto next to a 16" AR15:

Quoted: You can find AUG parts, but try finding some for a FNC

FNC parts aren't all that elusive;  Vulcan Imports

FNC Talk

Damn, I really wish you wouldn't have shown me those links...now I may be spending $7K..

Quoted: I've had a semi, and a full auto.  Great guns.  They take M16 mags.  Parts are expensive, if you need them, but they are very robust, so I never worried about getting them.  The only thing I didn't like was the fact that when the shell ejected, it hit the charging handle, and dented the case, making them impossible to reload. Here is a pic of the full-auto next to a 16" AR15: photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/Attachments/DownloadAttach.asp?iImageUnq=36654

VERY NICE!

damn that FNC looks kick a**!

I seriously abused my FNC machinegun... nothing ever broke/failed!

You have to go to the FAL forum, FNC's sometimes come up in conversation. McM

Quoted: Ive found people who own semi auto FAMAS and a L85 on these boards, but nobody with a FNC?

Got an FNC too.....a 16" para model.  I bought it with an extra firing pin, just in case.

Due to cost I think I will make a FNC my first FA when I get back to Texas in 09'.

Quoted: Ive found people who own semi auto FAMAS and a L85 on these boards, but nobody with a FNC?

Whooooooooooooooa--hold the phone.........there are actually semi auto FAMAS and L85 rifles in circulation somewhere in the U.S.???? Where???! How many??! HOW MUCH??!!

Quoted: Quoted: Ive found people who own semi auto FAMAS and a L85 on these boards, but nobody with a FNC? Whooooooooooooooa--hold the phone.........there are actually semi auto FAMAS and L85 rifles in circulation somewhere in the U.S.???? Where???! How many??! HOW MUCH??!!

There are less than a dozen L85s in the U.S. last auction I saw ran 14,000 in Semi-Auto.  FAMAS yes their are quite a few they fetch a premium market last I saw was around $4K.  A uber rare confirmed P.O.S. and a oddity, I fail to see the attraction.

That gun looks a lot like this gun I saw in a movie once...cant put my finger on it.

Quoted: That gun looks a lot like this gun I saw in a movie once...cant put my finger on it.

Al Pacino's in Heat.

Quoted: There are less than a dozen L85s in the U.S. last auction I saw ran 14,000 in Semi-Auto.  FAMAS yes their are quite a few they fetch a premium market last I saw was around $4K.  A uber rare confirmed P.O.S. and a oddity, I fail to see the attraction.

I doubt you could get a FAMAS for $4K, maybe $6-7K if you were lucky. They're rare and unique.

Aren't the L85/SA80 rifles in the US the non "improved" version? Talk about a wallhanger.

Are there any .22 conversion kits for the FN FNC?

Quoted: Are there any .22 conversion kits for the FN FNC?

No

I've got a few FNC spares for sale as a lot if anyone is interested...

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Ive found people who own semi auto FAMAS and a L85 on these boards, but nobody with a FNC? Whooooooooooooooa--hold the phone.........there are actually semi auto FAMAS and L85 rifles in circulation somewhere in the U.S.???? Where???! How many??! HOW MUCH??!! There are less than a dozen L85s in the U.S. last auction I saw ran 14,000 in Semi-Auto.  FAMAS yes their are quite a few they fetch a premium market last I saw was around $4K.  A uber rare confirmed P.O.S. and a oddity, I fail to see the attraction.

Mattl, I certainly appreciate the fact that you fail to see the attraction of the FAMAS, but please cite your source of "confirmation" as to their being a "confirmed P.O.S.".  If you do in fact OWN a FAMAS (as I do), and have put an appreciable amount of rounds through it (like I have as soon as I bought a spare parts set from Buddy Hinton of Sturmgewehr.com), then I can take your opinion with a little more credibility.  If not, however, with all due respect I find your assertion baseless and uninformed.    

Wkendwarrior2005, there are approx. 100 FAMAS semi's in the US, give or take 20-30.  I picked mine up in the most unlikely of gunstores....a small shop in northern VT (literally about five miles from the Canadian border) for $7,000.  That was for the 98%/Excellent condition FAMAS (never fired, only dropped once ), original unused bayonet and scabbard, seven brand new 20 rd. mags, original sling, original manual, one mag pouch, and cleaning kit.    As for the L85s, I've never seen one, but I heard that the ones in the US are the single shot "cadet" rifles.  I'd still like to add one to the collection though.

C&C, this is for you...(I found out how to make the pics normal size!)

nf9648: ARF.com member....... and purveyor of gun smut.

Quoted: nf9648: ARF.com member....... and purveyor of gun smut.

Some of the gun pics on my laptop make my wife jealous, shes not even bothered by the half naked women on the comp anymore...

Quoted: C&C, this is for you...(I found out how to make the pics normal size!) img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas1.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas2.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas3.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas4.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas5.jpg

So, what do you think about it?

Quoted: Quoted: C&C, this is for you...(I found out how to make the pics normal size!) img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas1.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas2.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas3.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas4.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas5.jpg So, what do you think about it?

I wish it were mine, cloak-n-carbine asked me to post them up a few months ago but I lost the thread and the pics came out small, but now I got them BIG!!!  If he ever needs a spare left testicle I will gladly give mine for that rifle.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: C&C, this is for you...(I found out how to make the pics normal size!) img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas1.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas2.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas3.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas4.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas5.jpg So, what do you think about it? I wish it were mine, cloak-n-carbine asked me to post them up a few months ago but I lost the thread and the pics came out small, but now I got them BIG!!!  If he ever needs a spare left testicle I will gladly give mine for that rifle.

OK then.  How 'bout a few words c-n-c?

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: C&C, this is for you...(I found out how to make the pics normal size!) img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas1.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas2.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas3.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas4.jpg img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/mas5.jpg So, what do you think about it? I wish it were mine, cloak-n-carbine asked me to post them up a few months ago but I lost the thread and the pics came out small, but now I got them BIG!!!  If he ever needs a spare left testicle I will gladly give mine for that rifle. OK then.  How 'bout a few words c-n-c?

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Ive found people who own semi auto FAMAS and a L85 on these boards, but nobody with a FNC? Whooooooooooooooa--hold the phone.........there are actually semi auto FAMAS and L85 rifles in circulation somewhere in the U.S.???? Where???! How many??! HOW MUCH??!! There are less than a dozen L85s in the U.S. last auction I saw ran 14,000 in Semi-Auto.  FAMAS yes their are quite a few they fetch a premium market last I saw was around $4K.  A uber rare confirmed P.O.S. and a oddity, I fail to see the attraction. Mattl, I certainly appreciate the fact that you fail to see the attraction of the FAMAS, but please cite your source of "confirmation" as to their being a "confirmed P.O.S.".  If you do in fact OWN a FAMAS (as I do), and have put an appreciable amount of rounds through it (like I have as soon as I bought a spare parts set from Buddy Hinton of Sturmgewehr.com), then I can take your opinion with a little more credibility.  If not, however, with all due respect I find your assertion baseless and uninformed.     Wkendwarrior2005, there are approx. 100 FAMAS semi's in the US, give or take 20-30.  I picked mine up in the most unlikely of gunstores....a small shop in northern VT (literally about five miles from the Canadian border) for $7,000.  That was for the 98%/Excellent condition FAMAS (never fired, only dropped once ), original unused bayonet and scabbard, seven brand new 20 rd. mags, original sling, original manual, one mag pouch, and cleaning kit.    As for the L85s, I've never seen one, but I heard that the ones in the US are the single shot "cadet" rifles.  I'd still like to add one to the collection though.

I was referring to the L85, sorry I was unlear.  A uber rare confirmed P.O.S. and(Guess I should have put "OR") a oddity, I fail to see the attraction.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Ive found people who own semi auto FAMAS and a L85 on these boards, but nobody with a FNC? Whooooooooooooooa--hold the phone.........there are actually semi auto FAMAS and L85 rifles in circulation somewhere in the U.S.???? Where???! How many??! HOW MUCH??!! There are less than a dozen L85s in the U.S. last auction I saw ran 14,000 in Semi-Auto.  FAMAS yes their are quite a few they fetch a premium market last I saw was around $4K.  A uber rare confirmed P.O.S. and a oddity, I fail to see the attraction. Mattl, I certainly appreciate the fact that you fail to see the attraction of the FAMAS, but please cite your source of "confirmation" as to their being a "confirmed P.O.S.".  If you do in fact OWN a FAMAS (as I do), and have put an appreciable amount of rounds through it (like I have as soon as I bought a spare parts set from Buddy Hinton of Sturmgewehr.com), then I can take your opinion with a little more credibility.  If not, however, with all due respect I find your assertion baseless and uninformed.     Wkendwarrior2005, there are approx. 100 FAMAS semi's in the US, give or take 20-30.  I picked mine up in the most unlikely of gunstores....a small shop in northern VT (literally about five miles from the Canadian border) for $7,000.  That was for the 98%/Excellent condition FAMAS (never fired, only dropped once ), original unused bayonet and scabbard, seven brand new 20 rd. mags, original sling, original manual, one mag pouch, and cleaning kit.    As for the L85s, I've never seen one, but I heard that the ones in the US are the single shot "cadet" rifles.  I'd still like to add one to the collection though. I was referring to the L85, sorry I was unlear.  A uber rare confirmed P.O.S. and(Guess I should have put "OR") a oddity, I fail to see the attraction.

No problem, Mattl.  I, too, have read about the L85's bugs and shortcomings, and all the tweaking that had to be done only to get it to work MOST of the time.  Despite this, I'd still love to have one in the collection .  

As far as the FAMAS goes, it shoots very well.  I shot off-hand at fifty and a hundred yards and put just about all the rounds inside of a paper plate, or just a bit larger, sized area.  Despite its awkward and "ugly" appearance, it handles very well, and feels pretty damn natural as far as how it shoulders.  Felt recoil is minimal (slightly more than the AUG, IMHO).  It's definitely the second best bullpup I've ever shot ( I've only shot two, and the AUG is far and away the best!!!).  

Wow. Now that is cool.

Quoted: Quoted: Ive found people who own semi auto FAMAS and a L85 on these boards, but nobody with a FNC? Whooooooooooooooa--hold the phone.........there are actually semi auto FAMAS and L85 rifles in circulation somewhere in the U.S.???? Where???! How many??! HOW MUCH??!!

I'd post a link if I could, but since I don't know how, I'll just let you know that there is currently a MAS .223 (FAMAS) on sale at Gunbroker.com.  I believe the current bid on this reserve auction is around $3,000, and it's being sold out of Arizona.  Wonder how high it will go!?  There is quite some time before the bidding ends on it, so I guess the sky's the limit.

FAMAS on Gunbroker

I just realized something while drooling over the pics of this FAMAS for sale.  This one has NO importer marks.  Mine is stamped "Century Arms, St. Albans, VT" on the left side of the receiver.....this one has NO SUCH stamp.  Probably only a huge deal to me and a small number of collectors, but to those in that minority, this is a HUGE deal.  Also, I may be seeing things, but if I stare at the blue blob over the small portion of the serial #, it looks like a "1".  Again, I may need to see the eye doctor, but WTF?!?!?!?!  If it's not a "1", then it's at least a single digit serial #.   Check the EE fellas, 'cause I may be selling some stuff to see what I can do to bid on this bad boy.  Damn this obsessive/compulsive personality of mine.  

Quoted: I just realized something while drooling over the pics of this FAMAS for sale.  This one has NO importer marks.  Mine is stamped "Century Arms, St. Albans, VT" on the left side of the receiver.....this one has NO SUCH stamp.  Probably only a huge deal to me and a small number of collectors, but to those in that minority, this is a HUGE deal.  Also, I may be seeing things, but if I stare at the blue blob over the small portion of the serial #, it looks like a "1".  Again, I may need to see the eye doctor, but WTF?!?!?!?!  If it's not a "1", then it's at least a single digit serial #.   Check the EE fellas, 'cause I may be selling some stuff to see what I can do to bid on this bad boy.  Damn this obsessive/compulsive personality of mine.

How much you willing to sell me yours for?

Quoted: Quoted: I just realized something while drooling over the pics of this FAMAS for sale.  This one has NO importer marks.  Mine is stamped "Century Arms, St. Albans, VT" on the left side of the receiver.....this one has NO SUCH stamp.  Probably only a huge deal to me and a small number of collectors, but to those in that minority, this is a HUGE deal.  Also, I may be seeing things, but if I stare at the blue blob over the small portion of the serial #, it looks like a "1".  Again, I may need to see the eye doctor, but WTF?!?!?!?!  If it's not a "1", then it's at least a single digit serial #.   Check the EE fellas, 'cause I may be selling some stuff to see what I can do to bid on this bad boy.  Damn this obsessive/compulsive personality of mine.   How much you willing to sell me yours for?

Unfortunately, the auction ended on Christmas eve.....the high bid was $6,500, and it did not reach the reserve.  It said that it "would not be re-listed", but that remains to be seen.  Certainly some super-hard-core collector (more so than myself I guess) will be willing to snap it up.  Already having a FAMAS, I couldn't even come close to justifying selling shit just to get this, but I admit I did mull it over briefly. .   I am, however, really drooling over the NIB SIG 550 for sale on Sturmgewehr.com.........man that site kills me!!!!!

I own a full-auto FNC (S&H sear conversion gun) and shoot it regularly. It shoots excellent groups as tight as my much newer 16" Bushy even though the FNC has a cheapo Chinese knock-off Aimpoint and the AR has real Aimpoint. Go figure.

Anyway I really enjoy taking it to the range since it's something that almost always generates questions (what kind of gun is that?). Kids love it and even though it throws the brass 30 feet away, the felt recoil is relatively light.

The downsides:
crappy trigger (grabby and heavy), weight (heavier than an AR), no bolt hold-open on the last shot, selector switch isn't the most ergonomic ever made, limited configurability (compared to an AR), really dents the ever-living CRAP out of spent casings...forget about reloading any of 'em. wow.

The upsides:
uses AR mags, shoots AR ammo, very robust design (works with magazines that cause my AR's to crap out), adjustable gas system, built-in rifle grenade launcher, uniqueness factor, cheapest full-auto assault rifle on the market, with a side-folding stock it just looks totally wicked...I know this sounds ridiculous but it really is a cool looking rifle.

Most parts aren't impossible to get (see Chris at Vulcan Imports link posted above) so I'm too not worried about that. The ORF deal with making their own lowers has put some hope on the horizon that new parts kits may be coming into the country but I'm not holding my breath.

I think there is a fair amount of interest in the FNC out there but you don't see much activity from the manufacturers...although I'll admit it's definitely a niche market compared to AR's or FAL's.

Personally I don't think I'd have bought mine if it wasn't full-auto, at the time it was BY FAR the cheapest of the military style FA 'black rifles' (especially compared to AUG's or M16's) but as a semi-auto only there are probably better deals out there. I for one would rather have the new FN FS2000 as a semi.

Also affecting the market is the fact that there are supposedly more registered auto sears than there are donor rifles so you don't see very many semi FNC's. In fact, mine is the only one I've ever seen in person and this included a large machinegun shoot (>100 people) nearby. too bad really.

I think some people get worried about the parts supply issues but the gun itself is pretty damned robust. New barrels can be made from blanks if necessary and if it ever needs fixin' I'll probably just have a good smith make up whatever I can't find.

I'll try to post some gun porn when I get a few minutes.

-Observer

EXCELLENT review, Observer!  I look forward to the pics.