FN49 Failure

[awalker1829]

Went out to the range with the FN49 and it had a problem that ended up cracking the stock. On the first shot, it appears that the two piece firing pin stuck and caused an out of battery detonation when the first case extracted and the second cartridge was feeding into the breach. The case exploded, jamming the action.

Upon returning to the workshop, I pulled the rifle apart for inspection. No injuries and fortunately, no damage to the rifle aside from two cracks in the stock. I pulled the bolt apart and found the two piece firing pin difficult to extract. Once extracted, I observed a spot on the rear piece that seemed to be binding it up. I filed it down flush, reassembled the firing pin and bolt and the firing pin moved freely, the spring retracting the pin as it should.

As for the stock, it had cracks in the wrist and fore end.




I have the missing pieces of wood and will put them back in when the Acraglas arrives.


Here’s the hole drilled into the wrist. Two pieces of threaded rod will be bedded in and the metal sleeve for the rear receiver screw will get Acraglas too.


Here’s the fore end repair.


And here are the three pieces that make up the missing piece of wood. They came out when I stripped the rifle and were bagged for reassembling.

So I’ll be off to the hardware store tomorrow for stainless steel threaded rod. Then I just wait for the Acraglas and glue it all back together. Stuff happens.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Mine has never known a non corrosive round to pass through it so it was fully disassembled after each range trip, especially the bolt. What caused the pin to suddenly increase in size all of a sudden as I expect you would have noticed a tight pin during other cleanings in the past. Did it rust, or some form of impact? Steel doesn't generally suddenly deform without a reason, and FN made a quality product. I would want to know exactly what caused the deformation of the pin, or I would be doing a bolt inspection after each round was fired to be sure it hadn't happened again. You got lucky this time.

[Ironnewt]

What JYD said. Lucky indeed.

[awalker1829]

This was only the second time to the range with me. It was fully stripped and inspected prior to the first trip and no issues noted at that time. That being the case, I really didn’t have anything to compare it to as far as this specific rifle went.


Stainless steel threaded rod has been obtained and cut to length. When the Acraglas arrives, I’ll clean them with acetone, pump the holes full of Acraglas till overflowing, set the rods and put it in clamps overnight. Then I’ll put it back together, inspect the firing pin again and allow the Acraglas a full 48 hours to set up before test firing.

Edit-I’m also going to need to pin it in at least two places with brass screws and Acraglas. Drill an undersized pilot hole, fill it with Acraglas, run the wood screw in, let it set, cut the ends off and apply masking tape around the screw ends so I can file them down without marring the wood. I’ll have to carefully look at the fore end to decide what the best fix is for that thin wood.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I fired thousands of rounds downrange with the Egyptian SAFN-49, most of it Egyptian surplus, as well as Persian surplus ammo. Heavy, but reliable weapon, I don't recall having any failures to fire with it, or other issues. The Venezuelan I fired less only because I didn't have a stack of crates full of 7mm for it.

[capt14k]

It's an Egyptian I assume? They never had a 2 piece firing pin and they also didn't have a Firing pin safety stop. Did someone possibly make a homemade 2 piece firing pin?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[millman]

It's an Egyptian I assume? They never had a 2 piece firing pin and they also didn't have a Firing pin safety stop. Did someone possibly make a homemade 2 piece firing pin?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It could just be broken. I have seen lots if old rim fires with the pins broken. That would explain the deformation, and the binding.

[awalker1829]

It's an Egyptian I assume? They never had a 2 piece firing pin and they also didn't have a Firing pin safety stop. Did someone possibly make a homemade 2 piece firing pin?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That’s possible. It definitely does not have anything that looks like failed metal. I’ll fix the stock and wait on the replacement firing pin that I just ordered from Liberty Tree.

[awalker1829]

Went up to the shop, inserted the rods and applied the Acraglas liberally. Clamped the stock and will allow it to set 24 hours before pinning the stock. I’ll probably reassemble the gun Monday and test fire it next weekend with the new firing pin (which should arrive next week).