Operator's Manual

16
17
at the factory with a rust preventative compound. This compound is
not an ideal lubricant. Before using the rifle, clean the anti-rust
compound from the inside of the barrel and chamber area, receiver,
bolt and piston assembly, and the feed tray and feed tray cover
with military-grade cleaner/lubricant as explained in Section 25.
If your rifle is to be stored, it is acceptable to leave the rust
preventative compound on the rifle and keep it in its original
packaging. NEVER FIRE THE RIFLE UPON PURCHASE WITHOUT
CLEANING IT FIRST. If the rifle contains hardened grease or other
substances that you cannot remove, have the rifle checked by your
dealer or authorized FN technician or gunsmith. For law
enforcement and military, refer to the procedures of your agency or
unit.
10. OPERATION OF THE SAFETY SELECTOR
WARNING! DO NOT PUT THE SAFETY ON SAFE AS THE SLIDE
HAMMER IS BEING COCKED AS EXPLAINED IN SECTION 11.
DAMAGE TO THE RIFLE CAN OCCUR IF THE SAFETY
SELECTOR IS IN THE SAFE POSITION AS THE SLIDE HAMMER
IS COCKED.
The FN M249S
™
rifle utilizes a safety selector button located on
both sides of the receiver, just above and behind the trigger.
To place the safety selector in the SAFE position, first ensure the
slide hammer is cocked into the rearward position as explained in
Section 11, then press the safety selector button from left to right
until the red band on the button is not visible on the left side. See
Figure 4.A.
With the safety selector in the SAFE position, the rifle is on safe and
movement of the sear is blocked.
To place the safety selector in the FIRE position, press the safety
selector button from the right to the left until the red band is
visible on the left side of the button as it protrudes from the trigger
module. See Figure 4.B.
With the safety selector in the FIRE position, the rifle is off safe and
ready to fire.
11. COCKING THE SLIDE HAMMER AND CHARGING
HANDLE OPERATION
WARNING! THE FN M249S
™
OPERATES DIFFERENTLY THAN
MOST OTHER SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLES. THE SAFETY
SELECTOR MUST BE IN THE FIRE POSTION AS THE SLIDE
HAMMER IS COCKED. IF IT IS NOT, IT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE
TO THE SEAR AND OR SLIDE HAMMER. YOU MUST FOLLOW
THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR COCKING THE SLIDE HAMMER.
WARNING! WHEN COCKING THE SLIDE HAMMER ENSURE NO
AMMUNITION IS PRESENT AS EXPLAINED IN SECTION 17.
1. Cocking the Slide Hammer
Before cocking the slide hammer, first place the safety selector
button in the FIRE position as explained in Section 10.
Then, with the right hand, palm up, pull the cocking handle
fully to rear to lock the slide hammer to the rear and cock rifle.
Be mindful of the ejection port cover below the charging
handle as it may interfere with
a palm-down grip of the
charging handle. See Figure 5.
Release the charging handle to
allow the bolt and bolt carrier
assembly to move forward under
the drive spring. Push the
charging handle forward until
you hear it click into the
forward, locked position.
To check that the slide hammer
is cocked as shown in Figure 6,
open the feed tray cover by
squeezing in on the cover
latches on the rear of the feed
tray cover as shown in Figure
7.A.
Immediately place the safety selector button in the SAFE
position as explained in Section 10.
Once the slide hammer is cocked in the rearward position, the
safety must stay in the safe position until firing is imminent.
Loading and charging the FN M249S
™
rifle is covered in detail
in Section 15 Loading.
12. MANUAL BOLT LOCK DEVICE
The FN M249S
™
is a closed-bolt rifle that does not feature an
integral bolt lock or bolt stop. In order to “lock” or hold the bolt to
the rear, open position a manual bolt lock device is included.
To use the manual bolt lock device to hold/lock the bolt in the
open position:
1. Make sure the slide hammer is cocked and the safety selector
is in the SAFE position as explained in Sections 10 and 11 and
the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction.
2. Clear the rifle as explained in Section 17 and ensure that no
ammunition is present in the rifle.
3. Open the feed tray cover by squeezing in on the cover latches
on the rear of the feed tray cover. See Figure 7.A Leave the
feed tray cover open in the 45
o
or 90
o
position.
4. Pull the charging handle fully to the rear with the right hand
FIGURE 4.A (SAFE) FIGURE 4.B (FIRE)
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 6