Operator's Manual

18
19
as explained in Section 11. Note-Bracing the buttstock against
your shoulder or hip will aid in holding the charging handle to
the rear.
5. While holding the charging handle to the rear, insert the
manual bolt lock device into the magazine well until it locks
into place. The manual bolt lock device will open the magazine
well dust cover when inserted into the magazine well. Be
careful to not over insert the bolt lock device. Only insert far
enough for the magazine latch to lock the device into place.
See Figure 7.B
6. Ease the charging handle forward, allowing the bolt rest on the
rear portion of the manual bolt lock device. Push the charging
handle fully forward into the locked position.
7. Close the feed tray cover if the rifle is to be stored or
transported.
WARNING! THE PRESENCE OF THE MANUAL BOLT LOCK
DEVICE DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THERE IS NO
CARTRIDGE IN THE CHAMBER. DO NOT RELY ON THE
PRESENCE OF THE MANUAL BOLT LOCK DEVICE TO VISUALLY
INDICATE A COMPLETELY UNLOADED AND SAFE RIFLE. THE
MANUAL BOLT LOCK DEVICE IS NOT THE SAME AS A FLAG
SAFETY WHICH IS INSERTED INTO A RIFLE’S CHAMBER.
To remove the manual bolt lock device:
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. 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.
3. Pull the charging handle fully to the rear with the right hand.
4. While holding the charging handle to the rear with the right
hand, use the left hand to press the magazine release button
and remove the manual bolt lock device from the magazine
well. See Figure 8.
5. Lift the feed tray and
inspect the chamber to
ensure there are no
cartridges present.
Remove any that may
exist.
6. Ease the charging handle forward, allowing the bolt to close on
an empty chamber. Push the charging handle fully forward into
the locked position.
7. Close the feed tray cover.
13. AMMUNITION
USE ONLY AMMUNTION MADE TO NATO STANDARDS. DO NOT USE
HANDLOADED, RELOADED OR STEEL-CASED AMMUNITION.
The barrel and action of this rifle have been made with substantial
safety margins over the pressures developed by established U.S.
commercial loads. Nevertheless, WE CAN ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR
INCIDENTS WHICH OCCUR THROUGH THE USE OF CARTRIDGES OF
NONSTANDARD DIMENSIONS OR WHICH DEVELOP PRESSURES IN
EXCESS OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE AMMUNITION WHICH HAS
BEEN LOADED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY
THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO).
Only use 5.56x45mm NATO ammo made to NATO standards. The use
of open or soft tipped projectiles may lead to increased
malfunctions due to inconsistent feeding, particularly when feeding
from a magazine. Do not use steel-cased ammuntion.
Brass ejected from the FN M249S
™
may be damaged by robust
ejection. This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunctioning rifle.
Additionally, DO NOT FIRE:
• Seriously corroded ammunition
• Dented cartridges
• Cartridges with loose bullets
• Cartridges exposed to extreme heat (direct sunlight on a hot
day) until they have cooled
• Cartridges with pushed in (short) bullets
• Belted ammunition that has rusted, corroded
or damaged links.
• Any ammunition NOT meeting NATO specifications
for 5.56x45mm.
WARNING! DO NOT LUBRICATE AMMUNITION UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES! CARTRIDGES WITH LUBRICANT CAN LEAD
TO EXCESSIVE CHAMBER PRESSURES.
14. FEEDING METHODS AND CAPACITIES
The FN M249S
™
is designed to feed from either a belt of
ammunition or from a standard M-16 style GI pattern magazine.
1. Disintegrating Linked Belt and Ammunition Pack
The FN M249S
™
is shipped with a plastic 200-rd box used to
store the belted ammunition. See Figure 9. This ammunition
pack clips to the bottom of the receiver and the belt feeds from
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 7.BFIGURE 7.A