Operator's Manual

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23
protected by the plastic ammunition pack. Malfunctions may
results. Remove the plastic ammuntion pack from rifle before filling
as explained in Section 17.1.
a. Once a belt of no more than 200 rounds is assembled as
explained above, open the plastic ammunition pack by
removing its side cover. It is locked into place by two tabs,
one on each side.
b. Place the open ammunition pack upright on a level surface.
Then place the belt next to ammunition pack. See Figure 17.
Position the belt with the open side of the links facing up
(Refer to Figure 15).
c. Count approximately 15-16 cartridges from the end near the
closed end of the ammunition pack and fold the belt on top of
itself as shown in Figure 18 back toward the end of the belt.
d. Continue to layer the ammo belt across itself until the entire
belt is stacked. See Figures 19 and 20 (depicts a partial belt).
e. Once the entire belt is layered and stacked, place the layered
belt into the open ammunition pack ensuring the belt stays
oriented as it was stacked. Placing the ammunition box on a
45 degree angle will aid in sliding the stacked belt into the
box. See Figure 21.
f. Place the “top end” of the belt through the feed opening of
the plastic ammunition box from the inside so that one or two
cartridges pass though the opening. Ensure the cartridge
indicating tab remains outside the ammunition box and is not
folded in. The cartridge indicating flap should
hold the belt in place. See Figure 22.
g. Snap the ammunition box cover into place ensuring both
locking tabs are engaged and secure.
15.2 Filling the Magazine
1. Make sure the slide hammer is cocked and the safety selector
is in the SAFE position as explained in Sections 10&11 and the
muzzle is pointed in a safe direction.
2. If the magazine is inserted into the rifle, press the magazine
release located on the top of the magazine well. See Figure 23.
Remove the magazine from the rifle with your free hand.
3. Pull the bolt completely rearward using the charging handle as
explained in Section 17.2 and inspect the chamber to ensure
that it is empty. Return the bolt to the forward, closed position.
4. Load the cartridges into the magazine by placing the cartridge
on the top of the retaining lips and, with your thumb, pushing
it straight down against the spring force of the follower until it
locks into position under the retaining lips. Ensure the base of
the cartridge is seated flush with rear of the magazine and the
projectiles are pointed toward the front of the magazine. See
Figure 24. Continue to fill the magazine in this manner until
full or the desired number of cartridges is loaded.
Care should be exercised in positioning each cartridge so that
its base is flush with the rear of the magazine. If the nose of
the cartridge protrudes beyond the front of the magazine, it
could cause feeding problems or interfere with the insertion
the magazine into the rifle.
WARNING! ONLY USE ONE SOURCE OF AMMUNITION WHEN
FIRING THE FN M249S
™
. ATTEMPTING TO USE THE BELT/
AMMUNITION PACK AND THE 30 ROUND MAGAZINE AT THE
SAME TIME WILL CAUSE THE RIFLE TO MALFUNCTION AND
FAIL TO RELIABLY FEED. PERSONAL INJURY AND DAMAGE TO
THE RIFLE AND AMMUNITION MAY RESULT.
NOTICE! IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE FN M249S
™
BE FED
WITH BELTED AMMUNITION ONLY IF IT IS FED FROM THE
SUPPLIED PLASTIC AMMUNITION PACK. LOOSE BELTED
AMMUNITION MAY SNAG OR BE DAMAGED IF NOT
PROTECTED BY THE PLASTIC AMMUNITION PACK.
MALFUNCTIONS MAY RESULTS.
15.3 Loading the FN M249S
™
from the Belt / Ammo Pack
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
FIGURE 23 FIGURE 24
FIGURE 20
FIGURE 18
FIGURE 17
FIGURE 19
FIGURE 21
FIGURE 22