Operator's Manual

12
13
CHILDREN AND NON-SHOOTERS.
Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage
enrollment in hunting and shooting safety courses.
22 NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR TAKE
ANY TYPE OF DRUGS BEFORE OR DURING
SHOOTING.
Your vision, motor skills and judgment could be dangerously
impaired, making your gun handling unsafe to you and to
others.
23 READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS IN THIS
OPERATOR’S MANUAL, ON AMMUNITION BOXES
AND WITH ALL ACCESSORIES THAT YOU INSTALL
ON YOUR FIREARM.
It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to-date
information on the safe handling procedures for your
FN firearm. We assume no liability for incidents which occur
when unsafe or improper rifle accessories or ammunition
combinations are used.
24 PRACTICE PERIODIC MAINTENANCE, AVOID
UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING.
Your firearm is a mechanical device which will not last forever,
and as such, is subject to wear and requires periodic
inspection, adjustment and service. FN firearms should be
serviced by FN America Product Service.
We cannot and do not assume any responsibility for injuries
suffered or caused by unauthorized servicing, alterations or
modifications of FN firearms.
25 WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE ON
FIREARMS THAT HAVE BEEN ALTERED, ADDED TO
OR SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED.
Removal of metal from the barrel or modifications of the firing
mechanism and/or operating parts may lead to a refusal of
service on such firearms. We will charge the owner for parts
and labor to return the firearm to original FN specifications.
DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALTER
THE TRIGGER, SAFETY OR OTHER PARTS OF THE
FIRING MECHANISM OF THIS OR ANY OTHER
FIREARM. FAILURE TO OBEY THIS WARNING MAY
RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF OR
OTHERS.
BE CARE FUL!
THE FN M249S
™
OPERATES DIFFERENTLY THAN
MOST OTHER SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLES, YOU
MUST FOLLOW THESE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS
WHEN USING THE FN M249S
™
.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ADDITIONAL SAFETY AND
OPERATIONAL ITEMS SPECIFIC TO THE FN
M249S
™
RIFLE ARE FOUND THROUGHOUT
THIS OPERATOR’S MANUAL.
1. Before firing, make sure the barrel is tightly locked.
2. Never remove the trigger mechanism before the rifle is cleared.
Removal of the trigger mechanism from a loaded rifle will
cause the rifle to fire.
3. When firing left-handed, hot fired cartridge cases may strike
your right arm as they are ejected from the rifle. Operators
firing left-handed should protect their right arm from ejected
brass and links.
4. Always visually inspect the chamber when clearing the rifle.
5. Never attempt to fire a damaged, severely rusted, corroded or
misused firearm until it has been inspected and repaired by
an authorized FN America technician or gunsmith.
6. Do not interchange barrel assemblies (including spare barrels
and bolt assemblies) from one rifle to another without first
having checked the headspace. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO PERSON OR DAMAGE
TO THE RIFLE.
7. Do not modify, repair, or replace this rifle’s components without
express authorization from FN America.
8. THE FIRING OF LONG SUSTAINED STRINGS OF FIRE (SUCH AS
200 ROUNDS IN 2 MINUTES) WILL CREATE A “COOK OFF”
HAZARD. A “cook off” is when excessive heat of the barrel will
cause the cartridge in the chamber to ignite and fire without
pulling the trigger. To avoid this dangerous condition,
IMMEDIATELY CLEAR THE RIFLE after you have finished firing.
Then allow the barrel to cool for 15 minutes or change barrels
before resuming firing. Failure to follow these instructions can
result in death or serious injury.
If the rifle cannot be immediately cleared and the barrel is
excessively hot (200 rounds fired in 2 minutes), DO NOT OPEN
the feed tray cover or remove the barrel. Place the safety in the
safe position and ensure the rifle is pointed in a safe direction.
Remove the magazine if it is the source of ammunition. Wait
15 minutes for the barrel to cool before clearing the rifle as
explained in section 16.2.
9. Exposing the rifle and ammunition to direct sunlight on a hot
day a will create a “cook off” hazard in as few as 50 rounds of
rapid firing.
10. The rifle’s barrel will heat up as it is fired. Never touch a hot
barrel: severe injury may result. Only use the barrel carry
handle to manipulate a hot barrel.
11. Never remove a hot barrel to clear a malfunction. Wait 15
minutes for the barrel to cool.
12. Never use reloaded/handloaded ammunition with this rifle. Use
only NATO spec 5.56x45mm ammunition or as described on the
barrel. DO NOT USE STEEL-CASED AMMUNTION.
13. If the lower take down pin is not positively retained, it can work
loose during firing. If this condition occurs, immediately stop
firing your rifle. If it comes completely out, the trigger
assembly can separate from the rifle creating a hazardous
condition. If this condition occurs, immediately stop firing.
14. Ensure that the barrel is not obstructed by anything, such as
water or mud.