So what about the AK5 / FN FNC?

DMR · #1 11-10-12, 15:03

AK5

The Most Famous FNC shot

Ok who has not thought about having you own FNC since you saw HEAT? The FNC was one of the rifles promoted as the "answer" to the AR back when basing the AR was more common than today. That said it never realy caught caught on and has largely faded away outside Sweden (does FN even still support it?)

I keep tinking that some day I will add one to the library and have looked over the various companies that offer parts. Green Mountain make 1-7 barrels, Stormwerks some parts, ect. I even recently found Frankford Arsenal lowers which supposedly solve a issue with the FNC feeding H&K and P-MAGs because the release is cut differantly.

FNC Lower on Gunbroker

Green Mountain Barrels

Stormwerks

B&T Rail handguard

So does anyone have a "modernized version they still use and or feed back on the Swedish AK5 upgrades:

Swedish AK5 Upgrade Program

I like that handguard.

Thanks in advance!

cougar_guy04 · #2 11-10-12, 15:27

I've shot one and must say, I really loved it. If I could get an AK5C or AK5D, I'd have my wallet out fast enough to scorch my jean pockets. The FNC does somewhat live on in the SCAR (early prototypes I saw looked like the engineers at FN took an FNC as the base and started modifying stuff).

As far as I know, FN doesn't support them but I could be mistaken. There is a seller on Gunbroker that sells AR stock adapters for them, AK5-style trigger guards and a few other replacement parts. Outside of that, the FNC is kind of a bastard child.

It does look like a "cheap" way to get into the transferable machine gun game though (at least they were a couple years ago, I haven't kept up on prices).

Fjallhrafn · #3 11-10-12, 16:43

I thought the FNC was still in use with the Belgian military. If it is, I don't know why FN wouldn't be supporting the platform.

gunnut284 · #4 11-10-12, 17:06

I've only handled them so I can't comment on how they shoot. I recall hearing that firing pin breakage was an issue but not much else. Some relatively cheap RDIASs were available a few years back and I think the guns have become more sought after due to the sears.

ICANHITHIMMAN · #5 11-10-12, 19:52

I don't have a clue what it even is

bondmid003 · #6 11-10-12, 21:31

FNC = FN Carbine...pre SCAR and F2000 featured in the movie Heat

DMR · #7 11-10-12, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fjallhrafn

I thought the FNC was still in use with the Belgian military. If it is, I don't know why FN wouldn't be supporting the platform.

They may still, but if you seach the FN Herstal Website they only have the SCAR and the F2000 families now.

Fjallhrafn · #8 11-11-12, 01:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMR

They may still, but if you seach the FN Herstal Website they only have the SCAR and the F2000 families now.

I would guess that if a government purchaser is looking for a new rifle, FN would want them to buy the SCAR or F2000, rather than the FNC. I'm sure that FN still makes all the parts and possibly even whole new guns for current FNC-issued customers.

DMR · #9 11-11-12, 09:09

The Swedes and several of the other current users I found are using Licensed production FNC based rifles, not FN Herstal production. At a certain point repair parts can be soursed from just about any source, so long as it meets the specifications.

Silvanus · #10 11-11-12, 10:12

The FNC is still the standard issue rifle for the whole Belgian Army. Their SFG uses the FN2000 (probably the SCAR too, but I´ve not seen that myself). I took part in an shooting competition (IPSC-style with rifles & pistols) on a Belgian military base a couple of weeks ago and had the chance to try the FNC and to see hundreds of them in action and they performed flawlessly (no malfunctions, decent accuracy). And those were pretty well worn out specimens for the most part. I personally much prefer the AR platform though, but I guess it´s a nice rifle if you want something different.

On another note, their old, beat-up High-Powers that should probably have been replaced decades ago could be counted on to jam 1-2 times per stage. I just hoped that the guys that actually deploy get new ones, but I doubt it...

Dano5326 · #11 11-11-12, 10:52

any working hotlinks to frankford lower?

OP a couple of your hotlinks go to same pic?

FYI: http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006smallarms/arvidsson2.pdf

anubismp · #12 11-11-12, 11:24

That AK5 is almost sigish to me. Looks neat and like most guns I like, I'll probably never get to have one.

glocktogo · #13 11-11-12, 11:27

I came real close to getting one of Curt Higgin's converted FNC's (select fire) when he still had them for $3500. Could kick myself for not doing it because they run around $8500 now. They are a nice piece of kit. Back when they were first getting them imported, they wound up blowing them out for $450 (semi-auto) because they weren't selling.

BullittBoy · #14 11-11-12, 13:09

FNC's are wonderful rifles.
They are excellent in full auto too and 3 round burst is way more controllable than an M4.

The FNC has excellent accuracy with the older 1/12 barrels you mostly shoot 55 grain and it is has superb open sights. The trigger is a bit heavy, but stock is rock solid and front handguard protects against heat extremely well. The gun is a modified AK gas system so it is super reliable. It feels a tad like a .223 FAL with a shorter barrel. The front handguards are off the heavy barrel FAL, the pistol grip and stock are from Paratrooper FAL. There is an excellent scope mount option from Stormwerkz and the gun uses AR mags, which for most is a plus.
The firing pin breaking is only on full auto guns and they are $35 and relatively easy to get.
They are built like a tank otherwise and will last a lifetime.
Also they are great investments-holding value well.
They are a tad heavy at 8 lbs and trigger is a bit heavy but I like most else on it.

JoshNC · #15 11-11-12, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by glocktogo

I came real close to getting one of Curt Higgin's converted FNC's (select fire) when he still had them for $3500. Could kick myself for not doing it because they run around $8500 now. They are a nice piece of kit. Back when they were first getting them imported, they wound up blowing them out for $450 (semi-auto) because they weren't selling.

You can still find them for $6500-7000. They are still the best value in a transferable 5.56x45 fullauto. I have a semiauto rifle and an S&H sear sitting in the safe that I need to send to Curtis.

The FNC is a great platform, with the only detraction being the lack of spare parts. This has improved some, with TBA suppressors in VA making burst kits, Green Mountain making 16 inch 1:7 twist barrels, and DSA still has firing pins. Once domestically produced bolts and carriers are available (if ever) and maybe caliber conversions, the FNC will quickly jump in price.

darr3239 · #16 11-11-12, 17:00

I have a full-auto conversion FNC and echo BullitBoy with his comments.

One issue, which isn't one so much on the M4, is you can't really operate the safety without completely changing your firing grip. Maybe those with a long thumb can, but my average sized one isn't up to the task. I usually use my left hand.

I'm also thinking of re-threading the barrel to the standard AR threads, so I can use my SDN-6 Silencer. I don't think it would hurt the value of the gun any, since it's not in the "collector" realm, with so many of them being out there.

SteyrAUG · #17 11-11-12, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by darr3239

I'm also thinking of re-threading the barrel to the standard AR threads, so I can use my SDN-6 Silencer. I don't think it would hurt the value of the gun any, since it's not in the "collector" realm, with so many of them being out there.

While they may not be as collectible as say preban SIG rifles, FNCs are still very much a collectible item. If you want a suppressor, just get a Gemtech HALO, it will run on every rifle with a NATO diameter flash hider.

darr3239 · #18 11-12-12, 01:03

That's a good option, but I bought the SDN-6 so I could use it on most of my rifles, either 30 cal. or 5.56.

I'll have to re-think the FNC now, since there's something to be said about leaving guns in their original configuration. It came with a Smith Enterprises muzzle brake, after the original owner somehow lost the FN flash suppressor! If I can find another one, it will be about half the cost as threading the barrel, and buying a Brakeout. So, it will be a little money one way or the other.

SteyrAUG · #19 11-12-12, 02:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by darr3239

That's a good option, but I bought the SDN-6 so I could use it on most of my rifles, either 30 cal. or 5.56.

I'll have to re-think the FNC now, since there's something to be said about leaving guns in their original configuration. It came with a Smith Enterprises muzzle brake, after the original owner somehow lost the FN flash suppressor! If I can find another one, it will be about half the cost as threading the barrel, and buying a Brakeout. So, it will be a little money one way or the other.

I wonder if the FNC didn't use the same flash/brake as later model FALs. Might want to check with the guys at FALfiles, they know most things FN.

JoshNC · #20 11-12-12, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by darr3239

That's a good option, but I bought the SDN-6 so I could use it on most of my rifles, either 30 cal. or 5.56.

I'll have to re-think the FNC now, since there's something to be said about leaving guns in their original configuration. It came with a Smith Enterprises muzzle brake, after the original owner somehow lost the FN flash suppressor! If I can find another one, it will be about half the cost as threading the barrel, and buying a Brakeout. So, it will be a little money one way or the other.

AAC may make an FNC specific mount. Your next option is to have a 1:7 twist Green Mountain barrel installed and set your factory barrel aside.