Addendum 2017

FN M249S® Safety Addendum

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 the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction.

2. If not already done, remove the magazine from the magazine well as explained in Section 15.2 of the

Operator’s Manual.

3. Open the feed tray cover by squeezing in on the cover latches on the rear of the feed tray cover. See

Figure 25. Leave the feed tray cover open in the 45⁰ or 90⁰ position.

FIGURE 25 FIGURE 26

4. Pull the charging handle partially to the rear as explained in Sections 11 & 12 and visually inspect the

chamber to ensure that it is empty. Return the bolt to the forward, closed position.

5. Attach a filled box/ammunition pack to underside of receiver by aligning the dovetail on top of the box

with the bracket on the bottom of the receiver from the left side. Slide the dovetail to the right into the

bracket until the catch locks into place. Pull outward on ammunition pack to ensure that the latch is

engaged. See Figure 26.

6. Pull about 10-12 rounds of the belt out of the ammunition pack. Place the linked belt on feed tray

assembly with first round fully against cartridge stop. Ensure the closed sides of the links are facing up and

the open sides of the links are facing down against the feed tray. In this manner, the belt will be placed on

the feed tray “brass to the grass”, where the open part of the links expose the brass of the cartridges to

the ground instead of to the sky. Two feed pawls will hold the belt in place. Ensure the belt is not twisted.

See Figure 27. Note feed tray with cartridge stop and feed pawls highlighted.