Addendum 2017

FN M249S® Safety Addendum
8
WARNING! THE RIFLE IS NOW READY TO FIRE BY MOVING THE SAFETY SELECTOR TO THE FIRE
POSITION AND PULLING THE TRIGGER.
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.
15.4 Loading the FN M249S® from the Magazine
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 25. Ensure the feed tray is clear of ammunition and links. Refer to Section 17.1 for clearing the feed
tray. Leave the feed tray cover open in the 45⁰ or 90⁰ position.
3. 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.
FIGURE 28
4. Insert a filled magazine into the magazine well
until it locks in place and pull to ensure magazine
is secured. The magazine will open the magazine
well dust cover when pressed against it. See
Figure 28. Ensure the projectiles in the magazine
point toward the muzzle of the rifle when doing
so. Firmly close the feed tray cover and ensure it
is locked closed.
5. If shooting is imminent, a cartridge can now be
moved from the magazine to the chamber by
slowly pulling back on the charging handle and
releasing it. The charging handle should only be
pulled back until it stops against the slide
hammer and resistance is felt. At this point, the
top of the charging handle should be aligned with
the #1 slot on optical rail. See Figure 27.A