Addendum 2017

FN M249S® Safety Addendum

WARNING! PULLING THE CHARGING HANDLE TOO FAR TO THE REAR MAY CAUSE THE SLIDE HAMMER

TO LODGE AGAINST THE SEAR AND LOCK THE SAFETY BUTTON.

This can occur if the charging handle is pulled to the rear so its top is just past the rear sight housing shown in

Figure 27.B. If this occurs and the safety button locks up, refer to Section 15.5 for correcting this malfunction.

Allow the bolt to move forward into battery under its full spring pressure, do not “ride” the charging handle and

bolt forward. If the bolt is not allowed to close in this manner, there is a possibility that it will not close completely,

preventing the rifle from firing. Ensure the charging handle is in the forward, locked position.

WARNING! THE RIFLE IS NOW READY TO FIRE BY MOVING THE SAFETY SELECTOR TO THE FIRE

POSITION AND PULLING THE TRIGGER.

15.5 Malfunctions While Loading / Chambering

If while loading the FN M249S®, the charging handle is forcefully pulled fully to the rear (refer to Figure 27.B),

there is potential for the slide hammer to become lodged against the sear, locking the safety into the safe position.

In order to free the slide hammer and safety from this unintentional locked position:

1. Keep the rifle pointed in a safe direction and unload the rifle as described below:

2. If feeding from the magazine, press the magazine release and REMOVE the magazine. See Figure 32 in 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. Leave

the feed tray cover open in the 45⁰ or 90⁰ position.

4. If feeding from the belt, remove the belt from the feed tray and remove any loose cartridges or links from

the feed tray. See Figure 29 in the Operator’s Manual.

5. Pull the charging handle to the rear to remove the cartridge in the chamber.

6. Hold the charging handle to the rear with the right hand while lifting the feed tray with the left hand to

inspect the chamber for the presence of cartridges. Remove any that remain. See Figure 30 in the

Operator’s Manual. Verify there are no loose cartridges in the magazine well.