Educate me on the FN FNC

[Deleted member 67409]

Did a forum search and didn't see a general Q&A thread on the FNC besides this one from 2009, so, here's mine.

FN FNC - trying to sort this out.....

Got a few general questions on the FN FNC:

(1) Ignoring the auto-sear treasure trove that came out around the time of the Recession, is a FNC worth the approximately $3500-4000 prices on Gunbroker? Is the gun worth the price?
(2) Looks like there were 6k imported into the US with 5k being folding stock rifles. Are these mostly collectibles rather than shooters?
(3) How does the FNC's handling compare to the FAL, AR, and SCAR?
(4) Does the FNC have any particular quirks that a potential buyer should know?

FN FNC: Predecessor of SCAR Rifle

Gun Review: The FN FNC: Affordable Select-Fire 5.56 -

With the rifles being a few thousand a piece, this isn't something I'd buy tomorrow. I'm going to have hopefully three completed FALs by the end of this year and I'm thinking a FNC would be a good addition to a growing FN rifle collection.

 

[AKR]

I have a ubiquitous regular barrel length folder that I picked up many years ago. To respond to your questions:

1. I did mot pay nearly that much for it. It is cool for what it is and takes AR mags (the factory mag is essentially a black finished steel AR mag similar to the 416 mags HK is putting out these days but it will accept regular AR mags and last I checked RTG actually had surplus preban Belgian FNC mags in stock for a decent price).

2. Mine is in good shape but was definitely fired. I don’t shoot it anymore because I have other things I like better and parts are very scarce. Smooth shooter for whet it is due to weight and geometry but I would say collectible at this point.

3. The grip angle is classic FAL so you either love it or hate. The foregrip is rounded/chunky which I personally like. I am not sure if anyone makes a rail for handguard. You are stuck with irons unless you can find the super rare replacement rear receiver top cover similar again to he FAL which IIRC comes with a Hensoldt 4x built in. If you need optics and fancy AR style rails this is probably not for you. Someone may have made a replacement top cover with a picatinny rail but this would be rare.

4. See above. The folder is FAL style which requires manipulating a latch to get it to fold. I think that IMI did a better job when they simplified the design for the Galil for example.

Bottom line - if you want something to round out a collection or you like FALs, get one you will not be disappointed. Of you are looking for a pre-ban option and want something different from a regular AK or AR, then I personally think that there are better options out there like the Galil for that money (even though ARs mags are cheaper than Galil mags, there are enough surplus Galil mags floating around to make the proprietary mag in the Galil a non factor at this point even if you aren’t lucky enough to find the AR mag adapter).

My $0.02.

 

[Deleted member 67409]

@AKR, thanks for the info! Sounds like a FNC would be a good collectible addition, something to take out every once in awhile and enjoy. Buy it, take care of it, leave it alone, enjoy it.