I have a couple of the SAFN-rifles. One 8mm Egyptian and a 7mm Venezuelan I rebarreled to .30-06.
A couple free words of advice on this rifle. Check (or have a qualified gunsmith check for you) that the firing pin assembly is complete with the firing pin blocking device. It's function is to prevent the firing pin from slam firing as the action closes. Many FN49s are missing this device and the owners are blissfully unaware of its significance. Also, there were a couple of modifications to the firing pin and blocking device. Make sure they are compatible. The FN manufacturers booklet for this model details the firing pin block.
Why is the firing pin block important? As you know, this is a tipping block locking action, and the breechblock is relatively heavy and massive. An unrestrained firing pin can easily ding the primer of a chambered cartridge. In severe cases, the rifle has been known to go full auto! It is more likely to cause an occasional out-of-battery ignition. Believe me, that is something you want to avoid at all costs!
The out-of-battery incident I had scared the holy crap outta me. I thought it had blown my head off! The rifle breech blew open from the unlocked condition, the bolt jammed in the rearward position, bending the dust cover, and the cartridge case separated. The casehead was imbedded in the overhead ceiling, and the front half of the case jammed in the breech. Rifle was apparently undamaged, but shooting stopped that day! Examination showed that the cartridge primer and casehead were otherwise normal, and showed no overpressure. The rifle had fired in an unlocked condition.
Be sure you use and adjust the gas regulator on this rifle! 8x57 ammo comes in many loadings, from many manufacturers. The 8mm machine gun ammo can be particularly hard on the rifle if the regulator is not adjusted correctly. It's adjust from fully open position to the point that single loaded rounds are reliably fired and ejected. Watch out for violet case ejection. That is a sign of too much gas port pressure.
Let us know how it shoots! This "European Garand" is among my favourite designs, but it has it's peculiarities!
