FN FNC with S&H sear, Help me!!!

[Zoomie]

I am in the middle of a deal on a FNC and sear. My Class 3 guy has been in the business since the early seventies. When I commented that I was pondering this set-up he said that he remembered something about them to be a problem (couldn't recall what). My class 3 is a person of few words and usually dispenses sage advise when it comes to firearms but now he's got me wondering if this is such a good idea. I mean after all a select fire 5.56 under 10K is becoming a rarity (with some exceptions, AC556,etc.) common AR-15 mags! What do you gents think? Ever here of anything I should be concerned about? the host does not have the sear installed so checking function at this point isn't possible. Opinions? :(
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the weapon and sear will be transfered in from a out of state class 3 guy.

[treedawg]

The FNC runs like a scalded ape with proper installation of the sear. The only down side I can think of for the weapon is replacement parts for the host. That should become less of a problem since it looks as if some part kits are being imported. At current prices I think the FNC/sear is the best deal on the market for a rifle cal. MG.

TD

[Hud33]

Only trust the FNC if Curtis Higgins at S&H does the sear install!
He did mine and the only thing I have replaced was the firing pin which DSArms sells. I've only had to replace one in 6,000 rounds.

[treedawg]

Only trust the FNC if Curtis Higgins at S&H does the sear install!

I disagree. There are many good smiths that are capable of the install. I wouldn't tackle it myself, but it's not that difficult.

TD

[Hud33]

I don't know of any others... The point is you don't want snuffy milling on your FNC. I haven't heard if there are other competant smiths who have done the conversion.

[Vegas SMG]

Wish I'd taken a couple of photos of the internals of my FNC. Yep, it's really easy to convert... if you know EXACTLY where to drill the sear hole through both sides of the receiver, WHERE to notch the bolt, and WHERE and how much of the lower receiver wall between the mag well to mill out. Don't forget about REMARKING and REFINISHING the lower while you're at it.

I wouldn't trust anyone but Curtis Higgins on a virgin FN-FNC receiver. He's probably done, what, 99% of all sear installs in host guns? He was the only game in town until the law suit last year awarded some to his former partner. Prior to that, just about the only way you could buy a sear was to send your gun to Curtis for the install.

And yes the factory firing pins a weak point. They are designed with a "cup" on the back that the hammer strikes and this part will come off. Replace it with one from DSA and the firing pin problem is solved. The factory pin broke on the guy that I sold my gun to. The lack of plentiful parts has probably held the prices down somewhat, but it's a great weapon and I can reccomend it to anyone looking for a rifle caliber assault weapon in .223.

[Zoomie]

what should I expect pricewise and turnaround for the install?

[MuzzleFlash]

Originally posted by Zoomie
what should I expect pricewise and turnaround for the install? Why ask us when you can drop a dime and then tell us what he said?


Curtis Higgins
Specialties: Class 2
P.O.Box 121
Owasso, OK 74055
Phone: (918) 272-9894
FAX: (918) 272-9898

[alaman]

He charges $500 per last report. Waiting time 3-9 mos.

[xm15e2s]

hold on there.
dont forget your options going with ohio rapid fire.
any buyer should look into ORF before doing anything with a FNC.

[Just Some Guy]

Originally posted by Zoomie
what should I expect <SNIP> turnaround for the install? About two months from the time he actually accepts your gun for work. I understood he was concentrating on filling orders for the sears he had sold before accepting sears from elsewhere. I was in his shop last week and he's rather cagey about some things when asked. (Like how many sears ARE there????) At any rate, he took my gun in on 5-14-04, called me on 7-16-04 to notify me that he was ready to file the Form 4, called me on 11-9-04 to notify me that the approved Form 4 was received, and I picked it up and paid him in full on 11-11-04.

Learned some interesting tidbits from Curtis and one of the guys who works with him, Curt Nichols. The FNC isn't as fragile or impossible to repair as some internet Chicken Littles would have us believe. Nichols shoots any cheap .223/5.56 ammo through his FNC -- including Wolf -- with nary a worry. Said he keeps a little extra oil on the firing pin and doesn't worry about much else. Higgins said he sticks with American-made fodder, but buys whatever's cheapest.