FN FNC The FN FNC ( Fabrique Nationale Carabine ) is a Belgian weapon produced by the Fabrique Nationale ( FN ) since 1979 . Description . Following the market failure of their previous 5 . 56mm caliber assault rifle , the FN CAL , famous Belgian company Fabrique Nationale began to develop the new assault rifle for 5 . 56mm NATO cartridge in the early 1970s . The final design , called the FNC ( Fabrique Nationale Carbine ) was produced circa 1978 and was consequently adopted by the Belgian Armed forces . It was also adopted by Sweden and Indonesia , and both those countries purchased the licenses to build more or less modified FNC carbines at their own facilities . Swedish version is known as Bofors AK - 5 and Indonesian version is known as Pindad SS1 . The FNC also was sold to some police forces around the world , and , in limited numbers for civilians - as a " Sporter " model , limited to semi - automatic mode only . The FNC is a sound design which accumulated best features from other famous designs , such as Kalashnikov AK - 47 , Colt / Armalite M16 , and others . FNC is a gas operated , selective fire , magazine fed weapon . The gas drive and rotating bolt of FNC strongly resembles the AK - 47 system , but adapted for more advanced production technologies such as CNC machining and with some modifications . The long stroke gas piston is located above the barrel and is linked to the bolt carrier . Unlike the AK - 47 , the gas piston rod could be separated from the bolt carrier when gun is disassembled . The gas system featured two - positions gas regulator ( for normal or adverse conditions ) and a separate gas cutoff , combined with folding rifle grenade sights . When grenade sights are raised into the ready position , the gas cutoff automatically blocks the gas supply to the action , allowing for safe launching of rifle grenades . Both gas cutoff and a grenade sight are located on the gas chamber , just behind the front sight . The now common rotating bolt has two massive lugs that locks into the barrel extension . The receiver is made from two parts that are linked by two cross - pins . The receiver could be opened for disassembly and maintenance by removing the rear pin , so the parts could be hinged around the forward pin ( which also can be removed to separate receiver parts ) . Upper receiver is made from stamped steel , the lower receiver , along with magazine housing , is made from aluminum alloy . Barrel of the FNC is equipped with flash hider which also served as a rifle grenade launcher . FNC is equipped with hooded post front sight and a flip - up , " L " shaped rear diopter sight with 2 settings , for 250 and 400 meters range . The controls of the FNC consist of the 4 - positions safety / mode selector switch on the left side of the receiver . Available modes are Safe , Single shot , 3 - rounds bursts and Full automatic fire . The cocking handle is attached to the bolt carrier at the right side and does reciprocate with the bolt group when gun is fired . The rear part of the cocking handle slot , cut in the upper receiver for cocking handle , is covered by the spring - loaded cover which automatically opens by the handle when it goes back and automatically closes the opening when cocking handle returns forward . FNC is equipped with side - folding buttstock , made of steel and covered by plastic . A solid , non - folding plastic butt is available as an option . The pistol handle and the forend are made from plastic . FNC is equipped with sling swivels and can be fitted with special bayonet or with adapter for US M7 knife - bayonet . FNC can be fed from any STANAG ( NATO standard ) compliant magazine , and issued with 30 rounds magazines . If required , FNC could be fitted with 4X telescope sight or various IR / night vision sights .