FN FAL
Overview
L1A1
US Marine firing a British L1A1 Self Loading Rifle during Operation Desert Shield.
Source: US Marine Corps -
© Public domain
Dieudonné Saive & Ernest Vervier
Argentina - FMAP
Australia - Lithgow
Brazil - IMBEL
Canada - Canadian Arsenals Limited
Greece - Pyrkal
India - Ishapore
Nigeria - DICON
South Africa - LIW
United Kingdom - RSAF/ROF
Venezuela - CAVIM
L1A1 (UK designation)
Stg 58 (Austrian designation)
C1 (Canadian designation)
R1 (South African designation)
Romat (Israeli FAL nickname)
Description
Introduction
The FAL is an early Cold War era battle rifle of Belgian origin. It was developed around the 1950's by Fabrique Nationale and together with the German G3 became the standard issue rifle in most nations that were not under Soviet influence. As such it is one of the most produced and widely used firearms in the world. With the trend towards intermediate power assault rifles the use of the FAL has reduced rapidly.
Design
The FAL is a gas operated weapon and uses a short stroke gas piston to cycle the action. Due to a gas bleed off the recoil is limited for a weapon chambered in the full power 7.62x51mm round. Most of the FAL is made out of metal. Early versions had a wooden furniture, later models had a plastic forearm and stock.
Firepower
The FAL fires the 7.62x51mm round from a 20 round magazine. Most non-Commonwealth models have the ability for automatic fire at a cyclic rate of fire of 600 rpm. The significant recoil makes automatic fire of little use. The maximum effective range is 600 meters with optics and 400 meters with iron sights. The FAL can be used to launch rifle grenades and can be fitted with a bayonet.
Users
The FAL equipped most European NATO and Commonwealth members. With most users it has been replaced by a more modern rifle. However the FAL still remains in active use with many nations in South America, Africa and Asia.
Variants
FN FAL 50.00
FN FAL 50.00 battle rifle with synthetic stock and handguard.
Source: Esquerroa -
© GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Differences per nation
As the FAL has been produced under license in many nations a lot of weapons are different from the standard FN models. Most FAL 50.00 models are fitted with wooden forearms and butts. Many newer models, such as the folding stock versions, have plastic instead of a wooden furniture. Most Commonwealth models, such as the British L1A1 SLR, fire semi-automatic only. Austrian, Dutch and German models have metal forearms. The Israeli models have a forearm that is similar to the FALO, while having a lighter barrel.
Details
Media
FN FAL Para
Right side view of FAL Para compact battle rifle. Note the folding stock and added bipod.
Source: Rock Island auction house
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
West German G1
West German soldier with G1 variant of the FN FAL on his shoulder.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
FN FAL
Dutch soldier with FN FAL with metal forearm receiving instructions in 1979.
Source: Rob Croes
Copyright: Public domain
Related articles
FN FALO
The FALO is the light machine gun variant of the FAL. It is very similar, but has a heavier barrel and is fitted with a bipod. Commonwealth nations created a modified version with 30 round magazine, exposed barrel and bipod with wooden panels acting as handguard.
Heckler & Koch G3
The German G3 was developed since Germany did not get a license to produce the FAL domestically as the G1. The G3 was a highly successful design. Both G3 and FAL were adopted by dozens of nations.
Springfield M14
The American M14 is a contemporary battle rifle. The US adoption of 7.62x51mm forced a change in the design of the FAL from the .280 British to the new NATO standard.
FN CAL
The FN CAL is a FAL rifle modified to fire the 5.56x45mm M193 round. It wasn't a successful design. Later the highly capable FNC would be developed for the 5.56mm cartridge.