Fabrique Nationale FN FAL Battle Rifle (1954)
The sturdy, if unspectacular, FN FAL automatic rifle.
Initial variants of the FN FAL did not feature a automatic fire selector; only later production included this feature. Interestingly, engineers set the charging handle along the left side of the receiver so the firer (if he was primarily right-handed) could keep his grip on the trigger/handle while cocking the weapon at the same time. One of the drawbacks of this FN design was the propensity for the rifle to climb on full-automatic fire, giving in to its lightweight construction for a weapon of this class. Nevertheless, the FN FAL went on to see operational service worldwide and action in countless conflicts - the NATO endorsement surely helping to boost sales figures and contributing to the FN FAL as a marketing success.
Bayonet mountings were also available and largely intended for close-quarters combat. An optional bipod allowed for the rifles use as a squad-level light machine gun support weapon. In this role, the FN FAL was also given a heavier barrel to keep muzzle climb and overheating to a minimum.
Due to its export success, the FN FAL can still be seen in large quantities the world over. Some 2,000,000 exampls have been produced since 1953 with production reportedly still ongoing as of this writing (2012). Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Fabrique Nationale FN FAL
Battle Rifle
Country of Origin: Belgium
Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre - Belgium
Initial Year of Service: 1954
Overall Length: 1090mm (42.91in)
Barrel Length: 533.00mm (20.98in)
Weight (Empty): 9.50lbs (4.31kg)
Cartridge: 7.62x51mm NATO
Action: Gas-Operated, Tilting Breechblock
Feed: 20- to 30-round detachable box magazine
Muzzle Velocity: 2,750ft/sec (838m/sec)
Rate-of-Fire: 675 rounds per minute
Range: 2,133ft (650m; 711yds)
Sights: Rear Aperature; Front Post; Optional Optics
Variants:
FAL 50.61 - Full-length rifle with folding stock.
FAL 50.62 - Compact paratrooper variant; folding stock; 458mm barrel length.
FAL 50.63 - Compact paratrooper variant; folding stock; 406mm barrel length; collapsing cocking handle.
FAL 50.64 - Full-length rifle; folding stock; revised construction of lower receiver; sans carrying handle.
FAL OSW - Compact paratrooper variant; folding stock; 330mm barrel length.
FAL .280 - Experimental variant
FAL Universal Carbine - Experimental carbine variant.
FAL Bullpup (1951) - Experimental bullpup variant.
LAR 50.41 - Light Automatic Rifle for squad support role; heavy barrel; 30-round magazine; bipod support; synthetic stock.
LAR 50.42 - Light Automatic Rifle for squad support role; heavy barrel; 30-round magazine; bipod support; wood stock.
Sturmgewehr 58 (StG 58) - Austrian designation produced under license by Steyr-Daimler-Puch.
L1A1 - British Army designation of local-produced FN FAL.
Armtech L1A1 SAS - Carbine version of the British L1A1 (license-built FN FAL); 290mm barrel length.
C2A1 - Canadian Army version of the LAR 50.41/42
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