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| Fabrique Nationale FAL (SLR) |
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| Fabrique Nationale FAL (SLR) |
| Produced by the Belgian concern of Fabrique Nationale, or FN, the rifle known as the "Fusil Automatique Legere" (FAL, or light automatic rifle) was originally produced in 1948. At that time, the prototypes fired the German cartridge 7.92X33mm kurz (short) cartridge, but later attempts at NATO ammunition standardization meant that the FAL was evenually chambered for the standard 7.62X51mm cartridge. As such, it has since been widely adopted, not only throughout NATO, but in many other nations, and has even been licence-produced by nations as diverse as South Africa and Mexico.Many of these overseas production models differ in detail from the original FAL, but the overall appearance is the same. The FAL is a sturdy weapon, which uses many of the manufacturing methods of a bygone era. High-grade materials are used throughout, and extensive use is made of machining and fine tolerances.The action is gas operating, using a gas regulation sustem that taps off propellant gasses from above the barrel to operate a piston that pushes back the bolt action for unlocking the breech. The unlocking system has a delay action built in for increased safety. Automatic fire is possible on most models (With the exception of the British Model, L1A1) by use of a selector switch located near the trigger group. FAL models are many and various. Most have solid wooden or nylonite butts and other furniture, but some models, usually issued to airborne forces, have folding butts that are far sturdier than any other folding butts in use. Overall sturdiness is a feature of the FAL, for the high manufacturing standards have resulted in a weapon well able to withstand the rigours of service life. One production model of the FAL that deserves further mention is the British version, known by it's service designation L1A1. The L1A1 was adopted by the British Armed Forces only after a length series of trials and modifications that resulted in the elimination of the automatic fire feature, the L1A1 thus firing single-shot only. There are some other differences as well, but the L1A1 itself has been adopted by many other nations, including, India, where the type is still in production. The Australians also adopted the type, and even produced a shorter version, the L1A1-F1, to suit the stature of the New Guinea troops. Both the FAL and the L1A1 are equipped to fire rifle grenades, but these grenades are now little used. Bayonets can also be fitted, and some versions of the FAL have heavy barrels and bipods to enable them to be used as a light machinegun (LMG). Night Sights are also another optional fitting. Although the 7.62mm FAL is still in production, the trend is now towards a 5.56mm version, and a new model in this calibre is now in production as the FNC. Calibre: 7.62mm NATO (7.62X51mm) Action: Gas Operated, tilting breechblock, select fire or semi-auto only. Overall Lenth: 1143mm Barrel Length: 554mm Weight: 5kg (loaded) Effective Range: 900m Rate of Fire: 650-700 rounds per minute (cyclic models only) 30-40 rpm (single shot) Feed: 20 round detachable box magazine Muzzle Velocity: 838m per second |
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| DSA-58OSW - A select fire "sawed off" FAL clonde made by DA Arms |