On lockup, it drops down into a matching shoulder in the receiver, as do the bolts of the SKS and MAS-49. The FAL gas system is driven by a short-stroke, spring-loaded piston housed above the barrel, and the locking mechanism is a tilting breechblock, both similar to the Tokarev SVT. Differences exist between the “inch” and “metric” versions (see sidebar) but none of these differences represent a design flaw. Not even throughout its 50-year career, has anything notable been found that needed changing within its basic systems. The basic design of the FAL was so sound, various licensees saw little need to change anything internal as they tweaked this new rifle to suit their mission.
#CENTURY ARMS FN FAL FREE#
Although the distribution numbers for Kalashnikov designs may be greater, offhand we can think of no countries who adopted the Kalashnikov over the FAL unless they were obligated to do so by their ties to the USSR, or were receiving them free as an instrument of Soviet policy. It is interesting that the greatest contemporary competitor on the international stage at that time was the AK-47, and some nations, such as Israel and South Africa, produced both rifles at the same time. Formally introduced by designers Dieudonne Saive and Ernest Vervier in 1951, it was in production two years later. In any guise, the FN FAL is the classic post-war battle rifle. It’s a fascinating study in military arms, however, even if we examine only the noteworthy differences between the main variants produced among the major players. The rest is history.Īs any design made in, or to the specifications of, some 90 countries, the variations seen in FAL production can only be delineated in a large book. NATO accepted the T65 cartridge but most adopted the FAL. The tests favored the T44, and the Army adopted it. The T48 was tested against the T47, British EM2, and the T44 (M14).
#CENTURY ARMS FN FAL TRIAL#
Army procured 3000 samples of the “T48” plus 200 heavy-barreled “T48E1s.” A trial run of 500 was made at H&R to ensure this “metric” design would work in inches, and 13 were made by High Standard. In thanks for liberating Belgium, Allied nations were offered royalty-free FAL licenses. After the United States convinced NATO allies that the 7.62x51mm (various loadings, based on the T65 case) was the best choice, FN redesigned the FAL for this round. By 1950 it was described in FN product brochures, but not contemplated in 7.62x51mm NATO. The first prototype FAL was demonstrated to Belgian and British military observers in 1948. The chief designer was Dieudonne Saive, the Browning protégé who perfected the High-Power pistol. By the war’s end it was mature enough to be produced for countries upgrading from Mausers-but it was World War II technology. The SAFN’s Model 1937 development continued in England when Belgium was overrun. The FAL may be considered both a contemporary and logical development of the Model 49 SAFN (Semi-Automatique-FN, or Saive Armee FN (in Belgian service, ABL Arme Belgique Leger). 280 British intermediate round, plus a run of 3,000 in 7x49mm. Although production of the FAL has almost always been in 7.62x51mm NATO, the first prototype was made in 7.92×33, the World War II German round, and exemplars were made in different trial configurations for the. It became one of the most widely used rifles in history because of its reliability, ergonomic handling and combat accuracy. It is gas-operated and magazine fed, with a breech that locks via a tilting bolt. The FN (Fabrique Nationale) FAL ( Fusil Automatique Léger-Light Automatic Rifle) is a self-loading battle rifle, usually with selective-fire capability when so enabled. No small arm will ever reach the production numbers of the ubiquitous Kalashnikov, but the FN FAL may have it beat for the scope of its distribution. It is in production as a civilian semi-auto in the United States. It still is a frontline battle rifle for some, and is fighting in Syria today. It was produced in the millions by more than a dozen countries. The “Right Arm of the Free World,” the FAL earned that moniker during a half-century serving some 90 nations, in more than 30 conflicts.
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