The FAL Rifle

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum -- If One Wants Peace, Prepare For War

The FN FAL rifle was designed by Dr. Dieudonne Saive; firearms engineer extraordinaire. He designed the FAL and the Browning Hi-Power (GP-35) for Fabrique Nationale (FN) of Belgium. The FAL was meant to be a replacement for the venerable FN49--an excellent autoloading rifle of its own accord. The FAL was originally chambered for assault rifle cartridge; i.e. medium-powered rifle caliber such as the Russian 7.62X39mm or the Nazi 7.92mm Kurz. However, The USA forced the 7.62X51mm down NATO's throat as the standard cartridge. So the FAL was redesigned to take this shortened .30-06 cartridge. The FAL was immediately adopted by several countries, most notably Great Britain and its Commonwealth, West Germany, Austria, and a host of other nations. It went on to be adopted by 93 nations throughout the continents. The US tested the FAL/T-48 against the M14--a derivative of the M1 Garand. The M14 was selected as the standard issued rifle for the US Armed Forces due to political considerations and outright lies by Springfield Armory. Springfield Armory (not to be confused with the Springfield Armory, Inc.), a government arsenal, claimed that the M14 can be manufactured by M1 Garand's toolings. Add this to the political pressures of buying American, the FAL couldn't stand a chance. It turned out that the manufacturing of the M14 required new toolings. But by then, it was too late. Fabrique Nationale was too busying selling and setting up shops elsewhere in the world. The countries that use(d) and manufacture(d) the FAL ran the gamut from Cuba to India. The only nation that's currently turning out FALs is Brazil. In the US, DS Arms and Hesse Arms are turning out parts and lower receivers for the FAL rifle. It is feasible that these companies can turn out complete rifles when the current parts kits sources from Austria's surplus Steyr Stg58 runs out. The Greek Marines are currently using FALs as general issued individual weapons. The FAL is the best combat weapon chambered in the 7.62mm NATO round. The AK clones easily surpass it in the reliability department, but none other rifle designs will better the FAL. The FAL is made out of forged and machined steel blocks. It will not take second seat to any rifle in production for durability. The FAL does not fare well as a precision weapon, but then it wasn't designed to be a precision weapon.

Paratrooper Model 50.64

British Commonwealth Model. Probably Aussie L1A1 due to the wooden furniture

Top To Bottom: Canadian C1A1 Canadian C2 Heavy Barrel Dutch FAL Indian FAL

FALO--Heavy Barreled Light Machine Gun. The equivalence of the American BAR, Soviet RPK, etc.

Israeli FAL mated with IMBEL lower receiver and aftermarket flash suppressor. Done by Hesse Arms.

The Standard Belgium Model 50.00

The creme de la creme of FALs--the Steyr-made Stg58. Note the strange looking flash suppressor/grenade launcher designed by Major Stoller

The mini-FAL by DS Arms. While DS Arm's products quality are above reproach, I question the idea of a rifle in 7.62mm NATO with this short of barrel. In my opinion, it would make a neat toy. The shortest barrel length on an FAL should be no less than 18 inches as in some Paratrooper models. Anything less than that is a waste of good cartridge.

Top To Bottom: Early FN Heavy Barrel Standard Configuration FALO Israeli FAL Standard FAL for Peruvian Army

The FAL In Action