July 18, 2024
By Leroy Thompson
I’ve done quite a bit of shooting with 7.62x51mm Battle Rifles and have done books on two of them—the M14 and G3. I’ve also done quite a bit of shooting with the Beretta BM59, SIG 510-4 (AMT), and a lot of shooting with the FN FAL. My favorite by a substantial margin is the FN FAL, especially the Para model. The FN FAL has been used by up to 100 countries from Angola to Zimbabwe, though, as this is written, most have replaced it with a 5.56x45 or 7.62x39mm assault rifle.
Fortunately, for US shooters, FN produced high quality, but pricey, semi-auto versions of the FN FAL back in the 1970s and 1980s. Springfield Armory also offered a version in the late 1980s until President George H.W. Bush banned importation in 1989. After its replacement in various countries, semi-auto versions produced from kits have been available at reasonable prices.
A member of the USMC firing an FN FAL offhand. (Defense Imagery) Post World War II, NATO countries sought to standardize on select fire rifles with a detachable box magazine. Some European members of NATO were interested in a rifle chambering an intermediate cartridge akin to the 7.92x33mm Kurz chambered by the World War II German Sturmgewehr. The .280 British or the .276 Peterson were examples. The US opted for a cartridge more compact than the .30-06 long-time standard service cartridge, which resulted in adoption of the 7.62x51mm (AKA .308 Winchester) round for the M14 rifle. As the most powerful member of NATO, the US was in a position to dictate the standard service cartridge; hence, the adoption of the 7.62x51mm NATO round.
Diagram of FN FAL controls from the USMC manual on the rifle. (USMC) FN had actually begun work on what became the FN FAL (Fusil Automatique Leger) in 1946 and had adopted the rifle in 1953, though initially the Belgians had intended for the rifle to fire an intermediate 7.92x33mm cartridge. In return for NATO adopting the 7.62x51mm cartridge, the US agreed to test the FN FAL with the designation T48 against the Garand-based T44 rifle (the M14), the implication being the FN FAL might become the new US service rifle. Though the US-produced T48 manufactured by Harrington & Richardson performed well in the trials, the US adopted the domestically designed M14.
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The Springfield Armory SAR-48 as it appeared in the 1989 Guns & Ammo Annual catalog (top). The FN FAL as it appeared in the 1982 Guns & Ammo Annual catalog. At $2,000 in 1982, today’s price would be over $6,350 (bottom). The 7.62x51mm NATO round had become standard for the M14 and FN FAL and later the HK G3 and Beretta BM59. To differentiate these rifles, which fired the more powerful cartridge from “assault rifles,” they have normally been designated “battle rifles.” In evaluating the wisdom of adopting the battle rifle versus the assault rifle, remember that it was foreseen that NATO forces would be engaging SKS/AK47 armed Warsaw Pact troops on the North German Plain where their more powerful rifles would allow them to outrange enemy infantry.
FAL accessories that accompanied some pre-ban imported rifles. (Courtesy of Rock Island Auction Service) I’ll offer a personal note here on using the various NATO battle rifles. Though they offer select fire, my experience has been that these battle rifles are difficult to control on full auto fire, though with practice short bursts are marginally controllable. Maybe some of you reading this are more skilled than I and can prove me wrong. However, I will state that I can control an FAL firing short bursts better than any of the other 7.62x51mm Battle Rifles. With the FAL’s cyclic rate of 650–700 rounds per minute, for me “control” is a
Argentine airborne troops armed with the FN FAL Para. (Ejército Argentino) (left). A US soldier firing the T-48 offhand during trials. (NARA) (top right). The FN FAL under the designation T48 was the primary contender against what would become the M14. Though it performed well political issues including the US Army desire to adopt a US design precluded its adoption. (NARA) (bottom right). The FAL uses a short-stroke, gas-piston system above the barrel, combined with a tilting breechblock. A gas regulator located above the front sight base allows gas flow to be adjusted for a dirty rifle or other adverse conditions or for gas to be shutoff to fire rifle grenades. I have seen rifle grenades fired from the FAL, but I have never done so. Standard fixed stock FALs have the recoil spring in the stock, while folding stock Para models have it in the receiver cover.
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The much sought after early G-model import FAL. (Courtesy of Rock Island Auction Service) (top). A Canadian soldier lining up a shot with an FAL with bipod affixed. Canada was the first country in the world to adopt the FAL in 1954 and would later standardize on the C1A1, a Canadian version of the British L1A1. (Canadian Army) Locating the recoil spring in the receiver cover necessitates other changes in the receiver cover, recoil spring, and bolt carrier, as well as the modified lower receiver to take the folding stock. The FAL may be “broken open” by pushing a lever on the upper receiver and tilting the upper downwards as with a double barreled shotgun or an M16. The bolt and carrier may then be slid out of the upper receiver. The bolt may be easily removed from the carrier; then, pressing a button and turning a plug allows the gas piston to be removed. Overall, it’s a relatively easy rifle to strip.
At top an Israeli HB FN-LAR with Trilux scope and at bottom a Brazilian IMBEL R1A1. (Courtesy of Rock Island Auction Service) I have had a preference for the FAL Para model since I first shot one, as it makes the rifle balance better for firing and also makes it quicker to handle due to the shorter barrel. Some Para models seem to have been made with the carry handle as on the fixed stock models and some without. My semi-auto Para model, which I have had for many years, does not have the carry handle. Early fixed stock FALs, and some made on license in India and elsewhere, had wooden stocks and forearms, but later ones had polymer stocks. I should note that the folding stock Para model though handier is slightly heavier than the version with the fixed polymer stock.
Thompson shooting his pre- ban FN FAL Para model offhand. He finds the FAL easier to shoot offhand than other “battle rifles.” Note the adjustment plug for the FAL’s gas system below the front sight. This allows for adjustment when the rifle is dirty or in cold climates. When one first encounters the FAL Para stock it seems hard to open or close, but the trick is to place the thumb on the stock release button below the point where the stock locks open or closed, then squeeze with the palm. This allows the stock to be easily released. Another feature of the Para model, which I mostly like, is the folding cocking handle. Once a round has been chambered and the cocking handle released it folds against the receiver keeping it out of the way. That’s the positive. However, if it’s necessary to quickly pull the bolt to the rear or to kick open the bolt using the boot, then the standard cocking handle is preferable.
In addition to the Belgian semi-auto FALs that have been imported, there have also been the models assembled from imported parts and US receivers. As, even when I was using a select fire FAL, I have normally left the selector on semi-auto, the fact most FALs available in the USA, other than some Class III versions, are semis has not bothered me in the slightest. The UK and other Commonwealth countries seemed to agree, as the L1A1 version of the FAL adopted by them was a semi-auto. When I was in the UK after the Falklands War, some friends in the Royal Marine Commandos told me that British troops had picked up Argentine select-fire FALs and had negligent discharges/rifle run-aways as they were not familiar with controlling full auto rifles.
Close-up of the standard knob-type FAL cocking handle (bottom left). View of the FAL’s magazine release lever, safety, lever to allow the upper to be rotated away from the lower, and pistol grip. Also visible are the rear sling swivel and the release button to fold or unfold the stock (top left). The FAL Para model with the cocking handle in the folded position. This keeps the cocking handle out of the way, but is also slower if it is necessary to quickly open the bolt (top right). The FAL Para’s cocking handled in the extended position; when released it will automatically re-fold against the receiver (bottom right). I find some pros and some cons to the FAL’s controls and sights. I already mentioned that I like the folding cocking handle on the Para model because it is less likely to catch on a tactical vest or other equipment. On the other hand, the exposed-knob cocking handle on the fixed stock FAL, allows faster access to release the bolt after a reload or to remove a stuck case.
The standard FAL pistol grip with storage space for cleaning supplies or spare parts (top left). FN FAL Para model flash suppressor/ compensator (Top right). Close-up of the FAL’s Para’s folding stock when extended. Thompson has found it better than most folding skeleton stocks. Front sight of the FAL Para model. Speaking of releasing the bolt, the release lever on the left side of the magazine well is fairly easy to reach with the support hand when shooting right-handed but is a bit small and hard to find without looking. The magazine release is centered at the rear of the magazine well and may be operated with the thumb while grasping the magazine. It is relatively small, which makes it a little harder to operate quickly without practice, but which also makes it less likely to be pushed inadvertently, thus dumping a loaded magazine.
I like the peep rear sight of the FAL as I normally shoot better with it than with a notch rear sight. I find the FAL safety/selector’s location above the pistol grip easy to operate with my thumb while grasping the pistol grip. A scope mount was available for the FAL that fitted on a replacement dust cover for the rifle. Later versions of this scope mount incorporated a Picatinny rail or a NATO STANAG mount.
Page from the USMC FN FAL manual showing the rifle’s major components. (USMC) Though the FAL seems long compared to assault rifles I use, such as the SIG550 or AR-15, it is well balanced, allowing it to be fired comfortable on rapid semi-auto fire. Recoil is barely noticeable on a fixed stock FAL fired in semi-auto. My Para model is not markedly uncomfortable to shoot, as the butt of the folding stock is more comfortable than folding stocks on some other battle rifles, most notably the G3/HK91 or Beretta BM59. Still, if I fire a magazine quickly on semi-auto with my Para I feel it.
Close-up of the locking mechanism of the FAL Para’s stock (top left). Close-up of a 20-round FAL magazine and the release lever located behind it (top right). To fold or unfold the FAL Para model’s stock, it is necessary to depress the release button with the thumb while squeezing down on the stock with the palm. Rear peep sight of the FAL Para model (bottom right). Although I’ve fired FALs, especially L1A1s, made in other countries besides Belgium and also some of the ones assembled in the USA from parts kits, for this article I’m mostly concentrating on the original Belgian semi-auto rifles imported into the USA. I purchased the two I own many years ago and they have always performed to my expectations. I will say that of the guns assembled from parts kits, most that I’ve fired have functioned reliably—most! I will also note that a local gunsmith who specializes in FALs always seems to have at hand plenty of the kit rifles that need tweaking.
100-yard group with Federal 168-grain Sierra Match-King (top left). 100-yard group with PMC ELDORADO ammunition at 100 yards (top right). 50-yard offhand group from FN FAL Para using Black Hills 168-grain Match ammo (bottom left). 100-yard group fired with FAL Para model using Winchester 147-grain military overrun ammo (bottom right). I do have quite a bit of experience with one DS Arms rifle that was built to my order. DS Arms is the sole manufacturer of US-made FAL-type rifles (DSArms.com). When I took my FAL 50:62 Para model to the range for a shooter refresher, 100-yard groups hovered around two inches. I was happiest with four rounds I fired off hand at 50 yards, which grouped into 7/8 in. reinforcing my belief that the FAL is easier for me to shoot offhand than other battle rifles.
A female Indian soldier armed with an INSAS rifle; note the polymer magazine which allows checking the magazine for cartridges remaining. (Indian Army) I like the way my FALs shoot; I like the way they look; and I like their historical link to the Cold War when they would have been deployed on the front lines against Warsaw Pact forces moving against the European democracies. I’m glad the Cold War never turned hot, but I am also appreciative of the role the FN FAL played in lowering the temperature!
FN FAL Specs Action: Short-stroke gas pistol, tilting breechblockCaliber: 7.62x51mm NATOOverall Length: FAL 50:00 Fixed Stock – 43 in., FAL 50:62 Para: Stock Extended – 40.2 in., Stock Folded – 30.3 in. Barrel Length: 50:00 – 21 in. 50:62 – 18 in. Weight: 50:00 – 9.4 lbs., 50:62 – 9.5 lbs. Capacity: 20- or 30-rd. box magazineSights: Rear: Ramped Aperture, Front postCyclic Rate: 650-700 rpm
