 |
 | ||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
| Model | Standard | Airborne |
| Caliber | 7.62 mm | 7.62 mm |
| Cartridge type | 7.62 x 51 mm (.308 Win) | 7.62 x 51 mm (.308 Win) |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Total weight (with loaded magazine) | 5 060 g | ? g |
| Total weight (with empty magazine) | 4 450 g | 3 770 g |
| Overall length | 1 100 mm | 990 mm |
| Length (with folded buttstock) | - | 736 mm |
| Barrel length | 533 mm | 431 mm |
| Fire characteristics | ||
| Bullets initial speed | 850 m/s | 850 m/s |
| Rate of fire | 700 rpm | 700 rpm |
| Practical rate of fire | 40 - 100 rpm | 40 - 100 rpm |
| Magazine capacity | 20, 30 rounds | 20 rounds |
| Sighting range | 600 m | 600 m |
|
The FN FAL Automatic Rifle
developed by the Belgium company "Fabrique Nationale" was
intended as a main infantry rifle. The name FAL is translated as a
"Fusil Automatique Legere" or light automatic rifle. The rifle
itself was designed until the beginning of the Second World War for 7 x 43
mm (.280) intermediate British cartridge and in 1953 it was only chambered
for the standard NATO 7.62 x 51 mm (.308 Win) cartridge.
Weapons mass production began in 1958. Furthermore at the same time automatic rifle entered service with the Belgium Army. This rifle recommended oneself well and is used by the United Kingdom, Norway, Brazil, South African Republic and a number of other countries. In a number of countries this automatic rifle with a slight improvements was built under license. At the moment the rifle is produced only in Brazil and in USA (last mentioned for commercial use only). The FN FAL became one of the most widespread and popular rifles of the world with the M16 and the AK rifle families. Rifle automatic is based on the gas returning principle threw the adjustable opening in the barrel wall. Trigger mechanism executes single and automatic fire. A safety-lock is a fire mode changer at once. The FN FAL Automatic Rifle can be fitted with a bayonet which is connected on a special device. Rifle can be used to fire rifle-grenades mounted on a long flash-hider. Firing a rifle-grenade the gas chamber is closed by a gas adjuster. FN FAL is fitted with a raised buttstock which decreases recoil power and weapon's tossing in vertical plane. This feature increases a fire accuracy as well. Over the mass center the rifle has additional carrying handle.
The Rifle is produced with a light or a heavy barrels. The heavy-barrel one is fitted with a detachable bipod to increase weapons stability and fire accuracy both. This variant of the FN FAL Automatic Rifle can play a role as a light machine gun. These variants are fed from a 30 rounds magazines. However both magazines can be used with the standard FAL Automatic Rifle. In the year 1964 there was developed the FN FAL Automatic Rifle variant intended for airborne troops. It had folding metal frame buttstock instead of the fixed wooden one and a shorter barrel. There was one more variant with the same folding metal frame buttstock but with the usual length barrel also intended for the airborne troops. Advantages This rifle features comfort and a good fire accuracy. It can fire rifle grenades. 20 round magazine allows shooter to take better position on the ground. Disadvantages The most significant disadvantage is a capricious internal mechanisms which need usual cleaning as usually failures are caused by dust or sand inside the mechanisms or the barrel channel. |
The FN FAL Automatic Rifle was fitted with a 20 round magazines. A
dioptrical opened adjustable sight is placed as a standard. it's muzzle
sight is placed on the gas chamber instead the flash-hider. This feature
allowed to use a rifle grenades.