FN FAL
| FAL | |
|---|---|
A standard FAL (50.00 model) produced by FN | |
| Type | Battle rifle |
| Place of origin | Belgium |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1953–present |
| Used by | 90+ countries (See Users) |
| Wars | See Conflicts |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Dieudonné Saive |
| Designed | 1947–53 |
| Manufacturer | |
| Produced | 1953–1988 (FN Herstal) 1953–present (licensed manufacturers) |
| No. built | 7,000,000 |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications (FAL 50) | |
| Mass | 4.25 kg (9.4 lb) |
| Length | 1,090 mm (43 in) |
| Barrel length | 533 mm (21.0 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO .280 British |
| Action | Short-stroke gas piston, closed tilting breechblock |
| Rate of fire | 650–700 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 840 m/s (2,755.9 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 1000 meters |
| Feed system | 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine, 50-round drum magazine. |
| Sights |
|
The FAL (French: Fusil Automatique Léger, English: Light Automatic Rifle) is a battle rifle designed in Belgium by Dieudonné Saive and manufactured by FN Herstal and others since 1953.
During the Cold War the FAL was adopted by many countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), with the notable exception of the United States. It is one of the most widely used rifles in history, having been used by more than 90 countries. It received the title "the right arm of the free world" from its adoption by many countries that identified as part of free world. It is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO, although originally designed for the intermediate .280 British.
A license-built version of the FAL was produced and adopted by the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth as the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle.