280 British (7x43mm) caliber intermediate cartridge. After testing this prototype in 1948, the British Army urged FN to build additional prototypes, including one in bullpup configuration, chambered for their new. It was designed to fire the intermediate 7.92×33mm Kurz cartridge developed and used by the forces of Germany during World War II with the Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle. In 1946, the first FAL prototype was completed. The British Commonwealth variant of the FAL was redesigned from FN's metrical FAL into British imperial units and was produced under licence as the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle. It is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO (although originally designed for the intermediate.
Because of its prevalence and widespread usage among the militaries of many NATO and first world countries during the Cold War, it received the title "The right arm of the Free World". It is one of the most widely used rifles in history, having been used by more than 90 countries. The FAL (an acronym in French for Fusil Automatique Léger (translated in English: Light Automatic Rifle)) is a battle rifle designed by Belgian small arms designer Dieudonné Saive and manufactured by FN Herstal (or simply known as FN).ĭuring 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. Ramped aperture rear sight (adjustable from 200 to 600 m/yd in 100 m/yd increments) 50-round drum magazines are also available. Short-stroke gas piston, tilting breechblock A standard FAL (50.00 model) produced by FNġ953–present (Production by FN stopped in 1988)