The most famous among the various small arms was the Kalashnikov assault rifle. Many wars and armed conflicts did not pass without the participation of the product of the Russian designer. According to experts, the machine was used on almost all continents. In addition to the AK, the American M16 automatic rifle is also often mentioned, which, according to experts, is unfair, since there are other equally effective rifle models. One of them is the Belgian FN FAL rifle. According to experts, it was this rifle unit, and not the M16, that in the 20th century competed with the legendary AK. Information about the history of creation, device, modifications and technical characteristics of the FN FAL automatic rifle can be found in this article.
Beginning of work on Belgian weapons
During the Second World War, the military of most countries recognized the high efficiency of automatic weapons. In the post-war period, intensive rearmament began in the armies, since submachine guns are no longercorresponded to the needs of army units. This is due to the fact that automatic rifles are characterized by low accuracy when firing bursts and limited ammunition. Otherwise, the rifle would be too heavy and uncomfortable to carry. The Germans solved this problem with the help of a specially created intermediate cartridge. The power of this ammunition and the dimensions are greater than that of a pistol, but less than a rifle.
Soon the idea to use a similar class of cartridges was adopted by gunsmiths in other states. Belgium did not stand aside either. In 1946, the designers of the Belgian company FN Herstal in the city of Erstal began to create a new automatic rifle, which in the history of weapons became known as the FN FAL submachine gun.
About Design
The creation of the FN FAL rifle was carried out under the leadership of chief engineers Dieudonné Seva and Ernest Vervier. At the same time, work was underway on alternative options that could be equipped with the German intermediate cartridge 7.92 by 33 mm and standard rifle ammunition. They also designed a new rifle chambered for the English cartridge 7 x 43 mm. In 1949 the third version was ready. A year later, the weapons were tested in the United States. The advantages of Belgian weapons were recognized by the Americans, but the idea with an intermediate cartridge was refuted. Instead, the American gunsmiths offered their own development - T65 ammunition. Today, this cartridge in the technical documentation is listed as 7, 62 x 51 mm NATO sample.
According to experts,there is an assumption that unofficially between NATO member countries and the United States there was an agreement according to which the Europeans bought American ammunition, and in return they adopted the Belgian FN FAL. Whether this is actually the case is unknown. However, if there was such an agreement, the United States did not fulfill its promises, since in 1957 the American infantry received M14 rifles.
Result
The FN FAL weapons work was completed in 1953. The rifle unit was completely ready for mass production. The first state to adopt the FN FAL rifle in 1955 was Canada. There, the weapon was listed as C1. In Belgium, the soldiers received this rifle model in 1956. A year later, FN FAL rifles were delivered to England. There, the Belgian-made weapon was listed as L1 SLR. Rifles in Austria since 1958. There they were renamed Sturmgewehr 58.
In accordance with NATO standards, the FN FAL weapon contains a muzzle brake and uses standard rifle grenades.
Description
The Belgian rifle consists of the following main parts:
- Barrel and receiver.
- Shutter.
- Trigger.
- Vapor tube containing the gas piston.
- Reload handle.
- App.
- Shop.
The stock consists of a forearm and buttstock. There are two cheeks in the forearm, with the help of which the gas outlet tube is closed in front. The design of this rifle model is made according to a breaking pattern, namely, the receiver and trigger are connectedthrough a hinge. The classic rifle is equipped with a special carrying handle.
From 1964 to 1965 fittings were made from wood. Later, plastic was used as a material, making the production process easier and cheaper. Later examples began to be equipped with Weaver and Picatinny rails.
Device
The FN FAL rifle uses the removal of powder gases with a short stroke of the above-barrel gas piston. The SVT-40 and SAFN-49 rifles had a similar design. The gas piston is equipped with its own return spring. A gas chamber was also placed above the barrel. Thanks to the regulator built into it, the shooter has the opportunity to independently control the movement of powder gases through special openings, depending on operating conditions.
If rifle grenades are used, the escape of gases can be completely blocked. To do this, it is enough to close the holes in the chamber through which gases escape into the atmosphere. The barrel channel is locked with the help of a longitudinally sliding bolt, which, warping vertically, shifts down and is fixed by a special ledge in the bottom of the receiver.
The back of the frame was equipped with inclined protrusions, which provide for raising the shutter, therefore, unlocking the barrel channel. The location of the shutter was a massive shutter frame. After each shot, it is affected by a gas piston, which is responsible for compressionreturn spring. In modifications, it was placed in a fixed butt. It acts on the bolt frame with a long narrow shank. Such a device is typical for rifle units, which provide for the fixation of butts. If they are folding, then the cover of the receiver became the place of the spring. In this case, it directly interacts with the frame, which was somewhat modified for this purpose.
The return mechanism was mounted in a metal tube. It is represented by two springs with different windings and located closely to each other. A handle for reloading was installed on the left side of the box. Her task is to take the shutter back. It is pushed forward by return springs. If its closure was not complete, then it is not possible to move it forward by making an effort for this. After using up all the ammunition in the store, the shutter remains open. In this position, it is held by a special protrusion of the feeder in the cage. Photo FN FAL presented in the article.
USM
According to experts, the Belgian rifle contains a simple and reliable trigger mechanism. It is used as a template for the design of later rifle models. USM placed in a separate unit, which has a pistol grip, butt plate box and the mechanism itself. With the help of hinges, the block is connected to the bottom of the receiver. The trigger-type trigger contains a separate mainspring and a rotating trigger. It is adapted for single and automatic fire. ViaThe self-timer prevents shooting if the shutter is open. On the left side of the receiver there is a place for the mode translator.
About ammunition supply
Detachable magazines for 20 and 30 rounds have been developed for the FN FAL assault rifle. They are fed into the chamber by a special pusher.
Clips of 30 rounds are of two types:
- straight lines, which are considered standard,
- curved, like the horns of a Kalashnikov assault rifle.
According to weapons experts, you can equip the L1A1 with a Belgian machine gun magazine, but not vice versa. This is due to the fact that during the production of FN FAL, the front hooks of the clips are stamped, and they are smaller. In L1A1, the toes are made as separate parts and are more massive. Given the size of these hooks, grooves are made in the shafts of the store receivers.
About sights
According to experts, different modifications of the FN FAL are equipped with different aiming aids. Most models have a diopter rear sight. In addition, the front sight is traditionally located in front of the gas outlet. In the original rifle copy, the sights are designed for a distance of 200-600 m. In order to make the rifle effective in a variety of conditions, the Belgian developers equipped the front sight of the weapon with a special backlight, which is a luminous dot.
About optical installation
Optical (day, night, thermal and electronic) sightsmounted on the gun using a special bracket, for which, in accordance with the STANAG standard, a two-point attachment is provided. Brackets are produced together with the receiver cover as a single unit. To equip the rifle with optics, it is enough for the shooter to dismantle the standard cover, and in its place put a similar product, but with a bracket. In rifles with folding butts, the brackets are deployed in the other direction. Also, Picatinny and Weaver rails are used for mounting sights. These products are special adapters.
In an effort to make mounting optics easier, gun commerce firms have been manufacturing milled aluminum receiver covers with slats already installed. Judging by the numerous reviews, due to this design, the height of the sight has been significantly reduced.
About specifications
The model has the following specifications:
- The total length of the rifle is 109 cm, the barrel is 53.3 cm.
- The weapon weighs no more than 4.3 kg.
- Caliber FN FAL - 7, 62 mm.
- Shooting is carried out with NATO-style cartridges 7, 62 x 51 mm.
- The barrel is equipped with four right-hand rifling.
- Automatic detachable box magazines hold 20 and 30 rounds.
- A Belgian rifle can fire 650 to 700 shots in one minute.
- The aiming range is 650 m.
- The bullet moves towards the target with an initial speed of 823 m/s.
- The rifle is equipped with a standard dioptersight.
About modifications
The Belgian rifle (French fusil automatique leger) served as the basis for the design of new rifle models:
- FN FAL 50.00. It is a standard rifle with a non-folding stock.
- 50.64. The model has a folding stock.
- 50.63. Rifle unit with a shortened barrel and a folding metal butt. The weapon is used by airborne troops.
- 50.41. This rifle unit is a light machine gun with a folding bipod, an elongated and weighted barrel.
- FN CAL. It is considered the first European assault rifle to use 5.56 x 45 mm cartridges.
- Steyr Stg.58. Structurally similar to the 50.00 model, but with a modified forearm and stock. Country of origin - Austria.
- IMBEL LAR. The weapon is designed in Brazil based on a Belgian rifle.
- DSA-58OSW. It is a shortened FN FAL. There are Picatinny rails from the American company DS Arms. Designed specifically for police officers. According to experts, today this sample is considered the most common on the US arms market.
- С1. The rifle was developed by Canadian gunsmiths based on the FN FAL design. It differs from the Belgian rifle unit by a modified butt and sights.
About the advantages and disadvantages
According to experts, the rifle has a high accuracy of combat from a distance of up to 1 thousand meters. This figure is noticeably reduced if the translatorfire to transfer from single shooting to firing bursts. The high lethality of the 7.62 x 51 mm NATO ammunition was also highly appreciated. A cartridge with a stable and heavy bullet. The shooter may not be afraid that as a result of contact with foliage or branches, the projectile will change its flight path. Judging by the reviews, it is easy to hit targets wearing body armor with such ammunition. However, the Belgian machine clogs easily.
In conclusion
The Belgian FN FAL rifle has established itself as a reliable and unpretentious small arms. For this reason, the high popularity of this model in the world is explained. The automatic rifle is mass-produced in the United States and Brazil to this day.
