@@bennycheca9426 no doubt,it's a terrific rifle in all ways,accuracy, handling, easy usage, bit large length wise but goods power and accuracy squaddie u know prefers itbto whatever replaced it.Ub UK had semi auto version but could turn to auto with a lolly stick(allegedly)But stopping power and semi auto was enough for performance so full auto not really needed
I live in Belgium, near a military base I can recognize the sound of a FAL as if its second nature. I remember as a kid we used to hear them all day every day.
An old work buddy of mine was a captain in the Indian army, and did combat time in Sri Lanka. His units were all equipped with FALs. Most were semi-auto but he had 40-50 automatics. In the rush before deployment, he had almost all of the semis converted to full auto. This was fine, but when his companies made it to the line, he found that he had to bring half of all his reserve rifles forward so that each soldier an the front of his attack had at least three rifles at the ready. It wasn't because of failures, rather it was because after a half dozen mags of auto fire, the barrels of most of his rifles would begin to glow faintly red and whip enough to affect accuracy at distance. A fresh rifle needed to be available to resume fire while the most recently fired gun was allowed to cool, with the soldier picking up and resuming fire with the coolest rifle available. He loved the FAL and how durable and dependable they were. I have a CETME, but I've always wanted a FAL, for many reasons but for that story in particular.
interesting story. As a Sri Lankan myself, what I heard was that Sri Lankan army SLR were mostly Australian built ones. Later briefly replaced with FN FNC 5.56 but didn't fully adopted. Ultimately adopting AK serious as things went really bad. Presently bulk of the army using AK pattern rifles, mostly Chinese Type 56 variations.
Erravan Erravan Damn straight. During my time at singo they renovated the infantry museum and let my section have a range day with all the previous service weapons. Owen gun and slur were a favourite of mine
I was gutted when I found out I was losing my SLR and changing to the SA80. I did my marksman qualification with the SLR, great rifle for reaching out to targets who thought they were safe.
Hi Ian, I used a SLR fully automatic in Vietnam, all my regiment did, SAS (Australian) light barrel, we cut off the flash suppressor, cut off the handle, put another pistol grip under the barrel, used 2 30 round magazines taped together (either upside down or wedged apart), it wasn’t unusual to put 200 to 300 rounds through the weapon at a time in rehearsals or actual contact. In rehearsals I. Usually had the gas on mid range in rehearsals but when in the bush dialled it way up (bad recoil though) to avoid bad feeds or ejection in combat. Lousy accuracy but 99% of our contacts were under 50 metres.
What was the reasoning for removing the flash hider? I imagine it made the weapon more nimble but wouldn't it also have made your positions easier for the enemy to spot especially in low light conditions?
In the Falkland's War (1982) FAL fought against FAL! Also, this G series Rifle is literally the SLR mythic Unicorn of my Dream Collection! Thank you Ian! IN NZ we LOVED our SLR's!
One of my favourite rifle types having served in the Australian Army all through the 80's, the L1A1 (SLR) made at the Lithgow Arms Factory was our main infantry weapon, even though it was a little on the heavy side it was robust, reliable, accurate and hard hitting, qualities that have proven themselves in several combat situations in Malaya and South East Asia.
"It and the HK G3 are the two most prevalent 7.62 NATO combat rifles ever used in the world." Meanwhile, the M14 is crying, while the M1 Garand comforts it.
Great weapon ... 8 years in the Irish defence forces ... used it in Ireland and Middle East... Great stopping power and very accurate on iron sights out to +300 yards ... Great memories 👌
I do NEED something like this! Sadly no way could I ever afford to pay for that. Probably like one whole years worth of paychecks for a rifle I could only dream about shooting. Seriously thanks for showing this beauty Ian, it really is a gorgeous rifle!
@@tomnaughton This argument that the government has all these scary weapons is so stupid for many reasons. “We don’t stand a chance against a government with tanks, jets, nukes, etc.” ok the Middle East and Vietnam would like a word. Where are they gonna drop nerve gas and nukes? Where will they roll tanks down? Where will they air strike? A city, town, State? Kinda sounds like a war crime but ok whatever…
The Right Arm of the Free World! They were the service arm of my country for several decades. Unfortunately I can never own one as they are deemed prohibited and banned. If you had one before the ban came in you were allowed to keep it but it could never be taken to the range and shot. This is Canada. Always wanted one but can never own one.
Good vid! The FAL is still the best 7.62 rifle ever made, IMHO, I've owned an FN, a SAR 48 and I currently own a DSA basic FAL, and they all shoot phenomenally well. I love the wood on the G you showed.
Beautiful rifles and amazing to shoot. The "fca" still used them when I was a member (the Irish reserve defence forces). Of course it was the standard FN 7.62 with all the plastic grips and grenade launcher muzzle and all that stuff. But damn I loves those rifles. Never would they malfunction and if you were a good shot they were deadly accurate. Thanks for the video
Around 7:08, your french-language pronunciation seems to be improving every new video! If I close my eyes, you could totally be a frenchie (like me) speaking! With just one little ultimate exception remaining: the final S of "armes" is mute actually... but close enough! :D Thanks for another cool and interesting video, Ian!
Beautiful condition and wonderful wood. Someone loved that rifle. I love the FAL- too bad there are only 1836 of these out there. The DSA's are nice and all, but nothing beats the original. Great video as always. Thank you
As a young SA Police trainee in 1979, I received a FN in very much the similar pattern-the forehand grip was dark grey plastic. Its serial number was 9766 and it was in immaculate condition. I had the sights zeroed and lightened the trigger pull. In the early 2000's all the FNs/R1 7.62mm rifles were withdrawn from service and supposedly destroyed
This was my gun. There were many like it, but this one was mine. My rifle was my best friend... etc. It was the main rifle for Dutch Airforce security personel for many many years. The only thing I don't seem to remember is the rear sight. Looks adjustable on this version. It wasn't adjustable on my gun. Love that wooden grip b.t.w.
Love your work, Ian. You channel reminds me of Antiques Roadshow a little bit but instead of some boring dolls or a dining set, its all guns, all the time.
I have a G series with plastic stock and grips and metal bipod. Bought in early 80’s I think and have ran many thousands of rounds thru it. Crazy accurate and rarely any problems
Ya, there is some machining required to the receiver and the auto sear block... All the STG58 kits I got had the auto sear block included... But, yes , they wont work in simi auto receivers... From my 50.53 post: What a gem, nice piece of kit.... Back in the 90's when they were dumping TONS of FAL inch and metric kits me and a buddy built, well lots... On Imbel receivers... We did not compromise Stripped them ALL to every single screw and spring, sandblasted, had a hot parkerizing set up... Kept for myself one of the best kits, a 1969 Austrian STG58, still my favorite rifle in my collection. When my father comes to visit and we go to the range he always asks to take the FAL...Ive shot a FAL folder, and an HK91 folder, they're kinda brutal,,, LOL... If you want a FAL, go to DSA!!!!
Hello old friend. FN FAL was my issue rifle when I was in the cdn reserves. This is pretty much my issue rifle as the C1 was semi auto with wood furniture ( darker wood in my remembrance ) . The C2 was the heavy barrel with the bipod foregrip and the 30 round magazine.
The FN Fal we had in the Dutch army did fire full auto when you removed the selector. Firing it full auto was pretty impressive, but accuracy went completly out the window.
I love the L1A1/FN FAL, but I think the SA80 (when it was fixed to work properly) is a better all round combat rifle to be honest. You can carry much more ammo, it is full auto, compact, lighter and just as accurate. The 7.62 by 51 is more powerful than the 5.56, but in most combat scenarios you want more rounds than fewer (but slightly more powerful) rounds. And that is one of the main reasons the US adopted the AR/M16 platform over the M14.
I remember seeing quite a few f.a.l's at my local Cabela's when i was just a kid. They always caught my eye and i'd ask my dad to pull one out so i could look at it everytime we went. So cool to know how they got imported now. Makes me want to save up money and buy one now that i can.
My first L1A1 SLR was a wood version. We couldnt wait to have them sent away for refurb......great battle rifle that I would choose over an AR15 any day. The British version could be jigged to fire full auto, by popping out the safty and releasing the stop, but as ian said not reliable and not advisable, but it does work......it could be used as an emergency AAAD solution.
Matthew Dobbs or the match in the sear. Or get a selector from a L2A2. We had them with rounded or triangulated guards like this one on the older ones. The triandulated guards were better for drill I found. Did the Brit version have a larger trigger guard in the pistol grip. Ours did you undid a screw flipped it about voila a larger trigger guard so you could operate with gloves on. I'm guessing yours didnt as most Brit L1A1 I've seen in clips had fibreglass pistolgrip like this one. Although I have seen wooden sided ones on clips from Malaya. The only fibreglass we got on ours was the carrying handle. Loved that rifle. Owned one privately untill 97 when they banned them
Just be aware that the "matchstick trick' can result in a runaway emptying the magazine in one burst with the barrel climbing up into the sky: allegedly. Don't do it. Even less desirably with the L4 30 round magazine. BTW (and you were a naughty soldier if you used one) the 30 round L4 magazine made a passable monopod. Handy in my day that the ammunition pouches were made to carry the 30 round L4 LMG magazines. We were using wooden ones in the 1970's but had to replace them with the plastic ones and burn all the wood (some lovely heartwood walnut). 'One hit, stays hit'. Semi auto did everything that could be usefully done.
Best channel on YT !! At last someone whom can deliver an interesting subject. I can still feel that gas reg of the FAL in my hand on freezing morings on parade. Fingers frozen to the point of no feeling & terrified i would drop it from not being able to feel it
From the first of your postings,you Ian always possessed an excellent delivery,that is timing and pacing.And of course the content. It occurs to me to say way to go. You mentioned being long winded. Do not concern yourself in this regard. I never found in any of your postings a feeling of just waiting till something good shows up. Quite the contrary,I enjoy every one precisely because you have done your homework and come up with terrific content. Exactly when you said long winded is exactly when I was thinking I knew a thing or two about the FN rifle. Turns out a lot less than you do. That very detail you added was precisely why your channel is so popular. Well done and your choice to include Karl just added to the opinions and content. Cheers.
The best FAL ever made. The British used a similer version as the L1A1 SLR. I'm a major fan of the FAL and was sad when I learned that it was ditched for the L85. I like the L85 but the SLR was better and of course, woodwork on a gun like the SLR is a massive bonus.
Oh thanks heaps I just love this rifle it was a pleasure to use and felt like real machinery in your hand but this one has some different things like the carrier was different but who cares brought back heaps of memories first issued mine in Apr 1968 yep 50 years ago the stubby little bayonet was a good weight as well thanks again oh wow
In Australia we used a piece of string to make our L1A1 or SLRs full auto. They were made semin auto only trust diggers to find a axwork around. Respect from Australia
I am kind of confused by the fact that you cannot rotate the selector all the way to the A mark (6:55 in the video), yet the grip and the receiver are scratched up as if the selector was rotated all the way to A quite often. Can anyone please explain this to me?
I have a "Century" built L1A1 with a Lithgow parts kit and all wood furniture. I have to say it is extremely smooth to shoot and balanced. For me the recoil feels about the same with an AKM or an SKS.
"If you're looking for shooter this ain't it." If I had the cash for a G series FAL I'd still shoot it. I don't believe in not shooting guns no matter how collectible. I wouldn't abuse it or run it into the ground because I have an 18" DSA SA58 for that, but I would definitely shoot it. Great video as always Ian!
Carried the FNC1 (with wood furniture) throughout my Basic Officer Training Course in the Canadian Forces. Heavy, but solid, and the 7.62x51 round packs a comparative whallop over 5.56x45. Ours were pretty worn by that point, but I'd sure love to own one now in good condition. We were among the very last courses to carry them, as the operational units had already begun switching over to the C7A1 at that point, and by the time I got to my operational unit, the FNs were long gone. The FNC1s are prohibited in Canada to civilians, naturally. So that won't be happening....
Used the SLR L1A1 as a reservist with the Australian Army Reserves in the early 80's loved the rifle, bulls eyes at 300m, the Aussie version has a folding cocking handle that didn't foul up in your webbing
In the Canadian Armed Forces, I carried both the FN FAL in semi automatic and full automatic. We called them FN-C1A1 and FN-C1A2. The full auto version did had a heavy barrel, a bipod, and a larger capacity, (30 round) magazine.
My uncle was in the Canadian army in the 70s, he used to carry a FN C1 I believe - the semi auto variant. I heard alot of good things about it. I really wish one day I get to fire one!
Lord Arther I get what you guys are trying to say by it being ready. During its “intended time” the FAL and most variants were used in small scale conflicts and proxy wars. Vietnam, Falklands, Rhodesia etc.
You know I really think an added bonus to your channel just like a bunch of collectors if you would publish the price that these weapons sold for I think would be awesome,,, just like any auction you can go back and see what the lot number sold for so a person can better their skills and appraising these things,,,,, the average guy I passed up that exact gun with the Providence of the paperwork in the manuals complete with the cut and paste I'm talking paper and glue on the manual for 3500 in 2013 at Cabela's in Arizona God I wish I would have bought it
They just don't build beautiful firearms like that anymore. My dad was a tool & die maker and I got to see how 1 man can build a piece of art out of metal and wood
I have a early G1 metric FAL that has a wood stock and pistol grip. The FAL was part of an estate sale and was never fired then it's in incredible shape. Starting to research it's history on the very unusual flash suppressor that has a large spring clip holding it on.
The G series also had a lightweight version with aluminum lower. You can tell quickly by looking at the rifle serial number will be marked on grip instead of being stamped on the lower.
Oddly enough ,when I was in the South African military in the late 70's ,everyone wanted a bakelite stock FAL or R1. The carrying handles were cut off . Nobody used it and I guess it wasn't cool. The rifle was heavy but one gets used to it. If you grabbed it just in front of the magazine,it was perfectly balanced in your hands. To this day do they cull elephants with it. It stopping power is phenomenal.
If your army was anything like ours, they had a pathological dislike of slings and carry handles. neither were to be used under any circumstance I can remember. :)
Interesting to hear state that the semi-auto FALs will not fire in full auto, with the selector filed down. Because during my time in the Royal Dutch Army, we regularly removed the fire selector during (MILES) excersizes, and they went full auto without a hitch. We even snuck a few mags of rounds in full auto this way during range days. Never had a single hickup even once doing this, although the barrels tended to get ridiculously hot. The guys with metal foregrips didn't like it, as they would invariably burn their hands... So; were our versions different from this G-series internally, or was the story as told by FN to those US agencies bogus?
When I was in the New Zealand army we had the L1A1 SLR as our personal weapon manufactured in Australia at the Lithgow Arsenal (firearms.net.au/military/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77&Itemid=112). If automatic fire was required we still had the good old British Bren gun (still in some cases taking 303 ammo as they were being converted to 308) or a belt fed machine gun a British Browning 1919 variant using 303 ammo until they were converted to 7.62 NATO. We were issued M16's at the time of the Viet Nam conflict but I still preferred my heavy old SLR it was a great weapon easy to strip and fire and really accurate over even long distances. Often we would hear gossip about filing down the pin that stopped the fire selector being turned to full auto but I never saw it done and if you did upon being discovered it meant a rapid and LONG trip to our military prison. I was our company gunner and loved the 1919, the bren and my SLR I detested the M16 which we dubbed as the Tonka Toy due to it's plastic constructed parts and lightweight construction with 5.56 ammo. In bush or scrub the flash would snag on twigs etc, they fouled quickly needed constant cleaning, the magazine often would drop out when you closed the cover, if you had a hold up or misfire you had no way to forward assist by moving the bolt etc etc etc...
moonlightdelights Hi, I checked out the Papakura armoury in 1971 and got one of my grunts to start cleaning the weapons and forgot to warn him that the Stens were so old that you could cut your fingers on the straight edges. I had a chance to buy a surplus SLR but they were so worn out that the hinges were loose and the rifle went out of aim due to the back sight being on the stock. I bought a couple of 303’s instead for old times sake at $10 each! Harera.....
Close but not quite I was for a short time but then I transferred to RNZEME as a electrical craftsman my knuckles were getting a bit sore and I liked the Blue beret better...
lol yes the old pressed metal Stens not a bad old weapon I trained with the old banana magazine Stirling sub machine guns you could empty a whole mag at 30ft and not get more than one hole in a full size silhouette target but I would be filling my pants if I was standing in front of one going off.
A wood stocked FAl... That's strait up dead sexy.
A lot of British army issue ones were wood,some were some weren't.
geoff edwards either way wood stock or not the FAL is the sexiest gun ever imo
@@bennycheca9426 no doubt,it's a terrific rifle in all ways,accuracy, handling, easy usage, bit large length wise but goods power and accuracy squaddie u know prefers itbto whatever replaced it.Ub UK had semi auto version but could turn to auto with a lolly stick(allegedly)But stopping power and semi auto was enough for performance so full auto not really needed
Matte black plastic is pretty good too (depending on model of the mold) some of the wood foregrips are fugly looking at you Israel
geoff edwards
Dam right it’s a gorgeous gun though gotta day the wooden slr version looks better
I live in Belgium, near a military base
I can recognize the sound of a FAL as if its second nature.
I remember as a kid we used to hear them all day every day.
I live in America.
I hear guns at school everyday.
@@Skeletor_the_Bigg What school in America do you go to?
@@leonardwei3914 the one that’s used for making jokes about American schools being shooting ranges
@@Skeletor_the_Bigg Oh I see. You were just making a terrible joke in response to a comment that never mentioned schools. Got it.
@leonardwei3914 ..its sarcasm..but it's probably a true statement so is it really sarcasm then?
An old work buddy of mine was a captain in the Indian army, and did combat time in Sri Lanka. His units were all equipped with FALs. Most were semi-auto but he had 40-50 automatics. In the rush before deployment, he had almost all of the semis converted to full auto. This was fine, but when his companies made it to the line, he found that he had to bring half of all his reserve rifles forward so that each soldier an the front of his attack had at least three rifles at the ready. It wasn't because of failures, rather it was because after a half dozen mags of auto fire, the barrels of most of his rifles would begin to glow faintly red and whip enough to affect accuracy at distance. A fresh rifle needed to be available to resume fire while the most recently fired gun was allowed to cool, with the soldier picking up and resuming fire with the coolest rifle available. He loved the FAL and how durable and dependable they were. I have a CETME, but I've always wanted a FAL, for many reasons but for that story in particular.
interesting story. As a Sri Lankan myself, what I heard was that Sri Lankan army SLR were mostly Australian built ones. Later briefly replaced with FN FNC 5.56 but didn't fully adopted. Ultimately adopting AK serious as things went really bad. Presently bulk of the army using AK pattern rifles, mostly Chinese Type 56 variations.
Randy Novick My father carried the FN during his tours never let him down best battle rifle ever devised.
These Indian made FALs were inch pattern and inferior to the Belgian originals.
Erravan Erravan Damn straight. During my time at singo they renovated the infantry museum and let my section have a range day with all the previous service weapons. Owen gun and slur were a favourite of mine
@Bogy 1 Kinoby since it's 7.62x51 it's even better if you just single tap on semi
I was gutted when I found out I was losing my SLR and changing to the SA80. I did my marksman qualification with the SLR, great rifle for reaching out to targets who thought they were safe.
Hi Ian, I used a SLR fully automatic in Vietnam, all my regiment did, SAS (Australian) light barrel, we cut off the flash suppressor, cut off the handle, put another pistol grip under the barrel, used 2 30 round magazines taped together (either upside down or wedged apart), it wasn’t unusual to put 200 to 300 rounds through the weapon at a time in rehearsals or actual contact. In rehearsals I. Usually had the gas on mid range in rehearsals but when in the bush dialled it way up (bad recoil though) to avoid bad feeds or ejection in combat. Lousy accuracy but 99% of our contacts were under 50 metres.
What was the reasoning for removing the flash hider? I imagine it made the weapon more nimble but wouldn't it also have made your positions easier for the enemy to spot especially in low light conditions?
In the Falkland's War (1982) FAL fought against FAL!
Also, this G series Rifle is literally the SLR mythic Unicorn of my Dream Collection!
Thank you Ian!
IN NZ we LOVED our SLR's!
-Dad, why is my sister's name Rose?
-Because your mother loves roses
-Thanks dad!
-No problem FN-FAL G-Series
Lmao
Old meme, but still funny
😂
XD
My name is actually Rose tho its a name i chose myself
Gun that just cries out....put me in a dedicated oak and glass case. Just stand there admire it while you take your other FAL out to the range. :)
Yeah, I think I will have to settle for one of those rebuilt ex-Israeli fals for shooting.
Fal won't like sidebitch fal
Only fire me on your deathbed!
no safe queens.... i stretch the legs on mine from time to time
@brianreddeman951 rifle* not gun. You must be American.
One of my favourite rifle types having served in the Australian Army all through the 80's, the L1A1 (SLR) made at the Lithgow Arms Factory was our main infantry weapon, even though it was a little on the heavy side it was robust, reliable, accurate and hard hitting, qualities that have proven themselves in several combat situations in Malaya and South East Asia.
I'm sooo glad that FN decided to keep the "A" marking on the receiver/selector lever.
"It and the HK G3 are the two most prevalent 7.62 NATO combat rifles ever used in the world."
Meanwhile, the M14 is crying, while the M1 Garand comforts it.
The M14 barely deserved to exist. It should have been the AR10.
@@billmcyrus fuck yeah... .308 all the way
M1 was in 30-06 not 7.62 nato
M14 is a joke compared to an FAL or G3. Far superior firearms in everyway.
@@billmcyrus AR-47.
Yes! My favorite rifle, from Argentina, to the UK to Israel and India, truly an astounding firearm!
Salokin you didn't mention the country that invented this- Belgium
Stg.58!
Salokin
Will you consider making of video about FAL portrayal in vidya?
Salokin you forgot Australia and NZ. Australia supplied NZ
they made a mod on the bolt carrier that dumped sand and egypt and a couple others adopted it after that
My first FAL was a G model from Germany, wonderful rifle. Heavy, but extremely slick to shoot for a gun of its age.
The right arm of the free world!
Potatoe
Relayzy1 and....... that was dan quail.
And you're the right arm of the military-industrial complex, Georgie boy...
+Luko Hevia You spelled ZOG wrong.
I call it the Zimb-Away.
Ian, NONE complain when you are “getting long-winded”. We hang on every word... and enjoy soaking in your knowledge!
I used the FAL FN during my military duty back in 1986 (Belgium)..it really was an awesome weapon..
Great weapon ... 8 years in the Irish defence forces ... used it in Ireland and Middle East... Great stopping power and very accurate on iron sights out to +300 yards ... Great memories 👌
Great lighting, very pleasing for the eye. Keep it up!
I'm a G3 fan... but this is awesome :)
I do NEED something like this! Sadly no way could I ever afford to pay for that. Probably like one whole years worth of paychecks for a rifle I could only dream about shooting. Seriously thanks for showing this beauty Ian, it really is a gorgeous rifle!
Amazing condition gun and nice wood furniture. Hopefully next time you run into a FAL you can disassemble it for us.
Teach me your timelord ways
dudesqr Patreon, that's how you gain access to Ian's time machine
We got these in basic training 30 yrs ago in Australia. 3 months only. I could still dissaemble and assemble it blindfolded lol
Cat I think he's already done that for the SLR and the G3.
Nobody tell the ATF about the matchstick truck with wooden furniture SLR’s
God I love the FAL. The ATF I'm less enthusiastic about.
Shall not be infringed
@@moritamikamikara3879 I love guns too, but the government has tanks, jets, drones, and VX nerve gas. So we don’t stand a chance against them lol
@@tomnaughton This argument that the government has all these scary weapons is so stupid for many reasons. “We don’t stand a chance against a government with tanks, jets, nukes, etc.” ok the Middle East and Vietnam would like a word. Where are they gonna drop nerve gas and nukes? Where will they roll tanks down? Where will they air strike? A city, town, State? Kinda sounds like a war crime but ok whatever…
@@tomnaughton tell that to the 1970s Vietnamese
@@tomnaughton Okay, who cares? 2nd Amendment applies to those too, just haven't gotten around to those yet.
I love when you said "this is up for sell". It's sound wonderful.
The Right Arm of the Free World! They were the service arm of my country for several decades. Unfortunately I can never own one as they are deemed prohibited and banned. If you had one before the ban came in you were allowed to keep it but it could never be taken to the range and shot. This is Canada.
Always wanted one but can never own one.
We weren't even allowed the 'courtesy' of continued ownership. This used to be Australia.
Good vid! The FAL is still the best 7.62 rifle ever made, IMHO, I've owned an FN, a SAR 48 and I currently own a DSA basic FAL, and they all shoot phenomenally well. I love the wood on the G you showed.
Happy 700,000 Subscribers!
That is such a beautiful gun
"They needed a semi-auto version that wouldn't trigger the NFA" LOL
The nfa is touchier about getting triggered than a snowflake.
I would like but you have 69 likes
@@mattlevine3201 I didn't even know
Scott Kenny the snowflake joke is old and unfunny. You could at least make up something interesting
@@singularkakapo still funny just not as
Beautiful rifles and amazing to shoot. The "fca" still used them when I was a member (the Irish reserve defence forces). Of course it was the standard FN 7.62 with all the plastic grips and grenade launcher muzzle and all that stuff. But damn I loves those rifles. Never would they malfunction and if you were a good shot they were deadly accurate. Thanks for the video
The NFA gets triggered pretty easily
Pryor Plays modern NFA, pshh
NFA should be repealed
Ben
ALL weapons control should be repealed.
Yeah and more than a Call Of Duty fan boy.
Wait does it really protect my right to be able to get an M16 A1?
I don’t think a gun can get much cooler than a FAL.
Jodddy_L how about a subzero FAL?
Sorry, I'm leaving now
FG42...
M16 A1 and the XM177 E2
12 ga shotgun
Gail
Around 7:08, your french-language pronunciation seems to be improving every new video! If I close my eyes, you could totally be a frenchie (like me) speaking! With just one little ultimate exception remaining: the final S of "armes" is mute actually... but close enough! :D
Thanks for another cool and interesting video, Ian!
indeed
Ouch!
Ashley Weeks way to be an ass for no reason.
Beautiful condition and wonderful wood. Someone loved that rifle. I love the FAL- too bad there are only 1836 of these out there. The DSA's are nice and all, but nothing beats the original. Great video as always. Thank you
As a young SA Police trainee in 1979, I received a FN in very much the similar pattern-the forehand grip was dark grey plastic. Its serial number was 9766 and it was in immaculate condition. I had the sights zeroed and lightened the trigger pull. In the early 2000's all the FNs/R1 7.62mm rifles were withdrawn from service and supposedly destroyed
Find it interesting how ATF can make determinations years before the agency ever existed. That’s amazing!
This was my gun. There were many like it, but this one was mine.
My rifle was my best friend... etc.
It was the main rifle for Dutch Airforce security personel for many many years.
The only thing I don't seem to remember is the rear sight. Looks adjustable on this version. It wasn't adjustable on my gun.
Love that wooden grip b.t.w.
This weapon is stunning in fabulous condition too! Beautiful.
Love your work, Ian. You channel reminds me of Antiques Roadshow a little bit but instead of some boring dolls or a dining set, its all guns, all the time.
I have a G series with plastic stock and grips and metal bipod. Bought in early 80’s I think and have ran many thousands of rounds thru it. Crazy accurate and rarely any problems
Ya, there is some machining required to the receiver and the auto sear block... All the STG58 kits I got had the auto sear block included... But, yes , they wont work in simi auto receivers... From my 50.53 post: What a gem, nice piece of kit.... Back in the 90's when they were dumping TONS of FAL inch and metric kits me and a buddy built, well lots... On Imbel receivers... We did not compromise Stripped them ALL to every single screw and spring, sandblasted, had a hot parkerizing set up... Kept for myself one of the best kits, a 1969 Austrian STG58, still my favorite rifle in my collection. When my father comes to visit and we go to the range he always asks to take the FAL...Ive shot a FAL folder, and an HK91 folder, they're kinda brutal,,, LOL... If you want a FAL, go to DSA!!!!
*This gun is SOOOO much beautiful. Whoever says no is lying. Great piece of Belgian engineering.*
Hello old friend. FN FAL was my issue rifle when I was in the cdn reserves. This is pretty much my issue rifle as the C1 was semi auto with wood furniture ( darker wood in my remembrance ) . The C2 was the heavy barrel with the bipod foregrip and the 30 round magazine.
Mine was a darker wood as well, I was the only one in are sqaudron to have one.
The FN Fal we had in the Dutch army did fire full auto when you removed the selector. Firing it full auto was pretty impressive, but accuracy went completly out the window.
Love the awkward teenage years of the battle rifle when they were still being made with wood furniture.
More like the beautiful prime years before she started putting on weight and getting a bunch of botched plastic surgery
I’ve always wanted a wooden furniture AR-15
Give respect to Japan for never doing that to their Type 64s; and put a rain check on that respect for them never giving us semi-auto versions.
I’ve see an m16a1 with wooden furniture, only problem is it was deactivated to make it uk legal
Jimmcrow Lawz it was definitely wood and it looked similar to the wood used on the fal
I still can't believe the British Military.swapped this great rifle for the SA80 series. What were our master's thinking?
The Australian adoption of the Steyr is only slightly more understandable.
I love the L1A1/FN FAL, but I think the SA80 (when it was fixed to work properly) is a better all round combat rifle to be honest. You can carry much more ammo, it is full auto, compact, lighter and just as accurate. The 7.62 by 51 is more powerful than the 5.56, but in most combat scenarios you want more rounds than fewer (but slightly more powerful) rounds. And that is one of the main reasons the US adopted the AR/M16 platform over the M14.
I remember seeing quite a few f.a.l's at my local Cabela's when i was just a kid. They always caught my eye and i'd ask my dad to pull one out so i could look at it everytime we went. So cool to know how they got imported now. Makes me want to save up money and buy one now that i can.
so, did you get one 3 years later?
"If you need this..." Ian understands
Excellent video lighting and this gun has to be one of the best I've seen in cosmetic condition. Looks like whoever owned it kept it nice and clean.
this right there is my favorite combat rifle
My first L1A1 SLR was a wood version. We couldnt wait to have them sent away for refurb......great battle rifle that I would choose over an AR15 any day. The British version could be jigged to fire full auto, by popping out the safty and releasing the stop, but as ian said not reliable and not advisable, but it does work......it could be used as an emergency AAAD solution.
Matthew Dobbs - Aussie recon guys in Nam called them slaughtermatics.
Matthew Dobbs or the match in the sear. Or get a selector from a L2A2. We had them with rounded or triangulated guards like this one on the older ones. The triandulated guards were better for drill I found. Did the Brit version have a larger trigger guard in the pistol grip. Ours did you undid a screw flipped it about voila a larger trigger guard so you could operate with gloves on. I'm guessing yours didnt as most Brit L1A1 I've seen in clips had fibreglass pistolgrip like this one. Although I have seen wooden sided ones on clips from Malaya. The only fibreglass we got on ours was the carrying handle. Loved that rifle. Owned one privately untill 97 when they banned them
It was the same with the metric version the Dutch used, we did it often with blanks.
Ozdave McGee yeah hopefully no one tells the ATF That trick or sticking the L7 LMG mag on . Not that I have ever done that you understand .
Just be aware that the "matchstick trick' can result in a runaway emptying the magazine in one burst with the barrel climbing up into the sky: allegedly. Don't do it. Even less desirably with the L4 30 round magazine.
BTW (and you were a naughty soldier if you used one) the 30 round L4 magazine made a passable monopod. Handy in my day that the ammunition pouches were made to carry the 30 round L4 LMG magazines.
We were using wooden ones in the 1970's but had to replace them with the plastic ones and burn all the wood (some lovely heartwood walnut). 'One hit, stays hit'. Semi auto did everything that could be usefully done.
Best channel on YT !! At last someone whom can deliver an interesting subject. I can still feel that gas reg of the FAL in my hand on freezing morings on parade. Fingers frozen to the point of no feeling & terrified i would drop it from not being able to feel it
From the first of your postings,you Ian always possessed an excellent delivery,that is timing and pacing.And of course the content. It occurs to me to say way to go.
You mentioned being long winded. Do not concern yourself in this regard. I never found in any of your postings a feeling of just waiting till something good shows up.
Quite the contrary,I enjoy every one precisely because you have done your homework and come up with terrific content. Exactly when you said long winded is exactly when I was thinking I knew a thing or two about the FN rifle. Turns out a lot less than you do. That very detail you added was precisely why your channel is so popular. Well done and your choice to include Karl just added to the opinions and content. Cheers.
The best FAL ever made. The British used a similer version as the L1A1 SLR. I'm a major fan of the FAL and was sad when I learned that it was ditched for the L85. I like the L85 but the SLR was better and of course, woodwork on a gun like the SLR is a massive bonus.
Oh thanks heaps I just love this rifle it was a pleasure to use and felt like real machinery in your hand but this one has some different things like the carrier was different but who cares brought back heaps of memories first issued mine in Apr 1968 yep 50 years ago the stubby little bayonet was a good weight as well thanks again oh wow
In Australia we used a piece of string to make our L1A1 or SLRs full auto. They were made semin auto only trust diggers to find a axwork around. Respect from Australia
Such a pretty gun, look at all this fine walnut and the shape of the flash hider.
Fnc and fal are some bucket list weapons
I am kind of confused by the fact that you cannot rotate the selector all the way to the A mark (6:55 in the video), yet the grip and the receiver are scratched up as if the selector was rotated all the way to A quite often. Can anyone please explain this to me?
BainSonic I'm not sure but quessing that selector has been tested before that tap is installed?
I have a "Century" built L1A1 with a Lithgow parts kit and all wood furniture. I have to say it is extremely smooth to shoot and balanced. For me the recoil feels about the same with an AKM or an SKS.
"If you're looking for shooter this ain't it." If I had the cash for a G series FAL I'd still shoot it. I don't believe in not shooting guns no matter how collectible. I wouldn't abuse it or run it into the ground because I have an 18" DSA SA58 for that, but I would definitely shoot it. Great video as always Ian!
Hearing you talk about Belgian rifles, makes me proud to be Belgian! Keep it up!😁👍
So. Magnificently. Beautiful. Thank you gun jesus!
I had a toy FAL back in the 70s. My favourite toy.
Me too! It had detachable mag and bullets, bayonet complete with authentic lug and the flip carry handle. I absolutely adored it!
Carried the FNC1 (with wood furniture) throughout my Basic Officer Training Course in the Canadian Forces. Heavy, but solid, and the 7.62x51 round packs a comparative whallop over 5.56x45. Ours were pretty worn by that point, but I'd sure love to own one now in good condition. We were among the very last courses to carry them, as the operational units had already begun switching over to the C7A1 at that point, and by the time I got to my operational unit, the FNs were long gone. The FNC1s are prohibited in Canada to civilians, naturally. So that won't be happening....
Used the SLR L1A1 as a reservist with the Australian Army Reserves in the early 80's loved the rifle, bulls eyes at 300m, the Aussie version has a folding cocking handle that didn't foul up in your webbing
In the Canadian Armed Forces, I carried both the FN FAL in semi automatic and full automatic. We called them FN-C1A1 and FN-C1A2. The full auto version did had a heavy barrel, a bipod, and a larger capacity, (30 round) magazine.
Man this is the type of stuff I like. I would love to have one.
That's a gorgeous firearm. Period.
My uncle was in the Canadian army in the 70s, he used to carry a FN C1 I believe - the semi auto variant. I heard alot of good things about it. I really wish one day I get to fire one!
Weapon built not for war but to be ready.
It was used in many many wars.
It was made during the Cold War guys. It was built to be ready to fight, but wasn’t used during its intended time.
Lord Arther I get what you guys are trying to say by it being ready. During its “intended time” the FAL and most variants were used in small scale conflicts and proxy wars. Vietnam, Falklands, Rhodesia etc.
Chromosome Wizard This one gets it.
Chromosome Wizard Then they create the M16 lmao.
my dad had a fn fal, rhodesian bush war. miss it every day
I've used a short barrelled South African built R1 in combat in the Rhodesian war. It was excellent and very powerful.
My fav gun....my dad carried those (automatic version, but you never fired them auto really) around for 2 years keeping us save.
That FAL is gorgeous.
11/10 best raifu. Would love either one of these, an Argentine war surplus, or a Rhodie model
Hahah, Raifu, I got that.
I like G3's axemurderer personality better though.
Galil Chan best grill
@digifalc0087 obviously a paifu
I'm a g3 guy but this is probably the best looking rifle i've ever seen
Breath of fresh air. Thanks man.
You know I really think an added bonus to your channel just like a bunch of collectors if you would publish the price that these weapons sold for I think would be awesome,,, just like any auction you can go back and see what the lot number sold for so a person can better their skills and appraising these things,,,,, the average guy I passed up that exact gun with the Providence of the paperwork in the manuals complete with the cut and paste I'm talking paper and glue on the manual for 3500 in 2013 at Cabela's in Arizona God I wish I would have bought it
They just don't build beautiful firearms like that anymore. My dad was a tool & die maker and I got to see how 1 man can build a piece of art out of metal and wood
Appreciate you coming back to videos and updating them with the Sold for price. Was wondering what this went for after the final prices video.
What a nice FAL, I need to add a FAL to my collection
Thats a beauty, I've got an STG58 kit I'm gonna get built up, still need to get a few small parts and compliance parts for the build.
That rifle is a beautiful masterpiece. I want a g series so bad it hurts. But unfortunately it's not in the budget at the moment.
I have a early G1 metric FAL that has a wood stock and pistol grip. The FAL was part of an estate sale and was never fired then it's in incredible shape. Starting to research it's history on the very unusual flash suppressor that has a large spring clip holding it on.
Rhodesia
They're still being used by the Brazilian Army. Their FAL's is locally produced by Imbel under the designation M964.
The G series also had a lightweight version with aluminum lower. You can tell quickly by looking at the rifle serial number will be marked on grip instead of being stamped on the lower.
This thing is gorgeous. There's just something about chunky semi-autos with wooden furniture that is really appealing.
Its a heavy s.o.b but it hits like a line backer. Love it.👍
The fact that I'll never own a FAL just because I'm Canadian hurts my soul.
Jeremie C you could move
Prince Luci hu
Just move my northern friend
the same, and I live near Herstal 😑
Oddly enough ,when I was in the South African military in the late 70's ,everyone wanted a bakelite stock FAL or R1. The carrying handles were cut off . Nobody used it and I guess it wasn't cool. The rifle was heavy but one gets used to it. If you grabbed it just in front of the magazine,it was perfectly balanced in your hands. To this day do they cull elephants with it. It stopping power is phenomenal.
If your army was anything like ours, they had a pathological dislike of slings and carry handles. neither were to be used under any circumstance I can remember. :)
Love the vids, your amount of knowledge is astounding!
That is unbelievably beautiful.
Interesting that there is a witness mark on the finish near the fire selector which suggests it has been rotated beyond the stop pin.
This old bloke has used one, way back. I loved it. Government issued. no more need be said.
I don't collect beyond 1945, but that is one very fine battle rifle. Love the wood. Would definitely choose this over an AR.
Best iron sights I have seen in a long time!!
Interesting to hear state that the semi-auto FALs will not fire in full auto, with the selector filed down. Because during my time in the Royal Dutch Army, we regularly removed the fire selector during (MILES) excersizes, and they went full auto without a hitch. We even snuck a few mags of rounds in full auto this way during range days. Never had a single hickup even once doing this, although the barrels tended to get ridiculously hot. The guys with metal foregrips didn't like it, as they would invariably burn their hands...
So; were our versions different from this G-series internally, or was the story as told by FN to those US agencies bogus?
When I was in the New Zealand army we had the L1A1 SLR as our personal weapon manufactured in Australia at the Lithgow Arsenal (firearms.net.au/military/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77&Itemid=112). If automatic fire was required we still had the good old British Bren gun (still in some cases taking 303 ammo as they were being converted to 308) or a belt fed machine gun a British Browning 1919 variant using 303 ammo until they were converted to 7.62 NATO. We were issued M16's at the time of the Viet Nam conflict but I still preferred my heavy old SLR it was a great weapon easy to strip and fire and really accurate over even long distances. Often we would hear gossip about filing down the pin that stopped the fire selector being turned to full auto but I never saw it done and if you did upon being discovered it meant a rapid and LONG trip to our military prison. I was our company gunner and loved the 1919, the bren and my SLR I detested the M16 which we dubbed as the Tonka Toy due to it's plastic constructed parts and lightweight construction with 5.56 ammo. In bush or scrub the flash would snag on twigs etc, they fouled quickly needed constant cleaning, the magazine often would drop out when you closed the cover, if you had a hold up or misfire you had no way to forward assist by moving the bolt etc etc etc...
moonlightdelights Kiaora, you sound like a knuckle dragging 1 RNZIR grunt!
moonlightdelights Hi, I checked out the Papakura armoury in 1971 and got one of my grunts to start cleaning the weapons and forgot to warn him that the Stens were so old that you could cut your fingers on the straight edges. I had a chance to buy a surplus SLR but they were so worn out that the hinges were loose and the rifle went out of aim due to the back sight being on the stock. I bought a couple of 303’s instead for old times sake at $10 each! Harera.....
Close but not quite I was for a short time but then I transferred to RNZEME as a electrical craftsman my knuckles were getting a bit sore and I liked the Blue beret better...
lol yes the old pressed metal Stens not a bad old weapon I trained with the old banana magazine Stirling sub machine guns you could empty a whole mag at 30ft and not get more than one hole in a full size silhouette target but I would be filling my pants if I was standing in front of one going off.
Forget the "like" button. We need one that says "Total infatuation"!! Simply a gorgeous rifle.
"The phrase, 'Help, I've FAL-len and i can't get up,' takes on a whole new meaning when this rifle is involved " - Jagged Alliance Quota