As a former Belgian paratrooper, I was issued one in 1978. Our version had no bipod, a carry handle, and most importantly the full auto capability. We first thought it looked good, though on long apprach / infiltration marches it could feel heavy. But as we shot our FAL every other day, we learn to respect and love our rifles. It is a very good weapon.
@@NextMobile-ui7go Salut, Oui, en venant de la 15 au 3 Para en 1979, après le stage je suis resté en équipes jusqu’à 1983, puis retour à la vie civile et pas moins intense.
@@esr243 ah, tu as dû bien connaître le sergent Tinant a lombarside ? J'étais juste avant toi a l'ESR,en 1977,78 et franchement j'ai été déçu car a cette époque l'unité était en pleine restructuration , beaucoup de conflits avec les anciens qui ne voulaient pas quitter leurs postes pour faire place aux jeunes , de plus, perte de 4 mois pour former une compagnie de recrues para bérets kaki ???(a l'ESR) ... J'ai fait le stage et puis plus rien ,alors re mutation pour retour a l'unité( très foireux car nous étions nombreux à vouloir partir !) et j'ai quitter l'armée en 1981... J'ai bien aimé le capt Druet ,un vrai ! Avec moi il y avait Glorieux ,Debruyne ,Baudos , Darcy ,Piette, etc ... Salutation ,gardes le contact👌
Although Canada was the first country outside of Belgium to adopt the FAL, we never bothered with the folding stock para version. We parachuted with full size, normal FALs. Well... I didn't. Although I carried the FN C1 A1 FAL for my first 5 yrs in the army, by the time I was able to wangle my way onto a para course, they had started using rubberized dummy M16s for training jumps. This was in anticipation of the new rifles being issued late 87/early 88. All our rifles had the folding cocking handle which we all much preferred. I find the non-folding one snags on clothing and kit.
I'm in active military duty in Brazilian Army and can surely say that it is rugged and reliable as an AK, have a good effective range, sounds very angry, is as ergonomic as a 2x4, and weights a ton. But we love them.
I recognize the rifle from the 1995 movie "Congo", Ernie Hudson's character Monroe Kelly who is a guide/gun runner has this exact pattern.. its a must watch and still a very great story with still good special effects
@@soundpainter2590 I would IF only I could ;) but as far as i know the only way to own a FAL in Germany ( no need to be sorry here coz the Autobahn and the open beer carry permit for everyone really does makes up for it ) ... where was I? ahh right the only FALs you can own here are ether deactivated and I'm not sure if you still can buy them or and that really makes you wonder bolt action FALs I'm not aware of a semi auto one... it may sound sad but i saves me a fortune ;)
spiderman5000 Temporarily you could buy almost original British L1A1 in their semi-auto configuration as a civilian in Germany. www.waffenschumacher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Visier_LuxDefTec_L1A1-07-2009.pdf You might be able to find a pre-owned example.
I am continuously fascinated by firearm technology. The minutia of detail to get a round chambered plus the external features like eliminating tangle points on the externals is mind blowing.
Watching this it just occurred to me that the para FAL recoil spring is actually more like its predecessor than the normal FAL. The FN49 has almost the identical recoil spring setup.
@Lassi Kinnunen itseasiassa ei kun RK /AK on yksi isohko jousi ja Para FAL / FN49 on 3 jousta ja välipalikka, paljon pienempiä halkasijaltaan, tosin lanka on vähän paksumpaa (jäykempi)
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...
I was issued with this R1 Para in 1971. Great rifle. No slings allowed during my Army years so no sling rings to worry about.They were removed. We had different gas throttle adjuster that was also the grenade sights.
FAL was the standard Brazilian service rifle until recently when it was replaced by the similar but modernized Imbel IA2. To this day you still can see cops and military personal in urban environments using the Para FAL
That rifle you mentioned is a rip off of the FAL cause it's not produced under license, like for example the Aussie military does with their ozzy made Steyr Aug. They just took the FAL and copied it and started producing their own (worse) version of the FAL. And it's horrible quality too, lots of reports of imbel and taurus malfunctioning and actually firing by accident and harming the gov agents that wild them
@@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess imbel has no record of accidental discharges, they have a good quality control, the only problem is that they only make "clones" of other designs, and don't have a variety of models, the FAL is as good as any other you can find, only got replaced by the same reason the others got, its heavy, to much recoil to be usable in full auto and you can carry twice the ammo for the same weight when in 5.56.
My beautiful and amazing Princess The Imbel FAL’s were produced under license from FN. Also, in terms of quality, Imbel’s, more so Imbel receivers, are highly sought after by builders and gun smiths since their parts are identical to Belgian made FAL’s. In terms of the malfunctions you speak of, this is a first I’ve heard of that. I have an Imbel FAL and it’s far more solid than any other rifle I have. I’d trust it over my Arsenal AK’s any day.
I bought one of those for a Christmas present to myself in 2001. It came from a dealer or collector in Kentucky named Gene G. I can’t recall how he spelled his last name. I paid around $3200 for it then. It was used but in great condition. Didn’t have the bipod. I put a DSA top cover with pic rail on it, and ACOG TA11. It was a great rifle. Not a tack driver, but a good battle rifle. I didn’t shoot it much. Maybe 1000 rounds during the 6 or 7 years I owned it. It doesn’t take to many rounds to beat the finish off the outside of the receiver where the brass strikes it during ejection. The one thing I didn’t like was the stock length. It was just a bit to long. But that’s a personal issue. I miss it a little bit. But I’m glad it went to a good home in Indiana where it’s new owner appreciates it.
Many thanks for the technical info. I found one of these in my uncle's attic wrapped in a blanket. He had several pistols I knew about but when he passed away and I was cleaning out the house, low and behold this showed up. Can't wait to clean and shoot it. I'm sure the pistols will be fun to fire too.
I find that the FAL & G3 are the most versatile platforms in existence. These weapons can be made into sniper rifles, DMRs, LMGs, and even SBR/ Para version. I'd totally use these battle rifles for a shtf. Fast, accurate, and hard hitting.
Excellent as always Ian! A couple points, the breakdown lever on you see here was actually developed for the Para FAL to prevent snagging in paratrooper web gear IIRC as well as the carry handle deletion to also prevent snagging. The Belgians were obsessive with snagging and Para troopers. The handgaurd is a phenolic fiberglass resin that is unique to Belgian and Argentine production rifles. The barrel length was cut down specifically to fit through the side door of a C-119 Flying Boxcar in any orientation. One last pedantic point, the rear sight was developed by FN previously for the Holland contract rifles. Carried over to the Para to again, prevent snagging, and it just made sense for this pattern of rifle.
My guy, the takedown lever was improved from the first iteration that was vertical, and therefore would undo its self whilst the rifle was undergoing heavy recoil, such as a rifle grenade being launched.
I bought a used FAL 50.63 'Para' in 1987 from Collector's Firearms in Houston, TX SN S15967** for $755. That was a lot and I was a poor medical resident, but I had to have it. Mine didn't have the bipod. I added a foam tube cheek rest on the stock. Knock your fillings out shooting it bare. Pride of my collection. Death bed words to son, "Don't sell the 'Para'." Truly Ian, you are "The Gun Jesus." Thanks for your revelations.
Argentinian here, One of the last users of the FAL. Everything that is front line uses the FAL Para. The traditional FALs were left for second line or instruction mostly. Ours do not have a bipod but they do have a carrying handle.
friend of mine bought a para model 50.61 back in the 80's . had the long flash hider , longer barrel , i remember shooting it and with the folding stock you could really feel the recoil.
Why have I never seen anyone review or fire a FAL in .280 British? Seen Ian fire the EM-2 but the FAL was also originally in .280 notionally stretched to just short of breaking point for 7.62 X 51. So why no .280 reviews or more importantly firing tests?
@@ForgottenWeapons How about 7x49mm? The Venezuelan army's FALs used a unique 7x49mm cartridge apparently derived from the British tests. Apparently the rifles were later converted to 7.62x51mm so it's probably very rare.
Canada was the fist NATO country to adopt the FAL. That version was designated the C1 and it had a folding charging handle on all variants including the C2 which was the light automatic rifle version which had a 30 round mags. Two C1s were in an 8 man section and referred to as a LAR group.
That's probably the same type of riffle i shoot when i a was a young teen in the end of 80's. Couldnt remember the exact model but there were the bipod, the folding stock and no handle. Cool memories. My first full auto on a 30 rounds, weapon on table and sitting on chair. Felt like heaven lol.
Great video, very informative...I paid about 1200 for mine in CA back in "81.....had the carrying handle and long flash hider and the knob charging handle.....one of my favorite rifles....
This brought memories from my national service back in 1987-89. I used to carry one of these for 11 months during my duty tour in the Greek- Turkish border. The one I was issued was heavily used (conscript users)and the bolt and trigger mechanism was rusty red jammed. I couldn't even charge it. This was an on purpose "joke" from the ordance officer to the me the unit newbee. I stripped it to pieces gun oil it and rug rub clean it 3 times a day for almost a week and finally this rifle looked like new. This shows the steel quality of this machine. Very accurate shooter on the 300 m range, light weighted compared to the FN standard (very important during border patrol) it realy gave me a feeling of secure having this type of rifle on me. Compared to my previous rifle (G3) during my tranning, I liked the FN three times better. The folding buttstock didn't helped pronned shooting as much as compared to the standard, the folding bipod was very long but also very handy to have on ( together with the oiling & cleanning kit inside the handle). I was lucky enough to shoot rifle granades with it with very good accuracy at 150 m. Mine had the standard charging handle and not the folding one.I wish gun laws in Greece could permit me to bid for this, I would very much like to collect a rifle like this. All the best, and thank you for the memories..
I'm from the Netherlands and I'm curious about your gun laws. I remember as a kid, when we went to holiday in Greece, shot guns were in the grocery shop and the shot gun ammo next to the toilet paper😂. I also shot some shot gun with a Greek kid I met, in his parents back yard😂
@@dutchman2205 It is very easy to get a shotgun lisence ( if you are a local) but very difficult to get a rifled gun or a hand gun lisence. You need to belong to a sporting club in order to get one of these. Still Greece is very well "armed" in terms of smooth bore guns and in country side there are very few homes without a shot gun - that explains your experience.. In some areas, like Crete, gun ownership reaches other levels... if you have witness a marriage ceremony there then you can see from AK47s various 9mm pistols 2nd WWs german submachine guns fired in the air during the event celebration. I wouldn't like to elaborate more on that but the trouth is that are many guns around, a lot are illegal or not licenced and there is a poor gun and safety culture. In terms of legislation, laws are strict, but enforcement is kinda the relaxed type.
The modern ones made by Imbel usually have the carring handle and the regular charging handle. Also the rear sight has a two positions 150 and 250. Still, a great rifle that I've been using for some time now.
I had a Std. FN FAL fixed stock and longer barrel for close to 30 years as a South African National Service man. We also removed the carrying handle and sling attachment points as we were not allowed any aides and we were intended to carry the weapon at the high port. We were expected ti be able to field strip the weapon blind folded which in South West - Angola meant every day due to the sandy environment. I now have a personal para version with the folding stock. I am prepared to bet that nobody would be able to assemble one blind folded as the modifications that FN made to the dust cover and bolt group make keen eyes and 3 hands required to do the job. Forget blind folded. The version i have is the DSA version. If the chips were down i would rather have the conventional version.
Ian.....that rifle has definitely been fired. The primer ring on the bolt face is a dead giveaway. When the powder ignites, a tiny bit of gas gets around the edge of the primer and makes a dark ring around the firing pin hole on the bolt face. Very difficult to get rid of that ring, so that makes it the one real way to tell if a rifle has been fired.
That recoil spring setup is almost identical to that found in the Egyptian Rasheed carbines (which almost certainly did not take inspiration from this gun). It’s a neat example of co-evolution in firearms design
Spot on with the pricing on the regular FAL. I purchased a brand new Styer stamped FAL 50.00 in May of 1986 and want to say it was just over $1200 with tax out the door. Still have it. With the adjustable gas block and patience, its a dream to shoot.
Some of them did have a folding charging handle. I think they were the earlier ones as I remember handling one when The British Army put on a display in my home city. I was still at school at the time.
I've shot my share of L1A1's, starting about 1978 and going pretty much until they went out of service in 92, and all of them have the folding cocking lever. IIRC it was incorporated as part of the Enfield conversion to the "imperial" sized rifle. Also specific to the L1A1 and I think the other imperial FAL's was our changes to the magazine release and hold open pin.
From an article by The Norfolk Tank Museum, "We still used the No.4, Lee-Enfield.303” bolt action rifle. A manually operated arm, splendid thing but in the main, still in service because “Arms Drill” centred around “Slope Arms”, and the rifle favoured by us being the F.N.F.A.L. which had a projecting cocking handle would have dug into the shoulder when being carried at the “slope” and therefore could not have been seen as a replacement rifle for service by us. Discipline on “Gods Hallowed Acre”, the drill square ruled over by the Regimental Sergeant Major was total, and therefore, a thing that could not be carried at the slope would not be tolerated."
I often have to watch video without sound, but I understand almost everything. Аmazing attention to important details and the ability to show all needed. Thank you!
Ohhhh I get it, as the gun isn’t officially marked as a FAL you are able to legally acquire one in places where they are prohibited by name, as it is technically a different rifle.
I bought a Gun South imported FN FAL 50.00 in the early 1980's. The dollar was "strong" in europe leading to a price drop. Paid about $825. All the guns imported by GS that I have seen are in ser. no. 250xxx range. Still have it. Test fired only.
One of the greatest gun youtubers like Mishaco, MAC, and many more I'm so glad and excited that you exist and entertain us so thumbs way UP and greetings from sLOVEnia
I have a Styre (sp) 50-64, bought it in 1982 when Birmingham Pistol Parlor was trying to blow the last ones out, on sale for $1100, they knocked $100 off because I was on active duty. I wanted the FALO but, alas they were out. The Para FALs are usually in good shape because they are miserable to shoot. If you get your face close enough to the rear sight you get whopped in the nose by the stock block. I also have the HK made .22lr kit for it, now that is fun to shoot!
I was very familiar with the FAL I was issued one for 5 years as my Cervice weapon actually used it against Other people who I'm fortunate enough to have come up with 0 injury and they didn't even survive the encounter with him glad, but I didn't come free of injury but that's a hole different Story .
Nice vid, Ian! Hope to see more Belgian guns on Forgotten Weapons in the future like the FN FNC and FN CAL 5.56mm assault rifles, the FN Model 49 7.62mm battle rifle and the Vigneron 9mm submachinegun. Just some suggestions... ;)
Fantastic. Always loved the FAL. Especially the Para. I like compact rifles. Unfortunately, we can't have them here in Kalifornia. That is the most solid design of folding stock i have ever seen. The whole rifle is well engineered. Nice to see the diffs and have them explained. Reading comments, it appears the recoil spring system and the shape of the carrier is almost identical to an FN-49. Makes sense. Why reinvent the wheel? I wonder if they made those parts on FN49 tooling? That would be a serious production economy. Great video as always. Thank you
In regards to ot never being shot before... If you look at the extractor a bit closer, there is slight wear from the base of the case making contact there. Just saying it was at least loaded before.
Look at the brass kisses on receiver behind the ejection port,rifle HAS been fired.I bought a NIB 50.63 years ago,after first outing my rifle had those same marks on receiver.
If calculate for inflation one of these new back in the 80s cost 1500 more than a brand new scar H now. In modern money these cost somewhere between 4800 and 5000 depending on year back in the 80s
@@therideneverends1697 if you could find one. 1500 made, had to be special ordered too. This guy doesn't know his shot because the para was costing 3700.00 in 83-86 not 1800.00 I think the first wave may have cost that. I happen to have 1 of the first 100!!!
I have never heard anyone say gun Jesus doesn't know his "shot". If he tells you something about a topic like the FAL you can be pretty darn sure he knows his "shot"
Domestic FALs aren't much cheaper. I have a similar stock, by CNC/Bonesteel on my WASR, and while it lacks the locking button, it is very solid when extended.
As a former Belgian paratrooper, I was issued one in 1978. Our version had no bipod, a carry handle, and most importantly the full auto capability. We first thought it looked good, though on long apprach / infiltration marches it could feel heavy. But as we shot our FAL every other day, we learn to respect and love our rifles. It is a very good weapon.
That's a really cool story. Thanks for sharing.
E
Bonjour, tu étais a spich a l'ESR....?
Si oui, on a dû se croiser !
Je viend du 1er para a Diest et ensuite ESR...
Salutation
@@NextMobile-ui7go Salut, Oui, en venant de la 15 au 3 Para en 1979, après le stage je suis resté en équipes jusqu’à 1983, puis retour à la vie civile et pas moins intense.
@@esr243 ah, tu as dû bien connaître le sergent Tinant a lombarside ?
J'étais juste avant toi a l'ESR,en 1977,78 et franchement j'ai été déçu car a cette époque l'unité était en pleine restructuration , beaucoup de conflits avec les anciens qui ne voulaient pas quitter leurs postes pour faire place aux jeunes , de plus, perte de 4 mois pour former une compagnie de recrues para bérets kaki ???(a l'ESR) ...
J'ai fait le stage et puis plus rien ,alors re mutation pour retour a l'unité( très foireux car nous étions nombreux à vouloir partir !) et j'ai quitter l'armée en 1981...
J'ai bien aimé le capt Druet ,un vrai !
Avec moi il y avait Glorieux ,Debruyne ,Baudos ,
Darcy ,Piette, etc ...
Salutation ,gardes le contact👌
The ultimate cold war western merc loadout: FN FAL Para, Walther MPL, and FN Browning Hi-Power.
The MPL is the subgun for the everyman.
@@dudeguy8287 I couldn't tell you why, but the MPL is my favourite subgun from the era. A shame it hasn't taken off better tbh
Speak with a South African accent.
And a 84 mm Carl Gustaf for heavy work.
Merecir it has to be an M2 model though to be period correct
Any day with an FAL is a good day, thanks Ian!
So basically like the opposite of what the great warrior poet Ice Cube said.
FALs are cool.
Best fn fal best weapon I've used
liam dahlgren lol “low budget”
Ikr
I really like mine
the FAL is honestly incredible.
Although Canada was the first country outside of Belgium to adopt the FAL, we never bothered with the folding stock para version. We parachuted with full size, normal FALs. Well... I didn't. Although I carried the FN C1 A1 FAL for my first 5 yrs in the army, by the time I was able to wangle my way onto a para course, they had started using rubberized dummy M16s for training jumps. This was in anticipation of the new rifles being issued late 87/early 88.
All our rifles had the folding cocking handle which we all much preferred. I find the non-folding one snags on clothing and kit.
A FALschirmjäger rifle.
That was nice
@Felix Too many spaces.
Ba dum tiss
Just a very minor point, but I think that you should have spelled it FALschrimjaeger Rifle. In German.
@@alanhelgeson690 Er, no, fallschirmjäger is German. If anything is wrong in the spelling, it's the missing l in fall, but that's the joke.
I'm in active military duty in Brazilian Army and can surely say that it is rugged and reliable as an AK, have a good effective range, sounds very angry, is as ergonomic as a 2x4, and weights a ton. But we love them.
I recognize the rifle from the 1995 movie "Congo", Ernie Hudson's character Monroe Kelly who is a guide/gun runner has this exact pattern.. its a must watch and still a very great story with still good special effects
How could you not FAL in love with one of these? I wonder how much it would cost to produce them today with all the machining.
About $2k on the DSA website for their para version.
@@travisfry931 hmm makes me wonder how they came up with the price 40 years ago
@@soundpainter2590 I would IF only I could ;) but as far as i know the only way to own a FAL in Germany ( no need to be sorry here coz the Autobahn and the open beer carry permit for everyone really does makes up for it ) ... where was I? ahh right the only FALs you can own here are ether deactivated and I'm not sure if you still can buy them or and that really makes you wonder bolt action FALs I'm not aware of a semi auto one...
it may sound sad but i saves me a fortune ;)
spiderman5000 Temporarily you could buy almost original British L1A1 in their semi-auto configuration as a civilian in Germany. www.waffenschumacher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Visier_LuxDefTec_L1A1-07-2009.pdf
You might be able to find a pre-owned example.
@@DannyArcher32 thats really hot, but permission to own one i have not...
I am continuously fascinated by firearm technology. The minutia of detail to get a round chambered plus the external features like eliminating tangle points on the externals is mind blowing.
Watching this it just occurred to me that the para FAL recoil spring is actually more like its predecessor than the normal FAL. The FN49 has almost the identical recoil spring setup.
I actually use FN49 springs with my paraboltcarrier in FAL
@Lassi Kinnunen itseasiassa ei kun RK /AK on yksi isohko jousi ja Para FAL / FN49 on 3 jousta ja välipalikka, paljon pienempiä halkasijaltaan, tosin lanka on vähän paksumpaa (jäykempi)
Agreed. I had exactly the same thought--that recoil spring set-up looked very similar to my FN49.
That's very logical because the fal is the fn49s successor
What makes me wonder is, why did they use the "rat-tail" in the first place? Why didn't they go with this bolt carrier & top cover design first?
Right arm of the free world. The FN FAL (and its variants) is my favourite rifle.
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...
I was issued with this R1 Para in 1971. Great rifle. No slings allowed during my Army years so no sling rings to worry about.They were removed. We had different gas throttle adjuster that was also the grenade sights.
Did the R1 para have the standard cocking handle or the folding one? And no carry handle???? SA??
FAL was the standard Brazilian service rifle until recently when it was replaced by the similar but modernized Imbel IA2. To this day you still can see cops and military personal in urban environments using the Para FAL
I don't think they'll stop singing about it, too much love you know? Same to Lady MAG.
I miss my baby so much, wish I could buy one for myself probably never going to happen in Brazil
That rifle you mentioned is a rip off of the FAL cause it's not produced under license, like for example the Aussie military does with their ozzy made Steyr Aug.
They just took the FAL and copied it and started producing their own (worse) version of the FAL. And it's horrible quality too, lots of reports of imbel and taurus malfunctioning and actually firing by accident and harming the gov agents that wild them
@@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess imbel has no record of accidental discharges, they have a good quality control, the only problem is that they only make "clones" of other designs, and don't have a variety of models, the FAL is as good as any other you can find, only got replaced by the same reason the others got, its heavy, to much recoil to be usable in full auto and you can carry twice the ammo for the same weight when in 5.56.
My beautiful and amazing Princess The Imbel FAL’s were produced under license from FN. Also, in terms of quality, Imbel’s, more so Imbel receivers, are highly sought after by builders and gun smiths since their parts are identical to Belgian made FAL’s. In terms of the malfunctions you speak of, this is a first I’ve heard of that. I have an Imbel FAL and it’s far more solid than any other rifle I have. I’d trust it over my Arsenal AK’s any day.
I bought one of those for a Christmas present to myself in 2001. It came from a dealer or collector in Kentucky named Gene G. I can’t recall how he spelled his last name. I paid around $3200 for it then. It was used but in great condition. Didn’t have the bipod. I put a DSA top cover with pic rail on it, and ACOG TA11.
It was a great rifle. Not a tack driver, but a good battle rifle. I didn’t shoot it much. Maybe 1000 rounds during the 6 or 7 years I owned it. It doesn’t take to many rounds to beat the finish off the outside of the receiver where the brass strikes it during ejection.
The one thing I didn’t like was the stock length. It was just a bit to long. But that’s a personal issue. I miss it a little bit. But I’m glad it went to a good home in Indiana where it’s new owner appreciates it.
Scott Andrysik That’s it! Gene Guilaroff! The Gun List. Thanks for refreshing my memory Scott.
Many thanks for the technical info. I found one of these in my uncle's attic wrapped in a blanket. He had several pistols I knew about but when he passed away and I was cleaning out the house, low and behold this showed up. Can't wait to clean and shoot it. I'm sure the pistols will be fun to fire too.
This if compined with military spec rounds, is a weapon to be feared
I find that the FAL & G3 are the most versatile platforms in existence. These weapons can be made into sniper rifles, DMRs, LMGs, and even SBR/ Para version. I'd totally use these battle rifles for a shtf. Fast, accurate, and hard hitting.
The Fal isnt really known for accuracy, 3-4 MOA.
Excellent as always Ian! A couple points, the breakdown lever on you see here was actually developed for the Para FAL to prevent snagging in paratrooper web gear IIRC as well as the carry handle deletion to also prevent snagging. The Belgians were obsessive with snagging and Para troopers. The handgaurd is a phenolic fiberglass resin that is unique to Belgian and Argentine production rifles. The barrel length was cut down specifically to fit through the side door of a C-119 Flying Boxcar in any orientation. One last pedantic point, the rear sight was developed by FN previously for the Holland contract rifles. Carried over to the Para to again, prevent snagging, and it just made sense for this pattern of rifle.
My guy, the takedown lever was improved from the first iteration that was vertical, and therefore would undo its self whilst the rifle was undergoing heavy recoil, such as a rifle grenade being launched.
I bought a used FAL 50.63 'Para' in 1987 from Collector's Firearms in Houston, TX SN S15967** for $755. That was a lot and I was a poor medical resident, but I had to have it. Mine didn't have the bipod. I added a foam tube cheek rest on the stock. Knock your fillings out shooting it bare. Pride of my collection. Death bed words to son, "Don't sell the 'Para'."
Truly Ian, you are "The Gun Jesus." Thanks for your revelations.
Its sooOOoOo Clean you can see him say the word FAL at 8:00 because he gets a little spittle on it. which only made it CLEANER!
The recoil spring, bolt & carrier & cover look and work almost identical to an
FN49, even the bolt face is almost the same
Argentinian here, One of the last users of the FAL.
Everything that is front line uses the FAL Para. The traditional FALs were left for second line or instruction mostly. Ours do not have a bipod but they do have a carrying handle.
friend of mine bought a para model 50.61 back in the 80's . had the long flash hider , longer barrel , i remember shooting it and with the folding stock you could really feel the recoil.
Why have I never seen anyone review or fire a FAL in .280 British? Seen Ian fire the EM-2 but the FAL was also originally in .280 notionally stretched to just short of breaking point for 7.62 X 51. So why no .280 reviews or more importantly firing tests?
I filmed a video on the .280 FAL lat week, so it is coming.
@@ForgottenWeapons nice
@@ForgottenWeapons .280 FAL in full auto. Please, oh please, oh please. Just to see what it would have been like if 7.62 X 51 hadn't happened.
Probably because their Insanely rare
@@ForgottenWeapons How about 7x49mm? The Venezuelan army's FALs used a unique 7x49mm cartridge apparently derived from the British tests. Apparently the rifles were later converted to 7.62x51mm so it's probably very rare.
My rifle for two years in the Greek paratrooper special forces ! Great gun, thanks Ian.
Great gun indeed. The argentinian army still using the FAL.
Canada was the fist NATO country to adopt the FAL. That version was designated the C1 and it had a folding charging handle on all variants including the C2 which was the light automatic rifle version which had a 30 round mags. Two C1s were in an 8 man section and referred to as a LAR group.
In my experience with the FAL line they were very nicely. The first place to look us where you showed on camera the other is the gas block.
That's probably the same type of riffle i shoot when i a was a young teen in the end of 80's. Couldnt remember the exact model but there were the bipod, the folding stock and no handle. Cool memories. My first full auto on a 30 rounds, weapon on table and sitting on chair. Felt like heaven lol.
Great video, very informative...I paid about 1200 for mine in CA back in "81.....had the carrying handle and long flash hider and the knob charging handle.....one of my favorite rifles....
This brought memories from my national service back in 1987-89. I used to carry one of these for 11 months during my duty tour in the Greek- Turkish border. The one I was issued was heavily used (conscript users)and the bolt and trigger mechanism was rusty red jammed. I couldn't even charge it. This was an on purpose "joke" from the ordance officer to the me the unit newbee. I stripped it to pieces gun oil it and rug rub clean it 3 times a day for almost a week and finally this rifle looked like new. This shows the steel quality of this machine. Very accurate shooter on the 300 m range, light weighted compared to the FN standard (very important during border patrol) it realy gave me a feeling of secure having this type of rifle on me. Compared to my previous rifle (G3) during my tranning, I liked the FN three times better. The folding buttstock didn't helped pronned shooting as much as compared to the standard, the folding bipod was very long but also very handy to have on ( together with the oiling & cleanning kit inside the handle). I was lucky enough to shoot rifle granades with it with very good accuracy at 150 m. Mine had the standard charging handle and not the folding one.I wish gun laws in Greece could permit me to bid for this, I would very much like to collect a rifle like this. All the best, and thank you for the memories..
I'm from the Netherlands and I'm curious about your gun laws. I remember as a kid, when we went to holiday in Greece, shot guns were in the grocery shop and the shot gun ammo next to the toilet paper😂. I also shot some shot gun with a Greek kid I met, in his parents back yard😂
@@dutchman2205 It is very easy to get a shotgun lisence ( if you are a local) but very difficult to get a rifled gun or a hand gun lisence. You need to belong to a sporting club in order to get one of these. Still Greece is very well "armed" in terms of smooth bore guns and in country side there are very few homes without a shot gun - that explains your experience.. In some areas, like Crete, gun ownership reaches other levels... if you have witness a marriage ceremony there then you can see from AK47s various 9mm pistols 2nd WWs german submachine guns fired in the air during the event celebration. I wouldn't like to elaborate more on that but the trouth is that are many guns around, a lot are illegal or not licenced and there is a poor gun and safety culture. In terms of legislation, laws are strict, but enforcement is kinda the relaxed type.
Thank you Ian.
Finally a FAL vid thx Ian
BELGIAN ENGINEERING
BELGIUM👍
Pitty they didn't know how to use them.
The modern ones made by Imbel usually have the carring handle and the regular charging handle. Also the rear sight has a two positions 150 and 250. Still, a great rifle that I've been using for some time now.
I want this for Christmas, just so i can sing "¡FALiz navidad!".
I'll show myself out...
literhans2006 FA La La...leave the door open for me
@@damiangrouse4564 Sure. I'll help out a fellow FALanthropist
literhans2006 Touché Monsieur.
get out ehehehehehehe
The exact same lockup system is still in use with the modernized Swedish AK5C and D version (FN FNC) works good enough.
I had a Std. FN FAL fixed stock and longer barrel for close to 30 years as a South African National Service man. We also removed the carrying handle and sling attachment points as we were not allowed any aides and we were intended to carry the weapon at the high port.
We were expected ti be able to field strip the weapon blind folded which in South West - Angola meant every day due to the sandy environment.
I now have a personal para version with the folding stock. I am prepared to bet that nobody would be able to assemble one blind folded as the modifications that FN made to the dust cover and bolt group make keen eyes and 3 hands required to do the job. Forget blind folded. The version i have is the DSA version. If the chips were down i would rather have the conventional version.
No dislikes. The FAL must be a good piece of kit.
Belgium Masterpiece.
Oh, they don't suck *too* bad.....who would dislike a forgotten weapons video?
Ian.....that rifle has definitely been fired. The primer ring on the bolt face is a dead giveaway.
When the powder ignites, a tiny bit of gas gets around the edge of the primer and makes a dark ring around the firing pin hole on the bolt face.
Very difficult to get rid of that ring, so that makes it the one real way to tell if a rifle has been fired.
.... a TIMELESS piece of ART !!
That recoil spring setup is almost identical to that found in the Egyptian Rasheed carbines (which almost certainly did not take inspiration from this gun). It’s a neat example of co-evolution in firearms design
And gun jesus did praise the works of the heavenly host of herstal and saw that it was good
Praised be guns
Christopher MacLennan Amen
Christopher MacLennan a
Recieved mine the other day ....hand cannon......love it!
Beautiful work of art.
Spot on with the pricing on the regular FAL. I purchased a brand new Styer stamped FAL 50.00 in May of 1986 and want to say it was just over $1200 with tax out the door. Still have it. With the adjustable gas block and patience, its a dream to shoot.
Crazy that in the 80s it cost a few hundred dollars more to an FNFAL Para than it does to buy a DSA FAL PARA, and that's before inflation.
FAL rifle designs are so elegant and just look like they could be mid range sniper rifles
Beautiful gun, the one i used for 4 years in the army i got direct from the box, it was an amazing feeling to getting it new.
Didn't the L1A1 have the folding charging handle back in the 1950s? Or did they put them on later models of L1A1?
Some of them did have a folding charging handle. I think they were the earlier ones as I remember handling one when The British Army put on a display in my home city. I was still at school at the time.
I've shot my share of L1A1's, starting about 1978 and going pretty much until they went out of service in 92, and all of them have the folding cocking lever. IIRC it was incorporated as part of the Enfield conversion to the "imperial" sized rifle. Also specific to the L1A1 and I think the other imperial FAL's was our changes to the magazine release and hold open pin.
Thats not an l1a1, only british FALs had the folding charging handle.
Apparently it was for "slope arms" drill, so the handle wouldn't dig into the shoulder of the user.
From an article by The Norfolk Tank Museum, "We still used the No.4, Lee-Enfield.303” bolt action rifle. A manually operated arm, splendid thing but in the main, still in service because “Arms Drill” centred around “Slope Arms”, and the rifle favoured by us being the F.N.F.A.L. which had a projecting cocking handle would have dug into the shoulder when being carried at the “slope” and therefore could not have been seen as a replacement rifle for service by us. Discipline on “Gods Hallowed Acre”, the drill square ruled over by the Regimental Sergeant Major was total, and therefore, a thing that could not be carried at the slope would not be tolerated."
Here in Bolivia my instruction rifle was the 50.60 fixed stock and the 50.63 paratrooper in military service in the army
A thing of beauty.
I'm from Belgium (Limburg) I'm proud of that gun and fn herstal
The folding CH was used on the L1A1 years before the Para was ever even thought of.
Whiteboard videos are my favourites of the videos you make. Thank you!
I had a couple of friends at the Brigada de Fusileros Paracaidistas (FAM) who show me the full auto Para FAL.
That recoil assembly reminds me of my Ljungman. Very interesting! Thanks for the content!
What a gorgeous rifle.
I often have to watch video without sound, but I understand almost everything. Аmazing attention to important details and the ability to show all needed. Thank you!
So well machined.love it.
Ohhhh I get it, as the gun isn’t officially marked as a FAL you are able to legally acquire one in places where they are prohibited by name, as it is technically a different rifle.
I bought a Gun South imported FN FAL 50.00 in the early 1980's. The dollar was "strong" in europe leading to a price drop. Paid about $825. All the guns imported by GS that I have seen are in ser. no. 250xxx range. Still have it. Test fired only.
I never realized that standard FALs had their recoil system inside their butt stock 😮😲😯🤯
it looks badass
i do hope whoever buys this takes good care of it coz this is a gem of a gun
I'm binge watching every forgotten weapons fal videos
One of the greatest gun youtubers like Mishaco, MAC, and many more I'm so glad and excited that you exist and entertain us so thumbs way UP and greetings from sLOVEnia
Damn it! New addition to the want to buy list.
I have a Styre (sp) 50-64, bought it in 1982 when Birmingham Pistol Parlor was trying to blow the last ones out, on sale for $1100, they knocked $100 off because I was on active duty. I wanted the FALO but, alas they were out. The Para FALs are usually in good shape because they are miserable to shoot. If you get your face close enough to the rear sight you get whopped in the nose by the stock block. I also have the HK made .22lr kit for it, now that is fun to shoot!
What a beautiful rifle!
Gorgeous, gorgeous rifle
I was very familiar with the FAL I was issued one for 5 years as my Cervice weapon actually used it against Other people who I'm fortunate enough to have come up with 0 injury and they didn't even survive the encounter with him glad, but I didn't come free of injury but that's a hole different Story .
I love any fal but the heavy barreled Canadian fal is my favorite
The C1A1
i have a SA58 Tac-P. awesome rifle.
scratches on mine looks identical from ejecting rounds.
Nice vid, Ian! Hope to see more Belgian guns on Forgotten Weapons in the future like the FN FNC and FN CAL 5.56mm assault rifles, the FN Model 49 7.62mm battle rifle and the Vigneron 9mm submachinegun. Just some suggestions... ;)
Carried one in my truck when we used to take class III weapons to the range to test fire the. Love the ParaFal.
Fantastic. Always loved the FAL. Especially the Para. I like compact rifles. Unfortunately, we can't have them here in Kalifornia. That is the most solid design of folding stock i have ever seen. The whole rifle is well engineered. Nice to see the diffs and have them explained. Reading comments, it appears the recoil spring system and the shape of the carrier is almost identical to an FN-49. Makes sense. Why reinvent the wheel? I wonder if they made those parts on FN49 tooling? That would be a serious production economy. Great video as always. Thank you
50.61 owner here. love it. Argie version
One of my favorite guns , next to the good old deagle.
Bought one in the early nineties for $1050.00 The one I had said 308 match, imported by Browning. It still had the carrying handle on it.
Now *that's* a good looking rifle
A perfect video before going to sleep! Bless you Gun Jesus.
Fal is fusil automatique légère. Light automatic rifle. There's also a falo. Lo for lourde, which means heavy
In regards to ot never being shot before... If you look at the extractor a bit closer, there is slight wear from the base of the case making contact there. Just saying it was at least loaded before.
Look at the brass kisses on receiver behind the ejection port,rifle HAS been fired.I bought a NIB 50.63 years ago,after first outing my rifle had those same marks on receiver.
what a specimen!
$1500-1600 back in the early ‘80s. I’m sure this will sell for 4 to 5 times that now
If calculate for inflation one of these new back in the 80s cost 1500 more than a brand new scar H now.
In modern money these cost somewhere between 4800 and 5000 depending on year back in the 80s
$7,475, apparently. I thought it would be higher.
@@therideneverends1697 if you could find one. 1500 made, had to be special ordered too. This guy doesn't know his shot because the para was costing 3700.00 in 83-86 not 1800.00 I think the first wave may have cost that. I happen to have 1 of the first 100!!!
I have never heard anyone say gun Jesus doesn't know his "shot". If he tells you something about a topic like the FAL you can be pretty darn sure he knows his "shot"
That right side right behind the receiver looks like its had rounds through it. The whole side had marks from casings.
That is one immaculate FAL. Gonna go for high dollar.
My favorite weapon on Insurgency.
Never been fired? What an utter tragedy. No weapon should ever suffer that fate.
If only it had the Canadian's FNC1 rear sight and arctic trigger. It would be the best battle rifle on the planet.
I've always wanted a Para FAL!!
DS Arms makes one. I own one.
We had these in OTC; captured in the Falklands.
FAL, AK and M-16/AR-15....perfection since the 50s.
British Sergeant Major would say “it’s not a purse, lad”.
WE need more cost effective AR15 bolt redesigns like this for side folding stock options
Need a FN FNC video, as a comfort until we can get a Swedish AK5 one :)
@Mr. Van Dyck I haven't used the new AK5c but the old, more FNC like, version was a very nice rifle.
Domestic FALs aren't much cheaper. I have a similar stock, by CNC/Bonesteel on my WASR, and while it lacks the locking button, it is very solid when extended.
Thank you. This video made a great b-day gift.
Internally the Paratrooper rifle kind of reminds me of the French MAS 49/56 because the spring guide on the bolt carrier.
My favorite gun (the para) when I was in the army, very light and very accurate.