Right Arm of the Free World: FN FALs in Ukraine
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- čas přidán 23. 02. 2023
- The FN FAL is one of the iconic infantry weapons of the Cold War. Since Autumn last year we have seen several variant appear in use in Ukraine. In this video we take a look some of the examples seen and get some direct insight from some of the Ukrainian personnel who have used them in the field.
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Thanks for watching guys. Special thanks to the Ukrainian combatants that took the time to help with insights for this video. Check out the full accompanying article for the video here - armourersbench.com/2023/02/24/right-arm-of-the-free-world-fn-fals-in-ukraine/ Thanks again, Matt
In the Austrian 🇦🇹 army we hat the same assault rifle but with the bipod. We called it Sturmgewehr 58 and it was quite accurate. Now we have the Sturmgewehr 77 or StG77 or AUG. That’s the terms for this one rifle. I liked both rifles. Greetings from an old Sergeant Major of the Austrian Army! 🇦🇹😎👍💪🐺
@@wolfganggugelweith8760 Ahh yes, I believe there's just been an upgrade to thr 77 announced! Thanks for watching.
@@TheArmourersBench The FAL they have is certainly outdated. The Irish Army FAL’s have Rails.
those FALs have full auto mode, can confirm, was holding them with my own hands
Good job 👍
FAL finally fights its cold war battle
The FAL fought many cold war battles already, Rhodesia against the Russians and Chinese, South Africa when Russia and Cuba tried to invade.
Just a couple years late
😂😂😂 wise guy
Its the weapon I trained with. My right shoulder is bigger than my left shoulder. I very very rarely had it jam. The LMG variant was very good as well, though a slightly higher frequency of jamming. The Americans were buying up our FN stocks during the Vietnam War because of this lack of jamming.
@@rimor3579 No they weren’t lol
FAL: *looks at M14* Well old man, looks like our time has finally come.
M14: Oorah.
There are G3s in the mix. So, them old timers are having their field day
Have you seen photos or video of the G3s?
@@TheArmourersBench have none so far. However, a certain military official from Portugal mentioned in an interview that around a thousand G3s from Portuguese Army stocks has been sent. It would likely come up one of these days.
I will continue to keep an eye out for them!!
@@Kupalski0031 The G3 still very much has legs though and is vastly better than either the M14 or FAL on the modularity front. I can see it becoming a go to sharpshooter rifle with the right drop in accessories. HK were not wrong when they went with push pins for everything. A Yank will dispute this shortly but most Yanks don't have access to the HK parts bin complete with NATO stock numbers.
As an ex Brazilian Army infrantryman, this weapon is nostalgic to me. Kicks like a mule, but it's accurate, reliable, simple.
also heavy to carry !
Aqui reina o espirito imortal da infantaria! Salve combatente🔰🇧🇷
@@terencefranks1688yes, in special units it is not used, but for the regular infantry it is very easy handle and if you do training using this rifle, you get used to the weight.
i know - i carried one for some time !@@nicollasrodrigues148
Ex RAAF , same here, loved the SLR as we called them in Australia 🙂
Imagine the logistical nightmare of using all these firearms, their magazines and ammo. I'm sure the logistics chief is going crazy 😵💫
Most of them are 5.56 and 7.62x51mm so the ammo is not an issue
So the Ukrainians aren't using 5.45 or 7.62x39? 4 calibers that needs to get distributed to all combat forces.
We have provided Ukraine with a LOT of M240 machine guns that use 7.62x51 NATO ammunition (that we have also provided). All they have to do is take it out of the links.
@@thejoseonone 5 if you Include 7.62x54r for the SVD and PKM
In a country that uses 7.62 x 39 or 54
21 years in the Australian Army, and the L1A1 "SLR" was my personal weapon for nearly that whole time (except the last few years when the Steyr AUG took over)
Heavy, kicked like a mule, but would never let you, or your mates down.
They weren't too bad for recoil. Especially if the gas was set correctly. Though way more recoil than the F88.
@@chrisbrent7487 you owed the armourer a six-pack if you were silly enough to jam the pull-through in the barrel while cleaning, was the joke.
@Chris Brent the recoil was real bad! Excellent gun
@@vedantmehra6970 Some blokes taped the field dressing pack, onto the stock as a cheek shield.
@@pepelemoko01 It was more common to jam it in the gas chamber, if you used a 100x50 patch by mistake ;)
Argentinian Army reservist here, we still have the FAL as our standard issue weapon, a perfect gun, but quite outdated (here the Army is replacing it with local made lighter and shorter modernised FALs), I'm very happy to see it still keeping up with modern warfare!
todavia se usa fal en version full auto? hay versiones semiauto?como usaron los inglese en malvinas
@@tacticaldatatactical The British version was the Imperial/ Inch pattern SLR (Self-loading rifle) L1a1 which was semi-auto only as full auto on a battle rifle wasn’t useful due to muzzle jump. Although they were replaced in 1985 and completely phased out by 1992.
@@tacticaldatatactical Brazil and Argentina use the FN FAL version which has fully automatic mode
Gracias x tu servicio hermano
I'd love to see a new redesign of the old FNC 5.56 Nato with a 30 rd. mag.
The FAL definitely wins the beauty contest imo.
It's a gorgeous old rifle, isn't it?
m14 is prettier. The FAL would have won in looks if it used a BAR stock grip instead of the extreme angle pistol grip
@@jason200912 the M14 is hideous lol
@@jason200912the m14 just looks like a gross bastardized halfway point between proper ARs and the Garand. FAL always wins the beauty contest of battle rifles, followed shortly by G3s.
@@anaugle2484 your just gealous your country didn't invent the worlds best looking and functioning weapon. your g3 looks like a pile of dog sht
I am looking forward to an episode dedicated to BREN 2, since its one of the most commonly seen 5,56 rifles in Ukranian use.
Pretty fucking sad that we send those in when our active duty personel still has bren ones in some units
@@theriddler6994I mean, they are fighting an actual battle and not just garrisoned...
@@user-njyzcip so just trade those unit Stock first. Seriously. Our goverment is spending so much money it dosent have to send there, but when push would come to shove half of our guys wouldnt even have funcional shit to go with
@@theriddler6994go with where? If the Russians are too wrecked to threaten you later?
Lovely bit of kit, six hundred yard master.
FAL's destiny is finally being fulfilled
Gun age doesn't matter when the maxim is still suitable for modern warfare.
It has also been useful for brazillian police and army for decades. Policemen here fight drug dealers with it
It's been used in dozens of wars directly against communists _since its inception_
I served in the Austrian Army just as my unit was transitioning from the FN-FAL (Stg58) to the Steyr AUG (Stg77).
Loved shooting the FAL, also as I'm very tall I never found it that extremely unwieldy, as I'm already unwieldy myself. 😅
I was lucky enough to buy one of the last STG-58 parts kits imported into the USA. The STG-58 parts kit looked like it was never issued. Sadly, the USA did not allow the full rifle to be imported, so the STG-58 receiver was cut-up, in order to make it a "parts-kit" for importation.
Als 1.76 kann ich mir vorstellen wie Scheisse das zu tragen sein muss. Das gewicht als kleine person ist deutlich mehr als bei jemand spürbar der 30 bis 40 kilo mehr wiegt und kurz ist das Teil auch nicht gerade. Für einen der 2m gross ist und 120 kilo wiegt für den fühlt sich ein MG an wie ein Sturmgewehr. Würde ich dann in dem fall sogar gerne tragen
@@AbuHajarAlBugatti es geht vorallem um den Abstand zwischen Schulter und Knie.
Ich bin 1,94, egal ob ich British ready im gesicherten Marsch oder im Unterholz, ist mir nicht die Mündung gegen die Kniescheibe geschlagen.
Meinem Kameraden mit 1,71 ist das ständig passiert, sehr unangenehm vorallem wenn es kalt ist.
@Will W did you weld the receiver together again, like they do with AK's?
The hammer forged barrels by Steyr were probably the best part of them.
I saw a bunch of full auto capable ones in a depot, in the late 90's all brand new.
I was told that these were an Argentinian order from just before the Falklands War, that never got delivered.
Apparently, these went to Ireland.
The Spohn modified DMR's for the Irish Army were built on these, so I'm told.
@@marcusott2973 No, I did not weld the receiver. It would be illegal to do that. Most of the receiver was missing. Only a little bit of it threaded on the barrel remained with the parts kit.
The ATF makes them completely destroy the receivers now, so the days of people illegally welding cut receivers are long pasted. It is also a bad idea to weld forged and heat treated materials, unless someone has the very expensive equipment to do the process correctly.
I bought an Imbel receiver, before those were also banned from being imported into the USA. Imbel made the Brazilian FAL through an agreement with FN. Imbel also made some semiautos only receivers that were imported into the USA. I also had to replace some of the parts with made in the USA parts, so the rifle would comply with the import restrictions.
Did you really think FALs would miss a fight?
Want to like but can’t fuck up the 69 likes
I was issued an FN FAL as a 17 year old reservist. It was a horrible weapon for de-bussing or concealed firing given its length. But great stopping power and range in the right hands. Regular units had been issued Steyr Augs but many NCOs preferred FN especially if they had trained initially on Mk. 2 Lee Enfields in reserve units. A shooter's gun good to 500m.
Still love it to this day .Dragged it up and down what felt like half the hills in Ireland .
600m
Yeah, his cartridge jam problem was solved by opening up the gas and making it "over gassed" (it's not really over gassed, it's a normal function of the gas regulator) because it's a short stroke piston rod and not like the Kalashnikov rifle, it's a touch more sensitive to variations in ammo and the action can be as well to dirt or wet & freezing conditions, must clean the action and keep it well cleaned & free of any fowling or residue from firing. 🇨🇦
Spot on mate..
Nothing like a bit of cook and spray 👌
Use to close the gas a bit more then half way. Can feel a harder punch in the shoulder.🤣 found also that some very old military amo causes frustration....
And finally needs to be proper cleaned... one of those rifles that wants to be a gentleman when it' comes to firing 🔥
Sounds like a good reason to keep some gun lube on hand.
Years ago i was speaking with a Canadian Veteran who served as a Peace Keeper at the height of the conflict in Cyprus. Stuck between the Greeks and Turks with their 9 mm pop guns. The Canadian contingent had a coffee can each put a dollar in. The reason for the tin can full of dollar bills, was to pay the $10 fine a Trooper was issued if he discharged his weapon. And discharge that single round then did. When the Canadians grew tired of the Turkey and Greek stupidity of having hot lead fly over their post, the crackle of a single round of the 7.62 NATO would make the battlefield go silent. The Greeks and Turks realized they just pissed off the Canadians and stopped...
Yeah, everyone knows Canadians are friendly, but piss them off and all bets are off! Bit like Aussies in a lot of ways, pretty relaxed but piss us off and all bets are off again!
the only reason they stopped is because they got ordered to stop , you think Greeks would let their home because a canadian fired a warning shot in the air with the fal? they had one too
@@giorgostoskas2185 obviously you've never heard a 7.62 Nato round go off amongst 9mm stens
@@jimdr63 My G3A4 has 7.62x51 and is my main service rifle and while at it , not only i have shot 7.62x51 , i also have shot with 20mm so i assure you i have heard louder “booms” from firing a gun. The Greeks had 7.62 guns during the invasion of Cyprus , they didn’t operate only with sten submachineguns
Since you bring up Cold War battle rifles, it is a bit surprising that the HKs haven't shown up in considerable numbers.
because for ukraine the old and outdated equipment is enough!!!
@@tiglatus Agreed; they need up-to-date weaponry to repel the invaders, but they are still doing good work with the rifles.
G3s was somewhat still in use by modern countries, I've seen some special forces using them, maybe that's why.
Its a new rifle and there probably isnt as many in reserve to be sent
Won't see them for a while due to Canada sending an ass wack of C7's.
Greetings from Belgium, proud manufacturers of the FN FAL. It was my personal weapon when I did my service in the Belgian Infantry as an officer in 1981-82. I loved this rifle. Very accurate, very easy to clean, very reliable.
The FAL is a great rifle. Easy to field strip and clean. I would do it blindfolded at the age of 17. It is L1A1 in Australia. I loved it
Oldie but Goldie lol Legendary gun
R1 in RSA. In the late 60's, some of the guys were still issued with Belgian FN's.
Mine had slots cut into the 'Muis' (Slide) .. it supposedly helped clear sand from the workings. Never had a stoppage.
I loved the FAL (SLR downunder) Was issued to me in basic when we were transitioning to the new M16. I got to see first hand what the 7.62 V 5.56 did to ballistic gel. Kept my SLR for the rest of my career. Had very few gas jams as I would field strip & clean it before I would look after myself. Thank you for reminding me.
En que país presto servicio militar y si uno podía elegir su clase de fusil gracias
Fal é um ícone do Brasil! E tem uma precisão absurda nas mãos certas, e uma luneta, ela vira uma arma incrível!
I can also attest to the special place this rifle has in the hearts of about a dozen countries (for instance me as an Australian).
One of my most prized possessions is an old photograph of my grate uncle (a Vietnam vet) standing there with his Slouch hat and SLR.
@EddieBanido! Realmente! Uma arma incrível no.... museu e nas mãos de colecionadores de antiguidade. E lá, combina bem junta com a centenária Madsen usada por PMs e PCs.
Minha arma preferida,precisao,poder de fogo(um tiro de 7,62 mm arranca membros),o som...só o som desta arma assusta o inimigo..e o melhor nao falha por sujeira.Ponto negativo é que são somente 20 muniçoes e o peso talvez.
Love the old FN FAL
It's a beautiful rifle I love it too
3:08 This might be a Dutch camo pattern on the gun sling.
I cant remember if we gave our FALs to either the Peshmerga and/or the Ukranians but could be both.
I believe there was an issue with them not being available to us for exercition training.
Good old Smelly it is, then.
5:15 Wolverines!
Don’t tell me y’all weren’t thinking it as well.
Belgium supplied in 2022, a total of 10,000 FAL's of various types along with 5,000 FNC's and 1,000 FN2000's and SCAR's. A further 3700 FNC's or SCAR's are about to be delivered in March. Several hundred MAG GPMG's and Minimi's and over a 1,000 FN manufactured M2 HMG's were also delivered last year. I believe all of these delivered in the first tranche were FN stockpiled weapons ready for overseas sale. The Belgian Govt bought them all and sent to Ukraine instead.
Thank you for that, have there been Belgian government releases or press reports that gave that break down?
@@TheArmourersBench The recent 30 Jan press release shows that FN has made available 5,000 FNC's for delivery PLUS 1482 'Diverse' calibre Machineguns as well as the before-mentioned other unknown 3700 Rifles.....More FAL's, SCAR's or FN2000's????
I will have to find those press releases working on videos on the FNC and F2000 at the moment. Thank you!
@@TheArmourersBench Look for pdf files, there are lots of them. All in French though lol
As a belgian this sucks. I want those rifles 😢
My dad trained on this as a RM back in ‘82.
To this day, my dad believes the SLR to be the best modern battle rifle - perfect caliber, perfect length, all curated into one rifle for the likes of a true marksmen
That's the same time I trained on it in Canada.
You‘re dad is sadly mistaken :p
Gets boring listening to old farts in the army like my relatives saying this when you know for a fact they would use the modern SA if it actually came down to it. It's all just received wisdom nonsense. The only thing I preferred about the FAL was it felt like if everything went completely wrong i could better batter somebody to death with it
@@-suiluj- No the FAL/SLR is a very simple weapon indeed. It just works and works. It uses a proper piston gas system. I trained on one and loved it. You can also put a bayonet on one and poke it at people without looking stupid.
@@mbak7801 it’s outdated tech that’s literally 70 years old. The Oldtimer tilting block mechanism makes it even more inaccurate than it already is. The concept of a battle rifle is equally outdated and the MOA is simply too bad for it to be a useful modern DMR. Way too long, way too heavy, bulky and unergonomic. Can’t fit modern attachments such as scopes to it. Oh and good luck firing full auto. And yeah when was the last time a bayonet was effectively used in modern combat, go figure.
It’s obsolete in every way possible for a modern military, that’s why it’s given away to Ukraine. Stop trying to shoehorn objectively old/redundant stuff into the modern gun world just bc of nostalgia, that’s boomer-fudd behavior.
The soldier, with the 10 round magazines, that there were issues with dirt. Two of my former co-workers that served with the SADF in Angola also mentioned that. The FAL can be picky about ammo, the one I have likes really hot ammo. I can run it with the gas system a bit more closed.
Either the comments I hear stand out because they're unusual, or something else.
One of my neighbors is former Rhodesian army, he didn't actually bash the FAL...but he also said it wasn't exactly rugged. Generally required more care than soldiers preferred.
Sounds like it is a great weapon for a more conventional European battlefield with regular infantry than in the Bush Wars or the Sinai.
Some Fal could come from Croatian arsenals. They came to Croatia from Argentina in the 90s when Menem's government sent military aid to Croatia under the pressure of the Croatian-Argentinian community. In the video at least one of them has the narrower flash hider, typical of the Argentinian third-pattern receiver version.
Certainly a good theory, a couple of people have suggested that. It might well be the origin of some of them.
Two ten round mags??? I think I would be switching it out for something different as quickly as possible. I hope he at least has a good sidearm or something. Always happy to see FALs though. Such an elegant and iconic rifle.
I carried one in 1967/68 during my Australian Army service in SE Asia. Our's always had the 20 round mag and they were a wonderful weapon. Very accurate and packed a real punch. Great for distance firing but not very practical for trench fighting of which there is plenty in Ukraine.
@@alonsocushing2263 A trench is definitely not the place to go using an SLR, particularly if you have fitted the bayonet. Although having said that, the SLR is about the same length as a Lee-Enfield and they saw service in WWI, WWII and Korea, and trenches were in use in those conflicts.
I sure wouldn't be happy with only two 10 round mags. That lad needs to go procure some more mags pronto. Has anyone else ever seen 10 round magazines for the FAL/SLR?
@@markfryer9880 I've only heard of them here on the US civilian market. Intended for sale in states with magazine capacity restrictions or for people who want to shoot low on a bench.
@@markfryer9880 yeah don’t use them all at once 😂
3:12 they say:
- Look what kind of thing they give to my friend, what is it name?
- I don't remember what it's called, but this thing is good
-7.62 caliber, we tried to shoot, and its powerful.
Most Ukrainians did not even see this weapon before the war(Because the AK-47 with its 7.62×39mm prevails in our region), but this powerful gun and caliber has already earned respect among some military groups, usually among the Territorial Defense Forces who are armed with 5.45 × 39 or even smaller calibers, and have problems with penetrating Russian body armor.
Of course, this is a new foreign caliber for us, аnd this leads to logistical problems... But more even such old ones weapons, more armed defenders of Ukraine, and more chances that one day we will free Ukraine from the invaders and end this war.
Thanks for the translation. Yes, smaller calibres would have problems with body armour but the 7.62mm FAL will certainly help out with Orc removal tasks. Even if it doesn't penetrate the armour, the transfer of energy upon impact will definitely give an Orc breathing difficulties. Australians in Vietnam found that they could take out VC/NVA using large trees as cover, by shooting through the tree trunk. Getting through steel or ceramic armour plates may require different rounds to normal. Some sort of steel or tungsten round might provide the best solution for dealing with Orcs wearing body armour.
Intermediate rifle cartridges are great, but there really is something to be said for the full powered ones, they're best suited for machineguns, but their range and power do count for something in a rifle too.
It's not _just_ because it was better than the L85A1 that the L1A1 was well liked by many in the British armed forces.
@@markfryer9880 I think barrier penetration is a bigger deal, light cover which 5.56mm and 5.45mm wouldn't do great against will be little trouble for hefty 7.62mm NATO, and it do well against unarmored vehicles.
Very symbolic seeing the right arm of the free world in the hands of the people fighting to join the free world.
as a british man there has always been issues with the FAL, notably its size and weight and lack of mounting of optics, all mentioned here by the troops using it. Hence its replacement, IMO I would use a AK-74 but I dont know what condition they would be in.
One of the very few arguments to be made for the fal could be the caliber in and of itself, some russian troops have plates that stop standard soviet 5.45 but dont fare very well against 762. Other than that i would probably also prefer an ak
Which is why you buy a Scar heavy instead of FAL. Better in every regard.
The AK74 has even worse options for mounting optics and rather crude irons. Unless you get one of the rare ones with a side rail but that still limits you to what is available in theatre. Ironically the scope you can get for the side rail AK74 is a direct Russian copy of the SUIT used on the L1A1.
But can you get a 5cm group at 600 meters with an ak ? Ive never touched an ak so don’t know
That 308 round is pretty useful though, I'd rather have an FAL than an m14 variant
Both Rhodesia and South Africa used them, in action, and the rifle was well liked. Our average carry was 7 mags, and a bandolier of 60 rounds, on external ops, and just the 7 mags on internals. Mostly only used one mag in a contact.
Yep loved my L1A1, never let me down and never bothered by brush.
@@Brunel1859 affirmative four and a half years
@@Brunel1859Typically during an engagement, the Rhodesisns would outnumber end encircle the guerilla fighters as per the fireforce doctrine.
*The Right Arm of The Free World*
Loved the FN, was sad when we adopted the 5.56×45mm. The FN gave you the feeling that the down range results where devastating to what ever it hit. Hopefully it has been in Bakhmut.
The FAL is a fearsome weapon. Very powerful, very accurate with very good range.
They go though schools
Also very simple when compared to other weapons so much less likely to grind to a halt after a few hundred rounds without cleaning.
A big gun .. and heavy ... i know, my personal weapon for 16 months as a Dutch conscript in 1981.
@@ouwestomp203 it was mine for 8 years. Kicks like a donkey 😄
@@emmanueldominic8560 apparently it’s pretty good in certain parts of Ukraine too.
Austria also used the FAL with the designation "Sturmgewehr 58", domestic licensed production. Germany had them with designation G1, but they were actually replaced by HK G3 in 1959 after not getting a license for domestic production from FN.
Another great video about the ongoing weaponry being supplied to Ukraine. Matts work behind the scenes gathering the information is truly unsung. Well done mate
Thanks Rob, I know I constantly bore you with it lol.
@@TheArmourersBench not at all I love it 👏👏🤩
As a proud owner of a Lithgow L1A1 (Imperial version of the FAL), I will attest that it is an outstanding rifle and profoundly effective. It is a legend for a reason and simply beautiful.
That was nice of him to answer questions for you so we can all hear how it's performing over there. 👍🇺🇦
Yeah the guys sharing their insights was really humbling, great to hear from them.
Wonderful rifle. I used the FN FAL 7.62 mm 1966-68. Immensely powerful and, without a scope, I could hit man-size targets at 400 metres. Easy to strip and clean. Only once did the front sight work loose. I agree a little heavy and a bandolier of ammunition was certainly weighty. In those days, you could turn it into full auto by simply slipping half the thickness of a match under a tiny spring inside the trigger housing. A Bren mag could be used too.
2:27 9 magazines, that’s 180 rounds assuming 20 round magazines, that’s pretty good for how much power the FAL brings
Yeah, that's a good load out!
They would still get empty awfully fast. By the time you went through 6 mags, you would want to be starting to reload several of your magazines.
@@markfryer9880 Which is exactly what soldiers do. After every contact or section attack you stop, redistribute ammunition and fill magazines from bandoliers.
What is missing is bandoliers. If you are toting a L1A1/FAL about you always want bandoliers of chargers on your person or to hand in a vehicle and a magazine filling tool. Canadian C1A1s even had a charger bridge as did most of the early British and Commonwealth trials rifles.
@@markfryer9880Go empty at the same rate as an M4 or AK. Just using heavier rounds.
I used that in the Canadian army we loved them.
Good old C1. VP!
Loved my Fall to!
That’s pretty cool
In artic training the old girl would get cold and cranky but not as bad as the C2 and the dammed bypod filling with ice and not moving.
Absolute poetry, that these beautiful rifles get to fulfill their purpose
The FALs in the videos look new. Barely any scratches to the finish
They do look in very good shape. I'll continue to investigate where they originated from. Thanks for watching.
@@TheArmourersBench
Thank you for the informative videos
@@TheArmourersBench they were probably made by imbel, a brazillian firearms manufacturer, the parafal variant was made to meet the brazillian paratroopers requirements for the main assalt rifle, i served in the army last year (im brazillian) and we still get brand new fals
@@P4PAC0TM Wow, a brand new FAL, what a concept! The inch pattern Aussie made SLR FALs I used in the late 80s and early 90s were all made in 62 and 63, so 2 or 3 years older than me, 65 model. Still a good solid rifle.
Western nations have a habit of maintaining surplus. Russia not so much.
Amazing! I spent a good few years carrying one as a conscript and active reserve, during the Angolan border war in the 1970's - 1980's. Thanks
We stopped using the FAL in the 90's. Mostly switched to FNC. The FAL is still used in the Navy to shoot a line between vessels.
Last year the last units switched to the SCAR. I've done a parade with it, haven't shot it yet. So I don't think there were many FAL's left in Belgium.
We used those FN's in RCNR in the early seventies.(Royal Canadian Naval Reserve.) I was in the honour guard and was our standard issue. Used with live rounds during my GMT in Halifax NS. Nasty kick for a nineteen year old.
I was issued with an L1A1 (SLR) back in the late 70s when I joined up. It was a great weapon, accurate and very reliable. If not a little on the heavy side. I acquired some spare 30 round LMG magazines, which were the same fitment and they nit only worked very well. They looked really cool.
Right arm of the Free World!
The simplicity in the looks of the FAL is what makes it one of the cleanest and sexiest rifles out there.
It may be a bit heavy but it's also one of the most reliable weapons out there.
SLR a very reassuring feel to have one in your mits. Carried one round the streets of NI and "discharged it" on two occasions. The butt was pretty good too for "convincing" uncooperative types. Was not there to be everyones mate on the hearts and minds trip.
During the Balkan wars in the '90s the Argentinian government was involved in illegal arms trade to Croacia and Bosnia. Thousands of Argentinian made FALs (metric pattern) were part of that traffic, so it wouldn't be a surprise if some of those FALs are already seasoned veterans :P
I was last fully limbed when I parted company for the last time with my left arm - L1A1 I simply felt complete when holding it.
Emotionally the fal is possibly my single most favorite rifle ever. But I would 1000% take an ak74 over a fal in combat.
I might be very biased as I went through basic with the FAL, so I'm very familiar with the manual of arms it. There's something to be said for the penetrative power of 7,62.
Especially considering the resistance capabilities of Russian plates and helmets.
5,45 is a very light, long rather unstable round, so in wooded areas and such, it's easily deflected by brushwork.
Later in the unit, we transferred to the Steyr AUG, which is the gun I would prefer to take into battle, simply because I've put 1000's of rounds down range with one.
@@marcusott2973 I’m not knocking the FAL or 308, it’s just that the .22 caliber assault rifle cartridges like 5.45 and 5.56 are substantially better fire support weapons. If the choice was between an AKM and a FAL I’d probably take the FAL. Definitely if it was a 50.63 para model with the short barrel.
@Revvy Ishonisd honestly, the best small arms mix on the battlefield is perhaps what the US Marines field, piston driven AR platforms in 5,56, and 7,62.
Any good quality AR 7,62 is superior to a FAL.
I liked the Steyr AUG in service because it was light yo carry and easy to clean.
but mag changes and clearing stoppages are so much easier, if you're not trying to do it in your armpit while wearing a plate carrier full of kit.
For me, i think the issue's trying to spray 20 rounds without it flying everywhere, and not feeling empty when you finish a magazine too soon.
@@marcusott2973 oh yeah AR is still king of the Cold War
A small note: it's unlikely unlikely to have been Portugal. We used FALs during the Colonial Wars but they were a stopgap until G3 production started. I don't believe there were any still around in 2022. We did send basically all of our G3s though, which had only been retired two years prior.
Fun fact: the PTR-91 is made with old Portuguese G3 tooling
Incidentally, I'm surprised we haven't seen the G3s yet.
I miss the FAL! .... I'm glad they're getting to see some service doing what they were designed to do....defend sovereign nations from imperialist aggression. Being an ex-cold warrior, I will be the first to admit that that ethic became a bit....skewed during the last cold war, too bad some "leaders" seem to not have learned from it...anyway, the FAL is a fine weapon though not without it's flaws. The 7.62 NATO round should have had milder loads available when it wasn't on a disintegrating belt, perhaps a 120 grain projectile and a bit less powder, the empty space taken up with kapok or some other non absorbent filler. The Ukrainians have been doing excellent work modding some of the western weapons shipped to them, cutting the barrel back, then crowning it using the head of a nylon bolt and some fine abrasive compound is simple and quick, and adding a locally fabricated muzzle brake with some seriously backward angled baffles would help with the godawful climb the FAL has during full auto fire. The cut down barrel would also help during indoor clearing operations. I'd be in Ukraine now if I wasn't so old and handicapped from multiple wounds...not all earned in combat I'm embarrassed to say.
All I can do is donate and encourage other's to do likewise. Ukraine is going to win this fight, let's all hope they win it soon, war sucks and this one is unnecessarily hard on the civilian population....because Putin is losing and he knows it.
Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦
@Black Panther Dilate.
@@blackpanther5086 It's an opinion. I liked the FAL when I used it, it felt substantial and the M16 was unreliable at the time. I'm sorry that my quickly dashed off nostalgic comment on the all important CZcams wasn't up to your high standards, but it's just an offhanded comment about a weapon I used 44 years ago and haven't seen much about since. Not every conversation has to be won or lost, if you have.a problem with what I wrote consider what it cost you.
The first weapon i was issued with was the FN 7.62 SLR and it was very accurate at long range with great penetration as demonstrated by training officer shooting through 2 railway sleepers , at 9lb it is quite heavy but i never had a stopage it was easy to strip and clean i loved it.
I served in the RAF and British Army with it .
Shot the FAL when I was in cadets in the late 80’s up at pucka outside melbourne. Big kick, very accurate. Loved it.
Often wondered what happened to my old British Army SLR Serial No 26461 that I was issued with in 1986
Awesome footage as always
Used the SLR version with the Aust army prior to the change over to the StyerAug.
A well maintained FN Fal with a good barrel & receiver is effective out to 600 yards.
The only issue was the gas system needed to be gradually wound down to 0 to prevent stoppages during prolonged use as it was prone to excessive carbon build up.
FN used in South African Police..definitely the rifle to have in a gun fight..practically shoots through anything..👍❤️
It was a sad day the day we got rid of the SLR and started using the SA80. I don’t know any solider that trained on the SLR that thought different. If you are a good shot, the SLR it will never fail to put a man down!
Glad to see our Ukrainian friends have a truly great battle rifle in the war against the madmans army. I loved mine in the 80's !
Z
The FAL, although being replaced by the new Imbel IA2, is still widely used by the Brazilian Army, in fact, the IA2 is very inspired by the FAL in several aspects, as Imbel has already manufactured dozens of versions of this veteran rifle and has all the knowledge and tools of work on it.
in Malvinas war this weapon was used in both side, argentinian version had de adv that it was automatic
malvinas only exists in political minds
Great vids. Brings back memories
I've used the British version of this weapon the SLR 7.62 cal. I found it very accurate at 600 yds without a scope.
My father's unit had a record of capturing the "Australian Rifle" (fn fal, I think) in Vietnamese hands during the Sino-Vietnamese War, but due to lack of 7.62nato ammunition, this rifle was not given to the front line troops and was given to truck drivers to replace the Type 54 submachine gun (Chinese made pps43).
We referred to it more commonly as the SLR or"Slur"
I love the FAL, but I'd be pretty upset if I were handed one to replace my PPS in a second line role.
Dmytro was my neighbor in 2019 and my first friend in Ukraine. All around cool guy.
It's a small world. Very grateful to him for answering my questions. Thanks for watching.
love these video's, keep them coming
At 0:25 seconds into the video, the image shown is not an FN FAL but an FN LAR (Light Automatic Rifle). It's the heavy barrel version of the FAL designed for automatic fire. In Canada, it was altered to be designated the FN C2. The giveaways in the photo are the thicker barrel, the bipod and the 30-round magazine laying next to it under the 20-round. The LAR usually came with 30-round magazines.
Unlikely. That’s an add for the civilian market, and as such likely would’ve been semi only.
@@baneofbanes DS Arms has sold the FN LAR that is semi-auto. I also help rep the company. I learned the FN C1 and C2 as a teenager and reservist... I grew up with these systems. Canadians can own a Type 81 Light Machine Gun (LMG) but it's actually only semi-auto and mags pinned to 5 rounds but it's still called an LMG. Look at the photo and you will see that the flash eliminator of the slotted tube type is flush with the barrel thickness, it's a thick barrel, i.e. an LAR.
@@Filthsloppy then it’s not an actual LAR if it’s semi auto. The Type 81 LMG that Canadians can own isn’t an actual LMG.
@@baneofbanes I want to apologize for a couple of things, the double messaging because for some reason one message had disappeared and I rewrote a new similar message but I see it appears now. And I'd like to apologize because now I get what you are saying, I think I understand, i.e. that even though the Type 81 LMG in Canada (and the US) is called an LMG, it isn't really an LMG because it doesn't fire as one, just as the LAR isn't really a LAR because it doesn't fire in automatic as an original LAR should. If this is what you meant, I agree, the designation is a bit off but it is what it is; it is a LMG and LAR made into semi-auto rifles, ergo the designations remain.
Sim,é um FAP.. facilmente conhecido pelo bipé,o carregador mais comprido..arma de apoio de fogo nível grupo de combate que foi substituido pela minha queridinha FN Minimi.
God this bring back memories from when I was in the British army
On Deutsche Welle english this morning, they reported that Belgium has shipped to Ukraine the following from their arms warehouses: FAL, FNC, M4, and SCAR. No details were provided, just what has been shipped
A few US civilian gun companies have sent pistols to Ukraine, including Kimber who weirdly sent sub compact pistols for some reason. Would be interested to see a video on that topic
Would be nice to send some Hi-Points and Cobray Derringers.
@@RandomGuy9 not really
@@RandomGuy9 i own a 170 year old New Model Revolver and a Winchester repeater from the same cowboy period. They might want that
Great video! That brings back memories, I loved the FN FAL and wasn't happy when it got replaced by the FN FNC early 90s. But the FN FNC turned out to be a very reliable rifle. It served the Belgian Army good in conflicts all over the world.
The FNCs seem to be serving the Ukrainians well too. Video on those coming soon.
@@TheArmourersBench Looking forward to seeing the FN FNC video! 🤩🤩🤩
about time. the FAL was made for this exact battlefield. 7.62x51mm will reach out and touch you. 400m effective AK-74 range vs 800m for the FAL. more with scopes.
The issue with the current conflict's low-intermediary munitions like the 556 and 545 is that they arnt really made for the area of combat. Sure, better for engagement for the era they came from, 1970s where body armor was low-priority, modularity, jack-of-all-trades. kinda stuff. The 7.62x39 that has shit ballistics but punches harder, but not further.
The large fields, penetration, and stopping power is where 7.62x51 and 7.62×54 really shine.
I guarantee you that the US still has tens of thousands of M14s and era ammo just laying around in a reserve storage.
When it comes to winning a war, sure equipment is a big help. who has the best jets or tanks can say alot... but if your troops dont have the ability to fight off an enemy infantry, youll loose more manpower then them.
Yes, ukraine has the better equipment. Scopes and sights are great on their weapon systems. so, bumping that low-intermediate munition to a full rifle round? Itll be super effective.
You can do much worse than to be armed with a FN FAL. Used one in the South African "bush war" in Angola. Lubricated with baby powder instead of oil because of the dusty conditions in ran flawless and was more accurate than any other rifle used in the conflict.
Baby powder instead of oil, now that is a clever idea. I am surprised that it was never mentioned in the Australian Army or Reserves. Dust is a real issue particularly as you head North in Australia. Till the Wet Season starts.
@@markfryer9880 That's because he made it up 🤣😆🤣
Baby powder in the Southern African Bush? That's a new one on me.
Kept clean, lightly oiled and Gas set to 3 and 1/2 .. never had a stoppage.
Cleaning with FN FAL ( R1 ) rifle oil was a pain in Africa as dust would always be caught in the oil in the barrel, and rifle inspection the Korparal ( Corporal) would scream that you had not cleaned your weapon.
So I switched to a furniture aerosol spray. Mr Min. Barrel would shine brightly with wax, and not collect dust. No problems after that in dusty winter Pretoria.
Love the FAL, I think the anonymous soldier just needs some larger capacity mags, a rail from the US so he can mount a scope, maybe his version also does not have the sand channel. and then maybe he would learn to love it.
More accurate, harder hitting and longer range.
With all the open space in Ukraine I would take the battle rifle over an assault rifle, depends how much FIBUA your doing.
Best New FAL is made by DSA in Barrington, Illinois . Very low recoil for a .308 👍🏻
These things still going. Wow. Loved my SLR in the ARES.
Like anything, it’s how you use it.
The FAL still has some fight left in her.
2:25. That is either an Argy or DSA carry handle - the forward edge is bugle shaped. This is a consequence of using a later "long" style carry handle plastic, on an earlier style "short" stem/wire. The lack of paint on the handguard metal, and the bevel on the top radius of the rear sight, make me think the rifle is Argentine in origin.
It may well be. Someone has suggested it might he a South American rifle that came via Croatia.
@@TheArmourersBench Well, the only two choices for S Am made, is Brazil or Argentina. Chilean are dubious as most appear to be remarked Brazilian or FN.
Chile was not a signatory to the Arms Embargo to RSA/Rhodesia, and transshipped a bunch of IMBELs to RSA which ended up in Rhodesia. But the ones pictured have too much original finish to have been in the bush wars.
I wish I could post comparison photos.
Thank you!
In the New Zealand and Australia armies from the late 50s to late 70s including the Vietnam War the standard long arm infantry weapon was the FN FAL manufactured by Lithgow in Australia but was designated SLR ie self-loading rifle.
The FAL with rattle can and fur goes hard, may need to clone that.
It's a look.
@@TheArmourersBench Pretty Bogan if you ask me!
Just needs some moccasins and a packet of Winnie Blue tucked away on his upper arm. Bogan!
I wonder if any country ever produced a FAL variant ment for a marksman role. It already comes with a bipod and a good length of barrel along with a round that can go the distance. The lack of optic mounts would be the issue a special variant would need to address.
DSA makes a railed dust cover that holds zero pretty well
We had it here in Brazil, my father used one, finicky stuff he said, he told me it was machined to be more accurate, don't know the exact process they used in the barrel, but I know they changed the balance and install some kind of recoil reduction system, change the spring, used another or some kind of buffer, nowdays the IA-2 in 7.62 is pretty much a polymer FAL with AR bold for that purpose, to serve as a DMR, I didn't saw one in my service, I was with the Airforce, there we used HK, but the FALs I saw were para with Picatinny rails, that's what I can say to you.
New Zealand used L1A1s as DMR for a while in Afghanistan.
Check the FAMTD (Fusil Argentino Modelo Tirador Destacado). After a long test and evaluation process, Argentine started to distribute it. It's a 1MOA FAL with rail, optic, light bipod and adjustable stock.
They make horrendous sharp shooters rifles as its very hard to get repeatable zero and all the options on sale require masses of screws and loctite or a spot welder. Its not suitable for field use.
dude Id love one, I first fired one at CFB Esquimalt I think, that and the Lee En, and the c7.
I never forgave them for taking my fn fal and giving me that plastic junk.
I love the inch pattern L1A1. I grew up drawing them.
We had them issued in late seventies and early eighties,most of us said it was showing its age then,I would imagine though being hit with possibly the 7.62 calibre would err have some effect especially wearing body armour👹
Aussie SLR FALs were known for clearing VC/NVA using trees as cover by shooting through the tree in Vietnam.
@@markfryer988030-06 did the same in the Bulge.
Noice, waiting for Barrett 50 cal soon
This was a 👍 while the ad was playing!
Always appreciated, thank for watching Peter!
I had a G3 myself when I was in the army. It was a sweet puppy, but I think perhaps the FAL is better.
This would be my choice of battle rifle. Superb piece of kit. I could still strip and reassemble it with my eyes closed. Not good in automatic, but still a great weapon. They are 20 round magazines not 10.
20 round magazines is what all the military FAL rifles used, but I've seen a few 10 round magazines before, which apparently is what one of those guys had to settle for. Not sure where those small magazines would come from though, they must be a commercial market item.
Then you had the 30 round ones for the L4 light machineguns, which generally weren't supposed to be used in the FAL rifles, because they tended to not behave, though I've heard lots of guys tell stories of how they did some field modifications to make them work. The FAL looks pretty cool with the extra long magazine loaded.
@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine must be a civilian adapted 10 round magazine, that would account for it. We used the L4 magazines on occasion without any problems at all. I'm not sure if the same would go for the Canadian support weapon magazine. I would still choose this over many rifles, and I have used several NATO types on ops, including HK,AR15,AK platforms. The chap that said it was not reliable, must be used to the AK type. As long as the rifle is cleaned, it's pretty reliable.
Great powerful round for a strong gun
The first rifle I was issued was an FNC1. Serial number OL0709. I loved that rifle. I am two metres tall, and the rifle comes with different butt sizes. The XL fit me perfectly. The rifle was comfortable to carry all day. It was very accurate. The sights were quickly adjustable and allowed for rapid target acquisition. And the 7.62 round has excellent stopping power.
The only real disadvantage is that the 7.62 is really too big with too much recoil. It was designed for a 7 mm round, which would be better for anyone who is not as tall as I am. When the government made the political decision to allow women into combat arms, it was necessary to switch to the small 5.56 round.
I also really like the FNC2 LMG. Almost all the same parts as the C1, so easier logistics. The issue with the old BREN gun is that the BREN has a two-man crew, with the #2 carrying the spare barrel. It is not all that much extra weight to add the rest of the gun to the spare barrel, so that instead we now have two men carrying two guns.
It's how you can tell your sides winning when you have to cobble together small arms from literally EVERY military calibre and from all around the world.
Considering that the Russians are issuing their rear line troops Mosins, yes. Like it or not but Ukraine is winning the war.
@@baneofbanes
_"I saw it on Reddit so it must be true."_
Some (not all) Arg FAL sent to Croatia were stripped of their markings so I won't be surprised if the anonymous FAL were Argentinians.
Can confirm after further research that at least some of them in Ukraine are definitely Argentine.
It really could be true, but the serial number, barrel length and muzzle brake indicate that their country of origin is Greece...
@@alienproduce oh really? Tell me more!
@@TheArmourersBenchGreece before the acquisition of the German HK G3 and after an agreement with FN manufactured, FAL and FALO battle rifles in the Hellenic Arms Industry (EBO) and PYRKAL in very large quantities. Initially, the weapons were used exclusively by the Special Forces, while later (1973-1999) all units of the 4th Army Corps acquired them. Today they are still used by Security Forces such as the Coast Guard and the Hellenic Police, but also the reserves of the special forces mainly.
What sets them apart is the characteristic point of their serial numbers, their standard barrel length as well as their muzzle brake.
A secondary point that makes them different from other manufacturing companies is the characteristic dark color of the excellent quality of their metals! 😉👌
@@alienproduce that's absolutely fascinating. I knew Greece had at one time used them but not to what extent. You mention the point of the serial number, I'm not sure I follow what you mean - the style they're stamped on the receiver? Thanks again.
As an ex. Infantry soldier Charlie company 2 RAR loved the FAL SLR never a malfunction very accurate extremely reliable Wish I could own one today
How can we get them more 20 round magazines? DSA here in the US makes a polymer magazine that works very well and would eliminate the 10 round magazine restrictions and weighs a LOT less than the steel mags that originally came with the FAL.
And DSA also makes an exceptional optics mount that replaces the top cover. It has a Picatinny rail on top for easy mounting of optics that will let them make the best use of the rifle.