The Fn Fal Rifle

[Karl Marx's Camel]

I have read seen many (news ) sites describing the FN FAL rifle as "aging" and even "outdated".

But what is wrong with this rifle?

What does it lack?

And what are its strong points?

Why is Venezuela adopting the AK-103 instead of keeping the FN FAL?

[pcb]

i believe that the FN FAL uses 7.62mm ammo where as 5.56mm ammo is prominately used by most armies now. Except for those countries using AK which use short 7.62mm ammo. Plus point when fired the person shot goes down, with 7.62mm, with 5.56mm the bullet enters the body but will bounce off bone and keep going. Mass production also plays a big part in changing a country's main weapon. Hope this helps.

[dannie]

i believe the belgian army still uses the fas, but maybe that's just because we suck at armies

[Janus]

It's an old weapon.

Venezuela is probably replacing them because the FN FALs they have are old and need servicing.

There's really nothing wrong with it inherently but that new weaponry is needed, particularly new ammo and whatnot.

[Shadowlegion]

I think the term aging and outdating are a bit misleading. it doesn't mean they are ineffective weapons, it just means that most countries are moving to more effective weapons for the situation, much like an AK-47, an antique by most standards is an effective weapon, but there are obviously better choices...

[Sadena Meti]

Originally posted by [email protected] 8 2006, 09:36 PM
I have read seen many (news ) sites describing the FN FAL rifle as "aging" and even "outdated".
But what is wrong with this rifle?
What does it lack?
And what are its strong points?
Why is Venezuela adopting the AK-103 instead of keeping the FN FAL?
On the subject of ammunition:

The FN-FAL fires 7.62x51 (aka 7.62 NATO, aka .308 Winchester), and the AK-103 fires 7.62x39 (aka 7.62 Warsaw). Now, .308 Winchester is by far the greatest mid-sized game hunting ammunition out there. Spot on in stopping power, range, and accuracy. It has 20% more mass than the Warsaw, and 50% more stopping power. Downsides are it costs about twice as much, and is larger, which means fewer rounds in the magazine. So it’s a quality vs. quantity issue, plus the almighty dollar.

On the rifles themselves:

The FN-FAL really is a good rifle. Robust, reliable, trustworthy. However, on autofire, you are all over the place. Almost not worth using. In recent years, FN-FALs have been phased out for lighter weapons with smaller calibers. Production is dropping, parts are harder to get, especially barrels. The rifles (and parts) are expensive, and not the easiest to repair.

The AK-103 is a return to the original spirit of the AK-47. Basically, it is the same design, but with all the benefits of modern technology. Nothing beats an AK in terms of reliability (with the possible exception of the HK-G11, which costs about 5 times as much as isn’t made anymore). They are cheap to make, parts are cheap, service is easy. You can abuse them and they still love you. That’s why there are so many AK-47’s, and I mean original 1947 AK-47’s are still in use. Also, easy to control on autofire.

The decision to move to the AK-103 results in more bang for your buck, the ability to produce a massive arsenal (essential for a People’s War), easy to use for non-soldiers, and the ammo is easy on the pocket book as well. For modern urban and guerilla warfare, it is a wiser choice. The FN-FAL, that’s a soldier’s rifle to be sure. The AK always has been the people’s rifle.