Without a doubt they were scared of that, which is very likely why they restricted it by name before they banned it. It really goes to show how crappily vets are/were treated, and how untrustworthy the government is of pretty much everyone who isn't the government.
Why couldnt the FAL be saved?
- Thread starter cote_b
- Start date
PPCLIGullyPlatoon
Regular
Like I said, I find it difficult to believe the decision came from any extensive thought from the political machine in Ottawa (Evidence: The FNC1A1 status didn't change from Non-Restricted, to Prohibited, to Restricted, to Prohibited, ... ad nauseum ad infinitum). Hey! Who knows? Maybe someone up there read something about the Northwest Rebellion or Oka???
Chuckbuster
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I think it was Whelen Lad who said hunting with an FAL was legal in New Zealand.
PPCLIGullyPlatoon
Regular
And really----why not? The FN was accurate (at least, in my experience), I don't recall hearing any difficulties feeding .308 hunting rounds through it (as opposed to 7.62X51 NATO), the magazine could easily be modified to minimize capacity. Perhaps not the "perfect" hunting rifle, mostly because of it's inherent design, but as a surplus available rifle on the cheap? Why not!
Supertrooper
CGN Regular
- Location
- SouthCentral Ontario
It's most likely because the C1 FAL can be made to fire full-auto without changing out parts (there's a trick to it).
You won't hit jack squat if you do the trick, because the recoil just pushes the barrel up, and up, and up. You wind up shooting at the sun. The FN-FAL, unless you're in the prone position supported by a bipod, effectively becomes uncontrollable on full auto.
Of course, it's "scary looking" and has that evil pistol grip too.......
Are you speaking from experience or just heard stories and exaggerating?
NavyShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- XMU Local .303
http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=156-FN-1A1-vs.-FN-L1A1-vs.-FN-C1A1
There's 3 of my FN's.
You can see the Safety Sears in all 3 of them, designed to prevent the hammer from dropping until the breech-block carrier is fully forward, and the breech-block is locked in place on the locking shoulder.
NS
There's 3 of my FN's.
You can see the Safety Sears in all 3 of them, designed to prevent the hammer from dropping until the breech-block carrier is fully forward, and the breech-block is locked in place on the locking shoulder.
NS
PPCLIGullyPlatoon
Regular
The (ahem) "learning curve" for the FN is rather steep -- if you have no clue what the recoil is like (ie: Me), and you're convinced your CSM is providing accurate operating information ("Look, trust me, just set the gas reg to "0" and you'll be just fine---oh, and one more thing; whatever you do, DON'T hold your face too tight against the stock.") the "smack in the face" is a real thing.
And then you learn how to efficiently dispatch your targets with gusto!
Some came in that were converted it was hard to tell them apart so they just banned them all. The Government at the time was so proud they destroyed the history of the rifle. My Grandfather had a Canadian one that was a C2 (Full auto version select fire) It had a thicker barrel and a few other things that made it a much better machine gun then a normal FAL. It makes a difference as I've seen and shot both types.
Hello to everyone! I have read this forum discussion with some interest. I was weaned on a C1A1 here in Ontario as an Army Cadet in the late 60s. I later learned to love the L1A1 SLR just as much, as I served 7 years in the British forces during the 70s. I too, would dearly love to own one (glory days?) but that's not likely to ever happen (in Canada)...
Just in case anyone here is interested in owning a Deactivated FN FAL (C1), there is one being auctioned this coming Saturday (8 March 2014) in Creemore, Ontario. It is my understanding that it is in excellent condition. The Auctioneer accepts absentee bids if the journey is too far for you. (this is not a sales pitch - I do not work for the Auctioneer, I just attend as many of these firearms auctions as possible)
The rifle is Item #302 here:
http://www.phoenixauctionsandappraisals.com//Auctions/Mar%208%202014/Military%20Firearms%20Catalog.html
Just in case anyone here is interested in owning a Deactivated FN FAL (C1), there is one being auctioned this coming Saturday (8 March 2014) in Creemore, Ontario. It is my understanding that it is in excellent condition. The Auctioneer accepts absentee bids if the journey is too far for you. (this is not a sales pitch - I do not work for the Auctioneer, I just attend as many of these firearms auctions as possible)
The rifle is Item #302 here:
http://www.phoenixauctionsandappraisals.com//Auctions/Mar%208%202014/Military%20Firearms%20Catalog.html
Are you ever going to address the people who don't believe you?
I think your memory is correct. Prior to 79 they were non-restricted so you could shoot them anywhere with 20 rd mags. Then they were made restricted around 79 so you could still take them to ranges to shoot (with an ATT) and 20 rd mags, then in 92-95 (I forget the exact year) Bill C68 and the OICs made them prohib and restricted mags to 5 rds, after that they would not issue ATTs or SAPs to even take them to a range.
Funny, prior to 79, I don't remember there being blood running in the streets and wanton mass murders by gangs of FN owners running amok spewing death from 20 rd mags.....I guess I have blocked it out........feel so much safer now....
its a nice deact , its a 3L with sling too .
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I think your memory is correct. Prior to 79 they were non-restricted so you could shoot them anywhere with 20 rd mags. Then they were made restricted around 79 so you could still take them to ranges to shoot (with an ATT) and 20 rd mags, then in 92-95 (I forget the exact year) Bill C68 and the OICs made them prohib and restricted mags to 5 rds, after that they would not issue ATTs or SAPs to even take them to a range.
Funny, prior to 79, I don't remember there being blood running in the streets and wanton mass murders by gangs of FN owners running amok spewing death from 20 rd mags.....I guess I have blocked it out........feel so much safer now....
You are pretty much correct. I picked up a 1a1 Ishapore in the early 90's . I still remember having it shipped to the local RCMP and he brought it out. I had bought it in Edmonton for $150.00 ,at a gun show,from a guy from Sask.Any ways the cop slammed it on the counter,looked at me and stated he didn't know what I needed this for. I stated to him it was none of his damn business and that if he was going to destroy my, or damage my personal property he would be paying me for it.Then when c68 came in I got a letter that it was prohib.I could still take it to the range but the att was very specific as to times,route traveled etc. Then another letter shortly after that said I could only shoot it on a DND range...fat chance of that happening...shortly thereafter the final letter which said that...I was not allowed to shoot it anymore.I could display it at gunshows..etc etc....they basically made it a locked up paper weight that sits in a safe. I have my 12.5 from owning it...but have nothing but steel that I can only look at for the past umpteen years.
rb_roadrace
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia
IIRC it was a paper match, though I guess a wooden match would work if you pared it down a bit. Memory is kind of sketchy as it's been 40-some years since i lugged a C1, and I never did dare to mess with it being "only" a reservist. The sumbiatch was heavy though. IMHO the C2 was a piece of crepe...rifle pretending to be a section automatic weapon. I've still got a couple of those 30rd mag "aprons" somewhere though.
