FAL in the North: The Canadian C1A1
- Thread starter 9.3mauser
- Start date
Interesting video, brought back a lot of memories to myself , and I’m sure to others who were issued the FN C1 back in the day, always thought the ability to top up your mag, with stripper clips was a good idea , interesting none of the other countries that manufactured the FN , such as the Brits , Aussies , Israelis had that feature, it is the first feature , I notice that sets the Canadian FN C1 rifles apart from other countries FN’s
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I bought one from Canadian Arsenals. Actually, it was a C2.
C1 was 139 C2 was 199
Came in a cardboard box with a bayo, sling and 4 30 rounders.
I never liked the C1, although I was issued one by the military rifle association in the 50's to compete with. I did OK with it, but much preferred the #4.
C1 was 139 C2 was 199
Came in a cardboard box with a bayo, sling and 4 30 rounders.
I never liked the C1, although I was issued one by the military rifle association in the 50's to compete with. I did OK with it, but much preferred the #4.
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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I have the EX1, the EX2, a 3L C1A1, and an 8L C1A1 as well as a C2A1. All deactivated 
. I also have a live one registered to a friend who can still own them, however it will get the zap to it one day. Maybe soon, we'll see how the next election goes. Because of the variety of accessories for the FN, one must have several in order to properly display the goodies.
If anybody has one of those feed clips for sale as shown in the OPs picture, shoot me a PM.
. I also have a live one registered to a friend who can still own them, however it will get the zap to it one day. Maybe soon, we'll see how the next election goes. Because of the variety of accessories for the FN, one must have several in order to properly display the goodies. If anybody has one of those feed clips for sale as shown in the OPs picture, shoot me a PM.
I sold my 8L C1 years ago and it was mint. I was at the Fredericton gun show and was talking to Jean from P&S, and said I regret selling it.
He said that he bought it and sold it to a friend and the guy won't sell it back to him. Small world.
He said that he bought it and sold it to a friend and the guy won't sell it back to him. Small world.
Most of the 8L series like the one in the video are ex Ontario Provincial Police issue.
They where sold-disposed of to a company in the UK, in-turn they where purchased again and returned to Canada.
Back in the day, this was the beginning of the end.
The Govt - OPP where not happy about their return to Canada.
Where do I get that information from, straight from a senior source within OPP of that era.
I used and carried C1's in the army and shot them on our rifle team.
I also owned plenty, but now I'm down to two L1A1's, one disguised with all C1 parts.
Oddly enough, my best shooter back in the day when we could still go to the range was an India 1A1.
My preference was not the 8L series, they alway's seemed loose to me.
One thing is for sure, it always seemed that 7.62 made by IVI during the 70's that we where using was pure sheet.
We always scrounged for lots made in the 80's, even better, from the 60's, but that was rare.
Ganderite could extend my thoughts on this ammunition, I'm sure.
CFB Petawawa 1985, oh where has the time gone!
Shelter half is suckin the big one from the rain storm and I alway's got suckered carrying the 25 Set Boat Anchor on my back.
In the middle of the night, 3 Grizzlies almost took out our whole platoon, they did not even blink.
They where sold-disposed of to a company in the UK, in-turn they where purchased again and returned to Canada.
Back in the day, this was the beginning of the end.
The Govt - OPP where not happy about their return to Canada.
Where do I get that information from, straight from a senior source within OPP of that era.
I used and carried C1's in the army and shot them on our rifle team.
I also owned plenty, but now I'm down to two L1A1's, one disguised with all C1 parts.
Oddly enough, my best shooter back in the day when we could still go to the range was an India 1A1.
My preference was not the 8L series, they alway's seemed loose to me.
One thing is for sure, it always seemed that 7.62 made by IVI during the 70's that we where using was pure sheet.
We always scrounged for lots made in the 80's, even better, from the 60's, but that was rare.
Ganderite could extend my thoughts on this ammunition, I'm sure.
CFB Petawawa 1985, oh where has the time gone!
Shelter half is suckin the big one from the rain storm and I alway's got suckered carrying the 25 Set Boat Anchor on my back.
In the middle of the night, 3 Grizzlies almost took out our whole platoon, they did not even blink.
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I under that the quality control on IVI 7.62mm ammo was pathetic, hard to understand when Canadian produced . 303 during the war , was some of the best .303 ammo made
The quality of the previous DA ammo vs IVI was like night and day. It was made on the same equipment, but it went sideways. It may have had a lot to do about IVI becoming a favored state enterprise in Quebec with too many ex- Vandoo generals in charge.
My preference was not the 8L series, they alway's seemed loose to me.
Always curious, why some people claim certain years were better than others ? They all came ff the same production line. The first Australian ones I saw were really loose, but they obviously had a hard life.
Grizz
Always curious, why some people claim certain years were better than others ? They all came ff the same production line.
The first Australian ones I saw were really loose, but they obviously had a hard life. Grizz
I recall a conversation with one of the Ammo Tech's back in the day saying, that a huge lot IVI 7.62 made in the early 70's was purposed for the GPMG.
To the best of his knowledge at the time, quality on specs was relaxed for GPMG fodder and he thinks they just let the rest slip through.
We alway's accessed his knowledge for rifle team ammunition.
To the best of his knowledge at the time, quality on specs was relaxed for GPMG fodder and he thinks they just let the rest slip through.
We alway's accessed his knowledge for rifle team ammunition.
8L series was a new refined creature. I can't remember all the differences of the top of my head.
For starter's, one thing I do remember is that the front sight protector leaves alway's came loose and fell off.
The wood for ends where solid, no ventilation.
Many parts where beefed up.
Breech block cover was beefed up, the earlier ones alway's had a crack staring by the stop tabs.
If I also recall, the gas regulator on the 8L's, the external dimensions beefed up.
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Specs have a range of dimensions.
Going by an old foggy memory, the C1 barrel dimension tolerance was 308 to 310.
The IVI bullet tolerance was 307 to 308.
As it happened, IVI chose to make the bullets at the small end of the range and the barrels were made large.
The result was ammo that would go bang but groups were larger.
Going by an old foggy memory, the C1 barrel dimension tolerance was 308 to 310.
The IVI bullet tolerance was 307 to 308.
As it happened, IVI chose to make the bullets at the small end of the range and the barrels were made large.
The result was ammo that would go bang but groups were larger.
I remember doing UCRs on IVI 9mm ammo when it hit the streets in the early 1970s. There were case mouths at an angle and misfires, all poor quality control. Never saw that with the crispy DA stuff.
The other thing that was disappointing was when IVI started packaging 7.62 ammo in 20 rd boxes like hunting ammo. The DA ammo came on 5 rd clips sealed in those plastic bandoliers which indicated that we were somewhat more serious about things.
The other thing that was disappointing was when IVI started packaging 7.62 ammo in 20 rd boxes like hunting ammo. The DA ammo came on 5 rd clips sealed in those plastic bandoliers which indicated that we were somewhat more serious about things.
Yes the front site changes..., if the screws were not loose they were really buggered. Fixed many in RCEME in Cf Borden @ CFSEME. The C1 tool was not a good screwdriver.
Additionally, the ejector in the receiver was replaceable and not milled.
I remember doing UCRs on IVI 9mm ammo when it hit the streets in the early 1970s. There were case mouths at an angle and misfires, all poor quality control. Never saw that with the crispy DA stuff.
The other thing that was disappointing was when IVI started packaging 7.62 ammo in 20 rd boxes like hunting ammo. The DA ammo came on 5 rd clips sealed in those plastic bandoliers which indicated that we were somewhat more serious about things.
IVI ammo hit and miss on accuracy. I hated the 20 rd boxes, so much waste. We had to unpack and put on link................... shoot tons of link...
