- Location
- Hamilton, ON
Are there any FN style rifles that are classed restricted? I understand they may all be prohibited. I would like to find one so I can take some old cold war soldiers to the range and let them fire it for old times kicks.
FN Question
- Thread starter KnightofStGeorge
- Start date
Still alive
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rainy mosquito infested part of BC
Nope,
All FALs and their variants are prohib. Their Cold War counterpart, the AK shares the same fate. Sorry, you're gonna have to reminisce over a coupler cold ones instead.
All FALs and their variants are prohib. Their Cold War counterpart, the AK shares the same fate. Sorry, you're gonna have to reminisce over a coupler cold ones instead.
Sadly, it's not a possibility anymore because those who own them can't get an ATT to take them to the range. The closest you might get is to buy one of us old Cold War soldiers a coffee and listen to our stories about the FN. I always liked the FN and thought that it was a real fighting rifle. It was acceptably accurate and reliable, fired a potent round, and could be stripped and cleaned in a flash.
Some people knock it for being too heavy. I took my basic with it as a 17 yr old kid and found that after battle PT and lugging it around for a while the weight really wasn't an issue. I didn't like it's twin, the selective fire FNC2 with the hvy barrel and thought that it was a real step backwards from the BREN. I think that we would have been further ahead to convert the BREN to 7.62 as the Brits did.
Some people knock it for being too heavy. I took my basic with it as a 17 yr old kid and found that after battle PT and lugging it around for a while the weight really wasn't an issue. I didn't like it's twin, the selective fire FNC2 with the hvy barrel and thought that it was a real step backwards from the BREN. I think that we would have been further ahead to convert the BREN to 7.62 as the Brits did.
- Location
- Hamilton, ON
Thanks guys. Is there any type of replica that would take an 7.62 load?
- Location
- Hamilton, ON
Other than the SKS of course I have one of them. 
Still alive
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rainy mosquito infested part of BC
Are you talking any 7.62? Or specifically the x51 which the FN shoots?
Your SKS is a x39, the Mosin shoots the x54r and there are lots of .308s which will do in a pinch.
There are no replicas of the FN per se as they would be prohibited. The AR-10, XCR-M, AR variants, KelTec RFB are some commonly available rifles that shoot that round.
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
Closest things that you can get is either the FN-49 its ancestor (which is still a bit off, they can be found in .30-06 or 7.62 Nato if you get a Argentinian conversion) or its American competitor the M14 (which I feel would be about the closest you could find in Canada and likely be the cheapest thing).
Kayser Sose
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Van Isle
^ this is what I was thinking, that the FN49 might be the closest you'll get (as far as operating system is concerned, I might be wrong tho)
And then the -->closest<-- hung is of course the Norinco 'M14', with it ###y detachable box mag and manly lines...
And then the -->closest<-- hung is of course the Norinco 'M14', with it ###y detachable box mag and manly lines...
C2 had the main advantage of just being an heavy barrel FAL that was made in the same place as the C1. A converted BREN wouldn't be much different or better. And BREN's were right handed shooters only. C2's were not.
Always found the sights on C1's flimsy. Envisioned it getting broken off. Never heard of it happening though.
Shooting an FN and an M305 is virtually identical. Just a different style rifle. Put a pistol gripped stock on a 305 and it is identical.
Always found the sights on C1's flimsy. Envisioned it getting broken off. Never heard of it happening though.
Shooting an FN and an M305 is virtually identical. Just a different style rifle. Put a pistol gripped stock on a 305 and it is identical.
Some plusses for a 7.62 BREN vs the FNC2; quick change barrel, bottom ejection and mag on top which didn't interfere with taking up a prone firing position. Cdn Arsenals actually converted some BRENs to 7.62 NATO on an experimental basis and they worked fine, just like the Brit conversions. I fired both the BREN and the C2 and much preferred the BREN.
I suppose that some of the arguments for the C2 at the time might have included training and maintenance/spare parts commonality, but that's really theoretical eyewash. After all, we did fumble our way through WW2 and Korea using a different rifle than LMG. No doubt lots of BREN gunners during WW2 and Korea were southpaws too.
Actually the FN and the M14/M305 are quite different. I prefer the M14 on the range, but thought the FN was a better combat weapon. US trials were skewed heavily towards the home-grown M14, but just about everybody else in the free world opted for the FN.
I suppose that some of the arguments for the C2 at the time might have included training and maintenance/spare parts commonality, but that's really theoretical eyewash. After all, we did fumble our way through WW2 and Korea using a different rifle than LMG. No doubt lots of BREN gunners during WW2 and Korea were southpaws too.
Actually the FN and the M14/M305 are quite different. I prefer the M14 on the range, but thought the FN was a better combat weapon. US trials were skewed heavily towards the home-grown M14, but just about everybody else in the free world opted for the FN.
The closest equivalents are the Russian SVT40 (7.62x54R) which you can get for 300-350, the M14 (7.62 nato) semi auto model, Norinco makes one for about 600-700, the amercan ones are $2000 and up or a Garand (30-06 with some converted to 7.62 Nato) also on the expensive side. I have the SVT40 it is actually quite a well designed rifle, shoots well, comes with adjusted gas pressure for operation and a muzzle break. It is not as good as the FAL but it is cool in its own right. The SVT is definitely more difficult to field strip (lots of loose spring and rods) but it is not really a big deal. The SKS is very similar to the FAL in its operation as it uses a tilting block system but it is not a battle rifle (7.62x39).
If the old guys want to go to the range and shoot, the M14 (M305) would be a good choice. Similar weight, same caliber, similar (peep) sights.
The only non FN rifle I have seen that has an action that reminds me of the FN is the Swede AG42b. Avery nice rifle to shoot, but it has open sights. Not good for us old guys.
Might be a bit more comfortable to shoot. I found the FN smacked me in the lip.
I own a C2 and a Bren. No comparison in weight. And no comparison in accuracy. A Bren will put a burst where you want it. C2 just makes noise.
The only non FN rifle I have seen that has an action that reminds me of the FN is the Swede AG42b. Avery nice rifle to shoot, but it has open sights. Not good for us old guys.
Might be a bit more comfortable to shoot. I found the FN smacked me in the lip.
I own a C2 and a Bren. No comparison in weight. And no comparison in accuracy. A Bren will put a burst where you want it. C2 just makes noise.
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
The FN CAL (civilian version) is not prohibited, and will be either restricted or non-restricted based on barrel length. I believe most are non-restricted.
Phat Eagle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley, BC
IIRC the FN CAL had nothing to do with civilians... It stood for Carbine Automatique Legre as opposed to Fusil (Rifle) Automatic Legre. The CAL was the first 5.56 carbine FN made. It looked like a FAL but had a completely separate operating system (rotating bolt)... IIRC they were all either FA or 3 round burst, and they weren't at all common. Any that happened to be in the country would have to be 12.2 autos or 12.3 converted autos. It lead to the FNC, but they were all prohibited by OIC same as FALs and AKs.
Not available to see the light of day anyhow...
OP: I'm afraid the M305 is the closest you could get, even though it's a totally different operating system.
Not available to see the light of day anyhow...
OP: I'm afraid the M305 is the closest you could get, even though it's a totally different operating system.
RememberTheSomme
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
*agreed*
Maybe you could buy one of the recent FAMAE 540 imports. Being a 762NATO battle rifle with a 20 round though neutered box magazine, it would give a similar feel as the C1, and it's West German Cold War ally the G3 though both had a slightly different feel to their recoil. The FAMAE's stock profile's drop should give a little refresher on the cheek slap sensation if you fire a lot of rounds in one string prone.
The C-7 original is a Cold War variant for us as well. My old ColtAR15a2 gives the effect for the original version of the F/A C-7 on the firing line.
Maybe you could buy one of the recent FAMAE 540 imports. Being a 762NATO battle rifle with a 20 round though neutered box magazine, it would give a similar feel as the C1, and it's West German Cold War ally the G3 though both had a slightly different feel to their recoil. The FAMAE's stock profile's drop should give a little refresher on the cheek slap sensation if you fire a lot of rounds in one string prone.
The C-7 original is a Cold War variant for us as well. My old ColtAR15a2 gives the effect for the original version of the F/A C-7 on the firing line.
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
They were made in semi auto and available to the US market. Here is a link to a closed listing from gunsamerica sight. This one is priced substantially higher than others I have seen listed: http://www.gunsamerica.com/920904119/FN-CAL-Carabine-Automatique-Leger.htm
His listing mentions only 22 in the US, so it would be the kind of rifle you would really have to want.
I second the FAMAE SG542 for the closest analog to the FN rifle. It is similar enough in feel, balance and recoil characteristics. Similar to what a Vz58 is to an AK. The M1A/M305 other than being the similar weight and length, has a completely different feel.
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I wish I still owned my FNC great little gun to shoot. My rifle had a folding stock and was easy to operate I can't remember how it was for accuracy. If anyone with one wants to trade me one for some interesting items send me a PM.
Of the FNs I have owned, I liked the FN FAL better than the C1 or L1A1s they seem to be feel different, and I can't explain why.
Of the FNs I have owned, I liked the FN FAL better than the C1 or L1A1s they seem to be feel different, and I can't explain why.
