Metric FAL help needed...

chofo

chofo

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Finally received the ATT from SQ, and brought her home between the holidays.

The previous owner was adamant… “I just want to be rid of it !” … and he made me an offer I just couldn’t refuse, even though I already have a few other FN’s. ( RCMP probably has me on some kind of ‘list’ now…haha… )

Seriously though, I have an Indian 1A1 and BSA and Enfield L1A1’s, also a gorgeous Lithgow… so when I saw this was a “Metric” FAL how could I say no to “rounding out” my little collection.

Anyways, I am finally getting around to trying to figure out, exactly, what I have here. That is why I will now ask for assistance from you good folks here on CGN… such a wealth of knowledge, truly.

So without further ado, please indulge me as I am very unsure of what this is… and have a strange feeling that this may be a 12(3) firearm that was poorly classified years and years ago by someone at the SQ or the RCMP… but whatever the story, I want to get a real answer on the whole shebang.

1) Strange configuration… wood stock, fibreglass handguards and a plastic pistol grip… would this be ‘normal’ …or signs of a ‘Frankenfal’ ?



2) All numbers match, though… so I know it cannot be just a slapped together ‘Parts’ gun….






3) Somebody used corrosive ammo and did not clean it well enough… the gas piston is now rusted solid in the gas tube and even the threaded parts are now rusted solid. So… yeah I’m a bit miffed, but WTF… what do you want for a hundred bucks…






4) Could it be a civilian version? There are no crests stamped into her magwell , like I have seen on say an Argy or Brazilian receiver. In fact no national markings at all, unless you count the basic FN ‘Made in Herstal Belgium’ rollmark which we have all seen on many FN built rifles.



5) Came with the good old standard 20 rounder, but strangely also came with a 10 round mag, which is identical to the 20 in fit, finish, looks, etc, etc. The dude swears the rifle came with both mags… so, since when has any military FN ever had a 10 round magazine issued with it ??? ( I’ve seen a few 5 round, but they were built from cut-down military mags…)



6) I am pretty sure this is a Metric FAL bayonet… but does not fit in the least. The flashhider is way too big, and the ‘latch’ would never fit in any case… just look at it.



7) Last but not least… a very interesting discovery when I picked her up. I had done the entire deal over the phone with the guy, the RCMP, Mirimichi and the SQ … let’s face it… for that price I just bought it sight unseen. RCMP and SQ both confirmed it was a legit 12(5) FN and no problem transferring it… he was 12(5) and I am 12(5) so no problem. This looks to me like a FA receiver… but factory-built as a SA. What gives? Did FN do this on a regular basis? Factory pinned, and no cosmetic signs of ever being switched over to the ‘A’ position… also… dead giveaway is there are no FA parts in her… and no cutouts for them either. Soooooo… what gives?




8) What, then, pray tell is the model of my new rifle? Military? Civilian? Any idea as to what country it was built for? Why is the flash hider parkerized, but the rest of the rifle, both mags included, look like it is Suncorite over Park…just like a British rifle … but definitely a Metric FAL.


So yes.. I am a bit confused. Any and all help is appreciated !!!

Thanks guys!
 
Its a G series FN FAL sold years ago for civilian shooters its a 12-5 class firearm. Check out older SIR books from the 80s.
The G series is one of the few FNs that isn't considered a 12-2 or 12-3 class firearm.
I have the same exact one and the serial number is only 44 away from your gun.
I have minty FN FAL that I bought in January 2014 that just got back from Ottawa to Epps for a couple of mods before its released to me.
The G series is also one of the few FN FALs that got into the US before they clamped down on them. The US serial numbers can be found in the Collector Grade Publications book on FNs by Blake Stevens.
 
Thanks guys!

I wondered about it being Isreali... but then I saw there was no Hebrew writing on it. ( I had seen an Izzy HB-FAL some years ago, couldn't remember markings though.)

I will have to get a hold of that magic Blake Stevens FN book... that I lent to somebody years ago and never got back.@#%$^.

Anyways... sure am glad that she is NOT 12(3) like when I first saw her. I will now proceed to Google the piss out of "G-series" ... :)

Thanks again, Albayo... I was seriously considering 'dewatting' her if the RCMP got all upset and cranky about that big red "A" on the receiver.

So.... recap: I understand that the wood stock and plastic furniture is "factory correct" for this rifle ... and the 10 shot mag makes sense for a 'civilian' FAL ... the bayonet attachment is probably just 'for show' as is the fake selector switch. The whole rifle is still totally cool, that's a given. Just holding it I feel like I am dug into a spider hole somewhere in the Fulda Gap, hearing the massed T-72's rumbling towards my position in the dense fog... my platoon comman... ( slaps himself...)
 
The Israeli FNs I had have different fore stocks short wood because of the desert temperatures, and don't have a flash eliminator. Israeli FNs have a large crest on the lower receiver.
One of the reason I was told the troops were carried in vehicles.
 
YOU GOTTA BE $HITTIN' ME !!

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/609594710

No way. Nope. I know Gunbroker is usually "Out To Lunch" ... but that's just crazy.

OK..new question.... If G-series FAL's are all legal-like in the USA...then how does one export his nice minty G-series FAL into the States? Lord thunderin...
 
Okay... heartbeat back to normal.

I should get a G-1 bayonet at the very least.... I suppose that optic shown in the GB rifle would be a couple of bucks, to say the least?
 
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1) Strange configuration… wood stock, fibreglass handguards and a plastic pistol grip… would this be ‘normal’ …or signs of a ‘Frankenfal’ ?

Looks like your basic "Sporter" configuration. Have the identical rifle, right down to the serial number range. Think these were imported by Browning in the dim past when rifles like this weren't considered tools of the devil. Should be no safety sear cut out, to make it incapable of full auto fire. Mine came with an instruction manual, complete with Browning log. New price, if I recall correctly was around two grand.

Grizz
 
You did very well, you have one of the best FN FAL rifles, very similar to my own personel Portuguese model except mine has no flash hider. If I remember correctly your mix of furniture is original.

The bayonet you show would be correct for a rifle like mine that has no flash hider, the two prongs on your bayonet make the flash hider when attached.
 
Last but not least… a very interesting discovery when I picked her up. I had done the entire deal over the phone with the guy, the RCMP, Mirimichi and the SQ … let’s face it… for that price I just bought it sight unseen. RCMP and SQ both confirmed it was a legit 12(5) FN and no problem transferring it… he was 12(5) and I am 12(5) so no problem. This looks to me like a FA receiver… but factory-built as a SA. What gives? Did FN do this on a regular basis? Factory pinned, and no cosmetic signs of ever being switched over to the ‘A’ position… also… dead giveaway is there are no FA parts in her… and no cutouts for them either. Soooooo… what gives?
Click to expand...

That's how FN built them. Both military and civilian metric lower receivers typically have that same pin. The idea is that select-fire rifles (with an auto sear) could be easily limited to semi-only with the substitution of the "R" selector switch, as your rifle has. Given that automatic fire out of a full-power rifle is basically useless, many armies had their FALs so configured. Civilian rifles use the same semi-only selector, but cannot accept an auto sear.
 
chofo said:
Finally received the ATT from SQ, and brought her home between the holidays.

The previous owner was adamant… “I just want to be rid of it !” … and he made me an offer I just couldn’t refuse, even though I already have a few other FN’s. ( RCMP probably has me on some kind of ‘list’ now…haha… )

Seriously though, I have an Indian 1A1 and BSA and Enfield L1A1’s, also a gorgeous Lithgow… so when I saw this was a “Metric” FAL how could I say no to “rounding out” my little collection.

Anyways, I am finally getting around to trying to figure out, exactly, what I have here. That is why I will now ask for assistance from you good folks here on CGN… such a wealth of knowledge, truly.

So without further ado, please indulge me as I am very unsure of what this is… and have a strange feeling that this may be a 12(3) firearm that was poorly classified years and years ago by someone at the SQ or the RCMP… but whatever the story, I want to get a real answer on the whole shebang.

1) Strange configuration… wood stock, fibreglass handguards and a plastic pistol grip… would this be ‘normal’ …or signs of a ‘Frankenfal’ ?



2) All numbers match, though… so I know it cannot be just a slapped together ‘Parts’ gun….






3) Somebody used corrosive ammo and did not clean it well enough… the gas piston is now rusted solid in the gas tube and even the threaded parts are now rusted solid. So… yeah I’m a bit miffed, but WTF… what do you want for a hundred bucks…






4) Could it be a civilian version? There are no crests stamped into her magwell , like I have seen on say an Argy or Brazilian receiver. In fact no national markings at all, unless you count the basic FN ‘Made in Herstal Belgium’ rollmark which we have all seen on many FN built rifles.



5) Came with the good old standard 20 rounder, but strangely also came with a 10 round mag, which is identical to the 20 in fit, finish, looks, etc, etc. The dude swears the rifle came with both mags… so, since when has any military FN ever had a 10 round magazine issued with it ??? ( I’ve seen a few 5 round, but they were built from cut-down military mags…)



6) I am pretty sure this is a Metric FAL bayonet… but does not fit in the least. The flashhider is way too big, and the ‘latch’ would never fit in any case… just look at it.



7) Last but not least… a very interesting discovery when I picked her up. I had done the entire deal over the phone with the guy, the RCMP, Mirimichi and the SQ … let’s face it… for that price I just bought it sight unseen. RCMP and SQ both confirmed it was a legit 12(5) FN and no problem transferring it… he was 12(5) and I am 12(5) so no problem. This looks to me like a FA receiver… but factory-built as a SA. What gives? Did FN do this on a regular basis? Factory pinned, and no cosmetic signs of ever being switched over to the ‘A’ position… also… dead giveaway is there are no FA parts in her… and no cutouts for them either. Soooooo… what gives?




8) What, then, pray tell is the model of my new rifle? Military? Civilian? Any idea as to what country it was built for? Why is the flash hider parkerized, but the rest of the rifle, both mags included, look like it is Suncorite over Park…just like a British rifle … but definitely a Metric FAL.


So yes.. I am a bit confused. Any and all help is appreciated !!!

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

Looks to me like it has the slot for the safety sear, only difference between a semi and full auto version.

Grizz
 
The ejector block does appear to be cut for an auto sear. The receiver would also have to be machined in order for the rifle to accept an auto sear.
 
albayo said:
Its a G series FN FAL sold years ago for civilian shooters its a 12-5 class firearm. Check out older SIR books from the 80s.
The G series is one of the few FNs that isn't considered a 12-2 or 12-3 class firearm.
I have the same exact one and the serial number is only 44 away from your gun.
I have minty FN FAL that I bought in January 2014 that just got back from Ottawa to Epps for a couple of mods before its released to me.
The G series is also one of the few FN FALs that got into the US before they clamped down on them. The US serial numbers can be found in the Collector Grade Publications book on FNs by Blake Stevens.
Click to expand...

My G series FN-FAL is reg. as a 12-3
 
I re-posted all of this over on the FAL-Files board... and there is a U.S. guy who really wants to own this rifle. To the extent that he has engaged the BATFE and a bona-fide FFL dealer who will expedite the transfer of this awesome G-Series rifle from Canada into the USA.

The rest of my Crown Royal fuelled rant has been deleted... what use does it do. We all know our gun laws are crazy.

To answer grizz and like45... these particular rifles are not considered 12(3) since they were never designed or manufactured as FA rifles... in fact, they were specifically designed and manufactured as Semiauto-only versions of their Military offering, and done so precisely to capitalize on the Civilain sales.

Factory built as Semi only... and thus 12(5) like most of the other Inch and Metric pattern FALs out there. Old military select-fire models... yes, 12(3) indeed.

All this info from 'FAL Files'... and it seems even BATFE with their silly old "Once a machinegun, Always a machinegun" rule, specifically exempts these G-Series FAL from the FA designation. Going as far as calling them out by S/N blocks ... back when they were imported into the US in the early 60's ... look here:

ht-----tp://www.titleii.com/bardwell/atf_letter86.txt

Thats why the G-Series is so popular down in the USA... anyone can own one, and don't need all the tax stamps and paperwork from the US Feds.

And although the FN itself is very popular in the US, almost ALL of them are basically 'mix-masters' , because of their own silly laws surrounding the FAL design. Seems they have to cut and scrap the original receivers and build up what amounts to a "parts gun" based on a USA built reciever.

Then there is a minimum number of parts (?) that also have to be Made In USA before the rifle is deemed to be ... I don't know... " Less Evil" I suppose.

Anyways... a very interesting rifle, but I like my Aussie better... so this one is being sold off. the the US.

( I'll keep the board updated on the Dog & Pony show that exporting this particular rifle to the US is becoming... )
 
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