FM FSL
Dirección General de Fabricaciones Militares - Fábrica Militar de Armas Portátiles · Battle Rifle · Out Of Production · 1976
Also known as: FSL, FM FSL, Argentine FAL FSL, FMAP FSL
Overview
The FM FSL (Fusil Semiautomático Liviano) is an Argentine semi-automatic battle rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, derived from the FN FAL and produced under licence by the Fábrica Militar de Armas Portátiles in Rosario. It uses the FAL's gas-operated, short-stroke piston action with a tilting breechblock, but is restricted to semi-automatic fire, having been built primarily for the civilian and export market following Argentina's licensed military FAL production. Many were imported into the United States before the 1989 import ban, where they are valued by FAL collectors.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4400 g (155.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1090 mm (42.91") |
| Barrel Length | 533 mm (20.98") |
| Sight Radius | 553 mm (21.77") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 840 m/s (2756 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3354 J (2474 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3000 m (3281 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62mm NATO, 7.62x51mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Metric Pattern Receiver, Tilting Breechblock, Semi Automatic Only, Wooden Furniture, Fixed Stock, FMAP Rosario Marking
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Argentine civilian and export market · as FSL
Production
Production years: 1976-1990
Semi-automatic FAL produced by FMAP Rosario for civilian and export sales; roughly 1,000 imported into the US before the 1989 import ban.
Origin
Country of origin: Argentina
Designer: Dieudonné Saive
Discontinued: 1990
Notes
FSL denotes the semi-automatic-only commercial/export FAL produced by FMAP after the military select-fire models. US imports were limited (roughly 1,000 rifles) before the 1989 import ban. Para-pattern examples fitted with the FN side-folding tubular stock were also imported.
Background
When Argentina's military junta fell in 1983, FMAP shifted its long-running FAL line toward the semi-automatic FSL for civilian export, turning a Cold War battle rifle into a collector's prize for American FAL enthusiasts.