FN FAL (Mexican License Production)
Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA) · Battle Rifle · Out Of Production · 1968
Also known as: FAL Mexicano, Mexican FN FAL
Overview
The Mexican FN FAL is the SEDENA-produced licensed variant of the Belgian FN FAL battle rifle, manufactured in Mexico under agreement with FN Herstal. Mexico was one of more than nine countries to undertake domestic FAL production alongside Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Nigeria, South Africa, and Venezuela. Mexican-produced FALs largely followed the FN 50.00 fixed-stock metric pattern with selective-fire capability and 20-round detachable box magazines, and were issued primarily to the Mexican Army, Naval Infantry, and select federal law enforcement units during the late Cold War era. The platform was progressively replaced by the H&K G3 - Mexico's other licensed battle rifle - and ultimately by the H&K HK33 and FX-05 Xiuhcoatl in front-line infantry service from the 1990s onward, though FALs remained in second-line and reserve service well into the 2000s.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4310 g (152.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4970 g (175.3 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 | 838 m/s (2749 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3360 J (2478 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3000 m (3281 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| 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, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Select Fire Lever
- Features: Metric Pattern Receiver, Tilting Breechblock, Adjustable Gas Regulator, Select Fire, Wooden Furniture, Fixed Stock
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Mexican Army (Ejército Mexicano) · adopted 1968 · as FAL
- Mexican Naval Infantry (Infantería de Marina) · as FAL
- Mexican Federal Police (Policía Federal)
Conflicts
- Mexican Drug War (2006-present)
- Chiapas Conflict (1994)
Production
Production years: 1968-1990
Mexican license production figures are not publicly disclosed. SEDENA armory data remains classified; estimates run from tens of thousands to over 100,000 units produced or assembled domestically.
Origin
Country of origin: Mexico
Designer: Dieudonné Saive
Discontinued: 1990
Notes
Mexican FAL production specifications are not widely published; rifles are believed to follow the FN 50.00 standard pattern with metric-pattern parts compatibility. Mexico also acquired DSA-built upper receivers in the 2000s for refurbishment of legacy FAL inventory, with receivers stamped 'Mexico'. The G3 ultimately superseded the FAL as Mexico's primary 7.62 NATO battle rifle.
Background
Mexico's adoption of the FAL in 1968 came at a time when Mexico was hosting the Olympic Games and modernizing its military to project regional stature; the FAL replaced a mixed inventory of WWII-era M1 Garands and Mausers and put Mexican infantry on equal footing with NATO-standard armies for the first time.