FN FALO
FN Herstal · Machine Gun · Discontinued · 1958
Also known as: FAL 50.41, FAL HBAR, FAL Heavy Barrel, Fusil Automatique Lourd, L2A1, FAP
Overview
The FN FALO (Fusil Automatique Lourd) is a Belgian gas-operated, select-fire light machine gun developed by FN Herstal as the heavy-barrel squad automatic version of the FN FAL battle rifle. Designated the FAL 50.41, it pairs a thicker, heavier barrel with an integral folding bipod and a carrying handle so it can deliver sustained automatic fire as a section support weapon. It fires the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge from detachable box magazines, typically 30-round magazines, and shares the FAL's tilting-bolt action and reliability.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 6000 g (211.6 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 6700 g (236.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1170 mm (46.06") |
| Barrel Length | 533 mm (20.98") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 840 m/s (2756 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3360 J (2478 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3000 m (3281 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 675 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 · 7.62 NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic, Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Heavy Barrel, Integral Bipod, Carrying Handle, Select Fire, Gas Regulator, Tilting Bolt Locking
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Belgian Armed Forces · adopted 1958 · as FAL 50.41
- Australian Army · as L2A1
- Argentine Armed Forces · as FAP
Conflicts
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- Falklands War (1982)
- Cold War (1947-1991)
Production
Production years: 1958-1980s
Produced by FN Herstal and under licence in several countries including Australia (L2A1) and Argentina (FAP); exact totals not published
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Designer: Dieudonne Saive, Ernest Vervier
Notes
The fixed-barrel FALO could not be quick-changed, which led to overheating during prolonged automatic fire and limited its effectiveness as a true light machine gun; many forces eventually replaced it with belt-fed designs such as the FN MAG.
Background
Conceived as a low-cost way to give an infantry section automatic fire support using the same rifle, ammunition and magazines as the standard FAL, the FALO's fixed heavy barrel ultimately proved its weakness, since it could not be swapped out when hot, prompting most armies to adopt purpose-built belt-fed machine guns instead.