IMBEL M964
Industria de Material Belico do Brasil · Battle Rifle · In Service · 1964
Also known as: Fuzil 7,62mm M964, FAL M964, Fuzil Automatico Leve M964
Overview
The IMBEL M964 is the Brazilian license-built version of the FN FAL battle rifle, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. Adopted by the Brazilian Army in 1964 as the Fuzil 7,62mm M964, it is a gas-operated, selective-fire rifle with a short-stroke gas piston and a tilting breechblock locking system. Produced at IMBEL's Itajuba plant, it features simplified slab-sided receivers to ease manufacture and served as the standard Brazilian service rifle for decades.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4310 g (152.0 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 | 3346 J (2468 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2500 m (2734 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 650 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, 7.62 NATO, .308 Win
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Adjustable Gas System, Tilting Breechblock, Carry Handle, Flash Hider, Bayonet Lug
Variants
- IMBEL M964A1 - Folding Stock
- IMBEL M964 FAP - Heavy Barrel Automatic
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Brazilian Army · adopted 1964 · as Fuzil 7,62mm M964
- Brazilian Marine Corps
Production
Estimated total produced: 200,000 · Production years: 1964-1990s
Approximately 200,000 rifles produced at IMBEL Itajuba by the late 1980s to early 1990s
Origin
Country of origin: Brazil
Designer: Dieudonne Saive
Notes
IMBEL simplified the FN pattern by omitting some receiver lightening cuts. Approximately 200,000 M964 rifles were produced by the late 1980s to early 1990s. Later development led to the MD-series rifles which replaced the tilting-block lock with an M16-type rotating bolt.
Background
The 'M964' designation marks 1964, the year Brazil officially adopted the FAL after field-testing FN-made examples between 1958 and 1962 before starting licensed production at IMBEL's Itajuba plant.