IMBEL ParaFAL
Industria de Material Belico do Brasil · Battle Rifle · In Service · 1985
Also known as: Para-FAL, M964 A1, Fuzil M964 A1, M964 A1 MD-1
Overview
The IMBEL ParaFAL (Fuzil 7,62mm M964 A1) is a Brazilian battle rifle, a folding-stock paratrooper variant of the license-built IMBEL FAL chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. It pairs the FAL's gas-operated, tilting-breechblock action with a shortened barrel, a side-folding stock, and high-impact polymer furniture in place of the original aluminium parts, making it lighter and more compact than the full-length M964. Because the standard FAL recoil spring runs through the buttstock, the receiver was redesigned to relocate the spring so the stock could fold, and these parts are not interchangeable with the fixed-stock rifle. Compact and selective-fire, it is favored by paratroopers, special forces, and police units.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3900 g (137.6 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4300 g (151.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1020 mm (40.16") |
| Folded Length | 845 mm (33.27") |
| Barrel Length | 458 mm (18.03") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 820 m/s (2690 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3205 J (2364 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3800 m (4156 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 | Polymer |
| Finish | Parkerized |
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 Selector, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Side Folding Stock, Shortened Barrel, Tilting Breechblock, Left Side Charging Handle, Adjustable Gas Regulator, Metric Pattern, Polymer Furniture, Relocated Recoil Spring
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Brazilian Army · as Fuzil 7,62mm M964 A1
- Brazilian Marine Corps
- Brazilian Military Police
Production
Production years: 1980s-present
Produced by IMBEL as both newly manufactured rifles and as conversion kits for existing M964 stocks; in 2009 IMBEL received an order to produce the ParaFAL as an interim standard rifle pending the MD97 series.
Origin
Country of origin: Brazil
Designer: Dieudonne Saive
Notes
Existing M964 rifles can be upgraded to ParaFAL configuration with an IMBEL conversion kit. Also marketed as the M964 A1 MD-1. Not to be confused with the inch-pattern L1A1; the ParaFAL is a metric-pattern rifle.
Background
By the 1980s Brazil sought a more compact rifle for paratroopers and special units without abandoning the proven FAL, so IMBEL developed the folding-stock ParaFAL, redesigning the receiver to relocate the recoil spring out of the buttstock and swapping aluminium parts for polymer to shed weight.