Look how they massacred my FAL, with firearms and weaponry expert Jonathan Ferguson

[@LeeviHokka126]

The "weird plastic pipings" on the folding buttstock struts are common flexible corrugated conduits for protecting electric cables. As other viewers have pointed out, they're there not for aesthetics, but for the practical purpose of insulating the cheek from the metal surface on a hot day or a cold night.

[@superdupergrover9857]

I was wondering if someone had posted this already...

[@LRRPFco52]

Extreme cold climate will freeze your cheek to the rifle.

[@LeonBrennan-t6x]

@@superdupergrover9857 same here cant understand how he couldnt work that out, an expert hey? 😂

[@Halal_Dan]

@@LeonBrennan-t6x He heard it was from Iraq and decided to try and make it look stupid, "crude pistol grip" when the lines are smooth and ergonomic, if it was from a white country he'd be calling it an "interesting piece of ingenuity"

[@johnryan3940]

Some brown lad with a chip on his shoulder.

[@nzgunnie]

The NZ and Australian SAS in Vietnam modified their SLRs by cutting the barrel down and modifying them to full auto for the shock and awe factor at close range in the jungle. Their philosophy, operating in small teams was to break contact as quickly as possible and move away. The sound and muzzle flash of a burst of fully auto fire from a cut down SLR was pretty intimidating and helped to get the enemies head down and appear to be far more fire power than just that of a small recon team.

[@ohmbre300]

look up what the Aus SASR did with the SLR (the bitch)

[@maddogmorgan1]

Was going to comment the same thing!

[@killzoneisa]

Don't forget the under slung grenade launcher model called The Bit ch (space so the comment can show)

[@tigerpjm]

Those clever Aussies...

[@roscoefilms]

@@tigerpjm all it took was a toothpick somewhere in the trigger assembly

[@robertsmith4681]

The plastic wrap around the stock ought to be pretty effective at preventing frostbite to the face when using it it in cold weather.

[@mohammedcohen]

...my first impression also...

[@DaSpineLessFish]

Or more likely if the story is true, to stop burning your face in the hot sunny climate when shouldering

[@robertsmith4681]

@@DaSpineLessFish That too, works either way. i've used these kinds of wire stocks and you will indeed give yourself either frostbite or a burn using them depending on weather condition, unless you cover them up with something.

[@samwalker7567]

Personally I'm expecting it to be covering up some really rough welds because to me it looks like someone has cut about an inch out of the stock, possibly to improve gun fit (if somehow that even matters for this abomination) or simply for "more shorter".

[@martkbanjoboy8853]

I am guessing it works like a straight pull bolt action due to a lack of design work. The damaged bore - I am imagining a bored fourteen year old kid overshooting the drilling on a cheap Chinese bench top drill press - ugh!

[@edwardgurney1694]

If it is from a desert country the plastic tube might be an attempt to protect the users cheek from a hot metal stock.

[@itsapittie]

Or a cold metal stock. Either is a plausible explanation.

[@AshleyBlackwater]

yeah, i'm not sure why this thought didn't occur to an expert, odd

[@davydatwood3158]

@@AshleyBlackwater I suspect Jonathan hasn't done a lot of shooting in very hot (or cold) outdoor environments, and the whole "the sun made that very hot don't touch it" thing is one most people don't think of until they've personally encountered it. Even experts have biases based on their normal, day-to-day experience.

[@WardenWolf]

Honestly, I think it was just for comfort in general. Some people paracord wrap their metal-frame stocks for this exact same reason.

[@cantsneedgaming4591]

​@@AshleyBlackwater he doesnt actuslly use them to do anything with

[@CJBrunt]

The other advantage of a shortened L1A1/FAL was the intimidation effect when used to break contact for a recon patrol. An ARVN patrol commander that was mistakenly engaged by an SASR patrol with modified L1A1s reported the noise effect was more like being ambushed by multiple .50cal MGs and his troops reacted accordingly....

[@HeliophobicRiverman]

That's more of a handheld stun-grenade than a rifle.

[@peterclarke7006]

Have you seen the forgotten weapons video on the mc51? That'll give you an idea of how right you are 😂

[@WhiskeyTape]

@@peterclarke7006 Wasn't it HK51?

[@stanislavczebinski994]

@@WhiskeyTape Yes it was. The SAS' Full Auto Flashbang Dispenser.

[@peterclarke7006]

@@WhiskeyTape technically it's a bit of both. The mc51 was the "official" name for the lunacy that the sas asked for, the hk51 was sort of the civilian version (I'm assuming the civilians in question were fighting armoured space elephants, or something...)

[@Col_Mustard]

It can also haphazardly serve as something in-between a fragmentation and a HE grenade.

[@mmclaurin8035]

I know it's sacrilege, but I like it, and I DO think it looks cool. I love weird semi-field crafted firearms.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

A neat idea done buy a gunsmith that did a poor job

[@MGTexan47]

Gotta make do when your life depends on it. I can respect it. However I'm guessing the original operative of this firearm has moved on to the ancestral plain.... forcefully. 😂

[@itsKNR]

True, it doesn't look that bad tbh.

[@olgagaming5544]

Lol I instantly recognised it, was my favourite gun in Tarkov xD

[@FuckGoogle502]

I'd like it more if they had left the folding stock latch intact.

Fun fact, if you buy a shortening kit for FAL barrels; khaki short-shorts are included, and mandatory to wear.

[@marcondespaulo]

When firing a shortened FAL wearing khaki short shorts, the rate of fire goes up a good 20%. If shirtless, the accuracy in full auto goes to 1MOA.

[@ImOwenWilson]

Lt. Jim Dangle: “I don’t see a problem”

[@aerthreepwood8021]

Also, you suddenly become a psychotic racist.

[@donkeydonkey8681]

going to fight the holy war in shorts? strong move

[@j-rocd9507]

What kit comes with a pith helmet?

[@davidrenton]

'Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly' the most British term for it will blow the hell up

[@abjectpermanence5279]

Thank you for commenting on the “right arm” phrase. It’s so proliferate in even general firearm circles and I had never heard the about its proper origin beyond “lots of Western nations adopted it”. Thank you, excellent pick from the collection

[@xxxmikeyjock]

more commie shot with an FN then any other weapon post ww2

[@clawabidingcitizen]

Proliferate is a verb, not an adjective.

[@abjectpermanence5279]

@@clawabidingcitizen You’re right! Good catch

[@Calqid]

Proliferous, you say? Proliferate should be an adjective

[@WynnofThule]

​@@clawabidingcitizen"proliferate" as an adjective isn't a word but it definitely could be. Many words ending in -ate are both verbs and adjectives and someone who knows the verb would probably get it.

[@hmmjedi]

The L1A1 was my first rifle and this poor abomination of a rifle gives me heartburn just looking at it... Thank you for the great work you do as whenever I visit the family I do try and visit the Leeds museum... which is an amazing place the museum not so sure about Leeds though...

[@FuckGoogle502]

Rofl as an American who grew up hearing "England is pretty cool, but avoid Leeds unless you wanna know what it feels like to get stabbed" this is pretty funny to me. Guess it hasn't changed much lol (To be fair, my city is turning into the Wild West today and I don't have any room to talk.)

[@hmmjedi]

@@FuckGoogle502 to be fair it could be a whole lot worse aka could be Manchester or London...

[@magoid]

I noticed the Royal Armouries do have a couple Brazilian Imbel rifles, both derivatives of the FAL. It would be nice to see a video of them.

[@long-hair-dont-care88.]

Don't all wear capes.

[@BeardedChieftain]

When I joined the Aussie Army in 1983, the official nomenclature for our SLR was that it was our "MBR" or "Main Battle Rifle". Also, in 2007, I was offered one of these, almost identical, from the Black Market in Afghanistan. I suspected it was a Peshwar Valley copy.

[@1337flite]

The official nomencleture for the Australian. FAL was stamped into the rifle itself was "RIfle, 7.62mm L1A1" (sadly I no longer own mine thanks to John Howard) . The full name from the Manual of Land Warfare - the "pam" or "pamphlet"- "7.62 mm Self Loading Rifle L1A1". I sitll have my copy of that somewhere.

[@BeardedChieftain]

@@1337flite On the TO&E (not stamped into the rifle) it was listed under "MBR" or "Main Battle Rifle". We did, in fact have secondary rifles, notably the M16A1 and the M85 Parker-Hale.

[@derekp2674]

Thanks again Jonathan and team. This almost seems like a real world example of the kind of 'junk' gun that you start out with in some FPS games, before you get the chance to upgrade to better items.

[@Matt-md5yt]

Yes, or the more realistic way fallout could handle their weapons

[@CatsT.M]

I know pretty much nothing about firearms but I really enjoy watching him talk about them.

[@18robsmith]

I don't recall ever hearing Jonathan describing a gun as "junk", a title this gun certainly deserves.

[@GARDENER42]

Having seen a FAL which survived more than 18,000 rounds without cleaning & another which still held to 4" @100yds after more than 50,000 rounds, I no longer consider any functioning example to be junk. Suboptimal perhaps but still good enough to match most user's eyesight &/or ability.

[@jimjolly4560]

@@GARDENER42 If there's a significant chance of a barrel or breech rupture I think it's a stretch to call this a functioning example!😀

[@kolega4ever]

​@Gardener42 the issue is the gun is junk not because it does not work, but because it might Kentucky Ballisticks on You.

[@GARDENER42]

@@jimjolly4560 There's a big difference between a litigation averse, museum specialist's report & the real world. In another life, I saw significant numbers of FAL barrels bulged near the muzzle, courtesy of using inappropriate blank ammunition with BFA's. The government concerned, shrugged & kept those rifles in active use & none were recorded as suffering from the problem. Many ended up in the US in the late 90s/early 2000s & are still running today. Perception & risk aversity is all...

[@MrSwccguy]

Oh no, obviously you haven't seen the trash AK type 1

[@geodkyt]

Be willing to bet the plastic on the stock tubes is protection for the shooter's cheek against a painfully hot or freezing cold bare metal stock. I suspect eith thr super shorty barrel, it's slightly more likely to be concerns of hot metal rsther than freezing conditionsm

[@latigomorgan]

Looks like a parts kit rifle we were building in the late 90's/early 00's in the US from surplus rifles that had been de-mil'd and sold as spare parts. You could get a kit from $100-$200 and an upper receiver for about the same amount, back then. Some guys experimented with a short barrel and short stroke piston system, done in their home workshops. Headspacing was the easiest thing to get right when working on them. A lot of folks couldn't get the builds correct, so they sold them off to poor, unsuspecting suckers. They were a lot of fun to build, and ammo was cheap - some guys could pool their money and order surplus ammo by the pallet.

[@davitdavid7165]

If this thing is from a cold environment i would suggest that the stock plastic covers could just be a way of preventing your face from touching metal when you aim. Could also presumably be better in a hot condition, as plastic heats up slower than metal

[@burtuppercut]

Ian Yuel used a shortened FAL in the Wild Geese.

[@454FatJack]

Some Uzi and Sir R Moore used P38 silenced😅

[@karood-dog3584]

Kind of reminiscent of my FAL except I did mine properly. Mine 16 inch barrel, SAW pistol grip, L1A1 charging handle, L1A1 mag release, L1A1 safety selector, Railed dust cover. Fun to build fun to shoot .

[@0neDoomedSpaceMarine]

Sounds like a fun blaster.

[@lyndonmarquis414]

That looks like shooting it on full auto might be a rather intense experience (assuming it’s select fire)… Edit: oh, apparently it may explode

[@peterclarke7006]

Nothing says "intense" more than your own gun blowing your head off 😂

[@0neDoomedSpaceMarine]

I'm not convinced it would outright explode, but it would probably struggle with cycling reliably.

[@peterclarke7006]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine well... I'm not an expert, but Jonathan seems slightly leery of it, and that's good enough for me. He may be a brit, and a non-military brit at that, but he's had more hands-on experience with firearms than most of us have had cereal for breakfast. If he says be afraid, I'm happy to be afraid.

[@0neDoomedSpaceMarine]

@@peterclarke7006 It's not something I'd load and fire with my own hands without first doing the old With A String From Behind A Tree exercise for a couple dozen rounds, but I think that since it's properly headspaced, it's probably not going to blow. What I'd be worried over is if the rifle is properly gassed, and if the piston is going to beat the snot out of the bolt carrier and receiver.

[@tyrantworm7392]

That's if it goes fully into battery before the protruding firing pin kicks the primer hard enough for detonation :D

[@speedingoffence]

Would have been nice to see it beside a regular FAL

[@tonykruger871]

Rhodesian FAL was initially shortened for the RLI paratroopers where it was common for full length barrels to get bent when landing on operational jumps

[@Spike-hl2mw]

Not one but two meme titles. Good job Royal Armouries.

[@RoyalArmouriesMuseum]

We do what we can 😅

[@stevenjohns7017]

We ran F1A1 when i was in service, loved this rifle, the 7.62 round was perfect.

[@mohammedcohen]

...gotta be the most bestest euphemism of of ALL TIME..."Rapid, unscheduled disassembly..."

[@xlerb2286]

A FAL is one of the items still on my "to acquire" list. I've got a few FN-49's and they're great rifles too. Quite similar in their internals but are built much more along the lines of a pre WW2 infantry rifle with a wood stock. I'd love to get a Canadian military FAL but you'd have more luck finding a bushel of hen's teeth.

Quite an intersting example of a firearm. Thx for the Video

[@mrjockt]

It resembles the cut down FAL used by the Argentinian Federal Police except theirs came with a forward pistol grip, just a standard FAL pistol grip mounted to the underside of the gas block.

[@FreedomsLife1776]

Ah yes: the repeating flash bang device.

[@paparazzy1000]

Jonathan, being a fan of the MP-5 why don't you make a "What is that weapon" with a HK G53, lot of people aren't aware of this weapon history and existence and it would be cool to see it getting some recognition !

[@maxjoechl5663]

The reason people aren't aware of the "HK G53" is probably that such a thing never existed, unless you mean the HK53 (without the "G"). Basically, the HK numbering scheme is different from the MP/G/MG designation. With the HK53, the "5" identifies it as being the size of a carbine/SMG, and the "3" denotes the caliber (5.56x45mm). You can see that the "G" designations are different from H&K's numbering scheme by comparing e.g. the HK41 (semi-auto rifle, 7.62x51mm) with the G41 (an improved version of the HK33, an assault rifle chambered in 5.56mm), or the HK11 (magazine-fed machine gun, 7.62x51mm) and the G11.

[@Davo996]

The plastic pipe is to reduce clanking against your webbing metal buckles hooks magazines ect. Normally it would be timber and not be a problem.

[@tombakabones274]

I'm poor and live in the US this is the closest I'm ever going to get to your museum thank you for these videos

[@DigitalMonsterO1]

It's not as if he can own anything cool in that museum anyways. It's a very sad reality to work with guns in a country that hates their own people having them

[@tombakabones274]

@@DigitalMonsterO1 true but his job lets him get the closest anybody in his country is going to get to owning any of those guns so there is that at least

[@darthtyranus378]

i believe the plastic around the stock is for reducing discomfort in hot or sub-zero environments. the finns did something similar with the rk rifles.

[@flamingpizzareuploads4724]

My favourite Firearms Expert talking about my favourite Firearm? Oh yes please

[@seb5689]

i love the almost forensic accuracy of your statements and comments about this weapon!

[@steven-k.]

My experience with the SLR is that the weak spot was the gas port, what happened is that people didn't clean the barrels properly after using BFAs, so you'd get a ring of carbon in the barrel which increased gas pressure with live ammunition. That led to gas port erosion and damaged the gas plug and the piston and then the rifle stopped working. People forget that the main reason for the adoption of the SA80 was because the SLRs were worn out, and the SA80 was delayed. If you go to a shorter barrel you also bugger up the gas system, it's not a good idea. The SLRs were put in war reserve, that was a pretty big contract to repair them from what I recall, some company down in Devon? Can't remember the name. Anyway, I was always of the opinion that the purpose of the SA80 was to make FIBUA easier, the explanation of "it fits into a Warrior IFV" was the official reason, no one wanted to say: "it fits into a terraced house in Belfast more easily."

[@swordsman1_messer]

I just like how you guys refer to Ian McCollum on Forgotten Weapons for info about the Para FAL. He’s officially a professional source!

[@Toppler-E]

All things considered, whoever owned this gun in its service life clearly loved it very much(or maybe was forced to), enough to optimize the stock for a hot desert day/freezing night, and enough to refinish the gun with a new pistol grip and ergonomic charging handle. I personally quite like it, I think its a gun with a lot of character

[@gwtpictgwtpict4214]

While at university in the UK in the early eighties I played soldiers in the OTC so was running around with an SLR. I loved it. Someone has been very mean to that poor FAL Jonathan, give her a pat from me before you put her away.

[@polacobr]

the PARA-FAL(as we call in Brazil) was designed and is used(to this day) to parachutist units ONLY(as exception a few police special units use them aswell), due to its size and foldable stock, very very trustable weapon that can resist pretty much all sorts of weather without jaming(if made by real factories like IMBEL, not diy ofc)

[@No-mq5lw]

Brazil doesn't really have many sandy conditions, and that's where the FAL's Achilles heel shows itself. Doesn't look like Imbel ships them with sand cuts either by default. Imbel's online catalog only shows the boujee carbine length IA2s with the sand cuts, while the rifle length PARA doesn't have it. That's with qualitative anecdotes from US, British, Isreal experiences with the rifle as well.

[@polacobr]

@@No-mq5lw The entire Northeast region of Brazil is pretty much sand soil, search for "CAATINGA" and you will see what iam talking about. You are right about the IA2s, as a much newer project, it is considered an even more trustable weapon, wich is the main reason why the Brazilian army plans to substitue every FAL for IA2s in the next years

[@charleshoward5465]

one of the FALs I have in my own collection is a brand spanking new (2019) DS Arms FAL in nearly this exact configuration. And I can tell you that I LOVE IT !!!!... Don't get me wrong, I love my 21" FAL and my "old school" L1A1 with its S.U.I.T and wood furniture (not original woof, sadly) is one of the first rifles I ever purchased about 40 years ago I would never think of selling. However, the DSA shorty PARA is wonderful. It is fun and fast and is something quite different than the ubiquitous AR style rifles everyone uses here in the US. Granted, my shorty is newly manufactured here by an excellent company that puts out a quality product, and it is not a chopped-up, bastardized assembly of rusted junk. I can tell you my shorty FAL always gets the envy at the range or in the woods. She is a hell of a truck gun and unmatched at dropping feral hogs. (shorty has put a lot of meat in the smoker). Perhaps its just deep-fried, American hillbilly sense of the aesthetic, but I like it. The one you are showing, maybe after a few drinks and from a somewhat greater distance, but yeah,, I like it.

[@exploderish]

How about doing a video on how these weapons are acquired by your institution, and from where? The relationships involved, permits/paperwork, etc, would be interesting...

[@davidjernigan7576]

With the gas port location the bolt must give a massive jolt when it hits its rearward end of travel.

[@forrestcavin1802]

Keep up the good work and great content! Love yall!

[@anthony_sasquatch8056]

I have been lucky enough to hold one of these things and it was quite the treat. pretty neat rifle!

[@AndyCinDallas]

I was in the South African military when we used the FAL (R1, as we called it) and built 2 examples here in the US - metric-pattern 21" and and 18" Para. Now, I was a contractor in Iraq for OIF II and III ('04 and '05) and there was a building in Camp Cooke (an Iraqi military facility in Taji, some miles north of Baghdad) full of rusty FALs - so the one Jonathan's clutching may very well have been sourced from a place like that.

[@JaykPuten]

The piping on the stock is so you don't freeze to it Or get burnt by it in the heat Someone mentioned the freezing part I just saw, but for leaving in the heat, dark painted metal is gonna get hot

[@BrettBaker-uk4te]

7.62x51 PDW.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

It would certainly help with defense. Nobody wants to get near you when you carry that thing

[@johnfroehling5653]

I love that they kept the carry handle

[@posttenebraslux200]

The plastic sleeves on the stock serve two purposes - one is to maintain the stock at a mangeable temperature, which is especially important in cold climates. the other is to mitigate stock slap that's generate by recoil.

[@terry7907]

“Has been bodged onto the gun “. Love when Jonathan uses technical language.

[@wolfesbane4263]

i wonder why Jonathan didnt bring in an emotional support FAL just to ease his pain

[@JohnHughesChampigny]

Would have been great to see this side by side with a L1A1 SLR.

[@wolfesbane4263]

@@JohnHughesChampigny i wouldve loved to see one

[@georgerobartes2008]

The FN FAL is a metric piece and only produced in metric , all others are licensed imperial manufactured by UK , Australia etc . Plastic stock guards for protection from heat or cold . The charging handle assembly does not interchange between the 2 readily , without a considerable amount of work including notching the receiver and bolt carrier and not a simple bodge or swap . The other distinguishing feature that appeared on the L1A1 variants by this time which would have been useful here was the bolt carrier dust/sand grooves . This cocking assembly was also used for some AR15 upper receiver forgings for left hand cocking along with the existing rear charging handle . If you happen across one of these, the FN FAL cocking assembly does not fit , nor can it be made to fit as the detent that communicates with the carrier is in a completely different position on its slide . This FN may have been modified here in the UK , if its 1975 Persian origin can be substantiated. A contemporary rifle , the G3 had been successfully modified in the UK in the 80s to a shorter length carbine with collapsing stock for a special forces , policing role under contract to Turkey . The G3 having no gas system to worry about , of course . I mention this as clearly the H&K styling was used for the pistol grip design.

[@juanzulu1318]

Why not showing the long FAL for visualisation of the differences like the barrel? And why should a shorter barrel be a problem? For the m16 there are also short barrel versions.

[@exexpat11]

Gas, pressure, blow back, barrel harmonics, and peak potential of the round are all factors. The OEM FNFAL was tuned by engineers to be the best it could be by design. The AR/M-16 has had problems in shortening the barrel but work throughs and redesigns to make it work have happened over time. This FN was garage built and not tuned. See other rifles that have had trouble; the Springfield SOCOM is prone to jams because of the short barrel (even though the original Tanker M-14 and Garand had no such troubles) due to the redesigned gas system and the until fairly recently Mini 14's and their accuracy due to poor barrel harmonics.

[@ptrisonic]

When I had a personal FN FAL one of the things I liked about it was the intimidatory factor of it's sheer size! Agree it was awkward in type spaces. Fulton's of Bisley fitted a heavy barrel (which seemed even longer in my memory). Very accurate and comfortable to shoot. It is in the basement of the Imperial War Museum now is that anything to do with you? I've been out of the country for 35 years.... P.

[@germanwarrabbit]

i think the stock is like that for comfort metal heats up and freezes that plastic stuff shouldn't get as hot or cold

[@Zefferum]

What is this? AN FAL FOR ANTS!? 😂😂 great reference

[@growlergator]

Some original Belgian type III 50.63 Paratroopers came with folding charging handles, similar to the charging handles on the British L1A1’s. I can’t tell which one that rifle has.

[@crbielert]

The definition of "Make do and mend" I like it.

[@danieljob3184]

In one of my stories the characters would describe that as a 'tenderizer'. Good enough to get fast and messy, no loss to dump.

[@johnnytyler5685]

"Massacred"?! That thing is AWESOME! It's the FAL version of an HK51.

[@RoyalArmouriesMuseum]

Well, there's something for everyone I guess. 😅

[@mikeblair2594]

For some reason I really like this one. It shows what an Iraqi Bubba could do to a nice and perfectly good firearm. I think American Bubbas should take note and stop. I think the folding buttstock is fine and I don't see any reason why a small spring clip couldn't have been attached to the carrying handle to hold the buttstock in the folded position. The Iraqi Bubba may very well have known that the headspace was important and may have gotten his hands on a set of gauges. Also, the plastic on the struts is so you don't burn your face if the rifle has been in the sun for a while. The Bubba also knew the fact that when you severely shorten a barrel, you have to move the gas block and hole so that it won't adversely effect the bullet velocity more than cutting the barrel has already done. Look at the first iteration of the M16 carbine and all the trouble they went through to finally get an efficient short barreled rifle that didn't have all the troubles that you get when you cut the barrel, but not move the gas block. That was my two cents. Have a grand time

[@mulliganjonathan787]

Starts with "you'll probably notice something wrong" with a disappointed face 🤣🤣

[@F1ghteR41]

1:32 I would've never guessed that you'd call this the biggest drawback of the FAL! To my mind, it's actually the fact that it was designed for two cartridges with much less recoil before being finalized for a full-powered one, and this had begot all other troubles. 1:56 The reasons seem very clear to me: steel is far from being comfortable to touch in both cold and hot weather, and it also doesn't provide the best gripping surface when you need it on your stock. 3:45 So, it's only 3 cm longer than MC51 barrel? Now, I can only imagine the sound and flash it produces! 4:56 And with all this trouble they somehow kept the carry-handle, which is almost useless on such a short rifle, takes up weight and rattles a bit. 6:20 Why would you call it crude? It seems well-made to me. 7:11 It looks like a very reasonable choice for a compact variant.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

The whole ordeal with how "the" NATO rifle never came to be is really a proper shitshow

[@F1ghteR41]

@@HappyBeezerStudios Well, there wasn't enough politicization of the matter and weren't enough wacky designs submitted for it to be a proper shitshow.

[@Triad_Orion]

It may be a piece of junk, but that weapon has a lot of character to it. And it may not be worth preserving every gun with a bit of kit-bash character, but there's something about that particular FAL rifle. It just looks like it has quite a story behind it, even if we're not quite sure what it is.

[@Tulip1811]

as a woodworker that grip looks pretty good, curves are hard!

[@bobbyball6671]

Omg! Bet muzzle blast and recoil is unbelievable!

[@MarcusJGrey]

The look of confusion and disgust just sells it! :D

[@XhumpersX]

Does changing the position of the front sight forwards or backwards mess up the elevation adjustments of the rifle? I don't mean in the short term, but the graduations of 100m 200m 300m etc built into the rear sight.

[@molochi]

The muzzle flash on that thing would be spectacular though.

[@meangreen320]

I put a 11.5 inch dw barrel in my lmt MWS with a warcomp on it , went night shooting with it, and literally blinded everyone that was with me …It was awesome

[@paininthepatoot]

Once again great video.

[@ray.shoesmith]

I trained with the SLR at RMC Duntroon in 1991, after starting on the M16A1. The Austeyr was in service by then, and training units were usually first to be assigned new equipment, but RMC was last to get the F88 because they couldn't work out how to drill with it

[@cookie5535]

How to drill with it? Lmfao priorities. Its why American traditionalists will never accept a superior bullpup

[@0neDoomedSpaceMarine]

@@cookie5535 I would say the matter of a bullpup's superiority is rather subjective one.

[@BeardedChieftain]

The F88 should never have been issued to anyone let alone Cadets at Duntroon. Drill was the least of the worries with that platform.

[@0neDoomedSpaceMarine]

@@BeardedChieftain How so? I think this is the first time I've ever heard of anyone actually taking issue with the Steyr AUG, even bullpup haters seem to begrudgingly admit that it's a good rifle.

[@BeardedChieftain]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine I'll retype my reply. The F88 was not the best weapon in the trials by any means and I suspect kickbacks were involved in the decision. The execution of producing the rifle at Lithgow Small Arms was poorly executed resulting in mechanical failures that saw, I believe, us armed with a very unsafe firearm. At least one Soldier died and the resulting investigation showed that the rifle had a mechanical failure resulting in that death. In fact a factory mod was released to address the failing trigger sears. It was then and is now a poor rifle and if I had to choose between it and the L1A1 and only those two, I'd take the L1A1 any day and two of the on Sunday. Luckily for me, I am too old to ever go back to combat zones, but if I was still young enough, I'd refuse to carry anything chambered in 5.56.

[@schizoidboy]

America considered using a version of the FAL, at West Point Museum there is an experimental version with wooden furnishings on it.

[@RomanStabbyStab]

I always like the short barreled variants, I would have to say the FAL OSW is one of my dream guns. Garand Thumb did a video on it and boy it is a sexy firearm.

[@dj1NM3]

If this massacred FN FL was used in extreme conditions (very hot or very cold) then "something not metal" is a good idea to have on the stock, to get a cheek-weld on, without getting stuck or scorched.

[@cbrstar7145]

We used to use that piping on our bike chains back in the 80's. I think it was electrical piping for electronics.

[@londonjolly9174]

Interestingly indicative to the now-older DSA OSW 13" guns, I frankly enjoy the look of the super-shorty 7.62 NATOs, ala OSW, HK-51, etc. Some know the (more popular) 11" OSW and the horrifying HK51 or DSA Para 8" guns, but 7.62 NATO's velocity REALLY tanks under 13 or 14 in, obviously the cartridge thrives under 20 or 22 in barrels.

[@blackrat1228]

Iirc ballistically 7.62 NATO turns into expensive 7.62x39 once you get down to common SBR barrel lengths.

[@esrvdb88]

Surprised the front site is still usable after being cut down that much. I’ve seen one cut down AK that’s front sight then appeared larger than the rear notch after having been moved back. Falls do have a pretty open rear aperture though.

[@toade1583]

It's absolutely beautiful.

[@tsukishiro70]

Looks like one of the ones Tosh Yule used in that '70's documentary on Africa, "The Wild Geese". The magazine he used was a bit longer, thirty-rounder or possibly forty-rounder.

[@milgeekmedia]

Those of you who remember the movie 'Wild Geese' [1978] will no doubt be aware of the 'shorty FAL' that was used by the character played by Ian Yule ['Tosh']. I tried to find out more about this weapon. It was (I was told by Mr. Yules agent) supplied by a 'contact' in the South African army (the movie was shot in South Africa with the support of the Apartheid Government of the time). In proportions this modified 'short FAL' used in the movie was similar to the modern DSL made SA58 OSW. An additional interesting aspect to that weapon was that it was fitted with - the now nearly forgotten - 'SINGLEPOINT'. Ian Yule himself was a very interesting character. Ex-SAS, he wore his SAS berry in the movie, he was also a member of 'Mad' Mike Hoare's Congo mercenaries.

[@RamadaArtist]

Don't shorter barrels also often impart less spin stabilization to the projectile? I always assumed that was the primary reason for less "accuracy" in a shorter barrel.

[@SuperFunkmachine]

in theory but most guns have enough barrel to spin the bullet.

[@georgedalgleish6384]

I did see a very similar weapon with somebody in the Kosbs in 86. Exercise E.T.

[@thomastrinkle2294]

Does this have the same “hand held fully automatic flashbang dispenser” issue as the HK 53?

[@kamikazemelon787]

I absolutely love short rifles and a lil' shorty FAL is at the top of my list of favorites

[@Joe3pops]

I heard various rumors that short barrel FALs such as this were sourced by private security contractors to man vehicle checkpoints. Better than 5.56mm for vehicle bodies yet not as "dangerous" as belt fed MG. Selected to burst fire it certainly would sound like belt fed .30 cal from even one block away. Intmidation factor. Maybe?

[@Gearparadummies]

It's basically a miniaturized FAL Para. I've shot an MC51, basically a 10" barrelled HK G3. They're not called "Flash-Bang dispensers" for nothing. That FAL is as cool as it's unwieldy.

[@calvingreene90]

The plastic on the stock is probably to improve the comfort of the cheek weld.

[@leakycheese]

This FrankenFal is like Jonathan’s worst Hotdogs and Handguns nightmare made real.

[@jon1801]

In Rhodesia it was recognised a short barrel was desirable for troops transported by Alouette. Also I seem to recall they were popular for use by mounted units ( horse ) It was a pig, full stop.

[@hstwodrainage.1410]

I have seen helicopter pilots with the Para-F.A.L's Or UZIs

[@adlerarmory8382]

I wonder if this inspired the shorty FAL carried by Sgt Tosh (Ian Yule-UKSAS RIP) in "The Wild Geese"? He said it was an experimental weapon he was asked to evaluate. Later on the UKSAS trialed some shorty HK G3 rifles.

[@TruculentSheep]

I'm reminded of that scene in Garth Marenghi's Dark Place, where Sanchez shoots his pistol with another pistol.

[@HQ_Default]

It would be absolutely sick to see a version of this that's refined to be more reliable and maybe chambered in 556. I like seeing miniaturized versions of beefier guns, so this is really cool to me, even if it is probably correct to call it junk.

[@zchris87v80]

Could that be the Armalite AR18/AR180/180b? Would love to find a Sterling-made one of those.

[@gregorysteffensen3279]

the fundamental problem with the FAL that's seen it get replaced by AR-18 derivatives (I loosely count the SCAR in the bucket even if it does have some FAL-esque features as well) is the tilting-block bolt mechanism. Reliable, but not nearly as accurate as modern Stoner-style locking lugs, hence why accurized FALs for designated marksman rifle roles have never been terribly successful

[@F1ghteR41]

Brazilian IMBEL got you covered. They do make something that fits your description, although they have changed the locking mechanism to rotating bolt.

[@M4V3R1CK_13]

IMBEL MD97L/MD97LC

[@killer3000ad]

The SAS once experimented with an MP5 chambered in 7.62x51, the HK51 and found it intolerable to fire as it induced concussive effects in everyone nearby. Unsurprisingly, they didn't use it. I can imagine how firing this FAL would be.

[@MyDailyUpload]

As soon as I was old enough, I acquired an Argentine FAL. I wanted a Belgian, but they were just too expensive in the US. Its a great gun. I also got a M1A (M14) about the same time, but the FAL was my favorite. It just seemed to be more ergonomic. I still like a left-side non reciprocating cocking handle and the magazine release. It just seemed more modern. I don't know why the US didn't go for the T48 instead of the M14. I know, I can read the test report myself.

[@josephk.4200]

The FAL is certainly a much better weapon than the M14, but it was the US Ordnance Dept that weaselled the M14 into service over the FAL, just as they tried to sabotage the adoption of the M16 by providing improper powder loads to soldiers in Vietnam. There was a congressional investigation into this, and ordnance was found to be the culprit.

[@josephk.4200]

The FAL is certainly a much better weapon than the M14, but it was the US Ordnance Dept that weaselled the M14 into service over the FAL, just as they tried to sabotage the adoption of the M16 by providing improper powder loads to soldiers in Vietnam. There was a congressional investigation into this, and ordnance was found to be the culprit.

[@josephk.4200]

The FAL is certainly a much better weapon than the M14, but it was the US Ordnance Dept that weaselled the M14 into service over the FAL, just as they tried to sabotage the adoption of the M16 by providing improper powder loads to soldiers in Vietnam. There was a congressional investigation into this, and ordnance was found to be the culprit.

[@albertoponce1223]

I was used for long years an argentine FAL. In the Airborne Brigade, the change was for a 50 63. I love the Para.

[@F4Insight-uq6nt]

Why would it blow up when fired? If the round was chambered correctly if would shoot normally?

[@dude126]

Interesting frankenfal.