THE NEW RIFLE

(25 Jan 1954) The British Lee Enfield rifle is to be replaced by a new self-loading Belgian type. At Hythe, the new weapon, adopted by NATO countries, is demonstrated.
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[@specialforces3114]

Now hold up just a second, I was quite curious about GIANT HELICOPTER.

[@C.A._Old]

Started Revolution.

[@dd11111]

My thoughts exactly. Are we just going to gloss over this!

[@animalxINSTINCT89]

WHAT A FUCKING TEASE!!!

[@sheldonray5308]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5q6lIpmoLZ0d6s

[@andersrobertsen7610]

That's part 2

[@JiTiAr35]

FN FAL while being replaced by SCAR 17, is still good by today's standard. Legendary gun.

[@ardshielcomplex8917]

Its a RIFLE, in the Army a "Gun" is either an Artillery Field Piece, or Machine Gun.

[@yeedbottomtext7563]

@@ardshielcomplex8917 autism

[@tomascanterarossi4218]

@@ardshielcomplex8917 Gun: weapon incorporating a metal tube from which bullets, shells, or other missiles are propelled by explosive force, typically making a characteristic loud, sharp noise. Shut up

[@aynjeleyes]

@@tomascanterarossi4218 so what is your take on a submarine? is it a ship or a boat? Or Is bullet a round or a cartridge fired from a gun or rifle, well there are machine guns "squad automatic weapons" & only battle rifles. I think that is what he was saying. With my 30 odd years carrying battle rifles I have never called it a gun unless its the 84mm the Charlie Guts anti tank gun. Semantics

[@tomascanterarossi4218]

@@aynjeleyes just copied what said on google, thera different takes. In my country we call it armas (guns) to.... guns

[@rovhalt6650]

Hard to believe it's so old already. It still feels quite modern.

[@reallyhappenings5597]

It's obsolete for sure

[@mihaiarmy666]

@@reallyhappenings5597 The first models of that era ? Sure..upgraded and modernized versions of our era ? Not at all

[@C.A._Old]

Started Revolution.

[@GugureSux]

Most weapons still seeing wide use are starting to be ancient. Even the AR-15 platform is a product of the 1950s, and the AK obviously predates it by an entire decade. The M2 machine gun and Colt 1911 handgun are literally over 100 year-old products. Most handguns still use John Moses Browning's designs as well.

[@rbrick3685]

Most modern weapons were made in that era

[@paganphil100]

In those days even the warrant officers had "posh" accents !!

[@stephenreynolds6378]

Nah .he slipped if you listen carefully.just a regular guy not a toff.

[@selwynowen6213]

🤣🤣🤣

[@samrowland2816]

I think that was his 'Telephone voice'. He definitely slips and catches it.

[@rovhalt6650]

@Ben Which is how it should be.

[@AlphaChinoz]

They spoke "received pronounciation" for radio and television, not posh.

[@carloseduardo-pk6eq]

Here in Brazil, most of the military forces, army, navy, air force and the police use it almost always in the combat of violence, even though our country have a national assault rifle, it's still common see this gun around here, and i mean a lot.

[@flampayer3003]

Aew achei um brasileiro

[@flampayer3003]

the fal is used by the military for training and the like, while in combat they use the IMBEL IA2, the police who use the FAL as their main weapon to fight crime

[@Asonunique23]

@@flampayer3003 only30k ia2 builded, our military got 200k man

[@flampayer3003]

@@Asonunique23 em um cenário real não é mobilizado todos os soldados, e a produção continua com o tempo com seus lotes de armamentos

[@americangangster1911]

Ah yes, I remember in Max Payne 3 killing many of your countryman with that rifle.

[@Nooziterp1]

I remember talking to an old soldier who was doing his national service as the SLR was replacing the Lee Enfield. He said the SLR was a much better weapon. 95% of the hitting power, semi-automatic so no operating the bolt between shots and double the magazine capacity.

[@ardshielcomplex8917]

We in the Australian Army circa 1970s-80s loved the SLR (FN 7.62 Rifle).

[@225degrees]

308 is superior to 303 British in every way. There is no loss of energy.

[@Nooziterp1]

@@ardshielcomplex8917 I hear the Aussies in Vietnam called it the 'bitch gun' because it had a shortened barrel which meant more recoil and muzzle flash.

[@Nooziterp1]

@@225degrees I always thought the 303 was slightly up on the 308/7.62 in that respect, but having looked it up you're right.

[@225degrees]

@@shootmcrunfast What the fuck are you on about?? .308 is in fact 7.62x51mm. Go read a book before you post your stupidity. If you're confused between .308 and 303 British, then you're again wrong. The 303 British cartridge is anemic and woefully underpowered by comparison. Rimmed cartridges are retarded and bring about their own problems as well.

[@Dafmeister1978]

Interesting to see what looks like the optic from the EM-2 on it.

[@dj1NM3]

I think there were a couple of versions with the same outward appearance, one with a low-power scope and the other is a fancy iron-sight that's more like a Nerf "scope" that has no glass elements. Ultimately, the UK and almost everyone else used the FN FAL with open iron sights.

[@peepsbates]

Pretty sure it was the same type of optic. I believe Forgotten Weapons has a video on an early British FAL with one.

[@Dafmeister1978]

@@peepsbates Praise be unto Gun Jesus, may He come unto us in His mercy and deliver us all manner of cool gun trivia.

[@CeylonMondegreen]

According to Forgotten Weapons, it's indeed the exact same optic, and the plan originally was that each and every FAL issued to British soldiers would have one. Which would have been quite revolutionary, although less so than just adopting the EM-2 itself.

[@timisontube]

It’s so funky and almost Star Wars esque, it makes the vid almost feel like a surreal high quality alt history video

[@ITriedLmao]

The biggest cliffhanger of all..."Giant helicopter"

[@sheldonray5308]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5q6lIpmoLZ0d6s

[@charliep5139]

Can you imagine, as an infantryman, going from a bolt action lee Enfield to the fn fal?! What an upgrade! At least the US had the m1 Garand and the m14 in between the Springfield and the m16...

[@sundancetitan5675]

This was in 54 aswell so the FAL must of been a marvel to use

[@kiba_the_lucky]

the m14 was more of a downgrade than anything

[@charliep5139]

@@kiba_the_lucky haha yeah. Upgrade on paper, downgrade in the field. I believe there was some government contractor shenanigans that got the m14 approved over the fn fal. Interesting to think of the US adopting the fn fal as its service rifle....

[@barccy]

​@@kiba_the_lucky The M14 is an upgrade. It has a threaded muzzle, flash hider, scope mount, less sensitive gas system, more practical gas cut off, and less time needs to be invested in reloading because 1 reload of 20 a rounds box magazine is quicker than 4 clips (for 40 rounds total for each).

[@barccy]

The FAL is more comparable to the M14 than the M16. It weighs more and balances worse than either US weapon and fires 20 rounds of 7.62.

[@RegUnsworth]

The Sgt Major forgot to mention that the gas rod and plug should be highly polished.

[@mazambane286]

Says who? One only needs to crank the gas further closed and shoot it clean.

[@dellawrence4323]

Indeed, I noticed that omission, back to school for him.

[@Nooziterp1]

Sounds about right!

[@mazambane286]

@@Surucipe-vv2ds Chopper fuel works wonder too on that carbon.

[@EmmettMontanaro]

This isn't training material it's for civilians, some propaganda to show how great their equipment is.

[@NeoMorphUK]

I used the SLR for most of my time in the army and only switched to the popgun (Sterling SMG for those not in the know) when I began officer training. The only problem we had with the SLR was jams… so we ran the gun with the gas regulator set to max which meant the gun kicked like a mule. I wore glasses specifically for when I was shooting because the rifle would kick back and the rear iron sight would make a tiny chip on the specs that I ended up using to perfect my aim. I got so good that I ended up beating the score of three NCO’s shooting at the same target to boost the middle NCO’s score. They used the cheat when they made everyone put some money in a pot and the winner with the highest score got the money. The NCO’s usually won their beer money that way. Not the day I shot my best round though. 😉

[@daddybob6096]

@NeoMorph WTH. I was in the NZ Army, Malaya 1961/63. We had SLRs and i agree they did have a strong recoil action. I didn't like them at all, after having had a cut down wood, SMLE 303 sporting rifle as a teen. Such a nice rifle and so accurate when hunting. In the NZ Infantry Regiment our SLRS were 7.62 calibre. During our TOD on the Thai border for 3 months one of our NCO's swapped his Sterling SMG for my SLR for the duration. I was happy with that as i really liked the Sterling which i had qualified on, as marksman, plus it was so light and folded down compact, much less weight to carry. Our Brigade, (South East Asia Commonwealth Brigade) consisted of the Australian 1RAR, East Anglian Regiment and us Kiwis. The East Anglians later were replaced with the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, KOYLI's. Thank you for your service Sir. Robert W. 82yo. New Zealand. (Of Scottish Ancestry)

[@C.A._Old]

Started Revolution.

[@TheStig505]

I'm suprised y'all had jamming issues with it. I have two STG-58 rifles (The Austrian FAL), and they're the most reliable battle rifles I own. I don't know if the rifles have a different gas block setup than the SLR, but I've never had to adjust the gas to shoot even cheap steel case through them. I had a chance to shoot a full-auto Sterling, handles much better than a STEN of course! 😆

[@FloutchBW]

They probably must have been poorly maintained or very worn down from decades of constant use and swinging around, because generally speaking they're among the most reliable systems.

[@NeoMorphUK]

@@FloutchBW I think the jams problem probably came from the ammo we were using (or more likely it was the springs in the magazines). The blank firing rounds we used on exercise used to make a right mess. I do remember one exercise where an assaulting platoon was coming at me and I fired one round and then… CLICK! Tried again and CLICK! I remember getting so damn mad that I got out of my scrape and ran at the enemy squad, bowling over quite a few of them… when suddenly the world spun and I landed on my back. I tried to get up when a monster pushed me back and shouted “STAY” in my face. It was the sergeant of the other squad. I was 6’1” back then and he made me look like a midget. So yeah… we used to get so many jams on exercise that we just got used to running the regulator at 10 I think. But that kick did mess me up on one range… I got something like 1/10 while my neighbouring shooter got 17/10… I think you can figure out why lol. Was before I learned to handle the recoil.

[@floppa9415]

What a sporty rifle, but they surely aren't going to show a teaser for giant helicopter in the end. That would be most daring. *Oh goodness gracious*

[@cmctravels]

Used in our liberation war. The shot is way much lethal than current ak-47 ir M-4. 🇧🇩

[@Troollls]

God why can’t we have news broadcasts like this

[@diegoforlan2324]

what constant war propaganda? no thanks

[@Troollls]

@@diegoforlan2324 gay

[@diegoforlan2324]

@@Troollls okay Alex

[@Troollls]

@@diegoforlan2324 what u want the propaganda we have now

[@Exiledk]

Having used one in the army, I can honestly say, that I loved the ("widow-maker") SLR.

[@lawrencemartin1113]

What a delightful find! Those wonderful voices and great characters. I also love the fact that we went from a 7.62mm, pretty accurate rifle with an incredibly simple AR style action strip, to an awful rubbish rifle with a smaller round which has had to undergo the most expensive series of up grades and re-builds to make it reliable and which was (and still is) a total pain to strip and clean well and now we are looking at ramping up supply of the Sharpshooter......a 7.62mm accurate rifle with an AR style action......blah blah. "A little bit of history, repeating"....(if you will excuse the pun).

[@ed342]

We switched to a 5.56 rifle because of change in doctrine, conflicts like WW2, korea, Malaya and Vietnam showed that firefights occur at no greater than 300 metres, so the overpowered 7.62 isn't needed, secondly its lighter so, 90 rounds per soldier vs 60 with the SLR. In engagements that exceed this such as incidents in Afghanistan, 7.62 is used - the Sharpshooter LMT L129A1

[@stevenlangdon-griffiths293]

I totally agree with you. With my SLR I hit targets 600m away. No scope. So easy to use and maintain. A pleasure to have the responsibility to use and take care of. The replacement was no good.

[@ed342]

@freebeerfordworkers I agree with you tbh, I think 5.56 is outdated and should be replaced with a more effective alternative, something similar to 6.5 Grendel or 6mm ARC, 7.62 nato will get the job done no problem, its just a compromise on weight

[@dulls8475]

SA80 after improvements is an excellent weapon. The SLR by the mid 80s was worn out and getting inaccurate. I used both.

[@jamesnicholson3658]

@freebeerfordworkers I was once told that one reason given was that 5.56mm wounds were easier to patch up, meaning more prisoners meaning more intel sources. I have no idea if true or not but the lightened weight of the ammo does make sense, less resupply missions

[@KolyaNickD]

It might be overkill but it must boost confidence when you know your target will be dropped with authority - I use 7.62/308 for wild boar. The Americans are finally moving back up to a new 270/6.8 round to defeat newer body armour.

[@simonnormand2813]

Maybe it’s time for Britain to put the original EM2 .280 up for consideration. Or we all go back to the 7.62 x 51

[@patrickvennard838]

@@simonnormand2813 I have Jonathan Fergusons' book I don't think it is as simple as that. If we had adopted it in the 1950's we would have had the best assault rifle of the time.

[@bigchunk7246]

@@patrickvennard838 most definitely. Such a shame politics got in the way

[@thatontariofarmer]

@@simonnormand2813 I suspect they'll go back to 7.62X51 or they'll adopt the same caliber the US is using in their new rifles. Lots of 5.56 to burn through first though

[@225degrees]

@@patrickvennard838 The FN FAL is not an "assault rifle" it is a battle rifle.

[@simonbird1973]

Did my basic training using the SLR back in 1989. Soon as we passed out we then transitioned to the SA80. Even after only using the SLR for 3 months, I’d take it over the SA80 anytime!

[@DavidSternburgYt]

must have never used the A2 variant of the sa80, much rather have the small, well balanced, compact A2 instead of having to lug around that old slr on a tab

[@garymcalea3815]

@@moredistractions the first ones where a total crock. Loose rattled, plastics fell apart, we got told the RM had rejected it in Norway. Sling was a lecture in itself to put on, got it wrong weapon would fall off you and possible break the plastics. 7 point check to ensure that the weapon was clear as the rounds might fall apart. Apart from that it was passable

[@garymcalea3815]

@Sooraan X joined 85, but in RAF we as groundcrew didn’t see SA80 till about 90. Think a lot depended on service and unit to when you got it.

[@moredistractions]

@@garymcalea3815 "Apart from that it was passable" - LOL!

[@lastswordfighter]

@@moredistractions The initial batches were an illegally made poorly reversed engineered Armalite AR18 they tried to pass off an original rifle. So badly done was the workmanship they had to sub contract out to Heckler and Koch to rebuild and redo the rifles. They worked out most of the problems.

[@TiernanWilkinson]

The FAL is my favorite rifle. I have two. I love them. It's such a beautiful platform, and though among the most common military long arms in the world, I find it's often a bit overlooked.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Gods own rifle.

[@davman115]

I Fired and drilled with the Lee Enfield as a cadet. I was equipped with the SLR as a soldier and then the SMG as I changed units. The only weapon that I disliked was when we changed over to the then new SA80. Far too many parts and unlike the SLR it never looked the business with a bayonet on the end.

[@matthewp6187]

I've used the SA80 for years now, never used the SLR or Lee, but the SA80 is nice in my opinion, the only stoppages I've received were from overheating, which were entirely my fault, and disassembly and assembly is very simple for a field strip, only thing you have to watch out for is your recoil rod and spring shooting out, and making sure they're pressed in well when resembling.

[@jakew7982]

Yet the SA80 with bayonet affixed has been used effectively in Afghanistan and Iraq.

[@saddlebum6595]

I designed some of the tooling to make the L1A1.

[@vladtheimpala1]

Just a query for anyone who might read this and know the answer. The SLR was officially adopted in 1954 but I haven't located any newsreel of any British soldier using one before about 1960. Clearly, the army was using the Lee Enfield in Suez (1956) and (it appears) in all foreign engagements up to 1960. Did it take about six years for the weapon to be rolled out? Or was it only initially given to very select units (which simply never appeared on film)? Much obliged to anyone - perhaps an old soldier - who knows the answer.

[@montyfatcat8871]

It was truly adopted (rather than on paper) mid way through Suez, but rollout took a couple of years of retraining and manufacture. News reels didn't really do all that much army coverage post-Suez for the obvious reason of the whole affair being a little embarassing, so chances of showing up until total adoption in late 58/59 were low.

[@vladtheimpala1]

@@montyfatcat8871 Thank you very much. Very interesting - and a question answered!

[@Belisarius1967]

RM, Paras and I think Guards were already issued with SLR befor Suez but they had to hand them in and go back to Mk4 because there was concern about using two different rifle calibres. Considering what a balls up logistics was in that fight it was probably wise.

[@carolramsey6287]

And look what they've got now!

[@Waldemarvonanhalt]

Man, L1 & wool battle dress is quite a combo.

[@whatif4942]

Loved mine ♥ whatever you shot stayed shot even at ranges the sa80 would need a taxi to get to.

[@bobbyricigliano2799]

I am fortunate to own two FAL rifles, and they are indeed beasts.

[@charles1964]

They were meant to fire an intermediate round like the StG-44 and the AK-47

[@Pinky_Staines1947]

I was issued a brand new one in 1963 when I joined the NZ Army

[@dreadfullguppy19]

And they replaced this perfectly serviceable weapon with the extremely complicated and usually unserviceable SA80

[@h7283]

NATO standard 5.56

[@greywolf1155]

They said SLR was overqualified because, the ability to engage over extended ranges was cancelled out by the fact you could not see or identify targets that far away. So they brought in the SA80 and the AUG, which, although meant for close in combat, they DID HAVE AN OPTIC PERMANENTLY ATTACHED. Fit a 4X on an SLR and you don't need artillery.

[@dreadfullguppy19]

@@greywolf1155 The SUSAT was the only bit on the thing which actually worked properly..excellent on the range in all conditions..only wish it was attached to a proper rifle and not the intricate puzzle, sand'll stop the block for sure 80..

[@dreadfullguppy19]

@@h7283 yet we kept the GPMG.. Also most of our Nato allies already had much less complicated and field tested,problem free rifles .. The French FAMAS is one I'm personally well acquainted with.

[@tetsujin86]

@@dreadfullguppy19 wasn't the Gimpy a belgian design. FN Magnum or something like that? Or did that come later? Either way, fabrique national for the win.

[@superflyer991]

I'm honestly having a deja vu moment when the M1 Garand and the M1903 were fired in a side-by-side comparison.

[@DavidSternburgYt]

rather the smle than the grand

[@LiteralCrimeRave]

@@DavidSternburgYt Why is that? A lot of experience with the SMLE?

[@PhilbyFavourites]

My Action Man toy had one of these rifles in 1968. I thought how clever to fit a carry handle just for Action Man…… 54 years later I realise how wrong I was!

[@methodeetrigueur1164]

The L1A1 SLR, English version of the Belgian FAL. SLR means Self Loading Rifle (no automatic mode).

[@ouwestomp203]

in the dutch army we used the FAL, dutch marines also had the ‘FALO’ … this one was also full auto like a light machine gun

[@randomobserver8168]

I knew a few self-loading Belgian types. Could really hold their beer.

[@Homeschoolsw6]

0:52..." Bang! " That kick is enormous. The Argentinians had a fully automatic version. I heard a British vet wonder how anyone could hit anything with it (being Full-Auto).

[@globalithic]

The safety on our FALs also work as fire selector, it has 3 positions: "safe", "repetition" and "full auto" and the army teaches to only use repetition. I never heard of anyone firing in fullauto but i can't speak for the conscripts in the middle of the battle.

[@sugarnads]

SLR dont kick that hard. I was a 17 mutt with NO experience with firearms and I didnt think it was anything special as far as recoil went. *shrug*

[@Homeschoolsw6]

@@sugarnads Guess it looks worse. But full auto would be fucked up.

[@blacknapalm2131]

*Bloody good show old bean*

[@jentegeeraerts1119]

Wait, the FAL replaced the Lee Enfield? That seems like a HUGE jump in technology for a military

[@jogzyg2036]

Well in a way but this wasn't unusual. Every country was going through a similar process after world war 2. Most countries except the U.S went straight from bolt actions to modern assault rifle patterns without much in between except the odd experimental weapon that didn't see much use. There were other self loading rifles at various points but none were adopted as standard issue infantry rifles as far as I know, either being used in small numbers or never got past the experimental phase. It just so happened that about the time that self loaders like the garand had been perfected, the assault rifle came on the scene. So armies used those instead.

[@bankerduck4925]

The fancy self-loading Belgian type!

[@TheBaronAirGunReviews]

I was trained on the SLR back in 1979 when I joined up.

[@pavengovender4753]

The Enfield EM2 , was supposed to be the new rifle.

[@davidkelly5899]

What could have been.....

[@HO-bndk]

It was adopted officially as the "Rifle, No.9" for about 8 months in 1951. Then along came the yanks with their 7.62 round and Winston Churchill with his FAL.

[@stephensmith4480]

@@HO-bndk Actually, along came the Yanks with ,the .308. 7.62 is a Metric Measurement of which the imperial equivalent is .308.

[@HoChiMeme]

em2 looked ugly just like its spiritual successor the sa80

[@Kav.]

The EM-2 is not an Enfield rifle. Enfield was not the designer and was not the main producer of the rifle. Also the EM-2 is a worse gun speaking objectively.

[@aspielm759]

Crazy seeing The Enfield right next to it

[@janakmedicos9735]

British SLR rifle.

[@HO-bndk]

It's what would eventually become the British (and Commonwealth) SLR. It's a standard Belgian metric 50.00 model FN FAL with the British Unit Optical Sight fitted.

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

@@HO-bndk however the L1A1 was made with imperial measurements so the parts aren’t interchangeable

[@religionfueledwarmachine1687]

My sense of humor is so fucked I started laughing at "Giant Helicopter".

[@gamerman7276]

It looks so futuristic next to a Lee Enfield.

[@kennywu5695]

Whoa why'd you cut the video off! I wanted to learn about the giant helicopter!

[@csjrogerson2377]

The term "accurate" was being used in the loosest possible sense. Accuracy was 2.5-3 MOA with iron sights. Foresight blade was too thick - it completely covered a fig 11 target at 300 yds, making minor adjustments for wind extremely difficult. The M-16 and M-14 had much thinner blades.

[@jamesworth4573]

M-14 was garbage compared to the FAL

[@petergray7576]

@@jamesworth4573 Cold garbage. Neither was controllable in full auto.

[@LiteralCrimeRave]

@@jamesworth4573 Better accuracy, but not as great as a military arm, Assault rifles replaced the battle rifle for a reason though, so it's not like either were the best battle implement of the era

[@isgodreal1337]

@@LiteralCrimeRave A change of tactics, right? That's why armies exchanged precise marksman type shots for controllable auto fire?

[@LiteralCrimeRave]

@@isgodreal1337 No, usually battle rifles were less accurate than even early mass adopted models of the M16. It was about weight, and the fact that long range shooting wasn't common even when battle rifles and older 30 cal bolt rifles were the main rifles used. Larger rifle calibers are better for long range due to the bullet being less effected by wind and using more powder, not because they are actually more accurate. The FAL isn't and wasn't very accurate, shooting 3-5 inch groups at best (usually) at 100 meters, pretty much the same as M16a1s . Current M4s in use with the US army range from 1.5 inches at that range with SOCOM barrels to about 3 with the older barrels, shot to shit training guns in need of repair for a few years not counting. Assault rifles in the 5-6 milliliter range are great because compared to 30 cal rifles they shoot flatter, weigh less (ammo and weapon), and recoil less.

[@Evilcsharper6474]

The British have made some of the best weapons period

[@sacske]

people are always talking about our Belgian waffles or chocolate,but they keep forgetting we're masters of making guns too.

[@paulnutter1713]

200 rounds a minute on semi with ten mag changes, I'd like to see that, did VW do the tests

[@bobwoods1302]

I don't think mag changes are ever included when talking about rounds per minute. It's just a measure of the cycling ability of the firearm.

[@tireachan6178]

@@bobwoods1302 You are precisely correct.

[@reynaldoflores4522]

He was referring to the weapon's " cyclic rate of fire".

[@SuperLegionnaire]

@@reynaldoflores4522 He certainly wasnt talking about accurate rate of fire.

[@kencook7580]

Superb weapon, simple, accurate, fire power to stop anything.

[@somerandommen]

"""accurate""" Let's not kid ourselves, compared to the G3 and M14, the FAL is pretty inaccurate. Which is due to its tilting bolt action.

[@blingbling574]

My dad served when they transitioned from the Lee Enfield to the FAL

[@devonboy3410]

L1A1 SLR what I used in the army, good rifle

[@wyvernharries4788]

You can see how much that thing kicks.

[@wulfengel]

The right arm of the free world, from the Falklands to Rhodesia.

[@olivur_1459]

That recoil looks nasty

[@LFG994]

Beaultiful, accurate, reliable, and really fun to shoot...

[@ouwestomp203]

i agree … a bit heavy and large to carry around … but a great rifle!

[@somerandommen]

It's not really that accurate tho? Any weapon that uses tilting-bolt action isn't going to be accurate inherently.

[@TommygunNG]

"The Right Arm of the Free World."

[@jamesworth4573]

Hmm would the left arm be the G3 rifle?

[@Saxondog]

I had one of these....the Airfix F.N. rifle which fired plastic bullets lol! Then, back in 63-64,the Johnny Seven O.M.A. came out, and we're not talking size of condoms here..lol! On a serious note, a mate of mine who was in the RAF said the SLR kicked like a 12 gauge on firing and would punish you big time if you didn't keep the stock tight on your shoulder.

[@Bustamamgendut]

My 2nd favorite gun ever!

[@ramflow8466]

I say, quite extraordinary! We must see about joining the service now, aye ol' chap?

[@steveh5005]

Of course all reporters speak with an accent like that. They did whe i was a kid. Great weapon L1A1 SLR

[@violet1100]

UK: This is a cool new rifle that can change warfare! US: we can do that too **M14 is born**

[@leighjordine4031]

When my dad first joined up he got issued one of those wood stock slr's

[@craigross341]

The sergeant major thought the gas piston was bollocks, the top cover a frippery, the bolt and firing pin for people light on their loafers, applying the safety catch before removing the magazine a needless irrelevance suitable only for people too effete to serve in the infantry, three to the rear in the case there's a sticky extractor voodoo and checking the chamber in case there's a broken extractor only for girls and the TA.

[@rogueriderhood1862]

But apart from that, what did he think of it?

[@grantm6514]

He was demonstrating the rifle to a movie-going public audience, not explaining field-stripping technique to trainees, Einstein.

[@westernspy3500]

@@grantm6514 I believe Craig Ross was just joking. No need to take it that seriously.

[@timwingham8952]

I laughed!! Brings back memories. I remember the "make safe", ie unloading and then loading with an empty magazine. Safety catch on. Magazine off. Work the cocking handle THREE times! Have a look. Empty chamber? Good! Working parts forward. Point the weapon down. Safety catch off. Fire the action. Safety catch on. Empty magazine on. Rear sight flat. All a long time ago now!!

[@gitfoad8032]

"people light on their loafers", >chortle< Spoken with some aplomb.

[@tedbaxter5234]

Well, Jolly good!

[@calzonekid]

Anyone know what optic the rifle had on it?

[@nicolasvieira3994]

I have used the FAL in the military, it’s a great gun, very easy to clean, assemble and shoot. Just it’s a little bit heavier than modern weapons, because of the patrols my right shoulder still pain a little bit.

[@MrPh30]

Blalistics to the .280 is quite similar to the 7x57 Mauser ,

[@Kav.]

depends on which of the many .280s you are talking about, .280 British loadings vary drastically.

[@wilso845]

In all my time in the army, I have never heard a SM (Sergeant Major) talk in the manor or posh 🫣

[@C.A._Old]

Started Revolution.

[@quik4939]

well you can't just NOT show us GIANT HELICOPTER

[@davidtomlinson907]

I remember a lad ,thinking he was clever, cleaning his SLR in the 4 tonner on the way back from the ranges, only to see his gas plug go out over the tailgate.. Our CSM completely lost the plot when we got back to camp. Can't remember how many days ROPs he got😂😂

[@sumvs5992]

Interesting that "automatic" still meant self loading in general during this time. Thought it would have dropped out of general usage during WW2 to apply to the full auto weapons only.

[@XMysticHerox]

@Danno inthevanno No? Automatic these days refers to the automatic chambering *and* firing??

[@XMysticHerox]

@Danno inthevanno "An automatic rifle is a type of autoloading rifle that is capable of fully automatic fire. Automatic rifles are generally select-fire weapons capable of firing in semi-automatic and automatic firing modes (some automatic rifles are capable of burst-fire as well)."

[@leiaorgana5098]

@@XMysticHerox The B.A.R Browning Automatic Rifle is a great weapon

[@sumvs5992]

@Danno inthevanno well yes, it does still apply to that definition, but in general use, the term automatic refers to the functionality of a machine gun, with a trigger pull having the capability to fire more than one shot. I think it's fair to say the older automatic definition is only in use by patents today. Maybe some limited use by older British army figures as well?

[@skyworm8006]

@@sumvs5992 I don't think so. Usually people say full auto or just machine gun. It's less common to talk about it because almost everything is self-loading.

[@HenryWest]

Having used the L85 during my service, I have to say I would of liked to have a go on the SLR.

[@davidtaylor7242]

Although the British SLR was not automatic, you could make it automatic with just a matchstick. In the late 80s when they replaced the SLR for the SA80, I could not understand why, after leaving the army found out it was the Americans again forcing Nato to adopt the 5.56 as a standard round due to them having masses in storage. The most accurate weapon ever used is the LMG the old WWII browning machine gun converted to take the 7.62 round, anyone could achieve a Robin Hood with that weapon. SLR is also known as the Right hand of the free world.

[@SeaWulf4230]

Britain needs to revive many of it's accents

[@keithdavisuk]

SLR, my Dad instructed on these in the RAF Regiment, he thought they were the Bees Knees!

[@sideshow4417]

I imagine half his time was spent trying to stop rock apes eating crayons.

[@panzertracks]

I had one of these rifles and I shot the crap out of it and never had an issue.

[@Kalashinator]

Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart: Jenkins! Jenkins: Sir! Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart: Chap with the wings, there. Five rounds rapid.

[@g0ooose589]

this feel weird because it still looks like ww2 type era but with a more modern gun

[@Gunbudder]

its crazy how old the SLR actually is (or FN FAL for the rest of the world). If i remember it right, there were some differences the L1A1 SLR had vs the FN FAL, but i don't think they were more than cosmetic. It seems to be a rifle that people either love or hate lol

[@alastairward2774]

A very English name, the self loading rifle, does exactly what it says on the tin.

[@haydenblanchard2006]

Giant helicopter looks just as fun

[@ancientnpc]

I did both cadets and Australian Army with the SLR. To this day, if I had to grab my zombie apocolypse weapon and run outside, the SLR would be high on the selection list. Yes the SLR required some TLC, but nothing says dont get up like 7.62

[@alvinhang8721]

Still a great rifle today.

[@southpawshuter]

Anyone know what optic he was using?

[@Sha.ll0w]

Damn, I've got to get me one of these bad boys!

[@eric6360]

Very good weapon with a proud service record, reliable and robust. Easy to maintain good power and accuracy. My only criticism it was too long for getting in and out of vehicles, especially 432 or Warrior. Used the G3 short with folding stock whilst serving too. Like having the FAL but shorter, Target will fall when hit.

[@khankrum1]

I always considered it front heavy.

[@calvinpurdy2668]

They forgot to tell you that it kicked like a bloody mule if the gas setting wasn't just right, and that it is damned heavy. A fine weapon in open expanses but not so much in dense bush because of it's size. In my opinion the AK47 is a superior rifle.

[@sundancetitan5675]

Bro of course the AKs better it’s better than most rifles

[@IvorMektin1701]

The AK is garbage compared to FN FAL. And I own both examples before you quote Wikipedia or a video game to me. 🇺🇲

[@sundancetitan5675]

@@IvorMektin1701 shit but you have to admit it’s cheap and effective on a large military especially for rebels and the like

[@IvorMektin1701]

@@sundancetitan5675 It's a 'roided up submachine gun. The Dragunov is the real Soviet rifle. That idiot George Bush 41 banned their import before I could get my paws on one. The SLR/FAL is a fantastic rifle. Better than the G3, better than the M-14. The AR-10 is better but it wasn't quite ready for primetime. The UK should have kept it.

[@jfcarley]

I kept waiting for John Cleese to show up during the demo

[@connorbutters8479]

bet a self loading rifle was a real culture shock back then

[@sorshiaemms5959]

I remember them jamming alot

[@joewilly2238]

Crazy, this was only 7 years ago.

[@jaymac7203]

The accents 😭😭🤣🤣

[@lmao.3661]

very high class!

[@ouwestomp203]

heavy and accurate

[@euanmilne5302]

the FAL wasn't actually wildly popular, as for the British it was just a stopgap weapon, that they were more or less forced into adopting due to NATO standardised cartridges, and for all 5he gun was worth, soldiers would run out of ammunition for it very quickly, and often search enemy bodies and camps for ammo or other weapons

[@illusionsofgrand3ur]

C'mooooon! I wanted to see the giant helicopter!

[@SpaceMissile]

1:03 - "Yes, dear chap you can shoot their willies off from 100 metres away, I do say."

[@616CC]

How interesting At the end of the video you glimpse some kind of troop carrier in a helicopter variant

[@Goatboysminion]

It's a Sikorsky S-56 Heavy Lift Helicopter. Developed for the USMC in the early 50s. But they weren't very successful. So they were transferred to the Army and stayed in service until the late 60s.

[@devinthierault]

@@Goatboysminion didn't they use a radial engine as well?

[@EzekielDeLaCroix]

The Right Arm of the Free World!

[@mgtowsoldier8673]

I saw a chef on a APWT put 80 rounds in to the butts without touching a figure 11 at 100m....