The FN FAL Battle Rifle (Weapon, 27)

a top book

The book is good, but the author is constantly finding ways to bring the US military into a book about a Belgian weapon in a negative light, often in places where it's simply unnecessary.In the beginning, the author lashes out at American military hierarchy for demanding the 7.62 x 51mm round, whining that the British .280 cartridge was a better choice for the NATO alliance. He later goes on to praise the 7.62mm NATO round for it's superior penetration compared to the Soviet 7.62 x 39mm round and points out that the 7.62 NATO has a greater effective range, making it useful in arid or mountainous environments. Even the relatively accurate claim that the round isn't suited for individual automatic weapons is undermined by multiple examples later on. The contradictory attitude is frustrating, not in the least because it forces an irrational and irrelevant opinion about the US on a supposedly objective book.Besides this fundamental issue, the author is constantly cherry-picking different engagements that have nothing remotely in common besides the fact that there was a gunfight and comparing them on a tactical level, the author being more intent on proving that the infantry forces of the UK and her former Commonwealth were superior to their American counterparts than of anything really telling of the rifles capability. The sad part is the author degrades even this basic argument due to his childish lack of context.Finally, the image showing an array of NATO rifles is erroneously labeled as containing a 5.56mm AR-15. It's an AR-10 bro, clearly identified by the strengthened lower receiver and magazine size in proportion to everything else.

A good general history of the FAL. Obviously it is not as detailed as R. Blake Steven's magnum opus, but it manages to cover most of the important material, such as differences between metric and inch models, major variations, reliability, sand cuts, scope mounting, etc. Where Mr. Cashner excels in his descriptions of how the FAL is used tactically within the infantry squad and platoon. His descriptions of the Rhodesian and Israeli employment of this system are particularly good. His account of how the FALO heavy barreled version, which was used as a squad automatic weapon by several armies, could be effective in the hands of well-trained troops runs counter to almost all other accounts of this weapon, but the detail into which he goes showing just how it could be effective is convincing. (It had better, since the Marine's new Infantry Automatic Rifle works is basically a 5.56mm equivalent.)

First, let me say this is not an exhaustive book on the FAL, but more like an overview of the rifle. If you want to know a lot about the workings of the FAL, I recommend getting the American Gunsmithing Institute armorer's course (or something similar) on VHS (old school) or DVD. This book is more like a FAL history book with some other topics included. I really like how the author put his spin on why the 7.62x51 cartridge was chosen and the FAL chambered for it, rather than the .280 cartridge. I really enjoyed the history that led up to the creation and production of this rifle. I felt while reading it that it was very educational. Remember, this is not an exhaustive source--rather, it is more of a summary. Very good reading. Nicely illustrated as well, in my opinion.

Well written description of the first battle rifle I learned to shoot and was equipped with in the Canadian Army back in the day.

This one book gives a fantastic overview of the FN FAL. It's development progression and use in modern warfare. Very open minded author to included various perspectives in development of the rifle to the cartridge and the purpose in various theaters of conflict! Great read!!

This is a good over-view of the FAL and L1A1. Not a detailed history such as Blake's, but still a worth-while addition to the library. Nice pictures, too, and I like the addition of the artwork. .

Very good details, historic perspective and comparison to other rifles of the era, including potential trouble spots with the FAL.

I must say that I have found this series surprisingly seductive. I first started out buying the volumes on the Vickers-Maxim and Martini-Henri rifle for a historical project I was working on and was struck by the concise combination of technical detail and historical information that they provided. A couple more volumes on German automatic weapons of WW2 followed and now this, my first Cold War purchase. I have to say that, while all have been excellent this is perhaps the best. Maybe it is the fact that the FN FAL is so ubiquitous and yet so understudied; the Western European equivalent of the M16 and AK47/74 it is the poor Belgian cousin that seems to have been everywhere and yet no one seems to pay it much attention. In fact, so ubiquitous was it that it was even used by both sides in the Falklands War, a fact which did not escape Billy Bragg's attention in his song 'Island of no Return'. Once more, the combination of technical detail and historical context are excellent but what really makes this volume stand out is the superb artwork by Steve Noon (who, incidentally, seems to get very little credit on this listing). As most readers of Osprey titles will appreciate, each volume tends to stand or fall by its artwork and in this case I think Steve Noon has produced some of the most captivating illustrations I have yet seen in an Osprey publication. All three plates, the 'Bush War' in Rhodesia, the ANZACs in Vietnam and, perhaps most spectacularly of all, the image of the Falklands War, are so vivid and kinetic as to really capture the imagination. All, in all, a great addition to a fantastic series.

Like all the books in this series, well written with a good mixture of historical context and technical info. Also highlights the differences with the L1A1 which is what I was looking for.

I purchased this book primiarly because I was a former user of this assault/battle rifle for many years and can testify to the tremendous strength and reliability reputation it has earned. It is extremely accurate and hard hitting .The book is rather a lightweight when it comes to technical data. I would have preferred more technical cut away diagrams demonstrating the falling block locking system ,the reloading cycle etc.To summarise this book is not the best Osprey publication I have read or own( 70+).Had I have had the opportunity to handle and browse the book in a bookshop I would have replaced it on the shelf.Probitas est optimus capessentem.

As an ex user of the SLR I enjoyed this book and I hadn't realised how extensively it was used around the world and the effect it has had as a weapon in history. The book makes interesting comparisons with the true 'assault rifles' and how the FAL didn't really follow this concept but staked it's place as a 'battle rifle' with different capabilities, strengths and weaknesses. I'm always glad to read other accounts of how fierce the recoil of this rifle was and that it wasn't just me that got assaulted by the thing every time I fired it.

Often lost in the shadow of the AK47 and the Lee Enfield, the FN FAL tells as fascinating story about a very successful weapon.