FN and Browning import to the U.S.
The FAL (Fusil Automatique Leger – French for light automatic rifle) began production in 1953 and was adopted for service by over 100 nations. With its rising popularity, it didn’t take long for the Belgium-based firearm company to explore exporting models to the largest domestic firearms market in the world: the United States.
Related: Two Guys One Gun Podcast, Episode 9 – The FN FAL
In 1959, FN signed an agreement with the Browning Arms Company to begin importing FALs into the United States, and after the ATF gave approval, the Browning-imported rifles began circulating. This batch of rifles had a “G” prefix in the serial number.
This is why we can’t have nice things
In 1963, everyone’s favorite regulatory branch, the ATF, decided to change the legal status of these G-series FALs. In an opinion letter that did not follow the proper channels of government, the ATF reclassified the G-series FALs as machine guns, with a grandfather clause for the 1,836 rifles that were already imported.
This opinion-based reclassification was due to the ATF’s determination that even though the rifle did not have any full-auto components, it had the space in the receiver to house the parts.
FN had many FAL contracts that forwent the rifle’s fully automatic capability. This was due to the United States’ involvement with the FAL when the U.S. Army demanded the rifle be chambered in 7.62 NATO (.308 Winchester), rather than the intermediate .280 British cartridge. This led to the rifle being uncontrollable in full auto, leaving many nations wanting the selector to only feature a semi-automatic option.
Related: .277 Fury Recycles 1950's Debate Over .280 British Cartridge
With many semi-automatic-only rifles in production, FN did not make any major changes to the design, but simply imported rifles that did not have the full auto components. In fact, the receivers had a notch installed around the selector to prevent the selector from even moving to the full auto position. So, even though the rifle is not a machine gun and contains no machine gun parts, the G-series FAL was reclassified by the stroke of a pen.
Beautiful and Collectible
Since only 1,836 rifles were imported in the G series, these rifles tend to fetch a premium. Besides being unjustly restricted, the G-series FAL is also one of the most beautiful renditions of the FALs on the market.
Related: 'FAL' Into Fall With A Classic FN
Notable for the wood handguard and stock, it differs from almost every other line of FAL that features polymer furniture. In addition, the receiver features Type 1 lightening cuts, as well as model paint in all the markings. Altogether, this rifle is not just rare, but a work of art.
Sadly, in part because of the early complications with importation, FN-made FALs are rather scarce in the United States. Most FALs on the market are pieced together by parts kits or manufactured by licensed companies other than FN.
Considering that the FAL is one of history’s most iconic firearms, everyone should have an FAL. While it may be more expensive than your car, the G-series FAL is the pièce de résistance of all the FALs out there.
