FUSIL SEMIAUTOMÁTICO LIVIANO (FSL) FAL
Argentina
A BRIEF OVERALL HISTORY
In 1955 the Argentinean government officially adopted the FN Fusil Automatique Léger (FAL). In English this translates Light Automatic Rifle. Conveniently, in Spanish it can be translated in to Fusil Automático Liviano (Lightweight Automatic Rifle), so Argentina retained the FAL name. In 1960, licensed production of the FAL began in Argentina. They were produced primarily for the government but a semi-automatic version was created for the civilian market. This semi-automatic only version was designated the FSL. All were produced in the metric pattern design.
MANUFACTURER
The right side of the receiver is marked "F.M.A.P. "DM"-ROSARIO, INDUSTRIA ARGENTINA". This is the government owned, Fabricaciones Militares at the Fábrica Militar de Armas Portátiles (Military Factory of Portable Weapons) "Domingo Matheu" in Rosario.
MODEL AND CHAMBERING
The left side of the receiver is marked "F.S.L. cal. 7.62x51mm (L.S.R. 308 WIN)". F.S.L. is the model, which stands for Fusil Semiautomático Liviano or Lightweight Semi-automatic rifle in English. It is chambered for the 7.62x51mm cartridge, with the civilian version of this being .308 Winchester.
SIGHTS
The rear sight on this rifle is an aperture style that flips between 150 and 250 meters. The front is a post that is elevation adjustable with protective ears.
SAFETY SELECTOR
The safety is marked "S" for Safe and "R" for Repetición (repetition). Notice the pin in the receiver to keep the lever from going past repetition but also the molding of the pistol grip for a selector lever that would swing 180° past repetition to automatic.
GAS BLOCK
The gas block is user adjustable with 9 positions. Here you can see the maximum (Top) and minimum (Bottom) gas settings.
GAS PLUG
The gas plug is designed to use a bullet tip to depress the pin and allow it to be rotated out.
MUZZLE DEVICE
Attached to the muzzle is a Fabian Bros "MUZZLE STABILIZER CAL 7.62". This is an American made muzzle device and would have been put on for import or aftermarket.
HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS
