"The FAL Rifle" by Blake Stevens

[Abominog]

This is the "Bible" of FALs.

Originally released in three parts, the "Classic Edition" ISBN 0-88935-168-6 combines all three. It is hardbound, printed in Canada by Collector Grade Publications. Latest release that I know of is 1993. I believe the copies are still available.

The "Classic Edition" has three parts matching the three original editions.

Part one is titled "North American FALs" and is 165 pages with 206 figures (photos or drawings). This covers the USA's consideration of the FAL as well as competing rifles. It also includes schematics and disassembly instructions.

Part two is titled "UK & Commonwealth FALs" and is 257 pages with 217 figures and 16 schematic plates. This section covers (in excruciating detail) the UK arms trials that resulted in the adoption of the FAL by Canada. Want to see drop tests? That's here. What year did they adopt plastic furniture? That's included too. The sheer raw data is incredible.

Part two also has a "Chapter 2" which covers post-adoption variants such as the New Ginea L1A1-F1 and the X1F2A2 "future rifle" as well as India's 1A. The politics discussed are worth the price of the book!

Part three is titled "The Metric FAL"; at 362 pages and 405 figures, it alone is worth the money.

Part three starts with "Book One" the development of the FAL, including photos of the prototypes. Next in great detail are the US trials of the venerable T48.

Part three "Book Two" is titled "The Golden Age" referring to the period 1955 - 1980 when the FAL was as hot as a Brittany Spears song at a sweet-16 party (OK, I've never heard Brittany Spears and I have no children. This is my sole creative license in this review). First the FAL "Canada" version is covered, including the US Army's FAL operating manual from Ft. Benning! This includes a complete description, and photos, on disassembly. It also includes a section on marksmanship, which is excellent reading for those "self-trained" shooters amongst us.

The book goes then into a study of the systematics of the FAL. This is a country-by-country description of when, how, and in what configuration the FAL was fielded. A minimum of one photo per country is used. In cases where a major historical point was achieved, such as the German G1, multiple pages are dedicated. Let me note that this section does NOT show every variant of every country! Careful review of the two pages concerning the South African R1/R3 will reveal that half a dozen varieties could be encountered!

Part three "Part Four" (yes, my nomenclature now contradicts with the book- that's "Part Four" of Part three) is titled "Prototype and Experimental FALs". This covers civilian varieties, .22 conversions, and one-offs.

Part three "Part Five" covers the FN G Series (sound like another popular question?) and the ATF. Want to know if that rifle is really a G series? The S/Ns are listed here.

The finale of Part three includes a number of highly detailed schematics of the metric FAL, parts, tools, etc.

The entire volume does include a comprehensive index.

Blake Stevens' "The FAL Rifle Classic Edition" is a comprehensive study of the FAL design. Students of FAL building, collectors, and frequent FAL users should not be without this book. The complete details of assembly, operation and use are defined in one volume. One drawback is the separation into three volumes. Since it was originally published in three parts, important information may be found in a section other than where one may expect it. However, it is likely the reader will consume so much of the book as to memorize it, thereby eliminating the fault.

"The FAL Rifle" is still available, and generally lists for about $110 - $120 USD plus shipping. It is definitely worth the money. If you have more than one FAL, or ever plan to build an FAL, this book is a must.


[This message has been edited by Abominog (edited January 28, 2001).]

[tracyballard]

I'm still waiting on the movie

[JDRoberts]

Originally posted by tracyballard
I'm still waiting on the movie

Here is as close to "the movie" as you'll get (http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/store/storemisc/dvdfal.jpg)

[tracyballard]

I'll put that one on my top 10 list.

[Andy the Aussie]

My copy is EXCELLENT....... ;) :biggrin:

[Blackmore]

Shameless plug: $89.00 + S/H at Gunthings

From time to time members have run group buys that were even cheaper.

[AndyC]

Got mine from GunThings - delivered very quick, too :bow: :beer:

[tracyballard]

I got a used one for $68 shipped off ebay, but I sold it for $80 or so after I'd read it a bit.:(

[J. Armstrong]

Stevens is, in my estimation, the "Old Testament" and is a must for any FAL lovers library, of course.
What we need now is the corresponding "New Testament" to fill out all the info made available since Stevens time and to correct some of the errors. A volume to condense the sum total of knowledge available here on the Filesinto an up to date reference.
The author would deserve to be a millionare, but likely would end up starving, such is justice in this world :)

[tracyballard]

yes, an updated book with more emphasis on production number, configuration, exceptions, details, etc., would be great - instead of so much trivia about exactly how the rifles were selected for trials and put through trials and how each rifle performed with every shot and what kind of underwear the dude was wearing when he cleaned the rifle....

[nwobhm]

I would love to see DSA put their own comprehensive volume out. One that would include:

SA58 or STG or Stripped
Serial number
State shipped to
Date
Receiver types, 1,2,3,4 or SS
Configuration (If available)

Best I can tell they started the Grayslake marked receivers at 10,000 and are currently at 34,000 on the Barrington marked. That would make a really cool book for the DSA collector. They do it now with a phone call but having it at your fingertips at a show would be very helpful.

[tracyballard]

maybe you should make that suggestion on DSA's forum, I hear they are very responsive and customer service oriented.

[J. Armstrong]

Originally posted by tracyballard
yes, an updated book with more emphasis on production number, configuration, exceptions, details, etc., would be great - instead of so much trivia about exactly how the rifles were selected for trials and put through trials and how each rifle performed with every shot and what kind of underwear the dude was wearing when he cleaned the rifle....

I respectfully disagree. An updated book is not the answer, IMHO, but rather a totally new book which takes over where Stevens ended.

The development history, trials, et al are crucial to understanding how and why the FAL ended up the milestone weapon it is. That info needs to remain available - without "in the beginning" understanding later developments is much harder.
I agree the "new testament" need not repeat the old, and needs to include exactly the info you state.

And MORE PIX, of more variants :biggrin: :biggrin:

[tracyballard]

Originally posted by J. Armstrong




The development history, trials, et al are crucial to understanding how and why the FAL ended up the milestone weapon it is.

sure, that info is important and needs to be available, but it takes up too much room - if they listed all the ballistics tables from the trials in the book too, that would be a lot more info, and useful to some people, but....., let's just say a book is needed that is more focused on the FAL's that were actually produced, that is as accurate as is Stevens book.

Further, it should be organized by country, what FAL's that country made, pictures, number, variants, etc. Countries should be listed by first production to last.

[MBR29]

DSarms has only made around 12,000 rifles first year they only made 67 and averaged about 1200 for many years. Check ATF info.

[English Mike]

Originally posted by Andy the Aussie
My copy is EXCELLENT....... ;) :biggrin:

If you could read then it might only be in 90% condition.

Just sayin....:biggrin:

Mine's somewhat dog-eared from reading & it is indeed a good reference work, though somewhat dated.
I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in the history & development of the most significant Western firearm to be designed based on lessons learned in WWII combat.
Unfortunately those lessons weren't wholly taken to heart.

[Andy the Aussie]

Originally posted by ENGLISH MIKE
[B]

If you could read then it might only be in 90% condition.

Just sayin....:biggrin:
B] ......there are more than enough pictured to keep a tard like me entertained......I can watch that cycle of operation "movie" over and over ;) ;)

[J. Armstrong]

Originally posted by Andy the Aussie
I can watch that cycle of operation "movie" over and over ;) ;)

My thumb is always in the way :confused: :(

[J. Armstrong]

Originally posted by tracyballard



Further, it should be organized by country, what FAL's that country made, pictures, number, variants, etc. Countries should be listed by first production to last.


I'm with you there :beer:

And a whole big section just on accessories and kit :biggrin:

[Barbcue]

This book is bad news..

If you buy this book. you will allways be broke and endlessly searching on the internet for stuff you cannot afford to buy, but will anyways..

you have been warned..

:D

[Brad/gunthings.com]

I have the books for $89. Phone 763-449-0382, website: www.GunThings.com

[Brian in MN]

Originally posted by J. Armstrong


I respectfully disagree. An updated book is not the answer, IMHO, but rather a totally new book which takes over where Stevens ended.

:biggrin: :biggrin:

Actually, The Black Rifle does just that although not in the direction you are seeking. It is ironic that Studler is directly responsible for the "success" of the 5.56 round.