FN distruction tests.

[browningautorifle]

Nice...I remember the pics at the end of the Falklands war of all the Argies lined up to turn in weapons to the Brits. All the Para models without mags fitted and troops without equipment. I always wondered exactly what happened to those weapons, although we had no visions of them appearing in a gun shop close to us... I saw one similar to yours with a steel forestock, I believe it would be German G1, with a bipod integral near the old airport at Nicosia. It was in the hands of a Turk, no finish remained and this would have been 1980...that was one I wanted to take home.

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[Peter Laidler]

I often wondered whether those FN armed nations, with the small knib type front magazine retainer thinggy ever encountered problems with them - such as losing magazines or whatever else you can think of. The LOSS of magazines didn't feature in the trials reports although LOOSE magazines were reported on.

Anyone out there in forumland ever had problems with them?

I suppose that you're not likely to damage a UK/Can/Aust magazine lug whereas you might with an alloy FN type. Any thoughts...........?

[browningautorifle]

It was my understanding that this is exactly why we three (CBA) adopted the large lug. Or was that just a failsafe...?

[Peter Laidler]

Personally I think it was a failsafe mechanism. After all, even the first L4 Bren had the FN type punched-out lug.

But we had a heavy price to pay for going outside the FN design. They didn't miss a trick. Same as the flash eliminator too

[tankhunter]

My Dad had some of these on Troop trial when he was attached to the Royal West African Frontier Force during the Fifties. (X8 Experimental Range. Model A & B) He too, remarked on SOME having loose mags.
And the reason the Brit patt Flash eliminator was fitted with OUR L1 series of Bayonets.

He told Me that it was common for the bayonet to be fitted incorrectly. & when the Rifle was fired, because of this. The Bullet exiting the Barrel, shattered the spine of the Bayonets!
And thinking about it, you really wouldn't notice the fitting of it in the dark!......

I have fitted & removed a bayonet to this Rifle I have. I have to admit, it IS indeed. A little 'Fiddley'! NOT what you want, when you need to 'Snap One On' in a Hurry!.....

[browningautorifle]

Matter of fact some time back I had opportunity to function an FN with a mag that had no lug remaining whatsoever. As I remember, other than a bit of a fiddle to correctly locate, it wouldn't come out or wobble at all. The housing's big and all encompassing. The lug would be to catch when you're rotating the mag into place. Mostly...

[tankhunter]

Guess you were fortunate then Jim.

it must be born in mind, that all things manufactured. Have tollerances both + & -.
If you have a Rifle & a particular Magazine. That exited their respective Factories.
With BOTH having Minimum acceptable tollerances. Then you WILL indeed, get a little
'Slop' of the mag. Albiet not always stopping the Weapon from functioning.

However, this 'Movement' does in some cases. Cause it to jam during firing. The angle of
Presentation of the round can be affected & you get a misfeed.

I am of the opinion, that 'Other' Armed Forces round the World. Function test a particular Weapon to a particular Magazine. & when 'Proven', this is why they are numbered to the weapon.

Lugers, Nambu's Etc spring to mind. to name just a FEW!

[browningautorifle]

Guess you were fortunate

I guess...I didn't take it out on the fire and movement range though...

[tankhunter]

Well, after scratching about in my spares chest today. I found a left & right correct hinge pin assembly. So Bubba's length of steel rod was removed PDQ!

& I also found a correct FAL Magazine, fitted to an Indian L1A1 I have in the collection! Mint Brit Patt Mag fitted now in the Indian L1!.................

All I need now, for another FAL is: 1 x Gas Plug assembly. 1 x Font & Rear sling loops. I have since discovered there are TWO patterns of Rear Loop assemblies!.......
There is a small retaining plate version, which simply allows the loop to swing forwards & rearwards. Then there is the OTHER Pattern Which has a much bigger base plate.
This allows the loop to completely swivel 360 Degrees. THIS is the pattern I am looking for now!................

[Peter Laidler]

We had plenty of the X8 FN rifles in Singapore during the 60's. Most of the back-room/rear echelon blokes had them. The Singapore Guard Regiment had them and the Governors Guard had highly polished rifles in gloss paint but not chromed (although the bayonet blades probably were). The REME LAD (LAD = Light Aid Detachments, the small REME workshops attached to the smaller units) at 25 Coy and 27 Coy had them too and the Military Police/ADP post at Nee Soon still had No5 rifles in their armoury. 40 Base had the usual racks of FN spares. The big shooting competitions always fielded a mixed bag of kit as we had .303 and L4 Brens, FN's and L1A1's Owens, Sterlings and AR15's

I seem to recall that the original trials FN bayonets slid down that long dovetailed lug on the barrel as they incorporated a sort of spring loaded recoil buffer thinggy that was supposed to allow the bayonet to slide on this as the rifle recoiled and ........... anyway, it was supposed to make it as accurate with the sliding bayonet as without a bayonet - so said! I didn't understand it then and don't understand it now. It' still a weight acting as a damper on a vibrating barrel. Sorry to go on!

Just a thought but is my assumption about this right or a load of crap, told to us my Mr Amto at 40 Base