Questions about the .280 British FAL

[Longshaor]

I was recently doing a little light reading and came across a reference to FN having made a bullpup configured FAL in .280 at the behest of the British government. Does anyone have any additional information on this rifle? And did the idea ever pop up again after the conversion to 7.62x51?

Cheers!

Information

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[David TS]

In one sentence, the Americans killed the idea


EM-2 rifle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

.280 British - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[RCS]

Design No 2 had the buttplate fitted to the end of the receiver without any conventional stock plus it required a long mechanical connection from the trigger to sear. Caliber was .280 and dated to 1950. I do not think there was any additional interest in the bullpup design, there are examples of other assault rifles in the "bullpup" configuation such as the AK-47 and even the AR-15. The original bullpup design, the EM2 was briefy adopted as the Rifle No 9 in 1951.


Cartridges in photo: Venezuelan 7x49mm used in the early FN FAL rifles , second is the Spanish 7,92x30mm CETME and last is the 280/30 cartridgeAttachment 24195

[Longshaor]

Thanks guys. So the bullpup idea died with the .280 round. Any idea where I can find a photo of this little beastie?

Cheers!

[Peter Laidler]

What exactly little beastie do you need the photo of Longshaor? We have both EM2's. The .280" round idea lived on for sometime afterwards, into the FN era because we also have some FN's chambered for the British .280"/7mm round.

We regularly used to fire the EM rifles at Shrivenham when ammo was plentiful and I know that I've said it before but while the EM rifle has gone into firearm folklore with a veil of rose tinted spectacles covering it, it was but nothing to the rifle that knocked it off its lofty perch - the L1A1

[Longshaor]

Hi Peter,

Looking for a photo of FN's Design No 2 that RCS referenced above. I've seen one or two photos of the early FAL prototypes, but never their bullpup design. My curiosity is getting the better of me...

Cheers!

[tankhunter]

Thanks guys. So the bullpup idea died with the .280 round.
Cheers!

Not QUITE Right though! , THE Bullpup Design is in British Service today. Albeit in a smaller calibre of 5.56mm. The L85A2, otherwise known to most, as the SA80.
Different Mech internally, but STILL a Bullpup Design.

[David TS]

What exactly little beastie do you need the photo of Longshaor? We have both EM2's. The .280" round idea lived on for sometime afterwards, into the FN era because we also have some FN's chambered for the British .280"/7mm round.

We regularly used to fire the EM rifles at Shrivenham when ammo was plentiful and I know that I've said it before but while the EM rifle has gone into firearm folklore with a veil of rose tinted spectacles covering it, it was but nothing to the rifle that knocked it off its lofty perch - the L1A1

Which is why I had to have one, even if it is an imposter (in single shot straight pull)

[Longshaor]

Not QUITE Right though! , THE Bullpup Design is in British Service today. Albeit in a smaller calibre of 5.56mm. The L85A2, otherwise known to most, as the SA80.
Different Mech internally, but STILL a Bullpup Design.

Sorry, Tankie, I should have been more specific. I mean as far as the FAL was concerned the bullpup idea died with the .280 round.

Cheers!

[Peter Laidler]

The EM series weren't the first bullpups either. There was a workable idea well before that, that we have a couple of examples of at Warminster