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Posted: 10/4/2009 9:31:20 AM EDT
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Hi guys,
a friend saw in a gunshop's website a "FAL Competition" made in the '60 for US market. have you ever seen such a model? here is a pic from the website: 
how can he tell a FAL Competition from a standard FAL? what kind of marking should he look for? I've found very little info with Google... on Rock Island Auction I've found a pic, but it shows one with a fiber stock while the one at the gunshop is made of wood... http://rock-island-auction.ammoland.com/454.html TIA Frens |
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There is nothing special about the Competition model, with exception it was designed to fire semi-auto only. It has a "US style flash hider" (Browning) and the receiver is marked ".308 Match".
The lower portion of the hammer was ground away to remove the 'superior' hammer notch to prevent the hammer from engaging the safety sear. Trigger plunger is redesigned to prevent the trigger from moving rearward enough to hold the sear below it's point of contact with the 'inferior' hammer notch. Ejector block was made by omitting the slot for the safety sear. No sear is included with the rifle. Selector lever will only rotate between Safe and Semi(R). It is not cut for a full auto notch (A). In 1968-69 the ATF decided the "comp" model was not in compliance with American law. It could too easily be converted to fully automatic fire. The receiver was at this point still being machined for a 'safety sear'. The ejector block pins could be removed and a full auto block installed. At this time they demanded the 'sear cut' on the receiver be omitted, and the left hand lug on the bolt carrier be ground off to prevent contact even if a sear was installed. FN complied with these requirements, building this new receiver mfg. process into their "type 2" receiver for import. The ATF gave the 'non sear cut' guns clean inport status in 1970. And then all was well in FN land until 1974 when a major reorganization occured......but that's a story for another time. ETA: The gun in the picture appears to be a "US Comp" model due to the manner in which the f/h is positioned. If it has the ".308 Match' designation it is likley the real thing. The other Competition Model was a prototype made in 1967 that used a Lyman micrometer sight mounted to the right rear side of the receiver, and a 'tunnel' front sight mounted on a US style f/h. The original front sight was milled away as not to get in the way of the new lower line of sight. The trigger guard was 'squared off' at the rear, and a 'long' trigger (different shape) was used to enhance pull. The biggest difference was the Browning "hook hammer" that looked like a Garand- M1A. Better let-off that would contribute to improved accuracy. Never adopted due to cost. |
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