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Description
The L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle, also known as the SLR (Self-Loading Rifle), by the Canadian Army designation C1A1 (C1) or in the US as the "inch pattern" FAL,[nb 1] is a British version of the FN FAL battle rifle produced by the Belgian armaments manufacturer FN Herstal. The L1A1 was produced under licence and has seen use in the Australian Army, Canadian Army, Indian Army, Jamaica Defence Force, Malaysian Army, New Zealand Army, Rhodesian Army, Singapore Army and the British Armed Forces.[3]

The original FAL was designed in Belgium, while the components of the "inch-pattern" FALs are manufactured to a slightly modified design using British imperial units. Many sub-assemblies are interchangeable between the two types, while components of those sub-assemblies may not be compatible. Notable incompatibilities include the magazines and the butt-stock, which attach in different ways. Most FALs also use SAE threads for barrels and assemblies. The only exceptions are early prototype FALs, and the breech threads only on Israeli and Indian FALs. All others have standard Imperial or "unified" inch-standard threads throughout.

Most Commonwealth pattern FALs are semi-automatic only. A variant named L2A1/C2A1 (C2), meant to serve as a light machine gun in a support role, is also capable of fully automatic fire. Differences from the L1A1/C1 include a heavy barrel, squared front sight (versus the "V" on the semi-automatic models), a handguard that doubles as a foldable bipod, and a larger 30-round magazine although it could also use the normal 20-round magazines. Only Canada and Australia used this variant. However, Australia, the UK and New Zealand used Bren light machine guns converted to fire the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge for use in the support role. Canadian C1s issued to naval and army personnel were also capable of fully automatic fire.

Type Semi-automatic rifle (L1A1/C1)
Light machine gun (L2A1/C2)
Battle rifle
(Ishapore 1A/1C)
Place of origin United Kingdom
Service history
In service 1954–1991 (UK)
Used by Commonwealth (See Users)
Wars See Conflicts
Production history
Designer Dieudonné Saive, Ernest Vervier
Designed 1947–53
Manufacturer Royal Small Arms Factory and Birmingham Small Arms Company factories (UK),[1]
Lithgow Small Arms Factory (Australia)
Canadian Arsenals, Ltd. (Canada)
Ordnance Factory Board (India)
Produced 1954–1999
Variants L1A1/C1/C1A1 (Rifles)
L2A1/C2/C2A1 (Squad automatic weapons)
Specifications
Mass 4.337 kg (9.56 lbs) empty[2]
Length 1,143 mm (45 in)
Barrel length 554.4 mm (21.7 in)
Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO
Action Gas-operated, tilting breechblock
Rate of fire Semi-automatic (L1A1, C1A1)
Fully Automatic (L2A1, C2A1) 675-750RPM
Muzzle velocity 823 m/s (2,700 ft/s)
Effective firing range 800 m (875 yds)
Feed system 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
Sights Aperture rear sight, post front sight

Description
The L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle, also known as the SLR (Self-Loading Rifle), by the Canadian Army designation C1A1 (C1) or in the US as the "inch pattern" FAL,[nb 1] is a British version of the FN FAL battle rifle produced by the Belgian armaments manufacturer FN Herstal. The L1A1 was produced under licence and has seen use in the Australian Army, Canadian Army, Indian Army, Jamaica Defence Force, Malaysian Army, New Zealand Army, Rhodesian Army, Singapore Army and the British Armed Forces.[3]

The original FAL was designed in Belgium, while the components of the "inch-pattern" FALs are manufactured to a slightly modified design using British imperial units. Many sub-assemblies are interchangeable between the two types, while components of those sub-assemblies may not be compatible. Notable incompatibilities include the magazines and the butt-stock, which attach in different ways. Most FALs also use SAE threads for barrels and assemblies. The only exceptions are early prototype FALs, and the breech threads only on Israeli and Indian FALs. All others have standard Imperial or "unified" inch-standard threads throughout.

Most Commonwealth pattern FALs are semi-automatic only. A variant named L2A1/C2A1 (C2), meant to serve as a light machine gun in a support role, is also capable of fully automatic fire. Differences from the L1A1/C1 include a heavy barrel, squared front sight (versus the "V" on the semi-automatic models), a handguard that doubles as a foldable bipod, and a larger 30-round magazine although it could also use the normal 20-round magazines. Only Canada and Australia used this variant. However, Australia, the UK and New Zealand used Bren light machine guns converted to fire the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge for use in the support role. Canadian C1s issued to naval and army personnel were also capable of fully automatic fire.

Type Semi-automatic rifle (L1A1/C1)
Light machine gun (L2A1/C2)
Battle rifle
(Ishapore 1A/1C)
Place of origin United Kingdom
Service history
In service 1954–1991 (UK)
Used by Commonwealth (See Users)
Wars See Conflicts
Production history
Designer Dieudonné Saive, Ernest Vervier
Designed 1947–53
Manufacturer Royal Small Arms Factory and Birmingham Small Arms Company factories (UK),[1]
Lithgow Small Arms Factory (Australia)
Canadian Arsenals, Ltd. (Canada)
Ordnance Factory Board (India)
Produced 1954–1999
Variants L1A1/C1/C1A1 (Rifles)
L2A1/C2/C2A1 (Squad automatic weapons)
Specifications
Mass 4.337 kg (9.56 lbs) empty[2]
Length 1,143 mm (45 in)
Barrel length 554.4 mm (21.7 in)
Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO
Action Gas-operated, tilting breechblock
Rate of fire Semi-automatic (L1A1, C1A1)
Fully Automatic (L2A1, C2A1) 675-750RPM
Muzzle velocity 823 m/s (2,700 ft/s)
Effective firing range 800 m (875 yds)
Feed system 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
Sights Aperture rear sight, post front sight