FN FAL: The Rifle NATO Adopted After America Refused To

The FN FAL became one of the defining battle rifles of the Cold War—even after the United States rejected it in favor of the M14. Designed at Belgium’s Fabrique Nationale under Dieudonné Saive, the FAL competed in U.S. trials as the T48 and was judged suitable for military service, but America ultimately selected the domestically developed T44, adopted as the M14 in 1957. Elsewhere, the story was very different. Britain, Canada, Belgium, and numerous other nations adopted versions of the 7.62×51mm rifle, helping make the FN FAL one of the most recognizable Western infantry weapons of the Cold War. This firearm documentary explores the FAL’s development, NATO-era rifle trials, its rivalry with the M14, and why its firearm engineering influenced decades of military history. Watch to the end to discover how the rifle America refused became a weapon carried around the world. RESOURCES The M14 Rifle: John Garand’s Final Legacy – American Rifleman / NRA – americanrifleman.org 7.62 NATO And .308 Win.: History & Performance – American Rifleman / NRA – americanrifleman.org FN: The First 125 Years – American Rifleman / NRA – americanrifleman.org Ars Mechanica: Driving Innovation – FN Herstal – fnherstal.com Educational documentary created for historical and informational purposes. Subscribe for weekly documentaries exploring the history of firearms, legendary gunmakers, military technology, engineering innovations, and the weapons that shaped the modern world.