# For gun and military dopers......FN-FAL Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 23, 2003, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-gun-and-military-dopers-fn-fal-question/214755 "2003-11-23T00:27:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-gun-and-military-dopers-fn-fal-question/214755/21 "2003-11-23T17:01:50Z")
I swore I heard something about one of the U.S. armed forces starting to go with the H&K G36, anyone else know what I’m talking about? ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-gun-and-military-dopers-fn-fal-question/214755/22 "2003-11-23T17:45:19Z")
Th XM-8 is the ‘Americanized’ version of the G36. HK is scouting out potential manufacturing sites over here, since part of the contract, of course, would be domestic manufacture. I believe the only real differences are a different red-dot sight (rumored to be of Trijicon manufacture) integrated into the carry handle, and the ability to use M-16 magazines. (Which can also hold the potential 6.8mm round, albiet only 25 of them.) ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-gun-and-military-dopers-fn-fal-question/214755/23 "2003-11-23T17:47:13Z")
P.S. Now that Heckler and Koch owns all/part of Royal Ordnance, the British are now looking to dump their SA80s (which HK just finished refurbing, at substantial cost per rifle!), and go with the G36. Jerry still knows how to build a damned fine rifle, it seems… ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-gun-and-military-dopers-fn-fal-question/214755/24 "2003-11-23T18:22:30Z")
Ahh, thanks **Brutus**. Though we’d never bring back the Garand. It doesn’t say Space Age Rifle and does not look cool enough for modern use! ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-gun-and-military-dopers-fn-fal-question/214755/25 "2003-11-23T18:30:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Capt B. Phart \* > \*\*Which is why the SAS use the M16 (IIRC) \*\* Yep, M16/M203 combinations. Or pretty much any weapon they’d like, really. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-gun-and-military-dopers-fn-fal-question/214755/26 "2003-11-23T19:34:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JRDelirious \* > **the FAL/M14 are really a different category of weapon than the AK(aka Valmet, Galil) or M16.** That’s correct. The FAL/L1A1, M1, M14/M1A, H&K G3/91, and AR10 are **Main Battle Rifles** (MBRs). The SKS, AK47, AK74, M16/AR15, Daewoo, Mini14, M96 are **Battle Carbines**. I also believe the **Galil** comes in both configurations. ---
**Author:** ![EvilGhandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@EvilGhandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilGhandi)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-gun-and-military-dopers-fn-fal-question/214755/27 "2003-11-23T19:58:06Z")
In any discussion on the stopping power of the M16 against infantry targets, one should note the NATO 5.56 or 223cal was the round used by the DC area snipers. It is also usefull to note that engagements against deer are rare in the modern combat environment. The M16 has always had reliability issues that are inherent to its design and will likely be phased out when a suitable replacement is decided upon. If history is any indicator, this new rifle will present a whole new set of problems to the front line soldier that will be adressed piecemeal fashion by the contractor who wins the bid to supply them. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-gun-and-military-dopers-fn-fal-question/214755/28 "2003-11-23T22:34:35Z")
I can tell you from perspnal experience that M16s can vary in quality, depending on the manufacturer. You haven’t seen a crappy weapon until you’ve seen an M16 manufactured by _General Motors_ circa 1970. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_B.Phart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Capt\_B.Phart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_B.Phart)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-gun-and-military-dopers-fn-fal-question/214755/29 "2003-11-23T23:31:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Duality \* > \*\*You haven’t seen a crappy weapon until you’ve seen an M16 manufactured by _General Motors_ circa 1970. \*\* How 'bout an AK47 clone made in “bandit country” in Pakistan? Incredibly crude looking - but worked (horribly inaccurate, but I’m told all AK47s are anyway) ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-gun-and-military-dopers-fn-fal-question/214755/30 "2003-11-23T23:39:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Duality \* > \*\*I can tell you from perspnal experience that M16s can vary in quality, depending on the manufacturer. You haven’t seen a crappy weapon until you’ve seen an M16 manufactured by _General Motors_ circa 1970. \*\* Worse then the Chauchat? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-gun-and-military-dopers-fn-fal-question/214755.md?page=1)