FAL

Unlike other suppressor hosts, the FAL has effective aftermarket parts to ensure proper cycling with almost any amount of backpressure. This is great news: it unlocks compatibility with any can, old or new, large or small, and it will cycle. The nasty drawback of the FAL, though, is how poorly its receiver is sealed from internal gases. Any gas stacking in the receiver will slowly ooze out into your nostrils. There are ways to seal it off that will be discussed, but if we are going to recommend a can, it will be a low-backpressure can, the CAT JL is a standout choice for this gun. With middle-of-the-pack backpressure that can be tuned away, the surge bypass system keeps gas moving forward.

The CAT JL is a choice pick for sound suppression, but the FAL is heavy. And the barrel on the original Belgian is skinny as a track star, lacking the Bavarian barmaid girth. Not a deal breaker for the JL, but it does deflect the barrel noticeably and weigh down the front end of an already heavy gun. If you want a lighter suppressor, there are a few good options worth considering. CAT gets the nod again with the CAT DD, purpose-built around the .308 cartridge and with a few inches cut off the front end. But there is no shortage of weight-conscious .30 cal cans that fit the bill: the DA Sandman X, SAW Orev, and PTR Vent 1, just to name a few favorites.

Don't get lost in the weeds on this one. To prove that anything goes, we ran a near-20 oz, high-backpressure Aero Lahar 30L on it just to show it could be done, and that we had a little hair on our chin.

Ahead of it's time, the FN Fal was design with a "gas regulator". This regulator is adjustable by hand with a collar that sits on top of the gas block. Originally conceived to handle dirty and adverse conditions, this feature translated beautifully into the modern era where the battle rifle is expected to be able to handle a suppressor. Unfortunately, the block covers the range of unsuppressed dirty to unsuppressed clean leaving us with suppressors gassed out. If you are running a low backpressure can you can get away with using this regulator to tune away some of the harsh recoil. If using a moderate to high backpressure can, there are a few companies that sell a suppressor gas block that seats easily into the original gas block with no modification. Check compatibility with your specific model, as some of the FAL designs have proprietary plugs.

The traditional FN Belgian FAL threads are an uncommon thread patter, Metric 9/16×24 Left Hand. You will still find this thread pattern on new production clones. Some newer reproduction like the DSArms FAL Improved Series will feature the common 5/8x24 thread patter. This is not a comprehensive list, but it covers the two most common threads.

If you have 5/8x24 you only need to ensure the barrel profile at the muzzle end is thick enough to shoulder a muzzle device and then you can shop the extensive list of 5/8x24 muzzle devices. If your rifle has the metric 9/16×24 Left hand threads, there are a few options that we have seen come in and out of stock. You will almost certainly need a face mount muzzle device as the threads are long and the shoulder is thin with many reproductions not successfully machining a square 90 degree shoulder.

Quick list of manufacturers who have stocked Metric 9/16×24 Left QD muzzle devices: Jmac Customs, Wojtek Weaponry, Dead Air Armament, KAK Industries, Kaw Valley Precision, Rugged Suppressors, Rearden.

If you still have questions about the FAL we are going to punt you over the FAL Files. If you have a question it is there.