The L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle, is the British version of the Belgian FN FAL rifle, and was produced in the UK, under licence, to meet the need for the army to have a rifle capable of firing the new NATO 7.62 ammunition.

Introduced in the mid to late 1950s, and designed to be semi-automatic only, the SLR proved popular in service.  Of conventional design its 7.62mm round proved accurate and powerful.

During the Falklands War some SLRs had a BREN gun magazine fitted to increase capacity to 30 rounds, over the standard 20.  A number of fully automatic Argentine FAL PRA FAL rifles were also pressed into service to provide increased firepower.

However, its length was thought not to be optimal for fighting in an urban environment and from within armoured vehicles, and it was replaced in the mid 1980s with the shorter, “bull pup” design, the SA80 which also fired the newly adopted NATO 5.56mm round.

Overall Length1180mm (46.46in)

Barrel Length533.00mm (20.98in)

Weight (Empty)11.02lbs (5.00kg)

Calibre7.62x51mm NATO

ActionGas-Operated; Tilting-Breech Block

Feed20- round box magazine

Muzzle Velocity2,700ft/sec (823m/sec)

Rate-of-Fire675 rounds per minute

Range1,640ft (500m; 547yds)

SightsAperture Rear; Front Post; Optional Optics