From: "Alex Holmes", [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Adding my tuppence worth to this debate on G3 vs FN FAL.
Both of these rifles saw extensive use in the various wars in
Southern Africa. The G3 was standard issue to the Portugese
forces fighting in Angola and Mozambique but in the Rhodesian and
South African forces both were used and the FAL was clearly the
preferred choice (in many cases such a choice was possible,
especially in Rhodesia).
The main complaints about the G3 were;
Ammunition sensitivity, admittedly probably due to some dubious
quality service ammo but on the FN this could be readily
rectified by cranking up the gas settings.
A lot of people complained about the G3 sights but this is really
because of the short stocks these rifles were fitted with
bringing the eye far too close to the sights. South African FN
derivatives and the current R4 (Galil family) were all fitted
with longer stocks than the originals. Not so much because
Southern Africans are all tall men but because of clothing. We
would walk patrols in shirts or very lightweight jackets, never
thick winter clothing as I imagine must be common in Europe.
The one thing that always bugged me about the G3 was how noisy
they were when walking patrol. They rattle and clank with every
movement, FNs don't. Again this might be of more consequence in a
counter-insurgency situation like Southern Africa but it was a
real concern for many people who had to carry the G3 in the bush.
Alex Holmes
South Africa
--
I recall the South Africans made an FN type stock for the G3, I
saw one at a gun show in the States.
I don't do well with long stocks, perhaps this is why I like the
G3 more.
The main advantage is field stripping. With the L1A1 I found that
if the gas plug was somewhat worn you could put it in 180 degrees
the wrong way around, especially if it was dark. With the G3 that
problem doesn't exist. (Mind you, you have to be careful not to
lose the takedown pins).
Steve.
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