FN FAL mag dimensions

[Kev]

I need the dimensions of the feed end of the FN FAL box magazine, can any one help me out please ?

Many thanks Kevin

[woodsy]

Hi Kev

I can do you a drawing of the front lip if you like. Everything else is identical to the L1A1. I have converted many L1A1 mags to fit FAL's. Just a bit of grinding and filing of the large front lug. Do you prefer metric or imperial dimensions?

[Kev]

Hi Rod,

If everything apart from the locking lug is identicle size wise you have answered my question

Cheers Rod

[missingsomething]

Here is the reply that I got from the GURU's at the L1A1 Forum:

The differences between the inch-pattern and metric-pattern magazines are (1) the forward latch lug and (2) the magazine floor plate.

The cut in the inch-pattern receiver's magazine well is much larger than the metric's cut. That is because the inch-pattern magazine has a large latch lug silver-soldered to the front of the magazine. The metric magazine's latch lug is punched by a forming die (from the inside of the body outwards). This means that an inch-pattern magazine will NOT fit a metric receiver unless the lug is ground down to fit the notch.

On the other hand, a metric-pattern magazine will fit an inch-pattern receiver. The magazine will probably show a considerable mount of looseness in the fit. As a result of the loose fit, rounds may or may not feed reliably from the metric-pattern magazine.

Metric-pattern magazines have tabs on their bottoms that bend inwards (towards each other). The tabs retain the magazine floor plate.

Inch-pattern magazines have tabs on their bottoms that bend outwards (away from each other). The magazine spring fits into a spacer plate with a detent. The inch-pattern floor plate slides onto the body tabs and the detent on the magazine spring space snaps into the hole in the floor plate to keep it from sliding off while in use.

Inch-pattern magazines were designed for repair by armourers in the field if they became dented. The armourer would drive a mandrel that was the same shape of the magazine interior into the body of the dented magazine to push out the dent. Because metric-pattern magazines have floor plate tabs that face inwards, the mandrel approach to repair dented magazines cannot be used. If a metric-pattern magazine is dented, it will probably be scrapped or salvaged for parts and the body thrown away.

The dimensions of the 20-round FN FAL magazine are:

Rear of magazine, bottom to top -- 5.980 inches.
Front of magazine, bottom to top -- 5.458 inches.
Width of magazine, side to side -- 0.990 inches.
Length of magazine, over lugs -- 3.228 inches.
Height of front lug -- 0.075 inch.
Height of rear lug -- 0.056 inch.
Length of magazine, no lugs -- 3.075 inches.

Measurements were taken from a metric magazine and may not be exact. However, they should be close enough to help out.

Hope this helps.

[Kev]

Thanks for that missingsomething,much appreciated