Firearms from Belgium

The FN F2000 is a futuristic, bullpup‑style assault rifle developed by FN Herstal in the late 1990s to meet the emerging demand for compact, highly modular infantry weapons. Conceived primarily for military and law‑enforcement use, the F2000 integrates a fully ambidextrous layout, a forward‑mounted, polymer‑cased magazine, and a proprietary integrated optical sight that folds into the top of the receiver. Its most distinguishing features include a unique forward‑ejection system that directs spent casings away from the shooter, allowing true left‑handed operation without modification, and a low‑profile, monolithic upper receiver that reduces overall length to 790 mm (31.1 in) while maintaining a 508 mm (20 in) barrel. The rifle’s design emphasizes ergonomics, rapid accessory attachment via multiple Picatinny rails, and a sealed, corrosion‑resistant construction. Within the firearms community the F2000 is praised for its innovative handling and futuristic aesthetics, though some critics note its unconventional magazine placement and higher production cost. Its blend of compactness, ambidexterity, and integrated optics makes it a unique solution for close‑quarters and urban combat scenarios.

The FN FAL (Fusil Automatique Léger, or Light Automatic Rifle) is a gas-operated, selective-fire battle rifle designed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal (FN Herstal) in Belgium. Developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s, it was intended as a robust, reliable infantry service rifle chambered for the then-new 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. The FAL is distinguished by its short-stroke gas piston system with a tilting breechblock, which contributes to its reputation for exceptional reliability under adverse conditions. Its design philosophy emphasized simplicity, ease of maintenance, and adaptability for diverse military roles. The FAL earned the moniker 'the right arm of the Free World' due to its widespread adoption by NATO and allied nations during the Cold War. Notable features include a folding charging handle, a synthetic or wood stock depending on variant, and a 20-round detachable box magazine. The weapon's reputation for accuracy, stopping power, and ruggedness made it a mainstay in conflicts from the Falklands to Vietnam, and it remains in limited service with some military and police forces today.

The SCAR 17 is a battle rifle variant of the SCAR platform, chambered in 7.62 NATO for greater stopping power.

The FN FNC (Fusil Nouveau Carabine) is a 5.56×45mm NATO, gas‑operated, selective‑fire assault rifle developed by FN Herstal in the early 1980s as a cost‑effective, export‑oriented counterpart to the FN F2000 and the earlier FN FAL family. Designed around a short‑stroke gas piston and rotating bolt, the FNC emphasizes reliability, simplicity of manufacture, and ease of maintenance, making it attractive to militaries and police forces seeking a rugged rifle without the expense of more advanced systems. Its distinguishing features include a stamped steel receiver, a folding stock, and a modular handguard that can accept various accessory rails. The FNC earned a reputation for dependable performance in harsh environments, though it never achieved the widespread adoption of contemporaries like the M16 or AK‑74. Its straightforward design and relatively low production cost have kept it in limited service and civilian markets, where it is appreciated for its solid build and familiar ergonomics.

The FN SCAR-H is the 7.62x51mm NATO variant of the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle family developed by FN Herstal. Designed specifically for U.S. Special Operations Command requirements, it features a short-stroke gas piston system, a free-floating cold-hammer-forged barrel, and a fully ambidextrous control layout. The SCAR-H can be configured as a designated marksman rifle or a close-quarters battle rifle through quick barrel and stock changes. Its monolithic aluminum upper receiver provides a rigid optics mounting platform, and the side-folding polymer stock is adjustable for both length of pull and cheek height. The Mk 17 designation is used within U.S. military nomenclature, while the civilian semi-automatic SCAR 17S brings the platform to the commercial market.

The SOR-556 Mk2 is modeled after the FN SCAR-L, a modern modular assault rifle used by special forces worldwide.

The FN SCAR 16 is a modern modular rifle chambered in 5.56 NATO, widely used by special operations forces.

The FN Model 1949, also known as the SAFN-49, is a semi-automatic rifle designed by Dieudonne Saive and manufactured by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium. It was introduced in 1949 and was adopted by several nations worldwide. The rifle uses a short-recoil, tilting-bolt operating system derived from the Browning Automatic Rifle. It is chambered primarily in .30-06 Springfield, 7.62x39mm Soviet, 8mm Mauser, and 7.65x53mm Argentine. The FN-49 features a detachable 10-round magazine and an adjustable gas regulator system. The rifle is known for its robust construction and reliable operation. It was a significant advancement over the bolt-action rifles it replaced in many military services.

The FN Trombone is a pump-action .22 caliber rifle manufactured by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium. It uses a sliding forearm that cycles the action similar to a pump shotgun. The rifle features a tubular magazine under the barrel and a takedown design. It was chambered in .22 Long Rifle and was designed for plinking and small game hunting. The Trombone is known for its unique pump-action mechanism on a rifle.

The FN CAL is a select-fire assault rifle manufactured by Fabrique Nationale dArmes de Guerre in Belgium. It was one of the first European rifles designed from the ground up for the 5.56x45mm cartridge. The CAL features a gas-operated rotating bolt action and a polymer handguard. It was developed as a companion to the larger FN FAL to provide a lighter intermediate caliber option. Production was limited and the rifle was quickly superseded by the more successful FN FNC.

A civilian semi-automatic bullpup rifle with forward ejection. Chambered in 5.56x45mm with an integrated 1.6x optical sight.

The FN Five-seveN is a semi‑automatic pistol designed around the proprietary 5.7×28mm cartridge, emphasizing low recoil, high capacity and the ability to defeat soft body armor. Conceived as a compact, lightweight sidearm for military and law‑enforcement operators, it combines a polymer frame with a steel slide and a short‑stroke gas‑delayed blowback system that allows reliable cycling of the high‑velocity bottleneck round. Its 20‑round double‑stack magazine, ergonomic grip angle and interchangeable backstraps provide a customizable fit, while the low bore axis and linear recoil impulse give rapid follow‑up shots. The pistol’s reputation rests on its unique ballistic performance—high muzzle velocity (≈ 715 m/s) and flat trajectory—making it effective at extended pistol ranges and capable of penetrating many NATO‑standard soft armors. The Five‑seveN’s distinctive features include a polygonal rifled barrel, ambidextrous controls, and optional suppressor‑ready threaded barrel, setting it apart from conventional 9 mm pistols.

The FN Model 1910 is a John Browning-designed pistol famous for its use in political assassinations and early 20th-century conflicts.

The Browning Hi-Power is a seminal single-action, semi-automatic pistol designed by John Moses Browning and perfected by Dieudonné Saive at FN Herstal. Originally conceived as the culmination of Browning's final pistol design, it was intended to address the French military's need for a high-capacity service pistol, hence the name 'Hi-Power' or 'Grand Puissance.' Its primary purpose has been military and law enforcement service, where it saw widespread adoption across over 50 nations. Key innovations include its 13-round staggered-column magazine, which was revolutionary for its time, and its cam-operated, tilting-barrel locking system derived from Browning's earlier M1911 design but refined for a double-stack magazine. The Hi-Power is distinguished by its slim profile relative to its magazine capacity, a spurred hammer, a fixed barrel bushing, and a distinctive lanyard ring. Its reputation in the firearms community is legendary, often praised for its ergonomic grip, reliable feeding, and smooth trigger pull. Notable design characteristics include the internal extractor, the magazine disconnect safety (a controversial feature), and the ability to be carried cocked-and-locked. It has influenced countless subsequent designs and remains a benchmark for service pistols.

The FN Browning 1922 is a semi-automatic pistol produced by Fabrique Nationale dArmes de Guerre in Belgium. It was designed by John Browning as an enlarged version of the earlier FN Browning 1910. The pistol features a longer barrel and increased magazine capacity over its predecessor. The 1922 was widely adopted by military and police forces across Europe, particularly during World War Two. It is chambered for the .32 ACP and .380 ACP cartridges.

The FN Model 1906 is a compact vest pocket pistol designed by John Browning and produced by Fabrique Nationale in Belgium. It was chambered in .25 ACP, making it one of the smallest semi-automatic pistols of its era. The design features a striker-fired mechanism with a fixed barrel and blowback operation. It was widely carried as a discreet civilian self-defense weapon. The pistol was also sold by Colt in the United States as the Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket.

The FN FNX-9 is a full-size, polymer-framed semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm introduced by FN Herstal in 2011. It is the 9mm variant of the FNX series, offering a 17-round magazine capacity and a four-slot accessory rail. The FNX-9 features ambidextrous controls, a stainless steel slide with a black Melonite finish, and four interchangeable backstrap inserts. It was designed for duty use by military and law enforcement. The FNX-9 provides a high-capacity, ergonomic alternative in the full-size duty pistol market.

The FN 509 is a striker-fired, polymer-framed pistol designed for military, law enforcement, and civilian markets. It is based on FN's submission for the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System competition.

The FN Baby Browning is a compact blowback-operated semi-automatic pistol chambered in .25 ACP. Designed by John Browning, it is a smaller version of the earlier FN Model 1905 Vest Pocket pistol. Its diminutive size made it popular for concealed carry and as a backup weapon. The Baby Browning features a simple blowback action with no safety catch, relying on a half-cock notch for carrying safety. It was manufactured continuously by Fabrique Nationale from the 1930s through the 1970s.

The FN FNX-45 is a full-size, polymer-framed semi-automatic pistol chambered in .45 ACP, introduced in 2012 by FN Herstal. It offers a 15-round magazine capacity, which is the highest available for a production .45 ACP pistol. The FNX-45 features a stainless steel slide, ambidextrous controls including a decocker and slide catch, and four interchangeable backstrap inserts. A tactical variant includes a threaded barrel and suppressor-height tritium night sights. The pistol has been adopted by U.S. special operations forces and has become a benchmark in the .45 ACP defensive pistol market.

The FN BDA 380 is a double-action, semi-automatic pistol chambered in .380 ACP. It was manufactured by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium and marketed under both the FN and Browning brand names. The BDA 380 features a blowback operating system and an alloy frame with a steel slide. It was used by the Belgian police and many European law enforcement agencies. The pistol is known for its high-quality construction, excellent ergonomics, and reliable functioning. The BDA 380 was a mainstay of European police service through the 1980s and 1990s.

The FN Model 1903 is a semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning and manufactured by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium. It was chambered primarily in 9x20mm Browning Long, though many were also produced in .32 ACP. The pistol uses a simple blowback action with a fixed barrel. It served as the standard sidearm for many European military forces including Sweden, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The FN 1903 is known for its reliable performance and high quality finish.

The M240 is the U.S. military designation for the Belgian-designed FN MAG (Mitrailleuse d'Appui General), a belt-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled general purpose machine gun chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. Widely considered one of the finest GPMGs ever built, the M240 is renowned for its exceptional reliability under adverse conditions, robust construction, and sustained fire capability. It fires from an open bolt at a cyclic rate of 650 to 950 rounds per minute with an effective range exceeding 1,100 meters with the tripod mount. The M240 is deployed in multiple configurations including the M240B infantry variant with a buttstock and bipod, the M240C coaxial tank version, and the M240D helicopter door gun. The weapon traces its lineage to the original FN MAG designed by Ernest Vervier in the 1950s.

The FN Minimi is a Belgian 5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun developed by FN Herstal. It is the basis for the U.S. M249 SAW and has been adopted by over 45 countries, making it one of the most successful light machine gun designs in history.

The Minimi 7.62 is a belt-fed light machine gun manufactured by FN Herstal, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. It is a larger-caliber variant of the successful 5.56mm Minimi/M249 SAW. The Minimi 7.62 was developed to provide greater range and stopping power than the 5.56mm version. It uses the same gas-operated action and feed mechanism scaled up for the larger cartridge. The weapon is used by special operations forces for sustained fire support at longer ranges.

A legendary semi-automatic shotgun featuring a long-recoil system. The Auto-5 was one of the first successful semi-automatic shotguns and remained in production for nearly a century.

The FN SLP (Self-Loading Police) is a gas-operated semi-automatic tactical shotgun manufactured by FN Herstal, designed for law enforcement and military applications. It features a durable synthetic stock, extended magazine capacity, and FN's reliable gas-operated action, making it one of the most capable semi-automatic tactical shotguns available to professional users.

The Browning Superposed is an over-and-under break-action shotgun designed by John Moses Browning and introduced commercially in 1931. It was the world's first commercially successful over-and-under shotgun and established the template for virtually every O/U design that followed. Manufactured by FN in Belgium, it represents the pinnacle of Browning's legendary design legacy.

The FN P90 is a Belgian bullpup personal defense weapon (PDW) chambered in FN's proprietary 5.7×28mm cartridge. Known for its futuristic appearance, 50-round top-mounted horizontal magazine, and compact bullpup layout, it is designed to defeat body armor while being small enough for vehicle crews and support personnel.

The FN Ballista is a modular bolt-action sniper rifle manufactured by FN Herstal. It features a multi-caliber design capable of swapping between .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum. The Ballista uses a folding aluminum chassis stock with an adjustable cheek rest. It has a free-floating barrel and a three-lug bolt with a 60-degree throw. The rifle includes a muzzle brake on magnum calibers for recoil reduction. It is designed for military and law enforcement precision marksmen.