[pinetree64]

I'm looking for a gun to have fun at the range, possible action rifle competition. I was planning on buying an FAL kit, have the barrel seated and timed by a local smith, but doing all the refinishing myself. It seems like it would be fun and economical. Last night the wife suggested that I could spend upto a $1000. Not to shabby for a 40wk pregnant wife. Now I could buy a Dan's M444 FAL complete or a Rock River AR for a little more. I'd preffer not to spend $1000 on the gun and but surplus ammo and magazines. The kit idea is still lloks fun though.

tjg

[Sleeping Dog]

Rock River Arms guns at decent prices:

Sable Co. (http://www.sableco.net)

regards

[Onslaught]

You know, my wife and I have NEVER gotten along as well as we did when she was pregnant.

I don't know if this is your first baby, so I may be preaching to the quoir...

Once our baby was born (1 year next thursday :D ) That $100 per week in daycare, $50 per week in formula, $35 per week in diapers, $20 per week in wipes, plus furniture and beds and baby-proofing and clothes and shoes and bottles and liners and nipples and baby food and doctor bills....

Well, you get the picture...

I say, make the BIG purchase now (whichever that is), get the one you want the MOST, because it may be a while before you can afford another!

Just my opinion, but since the FAL was a "builder" project, you could do that one over time... so the funds are spread out and probably easier to afford. I'd go for the AR now... But that's just me.

Congrats on that little one!

[JHill]

Preach it Onslaught Preach it,

I have two young children myself and the baby care knick knacks add up!!

Pinetree,

I have looking at doing the exact same thing--can only afford one rifle this year and want to make sure that I am not too late to get a garand at the price now.

I also want a an AR and a Fal. I don't know much about building a Fal, but I have read enough to know that anyone can build an ar from a stripped lower and then add a complete upper of your liking--all for about 5 bills.

Dan's m444 looks mighty tempting to me--I would get the 21" and have it cut down to an 18"er.

So many likes and wants--the needs and lack of funds prevail.

[Jack19]

If you can spend up to $1000....hmmmm

The FAL is tempting and mags are cheap.

The AR is tempting because ammo is cheap and you'll shoot more often. Still that .308 hole is mighty satisfying.....

FAL - Get the DSA STG58, under $1000 retail, around $800 with a friendly dealer. If you can find someone selling a lightly used FAL built by ARS or AZEX consider it, if not, stick with DSA.

AR - Rock River Arms of your choice. (I'm building one now. :D ) Or maybe the new
Bushmaster Superlight (http://www.bushmaster.com/email/03122003.asp)

Let us know what you decide!!

[curt]

THey are both great guns for the reasons already mentioned. The .308 round may be more versitile but the AR is quicker on followup shots and a hell of a good CQB rifle. For 1000 you could get one of each but have to build them up and maybe go a few bucks over for mags and ammo.

[cheygriz]

Bushmaster Dissapator. Cheap ammo, utterly reliable, and you'll shoot it more.

With the AR-15 platform, you can get different uppers as the years go by for target, varmint etc in .223. You can also get uppers in 9MM, 7.62X39 (good for hunting) and other calibers. You can't do that you with the FAL. (I'm not bad-mouthing the FAL BTW, I love them! They're just not as versatile)

AND SUPPORTING BUSHMASTER ARMS AT THIS TIME IS A GOOD THING TO DO!! They're being sued by the Brady Bitch and her thugs.

Believe me, you'll never regret buying a Bushmaster!

And as someone else said earlier, you can always get the cheaper .308 kit later.

[ruger357]

A vote for the AR.

[JGReed]

FWIW, I contacted Dan's about the M-444. He said they're all gone, and they don't expect to get anymore.

What's the runner-up source for FAL's?

[pinetree64]

I was hoping that the M444 rumor was just that. Enterprise has Imbel's for $800. Everybody talks about DSA for $800, I don't see'm. I have a smith that will do a complete build and parkering for $135.

Imbel Kit $129
Imbel Receiver $225
US Parts $100
Build/refin $135 (or barrel seat and time $40)

tjg

[JHill]

Hey Pine,

The $800 for a Fal that people refer to works this way:

Get matched up w/ 'friendly' dealer, call DSA and get it at dealer cost of $795 and pay direct w/ cc, and then have them ship it to dealer and pay the transfer fee ~$10-$40. That's your neighborhood $800 DSA Fal.

That bling that you have to spend will get you the fal, 15 mags, and 500 rds of ammo.

The same bling spent on the ar gets you:

1-- A complete rifle, 4 mags and about 500rds or

2-- A stripped lower, kit, and complete upper w/ 4-5 mags, 1krds, sling, and a BSA red dot optic. or

3-- A stripped lower, kit, and 2 complete uppers: a 16" flat top + a 20" varmit upper. You may be able to get ~250 rds w/ what's left.

[telewinz]

You can get an AR for $700 or less and get a couple thousand rounds of ammo. OR

You can get an FAL (Imbel, CAI) assembled for $600 and about 2500 rounds of surplus .308.

You will be happy with either one so I'd get the FAL while the price is still low and there is still a good selection to choose from.

Wish I had your problem, you can't make the wrong decision.:)

[PATH]

I have an STG-58 FAL and just bought A3 Target Bushmaster AR.

Tough call! The Bushmaster has so many accessories and the .223 is nice. Then again the .308 does make a nice hole and DSA has great stuff. Choose? I'd go with the FAL. Inexpensive mags and mine shoots very good groups. I love it when I don't have to choose which one to buy as I now own both!

I guess at the end of the day I am a 7.62 kind of guy!:D

[Nightcrawler]

Dare to be different. Get the FAL.

[Longbow]

Pinetree64,
If it's for IPSC type of competition, I suggest you get an AR. AR's rules in that game for a reason. It shoots flat, cheap to feed and faster mag changes. But for homeland security and hunting, I'll go with the FAL. Like what's been said, it makes bigger holes on target. Good luck!

[bernie]

I am trying to make the decision right now. I have owned AR's in the past but never an FAL. I am thinking I will probably get the DSA STG58 (FAL). I have pretty much sold all of my rifles and am looking for the best all around. I follow the "fear the man with one rifle" saying. I think that the FAL will offer more opportunities. It is a major caliber so it is deer hunting capable, accurate, high caps and parts are readily available, and it is a good design. Granted I do not do IPSC and that would probably push me to the AR platform. Just my thoughts!

[Brian Williams]

Once our baby was born (1 year next thursday ) That $100 per week in daycare, $50 per week in formula, $35 per week in diapers, $20 per week in wipes, plus furniture and beds and baby-proofing and clothes and shoes and bottles and liners and nipples and baby food and doctor bills....

hint buy cloth diapers and wash cloths and wash them there is $55 a week. cut out day care have Mom stay home and be mom that saves $100 losses $300(mom's pay) Breast feed $50 saved. food grinder to grind up table food cost $15 saves lots over prepared baby food. buy baby stuff at garage sales, good will

Happy baby
Happy Mom


Lots can be saved by not buying prepared stuff kinda like reloading.


Build a kit AR and save about 20%

[curt]

" hint buy cloth diapers and wash cloths and wash them there is $55 a week. cut out day care have Mom stay home and be mom that saves $100 losses $300(mom's pay) Breast feed $50 saved. food grinder to grind up table food cost $15 saves lots over prepared baby food. buy baby stuff at garage sales, good will

Happy baby
Happy Mom"

I don't know about the mom in your family but if i were to suggest that she wash those diaper (cause i sure wouldn't) she's liable to use one of my rifles on me.