A few questions about FAL (in comparison to M1A)

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Roman2in

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I'm currently researching battle rifles, and will possibly be getting one soon. So I just wanted to ask a few FAL vs. M1A questions that I could not find answers to in the older threads.

1) From the pictures and videos, it looks like FAL is relatively fragile compared to M1A, because the rifle basically consists of two pieces which fold for a quick field strip. Is it as fragile as it appears in the videos? How sturdy is the locking mechanism? If you have to use it as a club, in close quarters, will FAL hold up?

2)How strong are the magazines of each rifle? (FAL and M1A) If if you were to drop each one, magazine first on concrete, which rifle (or magazine) will be less likely to break?

3)Also, I know that FAL is less likely to jam, since its action is less exposed, compared to M1A, but if we were not to take in to account that one is less exposed than the other, which design would work better with dirt (includes salt sand, mud etc...) inside?

4)Which design generally requires less maintenance/fewer replacement parts over time? (given both are made by reputable manufacturers)

5)And finally, I keep hearing about that test that US military did a while ago when they testing M14 side by side with FN FAL. Can anyone tell me where I can read about it?

Also, guys, feel free to post even if you don't know the answer to all questions. I know, it's unlikely for someone to answer all these questions at once.

Thanks in advance!
 
I have both guns.

I have had both guns for over 10 years. I have built up over a dozen FALs. The FAL is/was the choice of over 90 countrys as their standard battle rifle. That should alone answer your questions. It is tried and true and still serves today around the world.

That said, is it fragel? Hell NO, not in the least bit. the locking mech. is rock solid and could be used as a club or paddle but I wouldn't use an M1A as either.

Mags are equal except that the FAL mags cost less, lots less.

FAL is by far the winner in the maintenance area. It's not finicky with ammo or lub.

The "test" that the military did was rigged so that the M1A would win. The end result was that it was so close that the decision to go with the M1A was based on the fact the since the M1A looked like the Garand it was assumed that many parts from the Garand would/could be used in the production of the M1A such that there would be a saving in production costs. Well it was BS and in fact totally new machining was necessary so the cost per gun far exceeded the estimated cost per unit. But it was too late and production was going forward.

The M1A's advantage is that overall it is slightly more accurate than the FAL. The FAL is not a sniper gun, nor was it meant to be one. The M1A has been and is configured to be such a gun even today. Then again there are better choices in sniper guns than the M1A.

If the SHTF I'm grabbing my FAL, AK, AR, HK and if I have a chance a M1A, but it would be a very last choice for me.
 
That said, is it fragel? Hell NO, not in the least bit. the locking mech. is rock solid and could be used as a club or paddle but I wouldn't use an M1A as either.
Click to expand...

Why do you think M1A will not hold as well? I actually thought that M1A should be significantly stronger, since it's essentially a one piece wooden stock that is reinforced with metal barrel inside. And, I was thinking of getting laminated stock, which would make it even stronger. :confused:
 
The M14 (in fibergalss) is just as structurally sound as the FAL.

The main points I would look at revolve around:

  • Overall ruggedness. This would be a wash. Both are utterly reliable as long as you don't wind up with some sort of lemon.
  • Accuracy. Both ought to be accurate out to combat distances. I would expect to see the M14 have the edge here, and that edge would be furthered by the plentiful array of modifications that can be done to further enhance the accuracy of the platform.
  • Trigger feel. The M14 wins this one hands down, but I have heard of a simple spring replacement making the FAL's trigger a whole lot better.
  • Ease of maintenance. Although neither are what I would call "high maintenance," and are extremely rugged and capable of enduring abuse and neglect, I think the M14 takes a bit more time and effort to service than the FAL. Not that either are a pain though.
  • Parts availability. I think the M14 parts are starting to dwindle. SAI has their commercial parts, but I'm talking about USGI parts. I'm not sure about FAL parts, maybe someone can chime in on this one.

One other difference is the adjustable gas system on the FAL versus the "on or off" system of the M14. Some folks see the adjustable system as a blessing, others a curse. I didn't include it in the list, because there are aftermarket gas plugs for the M14 that will turn the system into an adjustable one, so whichever way you want it, you can pretty much have it. Plus I don't know how you feel about the adjustable design. Some like 'em some don't.


Jason
 
Personally, I'd prefer to paddle with an FAL (L1A1, SLR) because in most cases the butt is some sort of plastic, which doesn't soak up water and swell, perhaps compromising one of those 600-yard M1A head shots. I think the FAL is a better club, too. Even a halfway decent front door will shatter that pretty M1A stock at the wrist, and there you'll be, out on the street with your rifle in pieces and the yobbos all laughing at you.
 
FAL = pistol grip = WIN. Big black gun scares anti-gun weenies, and this is a plus.
M1A = typically no pistol grip = FAIL. Wood makes it look more tame, does not scare soccer moms as much.

-T
 
FAL = pistol grip = WIN. Big black gun scares anti-gun weenies, and this is a plus.
M1A = typically no pistol grip = FAIL. Wood makes it look more tame, does not scare soccer moms as much.
Click to expand...

Pistol grips?

Seriously though. Pistol grips?

Jason
 
The M14 is more fragile than the FAL. In almost all parts, they are a wash, except the operating rod, which is far more complex on the M14 and is less sturdy. That is not to say the M14 oprod is not sturdy. It is. But, it is less durable than the FAL. Otherwise, they should be more or less equally rugged. The M14 will tend to be more accurate, but that does not make the FAL inaccurate. For most shooters, the accuracy difference is not noticeable. My M1a shot no better than my FAL, and both shot less accurately than my Garand.

Ash
 
My favorite .308 battle rifles in order.

1. IMI ARM Galil .308 (makes a good club but fails as a paddle)
2. FAL (DSA)
3. M1A
4. P.O.F. "AR10"
5. HK91
 
The FAL is mechanically as close to perfect elegance as I can conceive an autoloading firearm being. It's also built rugged to the point I regard it both as a firearm and a melee weapon.
 
I have both. They are both very well made, proven, and sturdy. I am not sure if I would use either as a club. If I need a club, I would probably try to find a club and not use my $800 - $1400 rifle.

Both magazines are rugged and well made. The M1A's mag is slightly heavier than the FAL's, but I don't fault it at all. The FAL is more ergonomically designed than an M1A. That is my feeling after handling both. This may be important if you if you are gonna put lots of rounds down range (Wouldn't want you to get Carpal Tunnel while killing zombie hoards :) ).
 
Thanks alot for the replies guys! Looks like FAL is pretty much what I'm looking for, SHTF rifle. lol
 
Springfield M1As have been engineered for, and possess impressive out-of-the-box accuracy for their price. You can get an FAL from DSA at around the same price, and it WILL be an accurate rifle, but the M1A is superior in that regard. Accurized FALs, with free-floating handguards and other refinements are available from DSA, at roughly twice the price.

On the other hand, the FAL is much easier to add accessories to, such as rail handguards, scope mounts, etc. I also find its basic ergonomic design to be superior for the purposes of a battle rifle. You can get an aluminum chassis system for the M1A to address this, but then you're bringing the price up to around that for the accurized FALs.
 
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