DSA - all I can say is wow

[iamkris]

UPDATE -- with range report -- DSA - all I can say is wow

After a long saga (ordered from FAC in early April, finally got disgusted with waiting in mid-August and cancelled, ordered from DSA directly and it was delivered in 2 weeks) of waiting to get my DSA STG-58A (Type 1, 21" bbl, light bipod, carry handle), I finally picked up the rifle last night from my FFL.

All I can say is WOW. I gave it the once over last night before going to bed. The finish is flawless even down to a perfectly parked bipod. Machining on the receiver is perfect with few machining marks. The Austrian parts kit they made it from looks unissued with no dings, scratches, all matching serial numbers, bright, shiny bore. If I were transported back to the 1970's as an Austrian weapons inspector looking over a new shipment from Steyr, I'm not sure I would see as nice a specimen. I buddy of mine has a CAI assembled Imbel receiver on STG parts...night and day different in quality.

I've always heard that the ergonomics are good. They weren't kidding. I shoot a G3 as my other "Cold War Arsenal" piece and this is much nicer. I can actually reach the selector lever with my stubby little thumb. Field stripping is a breeze. Mag changes are simpler. Charging handle isn't as clumsy. A quick, subjective comparison between the two:

Sights: G3 are better to my eye
Overall ergonomics (levers, handles, etc): STG wins hands down
Pointability: Draw, both come up nice and natural for me
Compactness / handiness: G3 feels more nimble eyes closed. STG looks better doing it.

Hopefully will be able to squeeze a short session at the range this weekend to run it through its paces.
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[B27]

Congrats! I have the same gun in carbine form and have been very pleased with it.
(removed the bipod and replaced the metal handguards)

http://www.fototime.com/F48101F42143209/standard.jpg

Mine runs great on milsurp 7.62x51 of just about any kind or Remington/UMC .308 but will occasionally refuse to fully chamber other types of commercial .308.
No biggie. As long as milsurp 7.62x51 is around I'm happy.

 

[glockten]

(Wiping drool off chin) Thanks. Thanks a lot. I was already lusting for one of those rifles; now I'm jonesing even more.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Yeah, I have one just like that, though I've swapped out some parts here and there.

I love mine!

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Thursday I got the wunnerful news I have a new job with more pay than the last. Friday I was in a good friend's gunstore where he had 3 STG-58's, 2 already sold. The third was in the back but he saw me drooling at the 2 that he had low behind the counter. All were DSA receivers. He proceeded to tease me with the third one, which oddly enough the builder of all 3 happened to be with us in the shop, having just brought them in for the buyer, the third for consignment. After about 2 minutes of pawing it I went ahead and put a deposit on it and it will be mine with my first full paycheck.

Next stop is my friendly bulk 7.62 ammo wholesaler.

I may end up putting a nice mildot scope on the thing unless I find that a SUIT may be a better idea.

geez what a beautiful rifle.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[iamkris]

UPDATE -- with range report

Got to the range for a couple of hours today. I also took my G3 for comparison purposes. Shot all Portuguese surplus 7.62x51

10 through the recommended barrel breaking in procedure -- shoot once, swab with copper solvent, swab with powder solvent and repeat 10 times (doesn't quite seem like the thing to do with a chrome lined surplus barrel but couldn't hurt).

10 rounds to adjust the gas regulator. Won't cycle on 7, ejects but won't hold open consistently on 6, 5 is consistent and reliable. If we ever get in a protracted firefight, remind me to go to 4.

10 rounds to check mag function and grouping. Looks like she'll shoot 1-1/2 " at 50 yards with these sights. I was hoping for better but then again that rear aperture is BIG. Anxious to see what it will do with a scope. I think I will look into those smaller M14-type aperture sights though from DSA.

http://www.dsarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=110F&storeid=1&image=rearsightbelghood.gif

10 rounds to get the sights zeroed. As delivered, it shot correct elevation and 3" right at 50 yds. 3 full turns of the rear adjustment screws got it zeroed dead center.

Analysis? I gotta say that I think my G3 actually recoils less. This is by no means unpleasant but the G3 seems to spread the recoil out over a longer period. Definitely like the ergonomics on the STG better though. Come to think of it, I like them both. The STG definitely does it with style.

The trigger on the STG is not bad, little takeup, a little creep, crisp letoff and no overtravel. By the way, so much for my pretty finish on the DSA. The TAPCO scope mount is all beat to $#!^ after only 40 rounds. And for some reason, the parking has one little flake that has come off just below the ejection port. Weird.

Gotta say one thing, when I used to show up at the range with my pistols and rifles, I hardly talked to anyone. When I show up with the Win92, G3, SKS and now the STG, I can barely get any shooting in because people want to talk. Then again, there are LOTS more surplus rifles showing up these days so everyone is in the mood to compare and contrast.