I just had my ORF out today and she performed just fine. It has had some problems in the past but I am getting them ironed out. To be fair, they did fix the first problem and Todd told me to send it back if I couldn't get the ejection problem ironed out, but I fixed it myself. I didn't want to be without my rifle. A new STG 58 extractor, along with the tool (which is well worth the $25), and I haven't had any jams since.
It is a good thing because I was losing my patience with it. I was about ready to just send it back to them and tell them where to stuff it.
I also added a DSA semi auto selector switch so I wouldn't keep flipping the safety down to the FA position. The rifle doesn't do anyting different there and definitely won't go FA, but it was a PITA to me so I changed it. Money well spent IMO.
If you are willing to maybe put a little effort into making an ORF work for you, it would be a good choice. I have read about others' ORF FALs and it appears that problems are few with them, but still, I thought I should tell you about mine. But ORF does have a 1 year warranty and they will fix any problems. Have to give them credit for customer service.
As I said, it is running great now with Portugese and Austrailian ammo, as well as some 165gr Speer BTSP over 43 grains of 748 in surplus Cavim cases. I have some Lake City cases that I am gonna load up and see what I can do with them when I get the chance. It has also worked with other handloads that I have tried in it, but I try to step down 308 loads to about as powerful as 7.62 Nato so I don't abuse the gas system.
Other than that, I would love to try the new Bushmaster .308 that takes FAL mags, but they are expensive. Really, if you already have the mags for a FAL, you have sort of made your choice. If you bought them, you must have wanted a FAL, so you should check them out.
I have been thinking about using my FAL to finance one of the new AIA Enfields at some point, but I am not solid on that yet. It just isn't quite what I had envisioned. It isn't the equal of my M-39 in terms of accuracy at longer ranges, and compared to the mimimal maintenance that my AK needs to work the FAL does seem more complex. But I guess it has served all over the world, so I can't say anything bad about them. I will tell you that it is one hell of a feeling when you are looking through the sights and putting accurate fire on target as fast as you can reacquire and squeeze the trigger. MBR's = Very cool in my book.
Really though, I just sort of prefer a bolt action, so don't take my critisizms to heart. I buy, trade, and sell a whole lot of guns when I can afford to, and I really only keep the few that are truly perfect for me. Since I got out of the Army in 2000, I have bought and sold about 20 guns of all types and calibers. That isn't alot to some, but to me it is.
To date, I have kept three because of sentimental value, and three because they are truly perfect for me. I have a couple that are sort of in limbo. They could go at any time if I find something that works better for me or if I have some sort of financial difficulty.
That is just how I am. I just don't see the point in keeping something when you can have another gun that works better for you.
If you want a FAL, you should buy one. Don't settle for something else because you will never be completely satisfied with it. Think it over hard and buy what YOU want.
