Service Rifle Match with a Fal

duckfoot · February 1, 2003, 03:58 AM

Gents,

Could I enter a service rifle match with a Fal STG-85 I just picked up? Or is it one those bring what you got kinda deals??

antsi · February 1, 2003, 10:13 AM

I can't speak to the rules of your club or organization where you shoot. Where I shoot high power rifle, you would be allowed to shoot an FAL in the match but it wouldn't be considered "service rifle."

M1911 · February 1, 2003, 12:29 PM

Yes and no. In most matches, there are two divisions, Service Rifle and Match Rifle. Service rifle must be an M1 Garand, M1A, or AR15. By definition, your FAL does not qualify. Your FAL can be used as a Match Rifle, but you will be at a HUGE disadvantage. The match rifle guys will generally be shooting a highly tuned bolt gun or an AR15 space gun, with long barrels (for long sight radius), and super-duper open sights. These guys are shooting sub-MOA rifles and all you'll have will be the relatively poor sights on the FAL.

Shooting in a match is a lot of fun, so I'm not trying to discourage you from trying it out. But don't expect to be competitive.

Steve Smith · February 2, 2003, 03:45 PM

These guys are correct, you'll be shooting in Match Rifle class, not Service Rifle, but that's neither here nor there, because the US Service Rifles are head and shoulders above the FAL as far as sights go anyway, so you're at a loss even against a Garand. Compete against a guy with a match prepped AR Service Rifle and you're way outclassed.

But.

The game is an individual sport, and you shouldn't decide to not go becuase you'll be outclassed. Instead, you should go so you can learn how to shoot your FAL better. Forget the competing, just go for the fun and learning.

BTW, if you have a brake on the rifle you won't be welcome. Otherwise, you'll be WELL received.

Captal_de_Buch · February 2, 2003, 04:30 PM

Yep... You'll be in match rifle class

If you want to start competing in NRA/CMP Hi-Power your best bet is to buy a straight 20", fixed handle AR15. That will land you squarely in service rifle.

Correia · February 3, 2003, 12:42 AM

Agree with Steve on this one. Even though I am a huge FAL nut, the sights are really weak compared to the M1a or AR.

But if you just want to go and have fun and get some really good practice under you belt it would be great.

Ian · February 4, 2003, 05:36 PM

What's your goal? If you want to win or place in a match, then a FAL will give you a huge handicap. But if you just want to test yourself and work towards being a better shot, then use whatever you feel like. I shot a match with a Daewoo and cheapo ammo once for kicks. I didn't come anywhere close to placing ('course, a better rifle probably wouldn't have changed that), but it gave me a good feel for what I was capable of with that gun/ammo combination. That was definitely worth the match fee to me.

cookhj · February 4, 2003, 06:12 PM

you COULD use an FAL in a service rifle match IF you were from a country where that is your service rifle. that is the only way that you could use one in a service rifle match.

Biff · February 4, 2003, 08:12 PM

If you are going to enter a highpower match with the intent to win, then you will need a different rifle. However, I would like to encourage you to go ahead and start shooting matches with your FAL. Highpower will help you to get the most out of your rifle, and make you a much better shooter. The FAL should take you up to your Expert classification, by which time you will have saved enough for a proper service rifle!

jacks308 · February 6, 2003, 08:32 PM

Yeah , what Steve said .

I went to a serious match once , you know the kind where they all talk in hushed whisper in the gallery so the RO doesn't throw 'em off the range . I mean the type of match where they got mad 'cause I was using LC72 ball in an unmodified Garand an the muzzle blast was competeing with thier breaks . I remember the poor adventurous soul that showed up with a Valmet AK variant . His reason for being in the shadow of the great ones ? hee hee heeee "It makes Janet Reno

mad ! "

Jack

February 1, 2003, 03:58 AM	#1
duckfoot member Join Date: December 30, 2002 Location: behind you, NC Posts: 558	Service Rifle Match with a Fal Gents, Could I enter a service rifle match with a Fal STG-85 I just picked up? Or is it one those bring what you got kinda deals??

February 2, 2003, 03:45 PM	#4
Steve Smith Moderator Emeritus Join Date: December 21, 2002 Location: Southeastern US Posts: 4,402	These guys are correct, you'll be shooting in Match Rifle class, not Service Rifle, but that's neither here nor there, because the US Service Rifles are head and shoulders above the FAL as far as sights go anyway, so you're at a loss even against a Garand. Compete against a guy with a match prepped AR Service Rifle and you're way outclassed. But. The game is an individual sport, and you shouldn't decide to not go becuase you'll be outclassed. Instead, you should go so you can learn how to shoot your FAL better. Forget the competing, just go for the fun and learning. BTW, if you have a brake on the rifle you won't be welcome. Otherwise, you'll be WELL received. __________________ I'm strapped like a car seat. TFL Alumnus, THR Plankowner, NRA Life Member

February 2, 2003, 04:30 PM	#5
Captal_de_Buch Member Join Date: December 29, 2002 Posts: 86	Yep... You'll be in match rifle class If you want to start competing in NRA/CMP Hi-Power your best bet is to buy a straight 20", fixed handle AR15. That will land you squarely in service rifle. __________________ Addicted to 3 gun

February 4, 2003, 05:36 PM	#7
Ian Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 2,821	What's your goal? If you want to win or place in a match, then a FAL will give you a huge handicap. But if you just want to test yourself and work towards being a better shot, then use whatever you feel like. I shot a match with a Daewoo and cheapo ammo once for kicks. I didn't come anywhere close to placing ('course, a better rifle probably wouldn't have changed that), but it gave me a good feel for what I was capable of with that gun/ammo combination. That was definitely worth the match fee to me. __________________ Forgotten Weapons - your source for rare, experimental, and prototype military firearms.

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February 1, 2003, 10:13 AM	#2
antsi Member Join Date: December 25, 2002 Posts: 1,395	I can't speak to the rules of your club or organization where you shoot. Where I shoot high power rifle, you would be allowed to shoot an FAL in the match but it wouldn't be considered "service rifle."

February 1, 2003, 12:29 PM	#3
M1911 Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 1,027	Yes and no. In most matches, there are two divisions, Service Rifle and Match Rifle. Service rifle must be an M1 Garand, M1A, or AR15. By definition, your FAL does not qualify. Your FAL can be used as a Match Rifle, but you will be at a HUGE disadvantage. The match rifle guys will generally be shooting a highly tuned bolt gun or an AR15 space gun, with long barrels (for long sight radius), and super-duper open sights. These guys are shooting sub-MOA rifles and all you'll have will be the relatively poor sights on the FAL. Shooting in a match is a lot of fun, so I'm not trying to discourage you from trying it out. But don't expect to be competitive.

February 3, 2003, 12:42 AM	#6
Correia Moderator Emeritus Join Date: December 20, 2002 Location: SLC Posts: 10,346	Agree with Steve on this one. Even though I am a huge FAL nut, the sights are really weak compared to the M1a or AR. But if you just want to go and have fun and get some really good practice under you belt it would be great.

February 4, 2003, 06:12 PM	#8
cookhj Member Join Date: December 28, 2002 Location: Capitol of the Confederacy, VA Posts: 590	you COULD use an FAL in a service rifle match IF you were from a country where that is your service rifle. that is the only way that you could use one in a service rifle match.

February 4, 2003, 08:12 PM	#9
Biff Member Join Date: January 2, 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 208	If you are going to enter a highpower match with the intent to win, then you will need a different rifle. However, I would like to encourage you to go ahead and start shooting matches with your FAL. Highpower will help you to get the most out of your rifle, and make you a much better shooter. The FAL should take you up to your Expert classification, by which time you will have saved enough for a proper service rifle!

February 6, 2003, 08:32 PM	#10
jacks308 Member Join Date: December 27, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 87	Yeah , what Steve said . I went to a serious match once , you know the kind where they all talk in hushed whisper in the gallery so the RO doesn't throw 'em off the range . I mean the type of match where they got mad 'cause I was using LC72 ball in an unmodified Garand an the muzzle blast was competeing with thier breaks . I remember the poor adventurous soul that showed up with a Valmet AK variant . His reason for being in the shadow of the great ones ? hee hee heeee "It makes Janet Reno mad ! " Jack