FAL pricing question.

Kinda pricey...

My ALL imbel kit gun was $550 with 4 mags, DSA Zero move scope mount and detachable bipod along with a starlight waterproof "pelican" style guncase.

Tell him to come off the price a bit.

OR you can tell him to leave off the two SA battle packs and only pay 600!


D

For $970 you could buy a new SA58 from DSA. My Build on a DSA receiver only cost me @ $650. I spent the better part of 4 months looking for the cheapest parts I could find to keep the cost down, but it sounds like this guy is trying to turn a profit on his kit built gun.

South African kits are usually pretty good, but aren't the high $$ kits like Imbel or Styer. Do you know this guy, or trust his ability to build guns? Depending on the quality of the parts and the builder, a FAL can go from a 2MOA gun to a 6-8 MOA gun. If you have proof that the FAL shoots well and it is good condition (clean finish, no scratches) I still wouldn't pay more than $750-800.

10 used magazines can be had for $50 bucks or less. The battle packs were selling for $26 each on AIM Surplus, but they seem to be sold out.

Has he done anything special to the gun, cut the barrel, put on a folding stock? These can add some value to the gun, carbine lenght barrels are popular these days, but can be done for $50-60 at a gunsmith. A Para folding stock can cost a good $200-300.

If the FAL is just in it's standard config. the price sounds a pretty high for a kit build (unless it is in imcaulate condition from a reputable builder).

$630 isn't a bad price then. $6 a mag isn't bad either, you can find used mags as low as $2 each on the internet (tapco) but it is hit or miss as to their condition. $35 per battle pack also seems resonable since .308 ammo is getting harder to find. I don't know anything about Volunteer Ordnance Works, I guess take the sellers word.

Sounds like a solid deal, not a huge bargain but not a rip-off either. These rifles keep getting more and more expensive. I better get started on my next build while I can still afford it.

$950 for a reputable smith built FAL is not out of line, especially if purchased direct. Dan had a pretty good reputation at one point. If my spotty memory serves me correctly, it seems like he ran into some troubles, although I don't belive they were related to quality. He isn't on the radar the way he used to be, but it sounds as if he's still doing work.

Is the reciever "distressed/painted" to match the furniture?

Anyway, at current readily available prices, 10 mags would be $40, 2 battle packs would be closer to $80, a kit would be $150. Add in the compliance parts for what, $125. What's a DSA these days, $350? If my numbers are close, and I think they aren't way off, you're looking at $745 before shipping and transfer fees.

If your going to spend a grand, by all means go for a gently used SA58 like I did. No reason to settle for milsurp parts at that price.

You aren't spending a grand on the rifle, you're spending about $700. The rest is money you'd spend on accessories anyway. Take a look at the number of "my DSA won't function right" posts on the falfiles, and you'll come to realize that there is nothing magic going on in northern Illinois.

South African Camo is another way of saying somebody laid the rifle on the rifle on the ground and splashed 3 buckets of different colored paint over it.

It's not hard to refinish your rifle, you can just go buy the camo spray paint at Wal Mart. If you want a more professional looking job, check out Duracoat or Gunkote:

http://www.lauerweaponry.com/

http://www.kgcoatings.com/

Duracoat has more colors and is a little easier to apply, but Gunkote gives a stronger finish on metal parts. All you need is sandpaper, an air brush, and an oven.