G3 vs. FAL

What give?

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The FAL is demonstrated to be better than the G3 in most of the areas that matter, including ergos (no way the G3 wins that one) and overall longevity (reliability plus maintainability). The increased accuracy potential of the G3 design and sights is nice, but it's also not militarily significant.

But it's good that you like and keep the G3. That's all that matters, isn't it?

Robert said:

Well, thats, just, like...your opinion man.

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These threads really tie the forum together....but we are about to enter a world of pain

Because most people find the FAL preferable for almost any purpose. I own both, and deciding between them if I had to is a no-brainer. Deciding between the FAL and the .308 AR, OTOH, would be painful.

G3 love

I like the G3 style as well, mine is technically a CETME, because the delayed blowback using the compressed rollers is just cool is all. Lots of gas operated machines out there. Step outside the box once in a while.

These threads really tie the forum together....but we are about to enter a world of pain

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Hoofan, this isn't 'nam, there are rules. This is the Highroad.

Most people find the FAL has better ergonomics (I agree) and is more "refined" (probably). The sights are also marginally better.

Having said that, the HK/PTR is more accurate, more reliable, doesn't heat up as quickly (handguards), and doesn't choke on steelcased ammo.

G3 is more accurate, the FAL is better in every other way.

Quality FAL mags are more expensive. G3 mags are cheap.

Tim G.

Why is the FAL considered superior? The HK Slap. The HK Slap may look cool, but the HK cocking handle is much more awkward to use than the FAL charging handle.

I really like the HK but mag changes and problem solving are easier with the FAL and for me, the FAL is more controllable and feels less clunky.

Bottom line is, shoot what you like

The PTR91 I now have has the most mild recoil of any battle rifle I've ever tested.
I have owned both Fals and HK's. I prefer the G3/91 design as a DMR type rifle when used with optics. I dont reload, so brass (or steel) case chewing is a non issue to me. I prefer the Fals mag changes and charging handle, but I greatly prefer the HK's trigger/mags/recoil. I do find it quite nice how the HK has user adjustable headspace.

I have the opportunity to shoot the real as issued FN-FALs ( Metric and British) and the real G-3s side by side. We were comparing them to our M-14s (m-21s) and M16 variants during a multi national exercise.
While the FAL fit my body better, other troops liked the G3.
Neither was accurate enough as an issue rifle to get me all hot and bothered.

According to my old notes:
Overall length
FAL=41.5in............G3=40.5in
weight loaded
FAL=10 1/4 pounds.......G3= 9.9 pounds
Rate of fire full auto
FAL= around 500...........G3=around 600.
Sights;
FAL= simple Ok to 150m, front blade too wide....G3= better protected , more complex
Groups at 100 meters with US M-80 ball
FAL=2.5 to 3.0 inch........G3= 2.5-to 3.0 inch
Safety fire selector:
FAL= too far forward.......G3= Too far forward.
Stock fit:
FAL= ok fit, cheek weld only ok, ..G3= Stock too short unless wearing armor

Neither was accurate enough as an issue rifle to get me all hot and bothered

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Exactly. Both have a bunch of junk bolted/welded to the rifle (cocking tube and gas tube, respectively) that puts a bit of a limit on accuracy. Not to mention the fact that few see real FNH or HK guns, so accuracy/quality is more a factor of who does the better repro today. For parts kit built guns, Imbel derived FAL builds are typically in way better shape than more clapped out G3 or CETME stuff from guys like PTR/Century. Century is slightly less likely to FUBAR your FAL, seeing as the receiver is milled and headspacing easily corrected.

TCB

I agree with Mistwolf. Shoot what you like.

I have an M1A and a PTR91. Both are great rifles. Both are as accurate as I am. Both have things i like about one better then the other. And both put a big smile on my face when shooting them.

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And if I find a deal. I'll have a FN FAL to go with them.

As good as the G3 is/was, even ze Germains liked the FAL and would have adopted it as the G1 had not Belgium refused to sell them a license to produce it. As they couldn't get what they wanted they shopped around until they found a Spanish rifle designed by a German engineer.

the delayed blowback using the compressed rollers is just cool is all. Lots of gas operated machines out there. Step outside the box once in a while.

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There is a reason gas operation is the standard, while roller delayed is limited to the CETME and some derivatives by HK (and the CZ-52 pistol).

Greater felt recoil, difficulty setting/maintaining headspace and cracked rollers are just a couple of the drawbacks.

I dont understand people saying the G3 has more recoil. My PTR91 is the softest shooting semi auto /308 I've ever used. Lighter recoil than M1A, Fal, Vepr, etc. I'm recoil sensitive too. It recoils on par with a 7.62x39 AK.

FAL's prettier im getting off to get a white russian man

G3 better than the FAL?

Over the line, that's a foul.

When I first got into practical rifle shooting , under the Blessed Col. Cooper's tutelage in 1980 it was de riguer to buy either an M1a or a HK91 for such purposes which was hitting K zone shilos to 300 yards while moving closer and shooting faster. I chose the HK91 and had the factory scope mount with a Kahles Helia 1.5-6x and soon had a Williams trigger job by about 1983. In 1984 I won a large regional IPSC championship with that combo and I still have the worn old gun stashed in Oregon and with 10,000 rounds thru the barrel it only groups in 3" at 100 yards where it used to do less than half that when my eyes were young. The HK91 has been extremely reliable and I have only overhauled the bolt at about 7000 rounds. All this time I mostly competed against M1a users and they eventually overcame me in 1985 so I bought a like new used one from someone at Gunsite who purchased it in 1979 and hardly shot it as he was into 5.56mm. I thought it was not that accurate as it was all GI parts except the reciever, and sent it to Smiths Enterprises for a National Match upgrade. I never scoped it but my young eyes back in the latter 80s were able to coax about 1.5MOA out of it with Lake City Match and after 3000 rounds and almost 30 years the tight bedding and fitting have loosed very nicely up to be super reliable and I still have it at hand.
Now I got into FNFALs in the 1990s and first bought a Steyr Match one for $1000 or so in 1991 and allthough it seemed a 2 MOA rifle it certainly was smooth . Later in the early 2000s I had Arizona Response Systems make me up on an Austrian parts kit a very nice Paratroop version and a few years later an Australian L1A1 kit with a wood stock. I scoped the Para with a 2x Aimpoint M2 and put a Trilux on the L1A1. They style are 2moa rifles but very smooth and fun and reliable. I sold the old Steyr Match import for twice what I paid for it during the Clinton ban years and financed the other two.
Bottom line: if I had to fight with either a good HK93 or an FN Fal either will do and unless reloading is on the agenda then the FAL gets the nod.

I had a STG 58 for 11 yrs and sold it. Why? Too dang heavy for my taste as im not big of a person. But that gun shoots really well . Now, its the m1 Garand that replaced it ...

OK, the neutral voice of fact chiming in here. No opinion, just the stark facts:

G3 controllable full auto
G3 fantastic ergonomics
G3 unparalleled reliability
G3 The best battle rifle ever fielded

FAL unreliable full auto
FAL mediocre reliability
FAL terrible ergonomics
FAL overcomplicated

Anyone who does not understand that the G3 is the best battle rifle has never carried one in combat.

Who carried the FAL on combat, did not complain about its drawbacks only the enemy.
Hard to handle in full auto, maybe.. like all MG in 7.62.
Combat proven all wheathers.
I can not remark the Hk/ptr/G1-3 since I don't have one.
Working on that subject though.
But, my FAL argie get first than my M1A when 7.62/308 is in the air. Sadly, politics / money, influenced on cartridges otherwise nobody would talk a better round for the forces.

It's major drawback was the lack of a stable top cover to mount a scope

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DSA took care of that shortcoming: