16-18" Semi .308s

[TN-popo]

I'm thinking of getting one and I'm looking for opinions.
I'm thinking about DSA's FAL, an AR10 variant, or Springfields upcoming SOCOM.

DSA Pros: price seems reasonable, decent quality, plentiful parts and hicap mags. Cons: ?

AR10 Pros: intimately familiar with AR family, same manual-of-arms as my other AR's(biggie). Cons: hicap mags (also a biggie, except for Bushmaster's offering of unknown quality, but apparently high price).

SOCOM Pros: Good company. Cons: new, unproven rifle (gas system).

I don't want to spend a fortune, but want more than the CETME/Century class.
Obviously I dont have that much experience with .308 battle-type rifles and would appreciate knowledgeble input. Please add a rifle if I've overlooked one.

 

[Redlg155]

I've got a DSA STG58A Carbine that is absolutely a joy to shoot. One of the advantage that I see with the FALs are the adjustable gas system. You can accomodate for higher or lower powered ammuniton, something I see as an advantage if you shoot lots of milsurp ammo.You also have the option of cutting off the gas and using it as a single shot. Even though all Nato spec ammo should be the same, you will have some variances between the countries that manufacture it. As Milsurp ammo supplies go, you might be shooting lots of Port Surplus today and then SA or Australian tomorrow. It all depends on what the market is currently saturated with.

Parts for the FAL are relatively cheap and plentiful and there are plenty of aftermarket scope mounts and stocks if you want to change around. DSA also makes railed handguards as well as free floated handguards. The left side charging handle also makes it easier to charge the weapon than other types. No scopes to interfere...just grab the charging handle and give it a yank. If you have a misfire with a AR10 you will have to completely shift the position of the rifle in order to clear it. Not so with the FAL.

As for disadvantages, the stock sights aren't as good and the safety can be awkward to reach with your hand on the pistol grip. They can also be a bit uncomfortable to shoot if the stock doesn't fit you correctly. My first FAL had Tapco US stocks which were uncomfortable. The STG stocks that came with my DSA are much more comfortable.

Good Shooting
Red

 

[Tropical Z]

How about a top-dog Saiga?

 

[cookhj]

if you're looking at FAL's, take a look at ohio rapid fire. i've been hearing really good things about them over at falfiles.com

 

[artherd]

If I could pick any of the above, it would be AR-10 in a heartbeat.

AR10 Pros: intimately familiar AR family, same manual-of-arms as my other AR's(biggie)

Those are pretty compelling reasons.

 

[Preacherman]

I second the Saiga motion... you can buy three or four of them for the price of any one of the rifles you mention, and they're pretty accurate and reliable too. Scoped, I can get 2 MOA with milsurp ammo out of them any day of the week. Quite frankly, I don't think there's a better value-for-money battle rifle out there (and yes, it IS a battle rifle - .308 caliber, on the AK-47 action, which is as militarily reliable as they come!).

 

[cosmonick]

Check out DPMS's new line of .308s
Every article I read, says that they have phenominal accuracy (sub MOA).
www.dpmsinc.com

 

[Redlg155]

The DPMS .308s are nice, but they are BRUTES! Talk about heavy! I got to check one out other day. For a good rifle that you want to benchrest, they are great. Shooting offhand is another story.

Ohh..and I also forgot the Saiga as well. Preacherman jogged my memory. I've been working on my little .308 Saiga, polishing here and there. Getting her ready for her big day when she gets some modifications.


Good Shooting
Red

 

[TN-popo]

Thank you all for your input.

 

[Black Snowman]

Bushmaster has announced an AR style .308 that takes FAL magazines. Might want to look into that.

 

[rock jock]

The current issue of SWAT magazine has several articles devoted to semi-auto .308s, most in a carbine length barrel. I was very impressed with the performance of the Armalite AR-10 w/ 18" barrel.

 

[JohnKSa]

Redlg155,

FWIW, neither the SA nor the Australian is NATO ammo.

 

[J-Man]

Have to second the DSA FAL.
Many people complain about the "hard-to-reach" safety. Not a problem at all if you swap the awkward factory grip for a Falcon G3 ERGO grip. With that grip I think the safety feels better than an AR's (only a 45deg. travel and right at my thumb).
My SA58 has over 3000 rounds through it over the last year with ZERO problems. Most has been with Port or Aussie surplus with some Winchester commercial mixed in.
Mine has a 16" barrel, is lightweight (8.25lbs with empty mag), easy recoiling (no brake and I also only weigh 150 lbs), and the STG stock fits great.
Yes it's an expensive gun but you do get what you pay for....

 

[Redlg155]

FWIW, neither the SA nor the Australian is NATO ammo.

Ahh..but Port Surplus is.

That makes my point even better towards the FAL. The adjustable gas system will allow you to make use of different power levels with the same level of shooter comfort and reliability.

Good Shooting
Red

 

[Fatelvis]

From what Ive been reading lately, DSA seems like the Cadillac of the FAL style rifles. Am I wrong? What should I expect to pay for a basic "bare bones" model, from a private citizen? Thanks-

 

[Redlg155]

Yep, the DSA are the best out there. They also offer the most varieties and have a lot of their parts made in the US, including upper recievers.

DSA has two basic types out there that I know of. The SA and the STG series. The SA are the premium built with new barrels and the majority of US parts. The STG series are built from excellent condition STG58 kits with a DSA reciever and the required number of US parts. Because of this the SA series usually average 1200+ while the STG series are $900+. A bit of shopping around will find them a little cheaper, but there isn't much room to go lower.

DSA has good stuff and protect their market. I've even heard from the folks over at the FAL files that DSA will refuse to sell you a STG kit if you purchased a upper receiver from them in hopes of preventing folks from building them and misrepresenting them as DSA built rifles.

Good SHooting
Red

 

[JohnKSa]

The SA-58s are now all new guns. I believe that in the beginning DSA used some unissued/like new parts when assembling the SA-58s. Now, everything is new U.S. made, IIRC. If you're looking at an SA-58 for anything other than range use, go with the carbine or standard model. The other models are pretty heavy, even with the DSA lightweight lower receiver.

FAC has STG-58s for as little as $795. Of course with shipping and transfer, you're looking at something like $840. Still a pretty good deal.

I suspect that if you call DSA, you can have them put something together for you. Maybe an STG-58 with one of their new barrels and a lightweight receiver, etc. It would be a bit cheaper than an SA-58, but with very little loss of function (if any) over an all new gun.