7.62 x 51 Carbine Platform for HD

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

Timradcliffe345

member
Joined
Feb 21, 2007
Messages
562
Location
God Bless America
I've settled on 7.62 x 51 as a the optimum carbine caliber fitting my needs. Now I just need to figure out what platform to launch it from...:rolleyes:

I need advice on a suitable carbine chambered in 308/7.62 NATO and that is utterly reliable. Magazine capacity should be no less than 20 rds and barrel length should be between 16 and 20 inches. Again, reliability is the most important factor for me. Feel free to share your experiences, positive and negative, with carbines in 7.62 NATO. Thank you.
 
DSA SA58 PARA Tactical Carbine
.308 Win Chamber
16.25" barrel
Magpul CTR LOP adjustable side folding stock
Optic is an IOR 1.1-4 illuminated CQB reticle and I have an EOTech for it too...

It weighs about the same as my 14.5" AR15

DSASA58IORCTR01.gif

DSASA58IORCTR02.gif
 
I'll probably be the only one in this post to suggest this, but if money is a concern get a CETME. Less than $500, reliable, mags are dirt cheap. Matter of fact, you can have two of them and a bunch of mags for less than a FAL.

Edit: If money is NOT an object the post above would be awesome, and a DSA FAL is the way I would go to :)
 
You get what you pay for... while the DSA above is relatively more money than other rifles, I have a friend that picked up a decent FAL shortie for $600.

Cameron
 
DSA SA58 PARA Tactical Carbine
.308 Win Chamber
16.25" barrel
Magpul CTR LOP adjustable side folding stock
Optic is an IOR 1.1-4 illuminated CQB reticle and I have an EOTech for it too...

It weighs about the same as my 14.5" AR15
Click to expand...

cameron.personal: How reliable are the FN/FAL models? Any countries that use them as their primary service weapon? Thanks.
 
At one time, over 90 nations used the FAL as their service weapon.

My DSAs have been outstanding. When they get dirty I adjust the gas and I have no problems (not that one would be firing 100s of rounds in a HD situation).

If you choose a .308 (where I live it is less than optimal for HD), ensure you have backstop and the training to manipulate the weapon.
 
In my estimation a DSA FAL with a sixteen or eighteen inch barrel is the ideal platform for a 7.62 carbine. It's an awfully powerful round for HD though.

-jagd
 
I like the FAL mainly for it's ergonomics and it's reliability. Then again I also really like my 7.62x51 Garand for its accuracy and great sights. I'd suspect a M1A carbine would be a very nice weapon.

Whatever you get, here's the ammo you want for it:

308_TAP_comparison.jpg
 
cameron.personal: How reliable are the FN/FAL models? Any countries that use them as their primary service weapon? Thanks.
Click to expand...

An FAL is probably one of the most reliable small arms in the world, it is known as "the right arm of the free world" and was used by more than 90 countries when the NATO small arms caliber was 7.62.

Hop over to www.falfiles.com and do a search for Ol' Dirty. A photographed study of an FAL in Texas that has 13,000+ rounds through it without being cleaned, except for being thrown in a pond occasionally.

The FAL's ergonomics, legendary reliability and power make it one of the best rifles available.

It was used by Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and on and on...

My DSA above has been 100% reliable with all types of ammo, regardless if I clean it or not (the gas system short stroke piston is adjustable, if it gets dirty or dusty, crank it up). It will also produce groups regularly below 1.5MOA with the right ammo. Mine lives on Federal America Eagle 150gr and Black Hills Match for groups.

The exhaust principle gas system and short stroke piston means the FAL is one of the softest shooting .308 carbines.

Here is the FAL above (weighing in at approx. 8.25lbs) fired for speed with 150gr FMJ .308 so you can see what I mean about the recoil.
Click the pictures they are videos.
th_FALDoubleTaps.gif

th_FALQuads.gif ​

Cameron
 
Saiga in 308 converted back to AK configuration. The FBMG magazines aren't as cheap as FAL mags, but it's as accurate, likely no less reliable (considering its lineage) and I actually prefer it's handling/balance over that of the FAL.
 
Last edited:
Cameron.Personal, that is a great set-up! I've not seen that stock on FAL TYPE folder before.....thanks buddy, now I've got DSA on the brain.....But seriously, how does the short gas piston perform compared to the Standard/ Para/Congo's gas system? Any concerns of accelerated parts wear, etc? I ask, because I'm thinking of getting the Congo or one of the other side folder compact types. thanks
 
DPMS AP4 gets my vote, its a couple hundred bucks cheaper than the DSA stuff and just as good.
 
If you're thinking about going the DSA route, but are afraide of the money involved, check out DSAs STG58 FN FALs. I bought mine around a year ago for just under $900, shipped.
 
I've had an FAL and a converted Saiga and I have to give the edge to the Saiga, but not by much. Accuracy wise they're about the same. The ergonomics of the FAL and it's sights are much better. Recoil doesn't seem that much different, but then I do have a brake on my Saiga and many people skip that part as it's the hardest part of the conversion. FAL's have much cheaper mags. There's really no contest there; $5 vs. $45. The initial cost of the FAL is much greater though. You can get into a Saiga for around $350 and you're probably going to shell out $650 for the cheapest FAL and over $1000 for a DSA. Converting the Saiga can be done for under $100 and I spent about $300 on mine. For reliability I give the edge to the Saiga. It is an AK after all. I also think the FAL has better optics mounting options, but the AK siderail mounts really aren't that bad. I've often wished there were some way to mount a siderail to some of my milsurps without damaging them.

The deciding factor for me is just the way the Saiga points and handles. It is a smaller rifle. The AK receiver is about an 1" shorter than an FAL receiver and the barrel sits about 1/2" farther back in the receiver. It's also easy and affordable to fit a folder to.

Honestly, I don't think any of the 7.62x51 battle rifles out there are perfect. If you want a really state of the art battle rifle you might want to wait for the XCR, Keltech or SCAR.
 
Last edited:
Elmer brought up a good point about magazines. The cost. HK/CETME wins hands down there. I bought a bunch of aluminum HK mags for a 1.20 apiece last year. They may be as much as 3.00 now! The second place winner is the FAL. DSA has good condition mags for 7.00. The M14 mags come in third. Checkmate mags are about 24.00 bucks at .44mag.com. The SAIGA and AR10 mags are, what, 35.00-40.00 apiece?

This may or may not play much of a factor in your decision. Some people are quite content with two or three mags. Others may want tens, or even hundreds of mags. Remember the effects of the 94 AWB on mag prices and availability? One more thing to ponder in your decision.

-jagd
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

P
  • Locked
M59 7.62 x 51 ammo ?
Replies
7
Views
551
GunTech
G
B
  • Locked
7.62 x 51 NATO
Replies
19
Views
1K
Mele112212
M
H
  • Locked
7.62 x 51 out of shorter barrels
Replies
12
Views
965
SharpsDressedMan
S
rod5591
  • Locked
What is reliable but less expensive 7.62 x 51 nato or .308 win ammo?
2
Replies
27
Views
4K
Bill_Rights
B
I
  • Locked
What other civilian rifles use M-1 carbine .30 rounds?
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
USP4Me
U
Back
Top