Building a FAL?

[Beren]

I'm already looking ahead to my next project after I complete my AR builds. I'm really interested in building a FN-FAL style rifle from kit. Has anyone here done so? Any strong reasons to do so, or not to do so? Would it be easier to build an M-14-style instead?

I've found a few sources for "Imbel Logo FAL Type 3 Receivers" but they want $270 or so. Is that a fair price? Is Imbel the way to go?

What sources did you use for your build?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

[Roadrunner]

If you haven't already found it, join us also on the FalFiles.com forums. It's one of the best FAL sites, especially if you are interested in building one from a kit.

Currently, I'm building an Izzy LB on a G1 kit (from DSA), a DC Type I receiver (US made - counts as one of your required US parts)....

FAC of America has Metric Type III Imbel receivers for $175 and non-logo receivers for as low as $114.

 

[hillbilly]

As already said, your absolute best resource is Falfiles.com.

I am a college English teacher. I have absolutely zero mechanical skills.

I built a FAL with the info from Falfiles.com.

I got a kit from Classic Arms that was so broken down that all the roll pins were together in a little plastic bag.

I got my info about the stupid 922r compliance parts....have to have so many US made parts in that thing because of that stupid law.

I got a receiver through a local FFL.

The only thing I did not put together was timing the barrel into the reciever.

I could have tried it, but I wanted to pay a professional to do that one step so I would have a rifle and not a homemade bomb.

Other than tightenting and headspacing the barrel to the receiver, I put every single other piece together and onto that rifle.

Do it. You'll learn a bunch about FALs that way.

And be sure to get a manual.

hillbilly

 

[cookhj]

yeah, definately go to www.falfiles.com

they know everything about FAL's over there. in fact, there might be a FALer in your area that might be able to help you build one.

 

[wintermute76]

FALFiles is definitely the place to go.
I built mine last winter from a Dan Coonan Type 1 carry handle cut receiver and VG/EX Stg58 kit from FAC. Some of the misc compliance parts I bought off the falfiles board.
The part that matters the most is getting the barrel timed and then headspaced. I did it myself, the rest of the rifle pretty much just fell together. Aside from headspacing/timing I'd call the rest almost as easy as an AR.