Century Arms FAL

[che_70b]

What is a good price on century arms FAL. What is the quality level of century arms FAL. How are the magazine costs, parts cost and availablity etc. My local gunshop has one in right now and I am somewhat intersted but do not know much about the weapon, any advice would be appriciated.

 

[dodging230grainers]

I recently did research on FALs, as I was determined to get one. I came to the conclusion that the Century ones are hit or miss, and you find a "hit", don't expect anything near the quality of a DSA or even decent customer support. For a few hundred more, you could get a nice used DSA SA-58 like I did.

I caught a steal at my local store for $1100, a used (though looks new) DSA SA-58 carbine. If I were you, I'd look online for good deals on used SA-58s and have it FFL transferred to you. I've only shot about 400 rounds through mine, but from what I can tell, they are awesome guns.

Good Luck.

 

[goon]

I'd avoid a century rifle unless you can shoot it first or are buying it from someone you trust.

 

[full metal]

I paid $400 Bucks for mine at a pawn shop. It came with a scope mount and a 20 round mag. Mags are about $10 bucks at gunbroker.com. so far no problem with mine I am going to put on a scope and add a bipod to it. what is the price on the one you saw?

 

[iamkris]

10 minutes using the search function will tell you all you need to know...this subject has been covered many times. Bottom line...$600 is all I'd ever pay and that only if it was in pristine condition and I could shoot it first.

 

[evan price]

Quality of a Century FAL is hit or miss, but I have never had a Century that I wasn't able to get in good running order with a few small odds and ends.
Parts are 100% interchangeable depdning on type (Metric or Inch) and mags are out there for less than ten bucks each.
If it was under $600 and in decent shape, it's a deal.
Best thing to do first, break the rifle open. Pull out the gas plug and remove the gas piston and spring. Remove the spring from the piston, and then let the piston slide back into the hole, see if it falls cleanly through the hole above the chamber. Common to have this drilled offcenter. Easy fix with a Dremel.
Also make sure the bolt moves freely in the rails, mags fit well (not too tight or too loose) and all the furniture is tight. The upper and lower should lock together firmly with no wiggle. If the feedramps are a double ramp design this is much preferable to a single ramp design.

If your gun has a thumbhole stock (Bell & Carlson or ripof thereof) it is likely an L1A1 parts kit and was a nice rifle. You can convert it back to standard pistol grip configuration by getting the parts. A complete inch lower with correct PG and BS would be a quick repair. BEar in mind, though, the butthole stock guns were not 922(r) compliant and you would then have to replace some parts with US parts to be legal.

If the muzzle device is cut off it can be replaced & barrel rethreaded.

 

[che_70b]

The asking price was in the 500 range.

 

[AndyC]

$500 - if the upper receiver is stamped "Imbel", jump on it.

 

[aloharover]

500$ is not a bad price. You might need to tune it up some. I have redone a couple centuries, barrel timing and rehead space mainly. Smooth up the charging handle slot, and one the break down tab angle was off and got hit with a file.
The furniture is usually Penquin. It works, but is thin.

You asked about magazines, Gun Parts Guy has like new metric mags for under 10$. I think they were 8.95.