Century Arms FN FAL ??

[MIL-DOT]

Someone in the area is trying to sell,or trade for an AR15, an FN FAL assembled in the states several years ago by Century. Supposedly this got rave reviews a few years ago when they came out, but as you know, the Century thing has me worried. I haven't seen it yet, but i'm told it's in mint condition, and all parts are genuine FN. Any info on this rifle much appreciated......M.

P.S. After just a few minutes Googling, i ain't happy with what i'm reading.

 

[Robert]

I have a Century L1A1.... It only cycles off the one mag that came with it and does not seem to like that mag all that much. IF you are considering this deal I would have it checked by a good gun smith first. Otherwise avoid it like the plague.

 

[nalioth]

Mil-Dot, the problem with labelling it a "Century FN-FAL", is that Century used different receivers during different production times.

Some of the receivers were made by Imbel in Brazil ( but marked with Centurys marks ) and some were designed and manufactured here.

For this reason, some of the Century FALs run very well, and some are to be avoided . . .

 

[TexasRifleman]

If it's in your area you might ask if they are willing to let you shoot it at a local range, you pay of course.

That way you can at least see if it runs.

I'd be worried if a seller said no to that.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Many thanks, guys. Looks like I'm gonna pass on this "deal".

 

[kfranz]

If you can give it a test drive before you commit, give it chance.

 

[Ash]

Brazilian or Argentine receivers are just fine on Century builds.

Ash

 

[rhubarb]

Isn't it Century about whom they always mention "drunken monkeys"?

 

[sernv99]

who are some alternative sellers of FALs besides Atlantic Firearms and DSA?

 

[JWarren]

If the receiver has "Unibrow" feed ramps, treat it like a STD that penicillin won't cure.

Had one, won't again. Never ran right.


-- John

 

[surfinUSA]

My Century FAL works just fine uni brow feed ramps etc. I've had it since 2001 and have no bitch with it its accurate and reliable. See if you can test fire this gun. If so it may be a great deal.

Keep this in mind, there is no gun, that you can't find bad ***** written about on the internet.

 

[TexasRifleman]

who are some alternative sellers of FALs besides Atlantic Firearms and D

Entreprise Arms. I believe they make theirs on DSA receivers. I read good things about them.

http://www.entreprise.com/


Took me months to figure out it was Entreprise not Enterprise

 

[sernv99]

Entreprise needs to increase the font size on their website. Cant even read the dang prices:banghead:

 

[Ash]

As far as I know, Entreprise makes theirs on their own receivers. There are a great many Century FAL's that run absolutely great. The only problem I have ever heard about their FAL's built on Imbel or Argentine receivers has been the crappy two-piece gas piston, but that has always been easy to fix. Other problems with the thumb-hole sporters is the pistol grip stud being removed, but that isn't a big deal, either. Even some unibrows work okay (my Hesse did), but with unibrows you start getting into potential trouble. However, there are a tremendous number of them with the other type 3 receivers, which are forged steel, and they should not be ignored.

Ash

 

[hexidismal]

A lot of people say a lot of bad things about the Century branded L1A1s. I can only speak for the one I have. It's been working just fine for many years now. AND it was one heck of a deal since I only paid about $450 for it 8 to 10 years ago.

 

[ditchdigger]

I have had a century FAL for several years and have had no problems whatsoever, I also built my own on a DSA reciever, also with no problems. both work great. I don't know if it is so much the recievers from Century as it is the Century employees that put them together

 

[66912]

If the receiver is marked "Made in Canada", you should have a keeper. Mine loves to eat Barnaul .308.

 

[Ash]

Many of the "Made in Canada" FAL's will have the Argentine receivers.

Ash

 

[Bwana John]

Isn't it Century about whom they always mention "drunken monkeys"?

I thought it was "Angry Beavers"

Entreprise Arms. I believe they make theirs on DSA receivers

No they dont, and their receivers are more on the leval of the non-Imbel/Argi Centurys. Many feel the Centurys are actually better than Entreprises. They have had a long list of problems including ejector blocks installed incorrectly, and most lately castings with voids. Their customer service has seemed to improve lately, but there were some big customer/company issues in the past.

I read good things about them.(Entreprise)

Heres somthing else for you to read;
Problems with my own Entreprise receiver included an ejector block installed too low, and bad feed rail geometry.
Actually I should thank Entreprise, fixing their problems got me hooked on working on FALs

 

[rklessdriver]

Even the "Drunken Monkeys" Century has building FALs can get it right sometimes.

They did on mine anyway. Imbel recivered L1A1 sporter. Has run 100% since 1997 when I bought it, except once when I took the gas tubes apart and forgot to put sealer back on the threads...

If you can give it a test drive and it works fine... You just bought your self one heck of a fine battle rifle.
Will

 

[MIL-DOT]

Again, thanks for the rplies, one and all, but as i said up in post #5, i'm gonna pass on this one. My brother called me after seeing an ad in the paper early Monday morning for an " FN FAL for $800, or trade for an AR ". I was thinking, if it was a Belgian made FN, i'd happily trade my mint condition, low-miles, early 80's Colt SP1 (car-15). But upon hearing the word "CENTURY".....well, you know...

 

[Ash]

Even Gunplumber Mark Graham likes the current Entreprise receivers though, and that says a bunch.

Ash