Do all FAL front sights appear to be "stubby"?

[Fatelvis]

Ive been looking at DSA`s SA rifle, and finally checked it out at a local gunshop. I like it alot, but the front sight seems very "stubby", compared to my M1A, Garand, AR, etc. Is this normal? Do they sell a taller, thinner replacement? Its one of the only undesirable things on the rifle, to me. Thanks-

 

[PAC 762]

Why not just get a file and thin it yourself? Just take an even number of passes on each side.

 

[Scottmkiv]

Since the front sight is elevation adjustable, I think you would have to use a lathe to evenly remove material all the way around. That being said, the front sight is a little thick for precision shooting. Not that the FAL was really made with that in mind....

 

[PAC 762]

I could swear that the sight on my STG58 is a square post, but I could be wrong. I haven't shot it in a while.

 

[Fatelvis]

The front sight is a square post, but it rapidly tapers wider at the bottom, leaving only a relitively small "usable aiming area". (i think I just created a word!)

 

[Bwana John]

FAL carbines (<18' barrels) tend to shoot low, and as a result need the front sight to be shorter. I find the normal lenght barrel front sight picture to be OK, but the front sight picture I get with my carbine is most definatly "stubby".

PS Metric front sights are round, inch front sights are rectangular.

 

[Matthew748]

Try it as is before you alter or replace it. I felt the way you did when I got my FAL. I was used to the iron sights on my M1A and figured there was no way that stubby front sight post and large rear aperture were going to work out on my new FAL. It turned out I was wrong. With the rear sight adjusted to its lowest setting (200 meters I think), I was good to go right off the bat at 100 yards. For whatever reason, the width of the front sight post just does not seem to be an issue for me while aiming and firing.

 

[Hellion Productions]

WECSOG Solution:

Use eye protection.

Chuck your front sight up in your handheld drill/driver.

Tighten down a suitable file in your vise.

Apply rotating front sight to file, and reduce post thickness to taste.

Refinish reduced-diameter front sight post.

Best,
John Bear Ross

 

[Sunray]

"...Is this normal?..." Yep. However, not all FAL front sights are the same. Some are round posts, some are square. The one on our old C1A1 was an inverted 'vee'. Wide part at the top.
Whatever you do, don't use a file. You won't remove exactly the same amount from both sides. This guy lists replacements. "USGI" they ain't though.
http://www.raparts.com/Products/fal_parts_list.html

 

[sigman4rt]

Yes, they look stubby, but they work extremely well as is. Try it first. The inch pattern guns however have an extremely tall thin front sight. I own both and they shoot well. Just pick one and shoot the he** out of it. After 1000 rds. you won't even notice it anymore. The other option is get the DSA top cover picatinny rail and mount either scope or red dot.

 

[TooTech]

Second vote for "chuck it in a drill" and spin it against a fine file or a piece of emery cloth backed by file or a piece of wood. I protected the threads on the post with a couple of turns of masking tape.

Did this to thin and true up the front sight post on my G1 FAL, it works just fine.