DPMS 308 Classic vs DSA Imbel FAL

[bkjeffrey]

Ive been looking and cant seem to compare the pros and cons of each. Im in the market for a semi 308. If you could have only one what would it be?

The DPMS LR 308 Classic is just under $1000. 20" barrel, pretty common gun with w plethora of aftermarket support.

The DSA Imbel metric FAL that Aim Surplus has is also just under $1000. Cant seem to find much info on the aftermarket support though. It has a 16" barrel.

Im wanting this gun for a range toy. Paper out to 400 yards? Suprplus ammo . General plinking also. Magazines seem to be similarly priced for each so thats a plus. I guess my main concern is accuracy. What gun will perform better in the consistency department? I also plan on shooting suppressed. How do the Fals do with a can on the end? The ones that AIM has for sale have a gawdy muzle break that will need to be removed and Im sure theyre not threaded 5/8x24 for suppressor use, so theres another hundred or so at the gun smith getting that fixed.

Also, had a buddy that had a DSA Imbel FAL from AIM and I clearly remember a few times he wanted to throw it in the woods because it was not operating properley, he fixed it but I dont know what it took. Ive got too many ARs and really dont want another one sitting around, Id like to mix it up a bit.

Thoughts? If you could have only one, what would it be?

 

[BENBRU]

Depends on accuracy that you want. FALs are traditionally 2-4 MOA rifles. Reliability wise my DSA FAL has been flawless and am actually looking at buying another.

I like the FALs... Ol' Dirty on the FAL Files has shot at least 13,000 rounds without being cleaned (it's probably more by now I need to go check out where the round count is at) and it has a broken recoil spring. Sometimes its gets a "bath" also known as being thrown in a puddle, and sometimes it gets a little bit of lube. I don't know if that would fly with a DPMS but I also don't know anyone who would do that to a rifle. Mags for an FAL can be hard to come by every now and then, but there's a guy over on FAL Files who has designed and has prototypes.... I think he was taking pre-orders but then again I haven't been over there for a while. Other than DSA and a couple other websites there's not a big aftermarket toy dept for FALs.

DPMS in 308... haven't had one, haven't seen one. AR-10 style weapons are traditionally a little more accurate, reliability I don't know about.... they're probably easier to throw a scope on. definitely more toys out there for it.

Personally, my 16.25" SA58 I have a 1-4X scope on it... no pictures of it right now... is my go to rifle. I've hunted with it, done a carbine course with it (haha... expensive ammo wise but the look on everyone else's face when I would shoot is priceless. She's a loud mouth little... ah'hem girl...

But I've never had a Ar-10...

 

[goon]

If a FAL isn't working something is either wrong with it or you're doing something wrong with it. I'd buy another good FAL built by a reputable smith or DSA without hesitation.

 

[jem375]

DPMS 308 is probably the next rifle I will buy ..really good reviews...

 

[lmccrock]

I have a DPMS LR308, and an FAL built as an STG-58 parts gun on an Imbel receiver. Looks like the AIM FAL has the standard 21" barrel, but I might have missed the 16" one? Also, the DSA SA58 is the higher end rifle, and costs more, and the AIM rifle looks like the DSA STG58 which has more surplus parts.

DPMS will probably be more accurate out of the box. However, DSA ran out of surplus barrels, so they are using new barrels, and this will be an improvement. My STG58 is about 3 MOA with surplus ammo and iron sights. Might be better with a scope and good ammo.

DPMS is easier to add optics and has more iron and optic sight options. Better trigger possible, but the stock DPMS trigger is not so good, and, while different, is not better than the stock FAL trigger. My LR308 is out getting a new trigger installed, and my STG58 has the Falcon Arms Trigger Pull Reduction Kit (TPR) which replaces the springs, and improves the trigger pull noticeably.

Both are good in their own ways.

Lee

 

[Z-Michigan]

I have examples of both. My quick take:

DPMS LR-308B: very accurate, nice ergonomics, very heavy, does not like surplus ammo (FTF problems) and seems to need a long (100+ round) break-in period as well with any ammo. No irons, scopes well, stock trigger is poor but easy to replace with a better ($$$) trigger. I'm getting around 1 MOA with little testing and commercial FMJ ammo. Many people report sub-MOA with various of the DPMS 308 models. Magpul Pmags are available for $19 and are a good choice.

DSA: I have several, including an IMBEL Rifle. All are good FAL examples and most of the same comments apply. Very reliable, tough, well proven around the world. As already stated realistic FAL accuracy is in the 2-4 MOA range, but with irons you need to be a pretty good shot to beat that anyway. Mags are good and still available, but supply is drying up and prices going up. Absolutely terrific and tolerant of any decent surplus ammo, and gas regulator lets you adjust for best function with different types of ammo and temperatures. Most FAL reliability issues are due to not adjusting the gas regulator right, doing something really stupid, or having a really poor build. If you can make an AKM function, you can make an FAL function reliably.

For surplus ammo and plinking, I would absolutely recommend the FAL. For best accuracy, the DPMS will do better, probably a let better, but you need to use new commercial ammo or quality handloads, not surplus.

 

[Limey46]

I agree with Z-Michigan on the LR-308. I've just completed the break-in period with mine, and it's settling down very nicely. I was iffy on it at first, but now it's shooting teeny-tiny groups. And yes, the factory trigger really sucks.

I've had many FALs over the years, and if I were going to war an FAL would always be my first choice, but since the OP is looking for a rifle to shoot at the range, I'd say the LR-308 is the better bet. With an aftermarket trigger and a good scope, it has truly serious accuracy potential, way more than any FAL.

 

[axeman_g]

DPMS.... better accuracy, accesories and ability to alter your rifle as your tastes change. Want a CQB, swap out barrel, stock and go to electronic sights. Want a DMR? Swap out barrel, put a Magpul PRS, a bipod and mount a scope... and go.

All the while it is one rifle, one manual of arms, learning your rifle in and out as you change and alter things. Even the small things, like mag releases, triggers, different mags, sights etc etc etc.

I am an old fashioned guy, iI shoot an M1a. I wish I liked the AR10 platforms, but I have never had much luck or love with the ARs. But shooting a rifle designed in the 50s, (like the FAL) leaves something to be desired. They are harder to alter, do not have quite as much mechanical accuracy designed into them and when you do alter them the parts are $$$.

 

[henschman]

I've had an LR-308C.

Pros: it is very accurate. I shot MOA groups with surplus ammo, and am sure I could do sub-MOA with better ammo. I made many 800-1,000 yard shots on man-sized targets with that rifle. It is also easy to mount optics on, since it is a flat top.

Cons: It is extremely heavy. Over 11 lbs. unloaded with no optics. It has a HBAR-type barrel where it is extremely thick underneath the handguards. It is also not as reliable as a FAL.

As for the FAL:

Pros: Very reliable. Also short and light weight.

Cons: Not as accurate as the DPMS, and shorter max effective range with the 16" barrel. Also has a very loud muzzle blast and large muzzle flash with the short barrel. A suppressor takes care of the blast and flash, though.

As for which is better suited for a suppressor, I would say the FAL. They have an adjustable gas plug from the factory, and don't tend to throw as much gas in your face. You can buy an adjustable gas block for the DPMS, though. Most people who run suppressors nowadays use a quick detach flash hider, so you will probably end up replacing the muzzle device on either one anyway. The DPMS would also be pretty darn long with a suppressor, and even heavier (and the weight would be added in a place where you would feel it the most -- on the end of the barrel). The FAL would still be fairly compact and not inordinately heavy when suppressed. Also, if you only shoot it out to 400 yards, you won't notice the ill effects of the shorter barrel too much.

 

[Fat John]

Damn BK you forgot already, it was an ar 15 magazine realise spring from you that replaced that weak a** sear spring from DSA and I had to hone/ smooth out the bore.

I was pretty pissed at mine but didn't give up, and now it runs hot and true. I also own a LR 308C, between the 2 its a toss up. I'm kind of .30 cal junkiee anyway. The FAL mags are hit and miss, the Korean made ones seem to be running okay but you'll pay armalite prices for the genuine ones. As you know magpul makes mag for the LR 308 and they're 20 bucks a pop.

Get both and be done with it.

 

[bkjeffrey]

Get both and be done with it.

\

Always an option, but theres soooo much more stuff I want and hate to spend all my money at once, You know Im cheap like that, even though in time I will eventually buy both. I probably will go with the FAL simply becasue theyre a bit more rare and built with surplus parts that may or may not dry up someday versus the AR platform that will most likely always be available.

I did actually forget about that spring you mentioned though. That was an easy fix afterall.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

You say that it has a 16 inch barrel-does it really?
Imbel Rifles have a 21 inch barrel, and the DSA one on Aim Surplus does too.

 

[bkjeffrey]

You say that it has a 16 inch barrel-does it really?

who did?

Imbel Rifles have a 21 inch barrel, and the DSA one on Aim Surplus does too.

If thats the case, Id have my local smith cut and crown it @ 16" and thread it for 5/8x24. How would that affect the "dwell" time of the gas system during operation? Would the gas port need to be opened up a smidge to allow more gas to enter the system before the bullet exits the muzzle?

 

[henschman]

No, the rifle has an adjustable gas system from the factory. You would just figure out what setting the rifle likes best. It would probably be one of the larger port settings than what you would use with the 21" barrel.

 

[MCMXI]

I have a DSA SA58 PARA and a POF P308. If I could only have one it'd definitely be the POF P308 because it's WAY more accurate with vastly superior ergonomics, better trigger (many choices), incredible aftermarket support and those excellent and cheap PMAGS. However, I don't have to choose so I'm keeping both!!

 

[goon]

If cutting the barrel had too much effect on reliability, it's not a huge job to drill the gas port out just a hair. I've done it with just a rudimentary padded vise, a few wire guage drill bits, an electric drill, and a peice of round threaded steel stock to insert into the barrel as a "stop" to keep the drill from hitting the bore on the other side.

 

[Frankl03]

I had a nice Fal built on a DSA Receiver but I sold it. I'm more of an AR guy. I have had 2 AR10s (Armalite). Currently I have one of the new Bushmaster Lr-308.
16 inch barrel, mid length gas system, chrome lined barrel, chamber and carrier.

Its very accurate even sub MOA with handloads and its not too heavy. It takes pmags which is a huge plus. I have had no feeding problems. The trigger is not bad at all. I haven't measured but it breaks between 4-5 pounds with not much creep or travel. As everyone mentioned mounting a scope is a snap.