DSA FAL Para 18"....what extras?

[Timradcliffe345]

I'm going to take the plunge and cough up the $$$ for a 18" DSA FAL Para.

I've been thinking about the following:

-Type I or Type II...?
-Extreme duty scope mount
-SAW grip
-Extended safety selector
-Extended bolt hold open
-Extended mag release
-Sand-cut bolt carrier
-Para tactical aperature sight


What extras should I put on her? Help!

 

[kfranz]

This your first FAL?

 

[Timradcliffe345]

This your first FAL?

Yes it is.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I don't have experience with all the features you're looking at, but would say the scope mount is a good add-on if you're planning on putting any kind of optic on the gun. That said, the scope mount is easy to install and so could be added later if you decide you do want a red dot or magnified optic after shooting the irons some.

The SAW grip isn't essential, but the stock FAL grip has an angle that's a little more swept than something like an AR or AK. Some people prefer something closer to weapons they're more accustomed to. I personally don't find much of a difference.

Extended controls -- Never used them, but have never had any trouble running the controls on a stock FAL. The extended options might help with speed if you're going to train with it heavily or compete with it, or might come in handy if you've got small hands.

Sand cut bolt carrier -- Worth it if you're planning on running your rifle hard in the desert. Not a big deal under any other conditions.

A2 style rear sight -- Makes zeroing easier, I suppose. Not much point otherwise, though some people seem to really like it as an alternative to the standard FAL sights (which are completely workable for a combat long gun, even if they're not national match sights for competition use).

 

[W.E.G.]

two is one, and one is none

...then there is ammo

 

[For Freedom]

Tell them you want it to work when you get it?

 

[Al Thompson]

Buy magazines ASAP. More the merrier.

 

[gunnie]

Timradcliffe345

+1 on the optics mount. most FALs are accurate enough to warrant good optics. but the reciever mounted units do slow down the cleaning process greatly. and the ones i have experience with don't go back to zero if removed for cleaning, just close. have not used the DSA unit, but others of the same design. perhaps some sort of extended eye relief optics would be better, a halo/scope/red dot on a fore end rail.

i'm almost scared to ask, but how many american inflationary notes does a plain vanilla para from DSA run now-a-daze?

gunnie

 

[Timradcliffe345]

Plain-vanilla is about 1700 (dealer). Add the extras and this one will be well into 2k territory.

 

[Timradcliffe345]

Buy magazines ASAP. More the merrier.

Got a good source for FAL mags? What brands to stay away from? Thanks.

 

[gunnie]

from OEM source

http://www.dsarms.com/SA58-FAL-Magazines/products/19/:

Steyr FAL 20 Round Mag
Excellent Condition with Light Handling Marks, Finish Wear
Special Pricing Available
$12.00
by "special pricing" they mean FFL and/or quantity discount. the steyr mags are top notch.



http://www.jgsales.com/product_info...magazines/cPath/332_190_194/products_id/1175:

[4-230]

Price: $9.95
quantity price
5+ $8.95
Metric pattern. In good condition, will show wear, some surface corrosion.

personally, for $3 difference, i'd get the DSA......


gunnie

 

[Al Thompson]

Agree with Gunny. That's where I've gotten mine. If you get five or more the price goes to 10.00 each.

The last batch I got had minor handling wear. Flat black spray paint fixed that.

 

[navajo]

FAL

I second tell them you want it to work when you get it.

 

[Line Rider]

DSA StG 58 owner here

I like my DSA StG 58 a lot. I wouldn't worry too much about add ons and such. Extras don't make your gun run. AMMO, AMMO, AMMO, and MAGS, MAGS, MAGS.

DSA still had Steyr magazines. I'd get at least 10 or 12 magazines Ammoman.com had Winchester .308. Order at least a 1k case.

 

[LoadedDrum]

I would get
type II receiver w/o carry handle cut
A2 rear sight lower
extreme duty scope mount
sand cut bolt carrier
NP3 internal finish
Speed trigger
Lots of mags

 

[gunnie]

more along line rider's thinking....

the extended controls will make access easier for you, or any obstruction that gets accidently hit.
a personal choice on that one.

you can get sand cut bolt carriers for about $30, have them refinished in whatever coating/plating you like. i'd recomend hard chrome or a tough moly coating. this is a drop in part, as the bolt headspaces on the reciever.

gunnie

 

[Vityaz]

I third telling them you want it to work.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I think the DSA extreme duty scope mount is a must-have, even if you don't plan on adding a scope or red dot anytime soon.

Also, you can get DSA to fit the gun with the A2 rear sight commonly used on AR rifles. I think this is a better sight than the standard FAL sight. It is easier to adjust.

I like that carry handle. You have to admit, a FAL just doesn't look as bad ass without it.

Other than that, you dont need much else except mags. The Steyr mags that DSA sells are what I bought. I got a bunch when they were $7 or less each.

I have a sand cut bolt carrier on one FAL, and regular bolt carrier on the other. Neither have had problems.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I third telling them you want it to work.

One guy starting multiple threads about how his rifle had issues isn't a statistic, it's an anecdote. As a counterpoint, my DSA Para has run fine with zero issues since I purchased it -- as well as actual mil-spec Austrian StG-58s I've also used.

 

[gunnie]

don't wanna get into any "can you top this" scenarios HorseSoldier, but i've even had a couple of CAI assembled units that worked without any mods/repairs. still as your MBR, get the DSA, best out there in current production.

gunnie

 

[Deer Hunter]

If you're buying it so that you can take pretty pictures and post them on the internet to garner envy from fellow enthusiasts, then by all means go whole-hog with the add-ons.

However, if you want to get good with the gun, buy some ammo. Shoot it until you get brass-stains on your receiver and really make it yours.

 

[AndyC]

I second that - shoot it first then decide what is a "gotta-have" versus "makes-ninja-envy..."

Receiver - type 2 is teh segzy

 

[kfranz]

Type doesn't much matter. I've got SAW grips on two of mine, and I like them. Not critical, but an improvement for me. I'd also go with the extended selector, since they fit my thumb length better. I prefer the Izzy mag catches, but any of them are workable for me.

I'd shoot it before worrying about the scope mount. I wouldn't pay extra for a sand cut carrier.