DSA FAL's...or FALs in general...what do you think?

[Cal-gun Fan]

I've posted on this here. I had a pre dealer sample G1, made in Belgium. Nice rifle. No way after a mag dump you could hold the forend. It was blistering hot.

It may be that the polymer forends control this heat issue. I don't know.

The G3 is a better choice IMO.

We actually have an HK 91 I can pretty much use whenever we want, but I like the ergonomics and weight of the L1-A1 I handled much better.

 

[Grunt Medic TXARNG]

What I want is a good, multipurpose rifle that is fun for normal shooting at the range, and is also ok to be carried 5 miles or more for hunting.

I mainly one input on the FAL here, but just for speculation here are the other 3 I am thinking of:
M1 Garand
AR-15 (We already have one, but perhaps another and a better one, ours is just basic)
M1A (Seems like a lot of buck but average bang)

As a rifle to hump through the brush, the AR is hard to beat. And for the price of an upper receiver it can shoot a number of great hunting and surplus calibers - 7.62x39, 6.8 SPC, .450 Bushmaster and others. Still, you gotta follow your heart!

 

[animator]

FALs make great hunting rifles if you've got an ATV you can ride to your deer stand...


No way would I want to hump one around for 5 miles over land, unless I had a good comfortable sling, and even then... that's pushing it.


Anyone that thinks FALs are not accurate has either shot a bad rifle, or isn't the best marksman. I've shot 1" or less groups out of mine with handloads.


I built it on an entreprise receiver, using a DSA barrel and Imbel parts.


For a dedicated hunting rifle, I would not go with the FAL.


But for a dedicated fun rifle, that can also fill a hunting role, the FAL is hard to beat...

 

[RangerHAAF]

The Ruger Frontier rifle is the best compact and most accurate bolt action rifle that I own. I've never put much credence into the concept of having a specialized rifle dedicated solely to a scouting role as there are several auto-loaders(including the FAL) that serve that role well enough.

 

[Gelgoog]

Forget the FAL, get its father the FN49

 

[bannockburn]

SaxonPig

I never said the H&K 91 was "horrible"; only that out of the four rifles that I mentioned, it was my least favorite. Among other things I always felt that the shoulder stock was too short and I just couldn't get comfortable with a decent stock weld with it.

I would certainly agree that any of the semi-auto rifles listed by the OP would not be my choice for an extended hike through the woods on a hunting trip. For that I would prefer a scoped bolt action rifle, weighing in at around 7 1/2 to 8 pounds.

 

[onebigelf]

I have an Imbel kit built on an early Century Imbel receiver. I bought the kit and the receiver, had the barrel professionally headspaced and timed, put the rest of it together and then had it refinished. They are superb rifles. I've added a SUIT scope with new tritium tubes, and railed handguard and a padded cheek rest. It's a bit heavy, but reliable and stable and is my primary rifle. I'm in the midst of an argument with myself because it's too long and heavy for my wife to handle at all. I have a couple of ARs that my wife likes to shoot alot, but the 21" FAL is quite a beast for a 5'3", 116lb female to handle. I dislike carrying a rifle she flat cannot handle, but it's to d@mn nice a rifle to convince myself to replace, at least so far. Accuracy is about 2 to 3 MOA with decent service ammo. Good hunting or match ammo should do better. I love the adjustable gas system, something other rifles don't offer, that allows me to adjust the action for anything from light loads throwing 125gr bullets to heavy 220gr hunting loads for bigger game. Once you figure out how to set the gas system up they are so superbly reliable. They aren't match rifles, but for most people and most situations they are perfectly capable of being accurate enough for the job at any range most shooters can realistically do their part.

John

 

[SaxonPig]

b- Someone else posted the horrible comment, not you.

 

[iamkris]

My DSA FALs



Other battle rifles for comparison





Here's my synopsis of your choices:

M1A
Pro

• reliable design
• full power cartridge
• very comfortable (for most) stock
• can be quite accurate
• great sights
• safety is convenient location in trigger guard

Con

• scope mounting is awkward over the receiver
• field stripping has lots of part/not straightforward
• can't be cleaned from chamber side with a rod
• expensive mags

FAL
Pro

• reliable design
• full power cartridge
• extremely good ergonomics
• cheap mags
• extraordinarily easy to break down, field strip, clean
• adjustable gas system

Con

• sights are adequate but better A2 style sights exist
• triggers not known to be great but they can be improved

HK91/G3/PTR91
Pro

• reliable design
• full power cartridge
• cheap mags
• somewhat easy to break down, field strip, clean
• sights are adequate
  

Con

• no bolt hold open
• abysmal ergonomics - safety selector is near impossible to reach, cocking handle is in terrible place, mag release is hard to reach
• Triggers are absolutely horrible but they can be improved

AR-series
Pro

• proven design
• full power cartridge
• fantastic ergonomics
• extraordinarily easy to break down, field strip, clean
• very modular

Con

• expensive mags
• not as common...but still plenty of parts around
• charging handle is in a silly place

 

[MCMXI]

What I want is a good, multipurpose rifle that is fun for normal shooting at the range, and is also ok to be carried 5 miles or more for hunting.

The FAL platform is fun for sure, sufficiently accurate for ethical hunting inside of 200 yards but it wouldn't be high on my list if I needed a rifle to meet both requirements that you've mentioned. I have a DSA SA58 PARA and while it's a good rifle (with a terrible trigger), I'd grab my M1A Scout or POF P308 long before the PARA. If you want a semi auto for the range and for hunting, I'd recommend an AR260 such as the DPMS Panther™ LR 260H or an AR308 such as the DPMS Panther™ LR-308L.

But you asked for photos so here's my PARA with and without optics.

 

[Robert]

I loved my FAL, worst this I ever did was sell it. I have an AR now and I love it. Way cheaper to reload 223 than 308. But that being said, I still want my FAL back.
My old FAL:

My new, Christmas Present, AR:

 

[surfinUSA]

FALs are great rifles. I have a Century built FAL on a Hesse FAL-H receiver. Oh my god, I got taken for a ride with the worst FAL ever made.

OK now that we are out of the internet BS reality, I've had this rifle since 2001. Its been great. It was built on a like new Australian parts kit. I've never had a single problem with this gun.

Consequently, I let myself get robbed on a second Century. Fortunately this gun didn't have a dreaded Heese receiver (like the one I never had a problem with). Unfortunately, it had a dreaded Century unibrow receiver. This gun has also never been a problem. Its labled R1A1 and cut for inch mags so thats what I use in it, although the metrics I've tried work also. Its more accurate than the other gun and it feeds federal fusion soft points just fine. So I use to to hunt pigs on occasion.

I'm not saying Century is a great gun. I'm just saying the examples I have work just as they should. Also I was lucky and had a dealer that told me take it to the range, if it works keep it, if it dosent, bring it back and I'll give you your money.

Had I had the advantage of reading all of the internet problems of Century guns I would have waited and paid more than twice what I paid and bought a DSA FAL (which is as good as the original Belgium guns as you're going to get).

If I had it to do today I would take a chance with Century with the same Dealer. If not I would get a DSA or wait till the SCAR 17 drops in price.

 

[Robert]

OK now that we are out of the internet BS reality

Not BS if it is true. Glad you got a good one, but you are one of the lucky few.

 

[RangerHAAF]

Not BS if it is true. Glad you got a good one, but you are one of the lucky few.

Amen to that. They're good, reliable rifles but no higher than that.

 

[fireside44]

So what do you guys think of DSA FALs? Opinions on the rest are fine too. My budget is 600 dollars right now, or if I wait a bit 1500.

I wouldn't deal with DSA. They make good rifles, but they are overpriced and expect to wait. What I would do is head to FAL Files marketplace and start prowling for a rifle. Much better deals to be had there and some very good guys buying and selling everything FAL under the sun and then some.

Get you a nice STG-58 or better yet a PARA with a 17"-18" barrel and trust me, you will not be disappointed. Such a rifle will do everything well but won't really do one thing great, and so it is an excellent all around rifle.

 

[RangerHAAF]

All of the DSA FALs that I've ever seen or bought started at about $1500 dollars, which is way too overpriced IMO, so I've avoided them since I sold the last one I owned about 2 years ago.

 

[fireside44]

All of the DSA FALs that I've ever seen or bought started at about $1500 dollars, which is way too overpriced IMO, so I've avoided them since I sold the last one I owned about 2 years ago.

I've seen them going for 1k +/- $200 routinely on FAL Files marketplace. Not just DSA's, but guns built on quality kits by excellent and reputable builders. Gotta shop around.....

 

[Wolfgang2000]

I bought a Enterprise Scout right after Katrina. It has never given me a problem. It's has typical battle rifle accuracy, which is adequate for me. The shorter scout barrel make the gun very handy.

I had and hunted with a light barrel match M1A. That gun was very accurate, but was unwieldy in the woods.

As far as carrying it. Really, buck up here. It what you get use to, and in shape for. Toward the end of my army tour I had to hump the "pig", M60 machine gun. That sucker felt like it weighed a ton, not counting the 200 rounds of belted ammo on me.

A 9 lbs FAL would have felt like a feather. To be honest, I don't think it weighs much more than my all steal BLR 81. I carry it all over the place, and I'm an old broke down fart with a handicapped parking sticker.

 

[fireside44]

As far as carrying it. Really, buck up here. It what you get use to, and in shape for.

Well said. I have the distinct feeling that most gun forums are populated with overweight out of shape types. If two extra pounds in a rifle is gonna make or break you in terms of carrying to your stand, you ought to blame yourself, not the gun.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

Well said. I have the distinct feeling that most gun forums are populated with overweight out of shape types. If two extra pounds in a rifle is gonna make or break you in terms of carrying to your stand, you ought to blame yourself, not the gun.

I was meaning more as for hiking up pretty steep terrain with it, like crawling. Ive got no problem with lugging it around for miles on open terrain, its the steep areas I am worried about.

Thank you very much for your replies guys, It will definitely help me make my decision!

 

[jeepguy]

if for hunting i would look at the m1a 18" scout rifle with a synthetic stock. i had a fal and i did not like it at all, so i sold it. now i have 2 m1a's, a ss loaded and and 18" bush rifle in a usgi synthetic stock. that bush model in a synthetic stock is light, handy and would be perfect for hunting.

 

[Slamfire]

A gunsmith bud built me a FAL using an IMBEL receiver, new Argentine barrel, and best fit parts.

I like it, it is a great rifle.

Trigger pull is not as good as one of my match M1a's. Don't know anyone making a match trigger for the thing.

You can hump it five miles, it you are in decent shape. Seems the good ole boys around here ride every where on ATV's. They don't bust a sweat, just get butt blisters.

 

[Z-Michigan]

So much misinformation, so little time...

I own examples of DSA's SA-58, STG-58, and "IMBEL Rifle." I also own several FALs built on IMBEL receivers including early Century product (both metric and L1A1 flavors) and two gunsmith builds. And I even own an Entreprise. Guess what - all of those FALs are just fine! The nicest of the bunch is a tie between any of the DSA rifles and one of the gunsmith builds, but all of them shoot well and function reliably.

Recent Entreprise FALs are fine, definitely better than recent Century.

Century's early FALs built on IMBEL receivers can be excellent. The receiver is perfect and it all depends on the parts kit. Reassembling an FAL parts kit onto an in-spec receiver is so easy, it was a common basement hobby for much of the 90's. Meaning that even Century can do it right. I would avoid later Century FALs built on their US-made receivers.

DSA is, however, head and shoulders above those brands for current production, and has the best receiver ever made for the FAL. The DSA "IMBEL rifle" (which is IMBEL parts on a DSA receiver plus DSA 922r compliance parts) is a great FAL and about the best deal going. I would recommend it over an SA-58 unless some part of you just has to have an all-USA rifle.

The best FALs you can buy regardless of price are probably (1) original Belgian FN production rifles imported before 922(r), and (2) gunsmith builds from Arizona Response Systems. However, any of the DSA products is going to be about 99.5% as good as those two options, and much easier to find and generally lower cost.

FAL triggers are generally poor, similar to stock USGI AR-15 triggers, but far harder to improve than AR triggers. This is just part of the platform. DSA offers two options to consider if you want a better trigger, but if you really care about that, do yourself a favor and get an M1A or AR-10 instead, you're likely to be happier in the long run.

 

[ifit]

even trade for one of my stock m4 carbines for my first fal, its a imbel geared logo receiver built on an austrian parts kit AKA franken build, has the double feed ramps,

 

[fireside44]

FAL triggers are generally poor, similar to stock USGI AR-15 triggers, but far harder to improve than AR triggers. This is just part of the platform. DSA offers two options to consider if you want a better trigger, but if you really care about that, do yourself a favor and get an M1A or AR-10 instead, you're likely to be happier in the long run.

I would say the trigger on all the FALs I've shot, including my own, were "adequate" but not poor. It isn't light, but the break is crisp enough for a battle rifle and work inside of 300 yards IMO.