FAL purchase help

[sawdeanz]

Wondering if this is a good deal or not. Saw a paratrooper style FAL at a shop. This shop is usually known for being overpriced but this was an Pacific Armament Corp. marked imbel receiver gun for $830. I'd like to know more about what to look for if I go back, for example I couldn't see anything obvious that would let me know who built it or with what parts. Where would I look for that? How do I check for inch/metric and which is the better of the two?

The gun itself had a folding aluminum? stock, 16" barrel I think with a not original looking muzzle brake. Carry handle, black furniture, and a selector that went to 3!!?? positions.

Any info you guys can give me based on this info or links to resources would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[W.E.G.]

That's a good price for a WORKING para.

16" barrel suggests to me that you might be buying somebody's headache.

Third selector position gets you one shot and no hammer reset.

 

[4thPointOfContact]

How do I check for inch/metric and which is the better of the two?

Metric lower will have the classic FAL style handgrip (left), Inch will have one that looks like it was carved from a 1x2 stick and a screwed in 'Popsicle stick'


Inch (L1A1) upper will have a larger magazine retention ledge (LEFT) than a Metric upper (RIGHT)


Metric sights will have 'closed ears', Inch will be taller and have open loops at the front sight.


As to which is better?...
I think the Metric grip is Much better looking than the L1A1's.
Metric magazines are more plentiful.
Metric sights are just a tad lower to protect the shooter.

Inch sights (standard equip) are a bit tall and fragile but there are aftermarket
ones that take care of it.
Inch magazine releases are better designed to allow one to retain the magazine and put it in a drop pouch (actually they almost force a good retention grip).
Inch bolt releases are larger.
Canadian L1A1 top covers allow stripper clips and just plain look cooler, dammit.

Best of all worlds combines the two into a FrankenFAL

 

[Ditchtiger]

Inch (L1A1) upper will have a larger magazine retention ledge (right) than a Metric upper (left)

You got your left and right mixed up.

 

[satexas]

My guess is that it's most likely a metric, as I don't recall ever seeing a para inch rifle. That price is a steal IMHO, IF its built from a single parts kit and shoots. Most para FALs on the market are going for about $1300, or even more. The Imbel PAC receiver itself is worth $400. One thing to check are the serial numbers. Do they match? Check if there's a number on the barrel or other stampings. There should be serial numbers on the bolt and carrier, as well as the lower receiver.

 

[sawdeanz]

Sounds like a metric which is fine by me. I'll have to check numbers but none of the numbers I could see did, but I didn't check barrel or bolt. It could have been an 18 inch barrel, I didn't measure just knew it wasn't full length. I might see if I can test fire it and then talk them down with cash. A little rust here and there on the hardware but of course the barrel is the important part. If the numbers don't match ids that still a good price for that condition? I've always liked the fal but wasn't looking for one so I wouldn't be interested unless it was a steal.

How easy is it to put a scope on one?

 

[4thPointOfContact]

You got your left and right mixed up.

Dang it, I did. And after proof reading it twice, too. I wanted to keep it consistant (left and right) but it got messed up when I couldn't find a good photo of an L1A1 grip.

Thanks for correcting that.

 

[Robert]

How easy is it to put a scope on one?

Pretty simple to do if you use the DSA top cover. Here:
http://www.dsarms.com/p-12544-fal-s...5-steel-plates10-screws-recoil-guide-rod.aspx

I have the rifle version on my FAL and it is rock solid. The cheek weld is crap on the fixed stock and I can only imagine it is worse on the folding stock. honestly these rifles are not really meant to be used with a scope. They work really well with the irons that come on the rifle. They were never meant to be super accurate target rifles so unless you have really bad eyes I'd learn to use the irons and have fun with it.

 

[Ditchtiger]

http://www.dsarms.com/p-12544-fal-s...5-steel-plates10-screws-recoil-guide-rod.aspx

I have that, the shell catcher is a great accessory.

 

[sawdeanz]

Guys!! I'm definitely going back, I found this picture that looks exactly like what I saw, same muzzle-brake and pistol grip and everything!!

http://www.dsarms.com/p-14231-fal-s...e-1625-premium-bipod-cut-threaded-barrel.aspx

 

[Seven High]

Is the FAL a consignment gun? I would ask to fire off a few rounds just to make sure that it operates properly.