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FAL questions

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Mumbles_45

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Aug 31, 2004
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Location
WA
There is a gun show in my area this weekend and I'd like to get an FAL. Assuming I find one I can afford/trade for, are there any particular companies/models/configurations I should try to avoid? I have heard the L1A1 has no last shot bolt hold open, or was it that it had no bolt catch? Is there any advantage to getting an inch pattern over a metric one? My plan for it is to make it into a 16" carbine if I can't get a carbine to begin with. Do some lend themselves better to being carbines than others? Being able to use the extreme duty scope mount or something equal to it is also a requirement, are there any it won't fit?

On an almost totally unrelated note, SNS industries may or may not have a table there (they did the last 2 times I went, so I'm assuming they will this time too) I'd like to get a stripped AR lower and would like to know if there is any reason I shouldn't get one from them.
 
That's a huge question. Not really answerable in a paragraph given it was used by 90+ countries and many variants.

I have an StG58 and it is a fine rifle. In general avoid inch patterns if you are going to be a casual FAL-er because of higher mag prices and parts availability. In general avoid any Century built rifle...unless you can trust the person that says it "runs perfect" and/or can test it yourself.

You really need to do your own research...these FAQs at the FAL files will help.

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60277
 
The FAL fanatics website - http://www.falfiles.com/forums/index.php

Avoid Century guns and guns with Hesse receivers, they're a crap shoot unless you're buying from a trusted source. DSA are top of the line, but their price reflects this. If you can find an Imbel gun grab it.

Avoid guns with geegaws and whistles. You can add that later. Look for a good comfortable gun with a solid set of parts that don't rattle. Make sure the rear sight is secure.
 
Save your money and buy a DSA weapon. You'll be glad you did. They're worth every last penny and ounce of patience.

It took months of fiscal discipline, but I'm now the proud owner of a DSA SA58 carbine and I couldn't be happier with the rifle. There are people who say that DSA's SA models are the finest FALs ever built and I'm inclined to agree.
 
Thank you all for the Advice. I got a 16" carbine with an Imbel reciever today. Don't have any pictures yet.
 
Imbel is a good receiver. The rest will depend on the quality of the assembly.

The good news is that while it is fairly easy to screw it up, it is pretty hard to make it irrepairable. I'm guessing that it will either run fine or be easily fixable.

Mike
 
The upper is an Imbel. Not quite sure how to interpret your post, are you saying that I did well in buying one with an Imbel upper and you wouldn't have done it any other way, or are you asking if the upper is Imbel and saying I shouldn't have bought it if it isn't?
 
Finally took a picture

attachment.php


There it is. Finally got a chance to shoot it today. I love it, all the controls are in the right places, very light recoil, and apparently accurate (although I'll have to get to a real range to find out exactly how accurate). That pistol grip has got to go though, I'll probably end up replacing it with an M-249 grip as I don't remember disliking it while it was mounted on an M-249. I also intend to replace the top cover with one that has a rail. It's pretty thunderous what with the 16" barrel and the muzzle brake and all, but that doesn't bother me, as for people shooting with me...well I guess I'll find out. It seems to like the gas regulator thingy on 5 with SA surplus.
 

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Nice looking rifle - looks like you have the STG58 model, from the way the handguards appear. You seem to have gotten a good deal, too - the Imbel upper receivers are going for up to $450 at the moment because they're so scarce; BATF won't allow any more into the country and local suppliers like DSA can't keep up with the demand.

The M249 grips are decent - you may need to shave them down a bit with a blade because the edges can be pretty sharp.

Come on over to falfiles and say hi to your fellow enthusiasts - new guy buys the ammo :neener:
 
I HAD to get the SAW grip. For some reason working the safety with the standard grip was an exercise in flexibility that I don't have. The SAW grip has a slightly different angle I think and makes working the safety as easy as it is on my AR-15.

I highly suggest using GunPartsGuy for your FAL parts. He's fantastic.
 
I just checked out the GunPartsGuy website and the first page has already turned me off. He makes this statement "We also do not stock or sell any full auto specific parts that are required parts for full auto operation. Ie: FAL FA safety sears or AK /AR15 FA FCG's. Friends don't let friends build illegal machine guns!"
So, this guy is saying that anybody in the US that needs full auto parts must be a criminal and is using the parts to build an illegal machine gun ? There arn't any law abiding gun owners in this country that legally own full auto weapons that might require replacement parts: only criminals.
Anybody that knows anything about full auto parts knows that there is a lot more to making a gun full auto than dropping in legitimate full auto parts. In every case he mentions, the reciever would have to be modified to accept these parts. The parts are only a piece to the puzzle. On the other hand, if you own a legal machine gun, these parts DO just drop right in. I would venture a guess that most people who manufacture illegal machine guns, do so using methods other than stuff like FAL safety sears and AK/AR fire control groups (real, factory parts).

Yeah, he won't be getting any of my money.

One of the best stadegy's to win a battle is divide and conquer. The antis are very good at this tactic. Get the hunters, collectors, and trapshooters against the black rifle guys and the guys with "high cap mags". Once we get those evil assult rifles, we can turn everyone against the hunters: we can start calling hunting rifles, "sniper rifles" ......................etc. The antis don't need any help with their agenda by Gun Parts Dealers that are supposed to be on our side. Machine gun owners/shooters/and collectors are just as much law abiding gun owners as the rest of us and don't deserve to be singled out as somehow being criminals.
 
Boy 444, seems as if you're the one with the divide and conquer mentality, or at least the thin skin. According to your quote, GPG states "Friends don't let friends build ILLEGAL machineguns"(emphasis mine). I'll bet dollars to donuts that he is aware that there are legal machine guns, and he is probably also well aware of what parts/modifications contribute to their function. Seems to me that he is upfront in telling you that he doesn't have those parts, perhaps so you don't waste your valuable time looking for them on his site.
 
I've never purchased from GPG, but I know he does have a very good reputation on Falfiles, fwiw.

As far as gunsmiths... I'd check with DSA or ORF first. What do you need done?
 
I have purchased from GPG (James) and he's just gotten another order from me - a friendlier, customer-service-focused man you'd be hard-pressed to find. His ratings over at falfiles are sky-high because his prices are good, shipping is fast, his service is great and he will bend over backwards to advise you if you're unsure what to get.

444 - believe me, James knows about legal full-autos - he's one of the good guys ;)
 
Before you slam James about "machine gun parts", look where you are posting. I have found THR to be much less friendly about select fire weapons and info. I have seen many FA threads here locked out of ignorance and a PC mentality.

I have bought from GPG, he ships fast and backs up everything he sells.

I have been unhappy with a couple of parts I got from him (hey- it's 40+ year old surplus) but he made it more than right when I explained why I was not happy. His customer service is the best.

I do wish he would stick to standard surplus ratings, "Outstanding" is not a grade, and refinishing somthing does not make it "Like New".

PS-I also do not like the stock FAL grip. I like the SAW grip MUCH better! You might also want to try the "humpback" buttstock.
 
I'll agree that I'm a little puzzled by GPG statement - perhaps it's just poorly worded. Or, perhaps he's been pestered in the past by folks looking to procure parts to build an illegal FA rifle.

I'm in VA - he's in WA. I placed an other on Sunday afternoon and had it in my hands by the middle of the week.

If you're confused or concerned by his statement - I'd email him and just ask. I am sure he'll explain what he's trying to say. You'd be short changing yourself IMO to not have him on your approved vendor list.

GPG is also a regular poster on FAL Files, so he's pretty much "out there" and available.
 
Ok, allow me to run this past you.

Full capacity magazines are legal in most, BUT NOT ALL states.
Let's say we have a dealer who doesn't sell full capacity magazines at all.
That is his right. It is his business and he has no obligation to sell them. I don't have a problem with that.
BUT, if he puts a comment on the home page of his website to the effect: "I don't sell full capacity magazines because I don't think any honest man needs more than 10 rounds". Then I have a problem with it.

Scoped rifles are legal in the United States pretty much anywhere.
Let's say we have a dealer who chooses not to sell rifle scopes at all.
That is his right. It is his business and he has no obligation to sell them. I don't have a problem with that.
BUT, if he puts a comment on the home page of his website to the effect: "Honest citizens don't need sniper rifles". Then I have a problem with it.

In this case, select fire FALs, AKs, and ARs are legal in most, BUT NOT ALL states. They are definitely legal as far as the Federal Government is concerned. In addition, legally licensed manufacturers and law enforcement agencies need and buy replacement parts for their machineguns.
We have a dealer who chooses not to stock full auto parts.
That is his right. It is his business and he has no obligation to sell them. I don't have a problem with that.
BUT, when he puts a comment on the home page of his website: "Friends don't let friends build illegal machine guns". Then I have a problem with it.

If this guy isn't saying what I think he is saying then why couldn't he have just stated that he doesn't sell full auto parts....period ? Why the rest of it ?

It is my problem and I choose not to do business with people who I feel are in favor of taking away rights that I presently enjoy as a US citizen. You may think he is the greatest guy in the world. That is fine and I respect your opinion.
 
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