The FAL and I have a relationship spanning 55 years.
It all started with the first C1 Rifles issued to Canadian forces in the late '50s, which were very fine rifles. From there it went to Aussie and British L1A1 rifles, also very nice, and thence to a few European FALs of assorted parentage. My current FAL is a DSA SA58, bought new. This totals a dozen or so rifles.....I can truthfully say that ALL of them were (and are) excellent firearms.
Not varminters, not sleek hunting instruments, not super-accurate target machinery..... but if I want a functional and reliable device for putting those .30-caliber bullets downrange in multiples, and CONTINUING to do so regardless of weather or fouling, then my FAL is VERY high on my list.
As for what distinguishes my particular rifle, I have mounted a Bushnell 3200 in a DSA "Extreme" top-cover mount which works very well. AND, if ever an FAL could be described as "pretty", mine has stock, fore-end and pistol grip in very handsome silky-smooth walnut... a VERY handsome rifle, at least to my (prejudiced!) eye