Fal?

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Werewolf

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OKAY...

Lotsa times in lotsa places when ever the discussion concerns high power rifles of a military type guys start mentioning their FAL's... They even show up in computer games I've played. *** is a FAL

All I know is that a FAL is some type of European military rifle that some folks think very highly of. Where can I find information on them? Doing a Lycos search on FAL doesn't bring up anything that is remotely firearms related.

Since I'm going to be in the market soon for either a Bushmaster M-16 clone or a Springfield Armory M1A I thought it might be a good thing to expand my choices a bit. Unfortunately - I can't find any info on FAL's. I even went to the library and looked at the latest Shooter's Bible - nothing in there either.

So what is a FAL, how does one compare to an M-16 clone or M1A, what does one cost and where can one get one?
 
Belgian (FN) designed .308 caliber rifle used by nearly every non-soviet bloc country but the US and Israel: including Belgium, England, Argentinia, Canada, etc.

They look like this:
ewcarb.jpg

And are available in various sizes and prices. As far as .308 battle rifles go, they're near the top of the list.

For more information that you'll ever want, go over to:
http://www.falfiles.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=10
 
Even Israel used the FAL, but with a few modifications from the original (most notably the forward assist charging handle). The FAL was also in the M14 selection trials and from what I know did well and probably should have won.

Victor Romen
 
the marines liked the H&R SLR's they were issued (for evaluation) so well they wore them completely out. I think the only reason the M-14 won was that Politics were involved. I like the M-14, But I like The L1A1 better: I own both. I think the 14 is highly overated, I cetainly is not the end of all end's in the battle rifle dept. And over $1,000 for a cast receiverd springfield armory is just B.S.:D
 
Some of the USAF guys in the Congo used FALs, and like previously mentioned, it was in trials.

The NRA museum has a nice T48 hanging up in the cold war era guns.
 
T-48, could'nt remember the nomenclature; Thanks fed. Also as a footnote, the M-14 was the (or one of?) the short'ist, timewise, general issue U.S. battle rifles. As far as the Battle proven department, it's lacking some. Whereas the SLR/FAL is Battle proven and then some. As I said I own both, If I had to pick, I would go L1A1 every time.:)
 
Falfiles is NOT a good place to go if you just want basic info on the rifle!

It's a great place to go if you're a FAL fanatic and have a very specific question; like how large to drill out the gas hole if you shorten the barrel by 4 inches, or to get the latest bizarre ATF regulations on this or that...

Here's a good basic primer on the FAL: http://remtek.com/arms/fn/fal/

Keith
 
www.falfiles.com

This is the bible on FALs. As a newbie myself a year ago, FAL information seemed very daunting as there is so much out there. There must be at least 5-10 major variations of the FAL, and a bunch of minor variations inbetween. Suffice the say, the FAL has much history, and there is a lot to know.

If you are interested in owning one, only 1 US manufacturer currently makes them, and that's DSA Arms. If you want a FAL otherwise, you're looking at buying a used FAL kit imported from another country, and putting it together. IMO the FAL is one of great "Parts-Kits" guns. You can pretty much customize a fal during your build into whatever you want, as there is so much out there. FAL can be as cheap to build as ~$600 and can range all the way into several thousands depending on what you're trying to do.
 
I have an FAL and love it....maybe even more than my AR. But, I bought one from a fellow falfiles member and he'd had the DSA muzzle brake you see in the picture installed on the rifle. It easily shoots hot gas 4 feet to each side of the rifle. Not a way to make friends at the range....but a great way to roast a dozen hot dogs all at once. :uhoh:

First chance I get, the DSA brake is coming off and something more true to the spirit of FALs is going on.
 
FAL and M1A lovers are, in my experience, very devoted to their rifles. I have never fired a FAL. I shouldered a few of them the day I bought my M1A, but when I shouldered the M1A (a bottom of the line Springfield), I knew I was going to walk out of the store with it. It just fits. And that fit converts into good shooting at the range, better with metal sights than my scoped Savage .30-06 or my AR.

The FAL lovers in this discussion may well feel the same about their FALs. Try both. Shoot both if you can. Then decide.
 
I built mine, and have two more builds in progress. Two years ago I didn't know what a FAL was, now I'm an addict and live over on the FalFiles (and here:D ).
 
FAL: Fusil, Automatique, Leger

Rifle, automatic, light. Most commonly referred to as an FAL and, sometimes, just as an Eff En. The Right Arm of the Free World.
 
Thank goodness this poor heathen has been immersed in the glory that is the finest of Cold War Battle Rifles, the FAL. Let him experience the joys that few of the black rifle seen-it-on-a-movie-gotta-have-it crowd have felt. ;)

Jus' kiddin'.. The world of the FAL is fun. Not only modularity and morphability but history. Have fun. Watch your wallet.
 
Just about everyone in the world used the FAL or AK except the United States.

We use the M16.:rolleyes:



Was the FAL the second most produced rifle after the AK?

I'm betting it was.
 
About two years ago I was SO close to climbing on the AR wagon; just couldn't convince myself I really liked them, even after haranguing several members here for advice and consolation......

I STILL don't have any AR's, just don't ask how you can NOT have just "1" FAL...... no "multiple hits" on a target necessary!!!!!!!!:neener: :what:
 
Some Special Ops types are using the DSA 16" bl carbine overseas, sodapop, so the boys with the toys do have them. Just not the average Joe (gotta tell ya- at least 2 out of 3 of my co's soldiers who handled my G1 said they'd trade their M4 for it IN A HEARTBEAT! :D).

John
 
"at least 2 out of 3 of my co's soldiers who handled my G1"

I can't believe you'd let so many people fondle that FAL......I feel like such a slut :p


FAL==GOOD, but you won't really understand until you shoot one. IMHO, it has the best balance of reliability, ease of maintenance, and accuracy of any rifle out there, with cheap mags to boot!
 
FAL=the best main battle rifle ever made, maybe the best auto-loading rifle in any caliber. Like keederdag I own the M14 and FAL and also owned the H&K 91 (twice), no contest the FAL wins hands down.
 
Over the last 25 years, and in a quest for the ultimate one, I too have owned several “MBR†style semi autos. Final runners up for me were the HK91, the M1A and the FAL.

The HK91 was simply an unpleasant beast to use. I place the reliability factor in rifles near the top of the list, but not at the expense of poor sights, trigger, and the constant “threat†of getting whacked by the stock hump – among other factors.

The M1A’s felt great, and were more than accurate enough. I’ve had most styles of them, the match guns, the shorties, and a standard. Its main (but still minor) annoyance was the puzzle presented during fieldstripping. However, there is a more ominous factor in the weapon for me. In today’s market, I cannot justify such a steep price for a cast receiver’ed weapon of this type. While I never had a failure with them, I’ve also never run one hard. Bottom line, and after some research, I feel cannot trust in it....as I should an MBR.

Over so many years, I found out where the FAL is concerned, I could really believe all the steep praise I was constantly reading about it. Finally ALL the important factors were covered in one Ferrari-style package. It was fun (problem free) to shoot and field strip, and had great reliability, power and accuracy. While I could manage with an HK91 if necessary, it’s a distant second choice, and a genuine pig in comparison (pardon).

Like so few other modern weapons, the Mauser rifle – 1911 – the M2 and some others…..the FAL is one of the all time greats!

Edit.... I offer the recent reports here of FAL extreme pressure tests as testimony to the inherent strength of its basic design. That one even surprised me!
 
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