FN FAL info needed

[JesterRock]

I'm kicking around the idea of trading my S&W AR15 for a FN FAL. I've done some some research on them, but I've got a few questions. Are they like AKs in that they will need to go through Century Arms to satisfy 922r? I've heard that Imbels are good receivers, but which ones should I stay away from? Any FN FAL owners here that have been less than happy with them? What is a decent price for a good FN FAL these days? Thanks for any tips or advice.

 

[W.E.G.]

$900 should buy you a very nice FAL built on an IMBEL receiver with all the "required" 922(r) parts.

US-made FAL hammers break first.

Stay away from shortened barrels if you expect the iron sights to be correctly regulated.

If you want a carbine, there are better choices than .308, and better choices than a hacked-down FAL.

Find a good one in the FAL Files marketplace forum.

 

[tomrkba]

NO!

Buy a FAL and try it. You may hate it; I did and regret ever getting one. There are some serious drawbacks to the FAL:

1) Heavy
2) Gets very hot quickly (this is a big deal)
3) Awful trigger that needs work to make it reasonable, but not great.
4) 18" barrels seem to be the way to go for better balance and decent performance. I guess you'll have to change the sights.
5) Swap out the safety if it annoys you (left handed shooters especially).

 

[Ditch-Tiger]

I've got an Imbel with STG kit and absolutely LOVE it.
The Styer barrel is very accurate.

 

[Jackal]

I'm a Fal hater. I had an nice Imbel and while the rifle worked ok, the trigger sucked and the ergo's are atrocious. Its like holding a 2x4 with crappy sights. I strongly suggest trying one out before you buy. I was lucky enough to have only paid $450 for mine, along with 1200rds of surplus ammo (ah yes, the good ole days, about 10 years ago, lol) so I made a tidy sum off it even though I hated it.

 

[Ditch-Tiger]

 

[JShirley]

The FAL ergonomics are MUCH better than the HK91. Unless you're married to the .308 cartridge, though, you might consider just getting an 18" 6.8 SPC upper for your AR.

John

 

[Gordon]

The very best IMHO, got mine 10 years ago and they are perfect. Aprince of a gunsmith.
http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/smith/fal/pagesmithfal.shtml

 

[ICE1210]

No, you don't need to go through Century, DSA, and Entreprise, (et al)will sell you a compliant gun. I love the Fal it is much more ergonomic than the AK and is more accurate (YMMV). If .308 weren't so expensive now I'd have several.

 

[Robert]

I love my FAL. And no, you do not have to move the sights to trim the barrel to 18".

 

[W.E.G.]

Every 18-incher I ever played with had to have the sights set on 400 to hit at 100.

Not a major issue really, since I wasn't likely to be shooting at anything with it using irons past 200 anyway.

FAL sights are regulated for a 21-inch barrel.

 

[JesterRock]

Thanks for the help everyone, so the barrels are supposed to be 21" in length, but they often get cut to 18", and that messes up the sights?

 

[hso]

Chopping the barrel and using the rifle sights may prove to be a problem because the ballistics are different a bit since the rifle sights are intended for the standard 21" barrel, except for the 17" FAL 50.63, and the altered ballistics makes for the POI being different than the range setting on the sights (which were scaled for the bullet coming out of a 21" barrel). (Did I get that correct W.E.G.?).

W.E.G., would sights for the FAL 50.63 variant "solve" that problem?

 

[akolleth]

As you see most people are in one of two camps, love them or hate them. Seriously see if you find someone local that has one or a LGS to shoulder one.

Me, I am in the camp that loves them. She isn't pretty, with some surplus wood, but I would not trade or sell ever my FAL. It would literally be the last firearm I would own god forbid if something happened and I had to sell all my others off.

Its sexy. sleek, its trigger isn't bad at all, mine is pretty accurate for a battle rifle (2 moa) almost has no recoil, and is just a blast to shoot.

 

[LNK]

I'm kicking around the idea of trading my S&W AR15 for a FN FAL. I've done some some research on them, but I've got a few questions. Are they like AKs in that they will need to go through Century Arms to satisfy 922r? I've heard that Imbels are good receivers, but which ones should I stay away from? Any FN FAL owners here that have been less than happy with them? What is a decent price for a good FN FAL these days? Thanks for any tips or advice.

Wow, yet again we find that you have to try it to find out if you like it! I detect a pattern....

I love mine and would not trade it away for anything, except maybe 2 FAL's...

LNK

 

[Robert]

Ug, I am 0-2 for last night. I was thinking about having to move the gas block. Never occurred to me that the poi might change. Thanks again for the free education.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

People either love them or hate them. A friend of mine loves his STG58 build more then his high end AR15, while another hated the FAL and sold it right after he built it.

I wouldn't trade the AR for one.

IMBEL receivers are the best.

Tim G.

 

[W.E.G.]

The reason why chopped-barrel FAL's "shoot low" is because the bullet leaves the muzzle too soon to get in sync with the muzzle-rise component that was calculated into the sight geometry of the original design.

On the "factory models" that may have been equipped with different sights, I can claim no personal experience.

I only have a modicum of experience with what happens when you take a hacksaw to the 21-inch barrel with the standard-length gas system. All the ones I hacked shot low.

 

[itsa pain]

Every 18-incher I ever played with had to have the sights set on 400 to hit at 100.

Not a major issue really, since I wasn't likely to be shooting at anything with it using irons past 200 anyway.

FAL sights are regulated for a 21-inch barrel.

I do not understand what you have said about the sites. the front site is adjustable for elevation also you can buy different height posts which really extend the range of adjustment

 

[itsa pain]

I'm a Fal hater. I had an nice Imbel and while the rifle worked ok, the trigger sucked and the ergo's are atrocious. Its like holding a 2x4 with crappy sights. I strongly suggest trying one out before you buy. I was lucky enough to have only paid $450 for mine, along with 1200rds of surplus ammo (ah yes, the good ole days, about 10 years ago, lol) so I made a tidy sum off it even though I hated it.

ergos are bad?? the charging handle is on the left where it belongs the bolt release is right by your thumb when you insert a mag very fast mag changes

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I am a previous owner of an IMBEL FAL built on a Brazilian parts kit. It was a great gun but the lack of available upgrades and cost of ammunition lead to me selling it. There was nothing wrong with the gun itself. As others have said, you either love them or hate them.