FN FAL or AR-15?

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HisDivineShadow

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Okay heres the scoop. I've been looking for a .223 upper for my Spikes .22lr AR-15, it's sorta been the plan for a year now to go that way and build a versatile gun platform for competition and training.

However I am in a bit of a pickle right now, most resellers are sold out of most AR stuff I'd consider (Sabre) and some of the prices have been insane, costing more for an AR upper than the whole .22 rifle did. I did however stumble upon a gunshop selling British L1A1s for 750 euros (I'm in finland) and now I got offered it for 690e which is like 930 dollars.

I suppose it wouldn't be that big a deal under regular circumstances to get it and then start saving again for an AR upper and get both, but a new gun law is coming and nobody knows what effects it'll have. So there's a teeny chance I might only be able to get one gun, it's slight, there probably won't be any bans but it's something that worries people here anyway.

It's hard to choose, get FAL now, or continue to wait as I have for that AR upper. I suppose I should also mention that .308 prices are not that much different from .223 prices here. I will probably start reloading either.
 
FAL----it shoots a real bullet....and it's actually very reliable, unlike some rifles...
 
As one member on here put it once (sorry, I can't remember your name or find the post):
This is my rifle (FAL), this is my gun (AR15). This one is for fighting (FAL), this one is for fun (AR15). :neener:
 
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I suppose I should mention the L1A1 is a used model, if that makes a difference. It's an original that is. Their purpose would be range usage / sport shooting of IPSC nature.
 
The FAL has better range, reliability and stopping power. The AR has better...nothing.

It's not a tough decision, as you can see.
 
Actually I think it's a difficult choice. The AR has better accuracy and thus a longer effective range(stopping power at said range being irrelevant for target shooting), easier to mount scopes, better iron sights and better trigger.

Also I understand (I've been searching THR) it's problematic to use regular earmuff style hearing protection with the FAL because of the shape of the stock and low profile sights. Someone also complained about the thin barrel.

Still the FAL is awesome, but it seems the less practical choice for target shooting.
 
For me personally I'd consider ammo, parts, magazine availability, and ease of transport/carry (for plinking etc). I still see a lot of surplus FAL mags, not sure of the quality since I don't run in that circle. I hear that .308 ammo is hard to find a deal on right now, 5.56 is OK but not as cheap as it was. Definitely a lot of AR parts availability (well not right now since the sky is falling).
 
Rich is correct when it comes to deals on ammo. .308 is a bit scarce right now but can still be had. The days of awesome case deals are all but gone. I have a FAL built out of a parts kit on a DSA upper. If you buy a parts built kit make sure it is a good one and was put together correctly. Mags can be had from DSA for a decent price, as can any parts you would ever need. If you are buying new get a DSA and be done with it. Both are fine firearms but I say FAL.
 
I can't get DSA as I am not american, it's a British L1A1 made in the UK in the 1960s sometime. 308 winchester is common here and roughly on par with .223 rem in price, can be cheaper than .223 in some brands even like Black Hill.

The sky is not falling over here, prices remain the same, infact gun sales have slowed down because people don't know what to expect from the new law.

As of this moment I am leaning towards the AR-15 upper. It's just more practical, deep in my heart I know I must own a FAL though.
 
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Even though I am a bit of an AR fan, I would jump on the chance to own a genuine L1A1. If you choose to sell it later on to finance that perfect AR upper, you definitely won't lose money.
 
Should I buy a Chevy Tahoe or a Chevy Blazer; apples and oranges.
Click to expand...

I don't believe so as I am sure the M16 was a direct replacement for the FAL in many countries as the M16 was the replacement for the M14 here in the US. I know what you mean though, .308 beats .223 any day in my book.

To the OP get the FAL but just know ammo will be a lot more $$$. I have an M1A and I love the 7.62 Nato round.
 
I don't see how an FAL can be more reliable than an AR. I've never had a problem with any of my AR's from various manufacturers. They are a lot heavier though. I guess that's something.
 
I'm not sure if this is a factor in Finland, but here in the US an AR upper is just a part. You can buy one through the mail. Even while the old assault weapon ban was in place, you could go and buy uppers with banned parts, and it was perfectly legal so long as you were attaching them to a pre-ban lower.

If things are similar in Finland, you might be better off going with the FAL as you really already have an AR-15, you just may want a different caliber upper for it some day.
 
This is easy - FAL. I used a M16 in a war, I'm American, love American stuff but my favorite battle rifle - FAL.
 
As I have both, I'd really hate to have to choose. If I did, I wouldn't hesitate: FAL. Caliber is the big thing for me. The 223 is fine for varminting and for self defense, but if I had to use ot for hunting the 308 is SO much more useful. The FAL is a ridiculously reliable rifle, it's the gun more Western countries have bet their lives on than any other. Versatile, reliable, accurate, plentiful, I don't see a downside to the FAL.

Now if I had to choose between my FAL and my AR-10 I'd have a different answer. I love my FAL, but the AR-10 is even more accurate and I can change it from shooting the 308 to the 450 Marlin almost immediately. Now THERE'S a heck of a gun.
 
i have an israeli fal that is super nice and pretty accurate, but the sights still dont beat my ar's scope
 
If just for fun then the AR is like the 10/22. You can modify it every which way.

If you ever think you might need it for more seriuos reasons then the FAL is probably better.
 
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