FN FAL, some basic questions

[Jenrick]

So I'm familiar with the FN FAL. However I've never really looked into purchasing on until recently. So a few questions:

1) Inch or metric? Does it really matter much?
2) DSA is the main manufacturer I see who produce a new FAL, are there any others I should be aware of? I'm looking for a traditional long barreled fixed stock FAL.
3) Kits? Is building a FAL from a parts kit a reasonable thing to attempt as a new FAL shooter, or something better left to the expert?


Thanks!

-Jenrick

 

[satexas]

I have a few FALs, inch and metric. I love them all. IMO, you would be best served building a FAL from a parts kit. This requires certain skills and tools specifically designed for the FAL. It only becomes cost effective if you plan on building several kits. There are DVDs available to tutor you on how to build your own. If not, buy a kit and have a known FAL expert build it for you. I HIGHLY recommend that you visit FALFILES.COM. Everything you may have a question to can be answered there. A list of trusted FAL kit builders can also be found there, the two most popular being GUNPLUMBER and SLEDGEHAMMER. Also on falfiles.com is a Marketplace where you can find kits and parts for sale. You can also find quality built completed rifles for sale as well. Now is a buyer's market, so don't overlook those ready-to-shoot rifles for a great price. Generally, a complete rifle sells for a few C-notes cheaper than a kit plus the build price. But please check out falfiles.com, you'll be glad you did. Caution: once you get the FAL sickness, you are doomed to spend all your spare change on more FALs.

 

[Robert]

Metric, unless you want to pay double for hard to find mags. Or just really want an L1A1 or SLR. DSA is really the only factory manufacturer out there and they have the most parts and accessories.

Building a FAL is NOT a simple task for a beginner. While it can be done it is orders of magnitude harder than building an AR. It requires special tools that are not cheap and only makes sense if you plan on building a bunch of them. The upper is the firearm, requires a fair amount of machining and is not a cheap part.

My FAL was built out of a parts kit back when kits were super cheap using a DSA Type 1 Upper. I have since added the DSA Float tube, not a real float tube but the closest you will get on a FAL.

 

[satexas]

As Robert stated, the upper is considered the "firearm". This is the part that is missing in any parts kit. After the expense of a kit, you must purchase the upper receiver. Domestic brands are DSA and Coonan. The DSA has a spotted reputation as far as quality in their upper receivers. Coonan's are known for their hassle-free fit. And then there are the import receivers that are the "real deal" from a FN licensed factory, most notably the Imbel from Brazil, and the Argentine F.M.A.P receivers. You will spend $500+ on one of these, while a Coonan is around $400. The imported receivers are no longer imported, so they are harder to find, especially new old stock ones, so they come at a premium. And then, after all of that to consider, you must decide on what model of FAL you want. Inch is the L1A1 (most popular), and then the metrics....a standard 50.00, a G-1, Stg58, Para, Imbel, Argy, Israeli, or even a "FrankenFAL", which is still a shooter, but made from different country's parts which are mostly interchangeable. All in all, I think metrics are the most popular, and parts and magazines are less expensive than their inch counterparts. Eventually, you will want several of each!

Oh, one other thing....the FAL is not a sniper rifle. It is generally known as a 2MOA weapon at target practice, and definitely a Minute of Man capable battle rifle at distance. Most FAL owners prefer to keep their rifles in a stock "old school" configuration for historical and resale purposes, unlike the AR-15 where lights, lasers, and fancy "operator" gizmos are the norm.

 

[vaupet]

Mine is an original 1959 enfield build L1A1, including SUIT.

I use metric and inch pattern mags with no trouble, but I don't know if this is standard or if someone has changed the mags or magwell.

Mine chews its brass so not the ideal rifle for the reloader.

 

[GBExpat]

I checked PhotoBucket to see if I had stored any pics of the FALs I have built ... and found only one.



It is the one that I refer to as The Carbine. I had to open the gas port quite a bit, in stages, to assure satisfactory operation. It is my favorite of the ones that I built ... very handy for wandering about the farm.

As stated before, FAL Variant Builds require more than AR builds, both tools and knowledge ... easier than G3 Variant Builds, though.

My Builds were all Metric.

As I recall, the most demanding part of each Build is the fitting the barrel and assuring correct timing. Once you figure it out, it is not hard at all. I have even used what I learned of the process while building M14 Variants and rebarreling other rifles (mostly "Mauser").

10-12 years ago there were people around that would charge a nominal fee to fit/time the barrel from your parts kit to your receiver and also install a properly-sized Locking Shoulder for proper headspace. With that done, all that is left is hand assembly using non-specialized hand tools.

I think that lots of folks took advantage of that approach so that felt felt they had actually participated in the Build, y'know?

My first build was an STG-58 Kit on an Imbel receiver. To check it for accuracy, I lined up several (3-4) golfballs on a rail in front of the 100yd berm ... and shot each one with a single shot. O'course, my eyes were in much better shape then.

 

[lysanderxiii]

Mine is an original 1959 enfield build L1A1, including SUIT.

I use metric and inch pattern mags with no trouble, but I don't know if this is standard or if someone has changed the mags or magwell.

Mine chews its brass so not the ideal rifle for the reloader.

British Commonwealth FALs can used either.

"Metric" receivers can't use Commonwealth-type magazines unless they are modified.

 

[Jenrick]

Okay so to make sure I'm tracking:

1) Metric mags are more common, and metric everything is in general more common.
2) DSA is the only current producer of full FAL's.
3) Building from a kit is probably not worth it unless I plan to build several. However having the "upper" assembled and then doing the rest of the work is probably do able without having to purchase specialized tooling.

Keeping an eye on arms list and gun broker I'm seeing around the $1K area for a finsiehd FAL, is this about right these days? Are there any assemblers to shy away from? I know Century was making them for a while, and they have a dodgy reputation in terms of quality.

-Jenrick

 

[evan price]

Century uppers used to be restamped imports which were good. Coonan made them layer, and they had minor fit issues but wete not bad. Then they got worse. There was also Entreprise Arms which were hit & miss. Ohio Rapid Fire made some uppers that were terrible. There are others, buy the best so far in terms if fit have been imbels, every imbel I built literally screwed together needing onlycorrect locking shoulder to headspace.
Dsa has had issues lately.
I'm still sitting on some kits for later.

 

[satexas]

You are correct on all accounts. $1000 +/- $200 should get you a fine rifle. Ask questions about who built it if not DSA. Please keep an eye out on the FalFiles Marketplace. Those folks are "the" FAL aficionados. There is almost always someone selling their FAL for various reasons. You will not find a scammer there without someone pointing out the questionable accuracy of an item. I'd stay away from Armslist, as they have the rep of having too many scammers there. Gunbroker is good. If you see a FAL there, post a link to it on Falfiles and ask if it's worth the money. Many there are anxious to help. They are a group of fine and honest people who have the same interests and want to share their knowledge.

 

[Hookeye]

My fave version is the short barrel PARA.
Pops built an Argi, off my elbows shooting at his big target .....I missed the black every shot. But high and right at 2 oclock, there were 10 you could cover with the palm of your hand.

Iron sights, 200 yards.

And that with the bench doing a good grind on my elbows.

Dang things so heavy I think they soak up shooter variability LOL

The 50.00 looks good, but IMHO only with long flashhider.

 

[Hookeye]

Having grown up around FAL's.............if I was to plunk the funds............FN or Steyr.

Just because.

Would be content to forgo the FAL and just run an FNC para. At least then it would also work for varmints (killed a few chucks with one in my youth).

 

[Hookeye]

FWIW last I heard a NIB FN was well over 4K.
Purchased new before the ban...........900.
FNCs were 600 back then. Ugly little things, but man they would shoot.