G3 or L1A1?

[TechBrute]

We're talking Century clones here. I'm in the mood for an inexpensive blaster. I don't know the ins and outs of these rifles, but I AM aware of the hit-or-miss QC of Century rifles. I'm not really looking at the CETME (but if you have info, bring it) because the G3s are only about $100 more and I like the american style safety better. I hear the sights are superior, as well.

They both shoot the same round, but is one design inherently more accurate than the other?

Mags for the G3 seem to be cheap as dirt, the L1A1 mags don't seem to be that pricey, though.

Help!

 

[Quartus]

Which one fits you? They're both good weapons.

 

[TechBrute]

Ummm... <embarrassed>... I've never fired either. I've laid hands on an actual HK91, but did not fire it. I don't recall ever having held an L1A1.

 

[Mulliga]

The FAL is probably better, but the grease monkeys at Century have pretty much lost my trust.

 

[Preacherman]

No contest - go for the Saiga .308 with 16" or 22" barrel. Very accurate, low-cost (under $350 retail round here), legendary AK reliability - what's not to like? If you want it in military configuration with pistol grip and all, you can either do it yourself, or AK-USA will do it for you for a couple of hundred dollars.

Details of the Saiga are here.

 

[iamkris]

I've owned (and just sold ) a Century G3.. Nothing wrong with the Century part of it, I just think the G3 system is HIGHLY overrated. Bad ergonomics, poor selector position, OK sights, miserable trigger, cocking handle in terrible spot, no bolt hold open, impossible to easily strip, etc, etc. It is a reliable and accurate 308 MBR , though. I just don't believe the HK mystique counteracts the poor human factors design.

My buddy has a Century FAL. It is a pretty miserable piece of workmanship although I've seen others that aren't bad. It s reliable and accurate though.

I own a DSA STG and I far prefer the handling, ergonomics and...well, just the feel of an FAL. YMMV. Some guys like blondes, some brunettes.

I'd look at Todd Grove at Ohio Rapid Fire and one of his FAL (or G3) builds. Repuation is very high and pretty close to your price range.

The Saiga wouldn't be bad if it weren't for those 10 rnd mag limitations.

 

[Feanaro]

I like the G3 platform myself and Century certainly has an inexpensive copy of it. So I voted for it. When the monkeys at Century don't have a bad hair day or eat something that disagrees with them, they make excellent rifles. Some people don't like the ergonomics but that is purely a matter of taste and build. It fits me well, the selector switch works good for me(Except my CETME is bass akwards, down being safe and fire being up. The G3 should be the more intuitive down fire, up safe.) and the sights are fairly good. The drum type is significantly better, IMO, than the paddle but the tapered front sight of the CETME is better than the G3's. I've never quite figured out why the trigger is always called terrible... but I like mine heavy. Go figure. The cocking handle is a whee bit awkward at first but I found I could quickly and easily use it in most any position. It doesn't take more than a second or so to operate over, say, a FAL. No bolt hold open is a pain though.

I simply love the feel of the G3. It comes to my shoulder very well, it pretty accurate and very reliable. And if you can't hit the enemy with your lead, the casings might hit them in the head and kill 'em. You might be able to tell, I'm a bit biased. YMMV though. I always think you should try something out before you buy it. No matter what any of us tell you over the net, how it will fit you is something we can't give you much advise on.

I might recommend a Rapid Fire G3 build over the Century. As I said, Century CAN make fine rifles... but far too often they don't. In fact, RF might be a better place to get a FAL too. I think RF is held up on G3 builds though, since Special Weapons won't sell them any receivers.

 

[pbhome71]

I'll get them both.

-Pat

 

[Destructo6]

Although I prefer the G3 to the FAL by a bit, I voted for the FAL because they are easier to build and less likely screwed up by the drunken monkeys at Century.

I find the G3 to be ergonomically superior to the FAL series.

 

[Feanaro]

I'll get them both.

-Pat

Ah, a truely wise man.

 

[Tamara]

I prefer G3 rifles for about 19 rounds. Come reload time, I prefer the FAL.

 

[shoobe01]

I'm gonna have to go with the L1, because they are easier to fix. I happen to have a Century FAL, but got one of the few gear-logo Imbel receivered ones. Timing isn't even off enough to mess with me. But, it came with a bent recoil spring tube, badish trigger, terrible stocks, etc., etc. I've had it for like 3 years and still find things that are wrong about it. Just yesterday I discovered that everything I thought I knew about mag changes on the FAL was wrong; the spring was 2x as long as it should bem and all kinked. Fixed it and now it reloads like a dream.

But like I said, you can fix all the failings fairly easily. I'm rather happy messing with my guns, but if you are not a smithing kind, and just want it to run, I'd avoid the Century guns entirely.

 

[Gary_P]

I have 6 FAL's in which I built, I have a CAI CETME

all 6 of my FAL's work without error no matter what ammo I feed them

the 1 CAI rifle I have is a piece of crap I would rather use as a club.


I obviously prefer the FAL over the G3 style. I have not had to rig anything on any of the FAL's to get them to function, It's been problem after problem with the CAI.

bad hair day with Century? how do you shave a chimp?


Gary

 

[Risasi]

Alright I voted "Other"

But that is never the whole story right?

Check out http://www.robarm.com (Okay it's $50 over your price you set)

I feel like such a traitor....I'll explain later.

<Robinson has the VEPR II in .308, a few guys I talk to have said they get 1" MOA average. It's an AK style platform, which means it'll take a lickin' and just keeps going, and going, and going. (I know, I think I just butchered a couple commercials). And easy to clean, maintain. Plus I believe there is a way to use 20rds, M-14 mags with it. >


Granted I have never shot this, but have one friend who owned one, and a couple who have shot them. They say "yeah, it's good".

Unfortunately I am in the other camp. I got into Kalishnikov many years ago and got turned off, just because they were so cheap, and so stinkin' inaccurate. This pushed me into the never-ending spiral of binge gun buying, selling at loss, and general gun sluttiness. One night stands, looking for the "right one". This is why I feel like a traitor for recommending one. My past.

Next were the .223 weapons. AR's, yeah dirty as a Bangkok whore, but accurate as all getout. Still a weenie round, but fun for plinking. I eventually started finding myself drawn back to .308, to the HK's more than anything, the FAL just didn't fit me. Good design, reliable. But I could never get one to shoot under 2" MOA. They would give me AK flashbacks. Whereas the HK91's I could get down to around 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" consistantly, with some tweaking. Trigger work mostly.

So why did I say all this? Because I've wasted a literal fortune on weapons (and cars), and I always kick myself because I end up with the thing I didn't want in the long run. So I'm saying this because you have to decide what you are after. If you don't care about accuracy better than 2" get the FAL, as it does seem a little more ergonomic. If you don't care about tweaking the gun some, but are more interested in accuracy look at the G3 clones, or Robinson. Or Saiga. Either way, you need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each weapons platform. Okay, if you don't care so much, but just want something you will shoot every once in a while it probably doesn't matter that much. In which case disregard everything I said, and pretend you never read this.

 

[Black Snowman]

I got the Century R1A1 locally but waited for YEARS until I found a high-quality example. The prices never changed but the parts sure did. Mine turned out to be a pretty good shooter until I mixed up powders and blew it up but that's another story.

The grip shape was horrible as was the trigger. A lighter trigger return spring shrunk my groups to less than a half of what they were and all the sudden the grip shape wasn't an issue. It did have a finish problem on the trigger guard but other than that it was pretty well built.

 

[Quartus]

Bad ergonomics, poor selector position, OK sights, miserable trigger, cocking handle in terrible spot, .... I just don't believe the HK mystique counteracts the poor human factors design.


Some people don't like the ergonomics but that is purely a matter of taste and build. It fits me well,


I find the G3 to be ergonomically superior to the FAL series.

the FAL just didn't fit me.

See what I mean? I can't hit the broad side of a barn with a G3 - I HATE those things! (I didn't say I don't respect them, but they Just Don't Fit ME!) Whereas the first time I fired a FAL (on a Belgian Army range) it was love a first, uh, feel, and even better when the lead started flying.

(Someday I'll get my Army days pictures scanned in, and you can all see what a devastatingly handsome youth I was. What happened since then, I have no idea! )


My point is this: Try both. Shoot both enough to know which works best for you. THEN go find the best deal on the gun that works for YOU.

 

[TechBrute]

Ok, after viewing both today, I can safely say that I have no desire to buy a Century rifle. I've made the decision to buy a DSA FAL, and maybe later I'll buy an HK91. If anyone thinks that DSA is a bad idea, let me know, since I don't think anyone local has one.

Edited to add: Actually, I think I'll start with a VEPR. Thanks, Risasi.

 

[Heavy Barrel]

G3 or L1A1

I prefer the L1A1.I think it is better quality.This is a 100% original Enfield manufacture.There is a lot of cheap 308 ammo availiable also.Take your pick and enjoy either one.

 

[Risasi]

TechBrute,

I totally agree. Both are fine choices. DSA is considered excellent in the QC department. Both guns will definitely hold a resale value.

I'm glad you tried both. Of course now, it sounds like you are way up over your $550 price cap. I'll tell you this though, the HK91 is an over priced platform. They used to commonly go for $600 at one time. Heck I got two and I never shoot them. I prefer the CETME, just because I dont want to put wear and tear on the HK's. So you might consider picking one platform or the other, and then buying one for investment, the build one of the other. Certainly is cheaper, and you will be more apt to shoot it.

Good to hear you aren't being hasty though.

 

[TechBrute]

Of course now, it sounds like you are way up over your $550 price cap.

I'm getting used to this. I start out to buy an inexpensive <insert anything here> and once I get around to researching and testing different things, the price doubles or triples.

 

[cabinetman]

IMHO the L1A1 is light-years ahead of the G3 in many respects if not just from ease of maintaining. Both are accurate weapons but the fact that the FAL was adopted by virtually of the friendly countries in the world speaks for itself. I own both and love shooting both. But, in a pinch and push come to shove, the L1A1 would end up in my hands, no question asked.

Rome