G3 vs FnFal

[silverlance]

I'm sorry. I mean non-fluted chamber, as opposed to the G3, which does have a fluted chamber, thereby screwing up the brass for reloading.

G3A3
Country of Origin: Germany
Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch

Caliber: .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO
Feed: 20 round box-type magazine

Modes of Fire: semi-automatic and continous fire
Cyclic Rate: 600 rounds per minute
Mechanism: delayed recoil roller block locking system with fluted chamber

That said, the FAL beats up brass too and can mangle it completely if the gas setting is set wrong. It's predecessor, the FN49, leaves very large dents in the brass even with the gas all the way open because the brass strikes a ridge in the receiver on the way out.

Kev

 

[Vaarok]

The G-3 is a CETME, which is a sheetmetal blowback subgun scaled up for 7.62x51 NATO. It relies on two springamabobs and a bunch of dirt-collecting grooves to delay the cartridge blowing itself out of the action enough for the gun to function. The cocking knob is inacessable, the ergonomics are poor, and the sights barely acceptable.

The FAL is milled steel, elegant simplicity, heavier than hell, has maybe ten moving parts all of which are big honkin' steel pins or plates, and makes a dandy club when you're out of ammo.

FAL > all other MBRs and ARs.

 

[stubbicatt]

Try each, see which one you like. The cocking knob is quite OK for me, my objection to HK ergos is the long reach to the selector lever. So I installed an ambi setup from Williams Trigger Specialties. Easy to manipulate with your trigger finger.

As far as reloadable brass goes, since I installed the port buffer, I haven't had any issues reloading my RA headstamped NATO brass at all. In fact, it shows now headspace change at all fired vs unfired. No stretching either. The flutes do leave some ridges on the brass, but nothing to interfere with reloading it.

 

[transformerguru]

I was wondering what a good price is for a FAL?

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I chose FAL, just as I chose it when I bought it over the HK91 and M1A many years ago.

 

[iamkris]

There are a bazillion threads on this. Type "FAL G3" or "FAL HK91" into the search funciton.

 

[sinistr]

if you take into account only; accuracy ,reliabilty and handling(im a southpaw) the g3 wins.the fal is a great rifle though,a very close second.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

FAL, simply because of ergonomics, if you want a fast answer.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[Slamfire]

I recently purchased a PTR91 in Oct 07 and find that I like it. It is a well designed battle rifle.

My preference is the M14 platform, mainly because I got my Distinguished with that rifle and I just love the sights and the fine trigger. Second choice would be the FAL.

However when you look at costs, the PTR is several hundred dollars less than a nice FAL or GI parts M1a.

On a cost basis, you would be well served by the PTR.

There is really nothing "wrong" with any of them. It is a matter of preferences.

 

[HM2PAC]

I inadvertently voted for CETME rather than HK91.

I own a PTR91. Wonderful rifle.

 

[silverlance]

One of the most bizarre things (IMHO) in the gun world is that H&K guns always have unpleasant triggers. I'm not sure why this is. When I was at SHOT I handled every single gun HK makes right now. Without fail, each had the same gritty, drag-your-butt-over-gravel feel to it. The trigger felt more like a plastic spoon than the release mechanism of a firearm. Obviously, H&K intended it that way - the guns show far too much engineering and expensive development for the trigger to simply be a product of poor QC.

I own M14/M1A and FAL rifles. If a G3 were to come along at a good price (say $1000 or so) I would probably buy it. They are good rifles too, but I personally am not fond enough of the delayed roller system to pay the premium for it. While I have little experience with the DRS in HKs, in my CZ52s which also use DRS I have had many bad experiences. Often a tiny bit of grit gets in the roller mechanism and while the gun will still function it will grind that bit of grit horribly into the frame. On a military gun this doesnt matter, but as a shooter who pays for his own gun and its maintenance this sort of sucks.

My personal top 3 308/762nato rifles are (In order from first): FAL, M14, SAIGA 308. Our FALs are $899, a good M14 is about $1200 (with the chinese ones about 950, but those often require a little bit more work), and a good SAIGA 308 with their new Dragy wood stock is about $450. FALs are most reliable and flexible, M14s are the most accurate, and the SAIGAs are the best bang for the buck.

 

[Slamfire]

Well maybe I forgot to mention that I sent my PTR trigger pack off to Bill Springfield for a trigger job :

[email protected] wrote:
>
> I can set you up with a pull that has virtually no creep in the 4.75 area. I
> also remove all the take up slack. Price runs $54 and return postage is
> included. Only the trigger pack is needed, personal check is fine. My address
> is:
>
> Bill Springfield
> 4135 Cricket Ct.
> Colorado Springs, Co 80918

Even my SuperMatch M1a's were not up to my standard, but I was able to fine tune them myself, or have Ronnie Morris do a trigger job.

The FN/FAL, I swapped parts which made them acceptable, I have no idea how to tune one of them. Maybe someone has a link?

 

[stubbicatt]

Springfield trigger work has to be experienced to be believed.

 

[woodybrighton]

g3 trigger is meant to be dropped cocked safety catch off from 8 foot and not go off

g3 looks cooler buts heavier and has more recoil

SLR is the daddy
though the g7 cut down g3 looks cool as long as you have the big tache and north face jacket to go with it

 

[gcrookston]

having owned both, I'll opine in here. The FN-Fal is a darned good rifle. In the Isreali configuration, it about can't be beat. It's adjustible gas port allows for long firing, even after all the internals are gunked up. It will shoot 3 moa all day long (combat standard), but isn't worth a fiddler's fart for precision shooting. It is heavy.

The G3 will shoot anything all day long without adjustment. It won't leave a pile of brass less than 25 feet from the shooter. It will shoot 3 MOA all day long (combat standard), but isn't worth a fiddler's fart for precision shooting...

Both have been adopted by many countries as their standard battle rifle. Both are currently in service after almost 50 years after their development. Both show their age.

Given a choice today, I'd pick the G3. Only because it's the one I'm most competent on

 

[rockinrussky]

Another FAL vote here. Its a more ergonomic and easily adjustable rifle when it comes to sights and the gas system. As far as accuracy is concerned it works just fine as a battle rifle. Its definitely no sniper weapon but then again it was never meant to be.

 

[LoadedDrum]

I was wondering what a good price is for a FAL?

I saw a good price at the gunshow today. $750 for a PAC gear logo imbel 21".
DSA STG58's run just over a grand in my area (although some people in other areas find them for less).

 

[silverlance]

There's also a guy selling his DSA STG on calguns.net and gunboards.com. IIRC it was $1300. DSA receiver on IMBEL kit. IMBEL kits were carred a hell of a lot but not really shot all that much.

But if you want to pinch pennies, really consider the Saiga 308. It's one of the best gun deals out there. Accuracy won't be much different from either the G3 or FAL.

Or, if you have money saved up - wait for Kel-Tec's RFB 308 that is going to be out later this year. That is one KICK *** rifle. While almost certainly not as reliable as FAL or accurate as M1A, this is going to be a bullpup, front ejecting rifle.

 

[iamkris]

If you take the time to do a search, this subject has been hashed and rehashed dozens of times on this board.

I'd vote FAL by personal preference but as others said they are both high quality firearm designs.

Here's my "stock" reply to the FAL vs. other battle rifles

FAL is a great platform because compared to other major battle rifles (e.g., against CETME/G3/HK91, M1A):

I have owned a HK G3 (Century c91 that was a perfect build...not typical Century crap) and a DSA STG 58A. I still own the FAL and sold the G3...here's why:

* Both are accurate for a MBR (2-3 MOA) ... HK fans will sy that their rifle is more accurate but I can find equal number of accurate / inaccurate G3's and FALs from people I know
* Both are 100% reliable (with early break in hiccups on both)
* Both have similar recoil but impulse is different

FAL wins on the following
* FAL has overall superior ergonomics for me
* FAL has bolt open (G3 does not)
* Couldn't reach either selector without changing grip...can fix that on FAL with L1A1 selector
* FAL mag release is easier to manipulate (assuming no paddle release on G3, if so then equal)
* FAL charging handle is in appropriate place (what idiot puts the charging handle near the muzzle of a rifle?)
* FAL breaks down/easier to clean and maintain eaiser than G3
* FAL has more simple locking mechanism
* FAL is "prettier" (subjective)
* FAL has adjustable gas system (but I personally don't see that as a big deal)

Here's where G3 wins
* Feels slightly more balanced/handy (subjective)
* G3 mags are better designed and snap in with more authority

That's it...usiing those criteria, FAL wins hands down for me. I currently own a PTR91 with a Bill Springfield trigger job in addition to my M1A Loaded. The PTR is best of breed...still if you are looking for a battle rifle, FAL wins. YMMV


KEY THING -- make sure you get to shoot them before you buy. Any bubba could of put them together and sometimes reliability will be a significant issue.

 

[USSR]

The good ergonomics, robustness of the platform, and the ease of attaching optics, makes it a no brainer.

Don