handloader357
Member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2010
- Messages
- 156
Ok, so with all the crap going on lately I figured it was time I picked up a semi auto, detachable box fed 308/7.62x51. I narrowed my choices down to an AR-10, M1A or FAL. The only one I've been able to find in the flesh is a carbine length DSA FAL SA58. It handled nicely from a balance perspective and I can get a sight picture very quickly and comfortably when shouldering the rifle. All in all it seems like a reliable and well built piece of equipment. The part I think I hate is the ergonomics of all the features. So far here's what I've noticed...
- Having the charge handle on the left side seems foreign to me
- Mag release is awkward
- Removing/inserting a mag under stress seems like it could be a problem
- The sling swivels seem oddly oriented to each other
- Slide lock is kind of a pain to operate
- The adjustable gas block thing seems like it could cause problems, why isn't it a fixed configuration like the AR or the rotating bolt Garand based guns?
Admittedly I'm an FAL noob and I haven't spent much time with this rifle - but the 1st time I picked up an AR, a Mini14 or an M1 carbine it felt right. The FAL just seems foreign to me. Looking for some opinion here, do you all think an AR guy can warm up to an FAL or should I hunt down an AR or M14 type 308? Maybe there's some mods that can take the weirdness out of the mag release and slide lock?
I don't want this to turn into a which gun is more accurate thread or anything like that. The purpose here isn't to be a target tack driver, its for end of the world type defense. I already have my favorite tried and true pistols, shotguns and rifles for home/personal security and hunting. The 308 I'm looking for is strictly for zombie apocalypse type applications and a little fun at the range.
I really want to like the FAL more than I do... Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom you all might be able to offer.
- Having the charge handle on the left side seems foreign to me
- Mag release is awkward
- Removing/inserting a mag under stress seems like it could be a problem
- The sling swivels seem oddly oriented to each other
- Slide lock is kind of a pain to operate
- The adjustable gas block thing seems like it could cause problems, why isn't it a fixed configuration like the AR or the rotating bolt Garand based guns?
Admittedly I'm an FAL noob and I haven't spent much time with this rifle - but the 1st time I picked up an AR, a Mini14 or an M1 carbine it felt right. The FAL just seems foreign to me. Looking for some opinion here, do you all think an AR guy can warm up to an FAL or should I hunt down an AR or M14 type 308? Maybe there's some mods that can take the weirdness out of the mag release and slide lock?
I don't want this to turn into a which gun is more accurate thread or anything like that. The purpose here isn't to be a target tack driver, its for end of the world type defense. I already have my favorite tried and true pistols, shotguns and rifles for home/personal security and hunting. The 308 I'm looking for is strictly for zombie apocalypse type applications and a little fun at the range.
I really want to like the FAL more than I do... Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom you all might be able to offer.