Help pick my DSA FAL!

FAL: FOLDER OR STRAIGHT STOCK

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Ned Flangers

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A continuation of my Marlin 1894 versus FAL thread.
Now the big question:

Folding para stock or the straight stock?

Both appeal to me, and I can't have both or the liitle woman will skin me alive!
It will be used for occasional paper punching and hunting, but mainly be a safe queen. In before the ban!

Thanks, Ned.
 
If you don't have a big need for it to be compact then I would go with the straight stock. Its going to be much more solid and provide a much more comfortable cheek weld which you will be glad for when you go hunting or target shooting.
 
I just don't which way to go. The folder will probably be worth more after the eventual ban, but there is something about a FAL with a wood buttstock that just makes me giddy! And I'd probably never sell it, something for my son to hang on to. I have checked DSA prices about conversion of a para to a straight and vice versa, and there isn't too much of a difference.
Off to the FFL tommorow, so vote soon, and vote often!
 
I have samples of both and IMO, I would go with the folder. I like both but the folder does help in a crowded safe and, as noted above, will probably be banned first (i.e. get them while you can). The build quality of the folder is very solid with no play. The cheekweld of the regular stock, though, does feel better.
 
You can get a cheek piece by ITC (they sell them on the DSA website) that will make the cheek weld on the Para comfortable and a non-issue. The cheek piece does not interfere with the folding stock.

The DSA folding stock is rock solid... as solid as a fixed stock. At least, that is the case when they are new. I have put around 500 rounds through mine, and it is still rock solid. Hopefully it still will be in a couple of years, so far it is holding up great.

The only draw back is that when you are firing the rifle, the bottom of the metal folding stock rubs against my right radial head, and this gets a little uncomfortable after a hundred or so rounds.
 
You must be in some tight quarters if your radius is contacting the stock. I was always shown to lift the elbow elbows so as to create a torque on the weapon. This is supposed to aid in sight picture recovery and provide a more solid hold on the rifle.
 
I have a Para on one of my FALs. I just wanted it to be compact. I like it, but it is not comfortable to shoot at all. It also has a hard buttplate.

If I did not have another FAL, I would have kept a fixed stock, since I also have an AK with a folder.
 
I've got a SA58 Para, so I guess I vote for the folder. It makes the rifle slightly easier to transport, it might be worth a heck of lot more IF the AWB comes back, and it gets higher oooooooh factor on the public range.

It's one of the most solid folding designs I've shot, and really isn't uncomfortable at all. The only touch that might be nice is a recoil pad on the butt, but with the FAL's low recoil it still isn't bad. I've got about 2K through mine with the para on it, and it's still nice and tight.

I have the ITC cheakrest on mine and mounted a Trijicon TriPower in a Larue QD mount. With the middle height setting in the ITC I can either use the irons or the TriPower comfortably. The weight feels to be about a wash between the para and the fixed stock, and the balance remained at about the same point.

If I'm not mistaken, a para cost about $300 or so more.

Chuck
 
A question just occured to me:
Has anyone shot a FAL para from a folded position?
Click to expand...

Yup, for S&Gs. With the TriPower I can hit IDPA silhouettes at handgun distance. Just put the chevron on the target. It's not quick and it's not pretty, but yes, they can shoot folded.

Chuck
 
I disagree with Gator. I have a DSA SA58 Para Congo and I LOVE it. I'm generally not a fan of folders. My G3 (PTR-91) and AK both wear fixed stocks because I don't like the available folders for those models, but the folder on the SA58 para models is EXCELLENT! It is rock solid and comfortable. Here's a pic of my babies:
Blackrifles3.jpg
 
Ned,

First let me thank you for choosing DSA! I would say I must vote Para for the reasons cited above. Some feel that the standard stock is more comfortable, but if you like the look of the para and its value enhancing potential I would say go for it. If (probably when) a ban hits, the Paras will soar in value rapidly. Of course if the ban prohibits transfers, value is meaningless.

:mad:

Let us hope sanity prevails this time. Either way you will enjoy your rifle. I have one in each configuration and love shooting them both.

John
 
If you're only going to get one FAL (which, like so many other guns, can be a trick once the bug really bites hard . . .), I think I'd go with the Para. My folder shoots are well as my full-stock, at the ranges I tend to shoot them at.

Plus it is cool looking, as others have mentioned. To which I'd add that the folder is likely to go under any sort of renewed AWB, while, judging by the last ban, you can find a sporter fixed stock later, etc.
 
Thanks for the help guys! Between Grayrider and Father's picture, I think I have decided on the para. The ffl was closed today, so time for the next important question:

What length barrel!

How would a folder look with the 21" barrel? Or is the 18 a better choice?
Thanks, Ned.
 
My Para (in the pic above) has a special order 16.25" barrel and a Belgian short flash hider. I think it looks and works great. If I was going fixed stock, I would have a bipod and a 21" barrel.
 
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