Help talk me out of a FAL!

Status
Not open for further replies.
So if I am getting this straight, you have the desire to purchase a FAL, but you really don't want one, right?

Hmmmm, well, I think I have a solution for you. You see, I am a poor, young married artist who works multiple jobs, yet still can't afford a FAL.

My problem is I want an FAL, but can't afford to purchase one.

Maybe we can work something out here :D

I.G.B.
 
Selling guns really isn't an option (only to feed my family).

There are plenty of good quality firearms out there I don't want (Desert Eagle, Glock 37, any .357sig), and then there is a list of those I want very badly (just waiting for the right one, right price.) My wish list includes the M1 Garand, 03A3, Glocks 21 and 30, etc...

The FAL falls into a category in the middle, things I want, but don't know why. The Spanish FR-8 is in this category, as is the HK VP70Z. I mean, why would I want a 9mm pistol with a horrible DAO trigger? I dunno, but I do. What am I going to do with them? Nothing, just wipe the dust off of them from time to time and finger stroke them a bit. So why waste money on a gun from this category, when I could put that same money into one from my "very badly want" list? This is why I need help, to either put the firearm into list A, or list B, but get it out of C.

BTW- the Galil was in this limbo category, and the thread about it moved it into the "guns I don't want" list very effectively. I was hoping for the same here, but it looks like no one has a single negative thing to say about the rifle (almost without exception!)
 
True enough- the Galil only really has charm for those in love with firearms made outside the US and/or by those tough Israelis. :) (Nothing wrong with that, but even the Izzies went to the M-16 over the Galil! How good could it be? ;))

The FAL, on the other hand, at one point, was THE West's answer to the AK.
 
I haven't seen too many people lose money on FAL's. Buy one, and if you don't like it , someone will buy it from you.
 
If you bought the HK SL8 over an HK91 then you MUST rectify by getting a FAL. Don't fight the urge....give in...give in....:neener:

If you get a quality rifle you will not regret it. With the right load and gas adjustment setting it is a very mild recoiling .308 that has outshot every other 'assault rifle' I've ever owned.
 
This is a great rifle to build yourself..if you like to tinker. I've built about 10 of them for the boys and myself and at about $400.00 a pop..you can't go wrong for what you end up with.

The needed tools are not all that much and you can sell them for about what you paid for them when you are done.

Good low cost kits are starting to dry up on these and the H&K G3/91's.

My thought is to at least squirrel away a kit and receiver for the future. It will inspire...and if later you decide it's not for you..you can probably make a few bucks on your investment.

Food for thought

Clayton
 
The man SAID to try to talk him OUT of buying an FAL, for jiminy sakes! ;)

With the 'plenty of AR's' in the mix, I just can't fathom why one wouldn't ADD to the design and get an ArmaLite AR10.

Skip the FAL.

Scope mounting is a bitch.
It either clamps on (PITA), or if it's the slide on kind, can ruin your scope by rattling it to death.

Unless you spend good money or get lucky, it'll never be as accurate as the AR10.

You're already familiar with the AR platform, you just need a bigger one!


Other than that, the FN-FAL is one of the most beautiful, well thought out and thought of, proven and loved rifles the world has ever seen or will ever see.

I kinda miss my old Klinton Sporter with the butthole stock!, but, DANG, I'm looking forward to getting my AR10.

Have you visited the ArmaLite website to do some research?
The AR10 is a great rifle.
I hope you give it some consideration and put IT on your 'A List'.

How'm I doin'?
:D
 
Talk you out of one? DOn't think I can. I always **THOUGHT** I was in love with the G3...then I bought one. I liked it and was infatuated with it. Then I got a DSA stg58. Pure love. I've barely even looked at the G3. It is near perfection in my mind with the exception of the sights...plenty good for battle..they just leave a bit to be desired at the range.

Then again, looking at the list you've laid out...I'd get the M1 Garand first. Best $500 you've ever spent (that is if you qualify for the requirements and buy a service grade SA from the CMP. I did just that and love the old girl.) Definitely do that before they are "all gone".
 
The FAL isnt the lightest rifle around, but its weight is distributed very, very well. It just feels right. The balance is excellent, esp. when you consider its a battle rifle. I like the ergonomics, with the exception of the safety, but that can be swapped out for a better one (the Inch pattern safety is a little better, doesnt involve moving your thumb as much as the metric does).

Mags, parts, mods, etc, they're all inexpensive. And you can customize to your heart's content. FALs come in many different flavors. Accuracy, when comparing rack grade to rack grade, is comparable to the M1A. The M1A has better sights, and a better trigger. Both of which are fixable.

I cant talk you out of gettin a FAL, and I wont even try. Since I've got 2, and workin on another, that would be very hypocritical of me.

Let me put it this way:

I like my AR's, and love my AK's. Very rarely do I shoot either of them any more, after getting my FALs.
 
I wonder what the responses would have been if it was any other rifle than the FAL. Would the AR get this much praise, and (nearly) complete refusal to "talk one out of" purchasing it? Hardly... And what about the AK? I doubt it... I can't think of ANY other rifle that would have provoked this kind of unanimous response.

Perhaps if these rifles were suddenly going for over $2K, the reactions would be different?

Then again, I could be wrong.
 
Weight? My DSA SA58 Medium Contour Tactical weighs just 8.25 lbs with an empty mag. Mind you this is a .308 rifle, not a mouse gun (and I've seen AR's that weigh this much). As for the safety, get the Falcon ERGO grip which is very comfortable and repositions your hand slightly to make reaching the safety with your a thumb very easy.
The AR10 is a quality piece but if you thought the .223 AR crapped where it ate what do you think the .308 version will do? Besides, magazines are WAY expensive. I can buy 8 new FAL mags for the price of one AR10 20 rounder! DSA isn't cheap but neither is the AR10. It may also be a little more accurate than the SA58 but I've always figured that if you want super accuracy get a bolt gun. The FAL is a BATTLE RIFLE, and a great one at that!
 
Buying a reciever and parts kit may be your best option. Both can be had for around $400-450.(stg kit, gear logo imbel reciever) Try to find a kit with a bipod cut barrel!

If the AWB gets relaunched...:barf:... be prepared.

Anyone care to speculate how much a 'pre-ban' FAL could cost in 5 years?

Or you could toss the dice like I did and buy a century FAL for $500. The Drunken Monkeys at CAI might have made a lemon or a 1 MOA masterpiece... (comon, dontcha like ta gamble?:D)
 
j.wise

Justa make you feel better :p here's that bad with FALs:

* Sights...sights aren't adjustable like an M1A or an AR...there are adjustables out there but nothing to equal those rifles
* Big...my DSA STG58 is LOOOONG. Then again you can build up a 16" carbine (maybe even a pre-ban para!!!) and its uber-handy
* Heavy...yeah, it is but then again so are many of the ARs...and that weight comes in handy for a 308 MBR
* Accuracy...ok, probably won't win at Camp Perry with a rack grade FN...but its a MBR and plenty accurate for that

Would the answer be different if the rifle sold for $2K? Yes...but that's the point...it DOESN"T. You can get a superb example for under $800 and an outstanding example for under $1500.
 
Help....FAL

I got into collecting several years ago when I sort of weakly suggested to my wife that I wanted to buy another gun, (I think I had two or three, then). I fell in love with her all over again when she said, "Well, I guess you can't ever have TOO many guns." I'm up to 14 now, and still going. In a free enterprize market, the motto is "Whatever the market can stand!" In my case, it's whatever the budget can stand. So, if you have several AR's AND a FAL, where's the beef? Sorry, I don't think I'm being much help to you, but then, I may be the wrong guy to give advice on NOT buying a gun. Remember Michael J Fox's father in the basement rec room of the movie "TREMORS"? Now that's what I'm talking about! I want to get a BMG (somebody left out the "F") and a laser, and rail gun, and the one that shoots the blue magno-electric bolt , and a ....and a.....and a .....and a ....
but then I'll probably have to move to get a bigger house!:D :p (Yeah, AND?)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

N
  • Locked
Vepr II .308
Replies
3
Views
869
maasenstodt
M
T
  • Locked
Help finding a good GALIL, please.
Replies
7
Views
655
MudPuppy
M
H
  • Locked
Considering a FAL. Talk me out of it.
Replies
9
Views
655
HorseSoldier
H
C
  • Locked
So Tell Me About The FN FAL
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
keederdag
K
K
  • Locked
Help! Talk me out of a Galil .223
2
Replies
46
Views
5K
444
4
Back
Top