L1A1 compatability questions

[SirSavage]

Ok so I had decided that for my first gun I would get an AR lower receiver and the parts for it and just wait until it was grandfathered and then worry about the rest of the gun.

So I decided to go into the local gun shop and see if they had any lowers. Nope. But what they did have was and FAL L1A1. for $550. Now even though I had decided on an AR from advice I've gotten here (MUCH appreciated I might add) A fal was my dream rifle from my airsoften days. And here it was the whole thing for the same price as an AR lower reciever.

I put some money down and I pick it up on Saturday, if all goes well.

So two questions, what do ya think? and do you know if there will be compatibility issues with the DSA rails? Metric to inches sort of thing.

Thanks

 

[AirPower]

Is that a Century made L1A1? See if you can do better, but it should be an OK gun, and price is reasonable.

 

[Reid73]

The FN FAL is arguably the best battle rifle ever made. For my money, the Mattel Toy is not even in the same league; nor are any other 5.56 'varmint rifles'.

The genuine L1A1/C1A1 model of the FAL has lots of desireable features: folding cocking handle; sturdier magazines (retains the ability to use the cheapo stamped metric mags, but metric FAL's can't use the imperial mags); numbered gas adjustment; better rear sight (C1A1; can be retrofitted to L1A1 without gunsmithing). These comments apply to the 'real deal' issue rifles; if you're talking a commercial knock-off, they may or may not be correct.

You might like this website. And there's plenty of information and history in R. Blake Stevens' book UK and Commonwealth FALs (Toronto: Collector Grade Publications, 1980), so be sure and buy a copy.

 

[woodybrighton]

on personal note I really really hate you
not allowed to own one and no where to shoot said beast if allowed

 

[woodfiend]

Hey, those "varmint rifles" have killed plenty of people. But, seriously though, the FAL is SWEET!

 

[Z71]

I have a Century L1A1. Have owned it for some years with satisfaction.

 

[JWarren]

For the love of God and all that is holy, please tell me you didn't get the Century L1A1 that has "Unibrow" feed ramps. PLEASE tell me that it has a "Widow's Peak."


I never did get the L1A1 with Unibrow that I had to function reliably.



-- John

 

[wayne in boca]

I did.Bought mine for 400 bucks new.Wouldn't feed from the right side of the magazine.I cursed it,I researched it,I fiddled with it,I Dremelled it.I actually once had it in my hands on the way out the door to sell it at a gunshow.Decided to darn well fix it if it killed me.Found a smith willing to look at it,paid him $ 106.00,and now it runs flawlessly,and I love it.Got an original SUIT scope for it last year,quite nice.

 

[Coronach]

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Ok so I had decided that for my first gun I would get an AR lower receiver and the parts for it and just wait until it was grandfathered and then worry about the rest of the gun.

This assumes two things, either one of which, or both, may be incorrect: that we will have an AWB very soon, and that if there is a future AWB that it will include grandfathering of "unbuilt" rifles based upon existing lowers.

Mike

 

[Reid73]

This assumes two things, either one of which, or both, may be incorrect: that we will have an AWB very soon, and that if there is a future AWB that it will include grandfathering of "unbuilt" rifles based upon existing lowers.

It also assumes that all of the remaining parts ("the rest of the gun") will be available post-ban.

I have no idea of whether or when any ban is coming (next month, next year, or next century). While anyone who wants to use and enjoy a particular firearm now should go ahead and buy it, it seems silly to spend money stockpiling parts against future legislation that may never happen.