The FAL is the more efficient offspring of the FN49; it the last of the elegant battle rifles. The FN49 is the years-ahead-of-its-time super weapon that was narrowly kept out of the hands of advancing German lines as the designer fled Belgium with the blueprints. As expensive as it was to make, it was
tons easier to machine than the German equivalents, while a more effective package overall. With an extra two rounds, internal mag, and adjustable gas, it was technologically superior to the M1 Garand (though hunting ammo is still a tad hot for it even at the "openest" gas setting). About the only thing that makes it inferior to even
modern rifles, is the lack of a detachable box magazine and long action chamberings.
Which the Argentinians promptly fixed by modifying the rifle to use box magazines and the NATO 308 cartridge. Mags are still plentiful for some reason, though expensive, and the rifles run ~1000$ (not bad for a statelier FAL)
I would avoid the FN49 and Hakim, simply since you said you were looking for a project gun. Neither is readily modifiable, and both are becoming scarce enough it is a value-losing proposition to do so (no parts kits, either). They are rapidly going the way of the SVT40, and far more deserving (SVT's are cool and have history, but they really aren't anything special mechanically; their high value stems solely from the import ban)
"and though i do REALLY love the M1 garand, its also very common, almost everyone i know has one and i like to be different.. so by all means suggest any semi automatic you want.."
Can do
May I present, the Beretta BM59 Truppe-Alpini;
It is an M1 Garand re-designed to take 20rnd 308 box magazines, but with almost total part-interchangeabliltiy with the M1 Garand, unlike the M14 (which was basically a fleecing of the military industrial complex
). Beretta made new receivers for the folding stock model, which accepted stripper clips (these were still intended to be clip fed; one mag per rifle), but a regular 'ol Garand receiver can be modified to work as well (only with K31-style clips that need no guide, or extra box mags
).
The magwell flanges are cut back, the internal en-bloc rails cut/ground away, an opening for a bolt-catch made, and some other minor fitting --but that's it. A different (straight) op-rod is needed, as is a barrel with a closer gas-port. Luckily, both are available, as are all the other parts needed for the rifle (Sarco, standardparts.com). Parts kits are still around on Gunbroker occasionally, and mine at least was in great condition. They're expensive for "scrap metal" but it's possible to finish one of these for under 1300$ easy, and not lose value in the process because that's the going rate for
any 308 semiauto.
I am working on my build right now (obviously
), and the folding stock variant is somehow both compact and handy; unthinkable for a semiauto 308. It reminds me of an M1 carbine folder (no I am not kidding). Finished, the shorter-barreled folding rifles clock in at under 9lbs, less if you build it to take aluminum mags (FAL?) and remove the very effective but massive tri-compensator (that's 1.5lb right there). Overall length is a bit over 30" with the comp removed. Once I head-space the short-chambered repro barrel with a precise (as opposed to .mil loose) reamer, this rifle should have superb accuracy.
For even greater commonality with the Garand, Sarco sells BM59E kits; a variation that actually
was a conversion for existing stores of M1 Garands. These use a cut-down Garand op rod, cut down and rechambered barrel, modified receivers, and a modified stock. Not as cool as the folder, but the Sarco kit is basically ready to go once you mod one of their Springfield Armory surplus receivers.
"I found the going price for what appear to be decent Egyptian contract guns around $700"
Wow. Last summer the price was ~450$ and barrels ~30$ on
Gunbroker, even. I guess word finally got out on these. Hakims/Rasheeds were also super cheap for the longest time, but I think they finally dried up.
It is incredibly unlikely you will find an FN49 locally unless you live in a very big metro area; there simply aren't that many guns out there, and fewer owners who wish to sell them. Aside from the 8mm Egyptians, which are getting scarcer every day, the other calibers only show up on Gunbroker one or two at a time, usually. Don't be afraid to buy online, just be sure to get the info you want up front, and insist on a nominal inspection period. I pounced on my Luxembourg contract 30-06 at 600$ last year, and couldn't be happier
TCB