question about FN-FAL vs DS Arms SA58 FAL para

[davidv-soga]

Hey y'all - a new member here; even though I'm just south of 60 y/o on the ol time line.

I've been around "guns" most of my life, but I really don't have any knowledge of the "battle/tactical" rifles/weapons.

So here's where I need you all to guide me if you would;

Torn between the FN-FAL and the DS Arms SA58 Para/folding stock

Here's what I'd really like to do is get the FN-FAL and then convert to a folding stock...that's where I get really lost.

Exactly what parts would be needed to make that happen and in the end would it be cheaper to just purchase the DSA - SA58 para ?

Guess in my mind, I'm thinking the FN-FAL has so much more history (reliability) behind it vs the DSA ?

Anyway; suggestions or specifics anyone could help me out on this would be greatly appreciated.

If you've done this and have a "by the numbers" steps to do a FN-FAL conversion with suggestions on where/who to purchase the parts from that would be of great help too.

Or if you think the DSA - SA58 para is the way to go and not hassle with the conversion of the FN-FAL I'd appreciate any views of that too !

Thanks again... y'all have a great/safe Christmas and New Years.

 

[LNK]

Best place to go for FAL info.

FAL FILES


Good luck...

LNK

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

The DSA SA58 is an FAL

The DSA SA58 is simply DSA's version of the FAL. It is a metric rifle based on the Austrian STG 58 (an FAL manufactured by Steyr under license from FN).

Are you asking about the differences between a true Belgian FN FAL (which are pricey and hard to find) and a US made FAL such as the SA 58? Or are you thinking they are not the same pattern rifle?

 

[M1key]

How much are you willing to pay? In this political climate, you will pay BIG.

I have looked at the Para folders over the years and passed on them due to the premium price folks were asking. I prefer the standard FN FAL 50.0 type with 21 inch barrel for balance and ballistics.

If you must have the folding Para, I would go with the DSA up front rather than try to convert the full-length FAL. If you go original Belgium Para, you will find they are rare and cost-prohibitive--unless of course you are rich.

Good Luck

M

 

[Robert]

You might rethink the para route after you shoot one. I have never heard good things about shooting them. The stocks are not a great design. But I only have direct experience with my DSA kit FAL which has a fixed stock.

The convert to a para stock you will need a para bolt carrier, para top cover and recoil spring. The lower will need to have remove the stock tang to mount the folding block for the para stock. It can be done but if you really want a para buy a DSA. They are every bit as good as an FN and much, much less than an original.

 

[rduckwor]

The standard FAL houses the recoil spring within the stock, thus, it can't fold unless you modify it into the "para" dust cover/spring configuration. And yes, you should shoot a para before you buy. Might change your mind.

RMD

 

[Bwana John]

I have never heard good things about shooting them

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I like shooting my Para just as much or more than shooting my Fixed stock version.

No difference in perceived recoil with the Para stock compared to the fixed humpback stock, and much better than the StG stock.

You will need a Para lower receiver, Para rear sight, Para folding stock and knuckle, Para stock bolt that connects lower and folder, Para bolt carrier, Para bolt carrier return springs(3) and stiffener, and Para topcover to convert a fixed stock FAL to Para.

 

[762gunr]

Don't waste your money on a FAIL. It was a good thing back when you could get cheap kits and receivers($500 guns) but now your paying the same money for a relic as you would for a good 7.62 weapon like an AR clone.
I don't like M1A's but a better shooter than a FAL.
HK91 is better all the way around but feels funky.
AR clone types are about the same reliability wise but a whole lot better sights/optics and reliability.

 

[MCMXI]

I like shooting my Para

Me too ... not sure what all this PARA hate is about. Sure, FALs aren't usually as accurate as AR308s and they're not as flexible, but they're reliable, soft shooting and accurate enough. If I could only choose one between an FAL, AR308 and M1A I'd choose the AR308 ... but I don't need to choose since I have all three.

 

[Chuck R.]

Here’s a pic of my DSA SA58 Para which I ordered with a 19” barrel.


I’ve owned it for about 6 years, and haven’t had any issues. The folding stock is one of the best designed IMHO, zero wobble, and actually pretty comfortable to shoot. Recoil with the adjustable gas is pretty light. Accuracy, once I had the trigger worked is pretty decent with handloads, about 1.5 MOA average.

At 400 yards it will easily stay on a 2/3rds IDPA silhouette (which was what I was shooting when I took the picture).

Chuck

 

[davidv-soga]

great info ...thanks all !

Seems based on if I read correctly or rather maybe how I wanted it to read... I should probably try and just order/buy the DSA SA58 FAL para rather than parts mods, etc to the FN-FAL.

I would try and get the SA58 para in an 18 inch barrel, maybe 20" if offered.


The FN-FAL I was comparing vs the SA58 para was what you might find at a Gander Moutain or other gun shop. Gander had a few of the FNs @ $1600, but thinking if I really wanted a folding stock after the mods/parts I'd have as much in the FN as I would to just purchase outright a DSA .

I guess I just hear so much about the FN-FAL being a great battle rifle, thought that might be the way to go, however if I have to make that many part changes, seems it really wouldn't be an OEM FN-FAL.

A number of you guys talked up the SA58 para ... Thanks...

I haven't shot a .308 lately but used to hunt with the 7mm mag round pretty regularly... best shot with it; a "hundred" years ago (haha) was about 265 yards, 9 point whitetail deer; dressed @ 170 lbs... which is a big deer back then.

However, I haven't shot lately so flinch will probably be an understatement if/when I try and squeeze off that first round w/.308...haha

Seriously...thanks again for all the help/info... will be checking back for further advise and especially if I purchase the SA58 !

Y'all take care !

 

[TCBPATRIOT]

DSA bought the tooling from Steyr when production of the STG 58 ceased. Its one of the better Metric FALs

 

[akolleth]

If your ultimate goal is to have a Para, then go that route from the start. Converting a standard stock FAL will be more expensive than just buying the para from day one. But just know that due to the current political climate and fear of a potential ban, you will be paying through the nose for one. Like seriously get ready to bend over.

That having been said I am a fan of the fixed stock over the para stock myself. But its all a personal preference thing.

 

[JShirley]

The FN-FAL was known by various names, depending on which country used it: SLR (British), G1 (German), and STG-58 (Austrian), among others. There are only minor differences between them: it's the same rifle. Did you ask who made the "FN-FAL" in question? It might actually be a DSA, too. If it's a Century import, it's absolutely not worth $1600.

Some expert reviewers conclude that DSA rifles are at least as good as any Belgian FALs.

John

 

[Robert]

I just said that I had heard... Not that it was fact. I am glad to hear positive reports.

 

[762gunr]

FAL = jamomatic

 

[bozzman3]

Properly built Fals are one of the most problem free 7.62 platforms.Saying that a Fal is a jamomatic shows that you just don't have any FAL experience.

 

[Robert]

FAL= Jammomatic

I owned a Century too... But nothing could be further from the truth for a propperly built or assembled FAL. My kit built FAL shoots everything I feed it.

 

[HankB]

FAL = jamomatic

Nonsense.

Some of the FAL clones (like the Century rifles, rumored to have been assembled by enraged drunken monkeys) have a bad reputation, much like the Hesse AR clones did. And some folks who assembled their own when kits were available cheap . . . well, they didn't all know what they were doing.

But my DSA StG-58 has proven to be exceptionally reliable, whether I'm using commercial ammo, handloads, or milsurp - mostly SA and Aussie - in it. In fact, once I set the gas system (a standard practice when first firing the rifle, as it has an adjustable gas system) I don't think I've had a single malfunction of any type.

 

[Chuck R.]

FAL = jamomatic

Let me see if I’ve got this straight; The FAL, adopted by 90 something countries, still is service in various chit-holes today, disparaged by an anonymous guy on the internet.

That about sum it up?

If it's properly built, the FAL is an extremely reliable rifle. It's not the most accurate semi .308 going, but it's reliable, battlefield accurate, easy to mount an optic on, and the ergonomics are very good.

Chuck