The "IMBEL" FALs sold by Atlantic are Entreprise Arms guns - mostly IMBEL parts assembled by Entreprise onto an Entreprise receiver (cast type III). They are OK but not a recommendation. The comparable DSA guns are far better for pennies more.
Assuming leadcounsel doesn't specifically want a collectible, the FAL search begins and ends with DSA-assembled guns. DSA receivers are the best currently in production, and arguably the best ever made (they are drop-forged, through hardened 4140 steel in type I and II variants; original type I and II receivers were drop-forged 1060 steel only hardened in certain areas). DSA is currently offering three flavors:
1) SA-58, 100% new US-made parts, most expensive
2) STG-58, mishmash of surplus Austrian parts and some other surplus parts (lately Inch type bolts and carriers) with US furniture and compliance parts. Usually in the $1100-1200 range. DSA is running out of Austrian parts and will probably discontinue this model soon if they haven't already.
3) DSA's "IMBEL" FAL, which is an IMBEL parts kit assembled by DSA onto a DSA receiver, again with US furniture and other US compliance parts. These seem to be only $1000 or so.
I own examples of all three, as well as some other FALs. I would most highly recommend either the STG-58 or the DSA IMBEL. Both are high quality guns, with a significant amount of military-issued, military-quality parts, properly reassembled and also refinished and looking like new or close. DSA's IMBEL currently has original IMBEL hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrels, which is a big plus (those barrels are somewhat used and only in VG to excellent condition, however, with my example being only VG in my view).
The SA-58 is a good gun, but you're paying extra for having all new US-made parts, few if any of which are actually better than good military surplus parts (they may be equally good, but not better). The main reason to go the SA-58 route would be if you want a special configuration that's not available in the STG or IMBEL flavors.
My absolute favorite of every FAL I've handled is an STG-58 18" carbine, which is very handy and well balanced without being too short to make use of the .308 cartridge.
I personally prefer the metric pattern for general use, and recommend you get one that takes metric mags (some guns are L1A1 parts assembled onto a metric receiver, which works fine but is obviously not authentic as a reproduction).
Most "L1A1" rifles are Century assembled of unknown quality. A few are home or gunsmith builds and may be nice, and fewer still are truly authentic originals ($$$$$$). I would not get an L1A1 unless after research you are positive that's what you want, because the metric pattern is far more common, easier to get parts for and, IMHO, better in ergonomics.
Check out this website for some DSA options:
http://www.usmadefal.com/onorder.htm
also check out Gunbroker but focus only on "new" DSA products, anything else requires you to know quite a bit about what you're looking at to avoid making a mistake.
