Searching for a Cal-FAL, need options.

[silverlance]

I sold 6 Rifles.
I worked two weeks overtime.
I saved, saved, saved.

Because here in CA a good rifle cuts deep in your wallet. I pinched my pennies and saved a good $1800 in three months. It hurt, and I busted my behind, and I want it to be worth it.

A little on CA law: banned assault weapons are defined as:

1) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and
any one of the following:
(A) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
(B) A thumbhole stock.
(C) A folding or telescoping stock.
(D) A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
(E) A flash suppressor.
(F) A forward pistol grip.
or
(2) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more
than 10 rounds.
or
(3) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.

Examples of non-AWs that I currently own are the SU-16CA, SKS Paratrooper, SKS M59/66 with grenade launcher replaced by muzzle brake, and Benelli M1S90.

The gun that I am dreaming about is the CAL-FAL, basically a FAL with a fixed magazine that can be stripper clip fed from the top using an integrated guide, much like an SKS.

Below are two pictures of CAL-FALs that I am thinking about. They are both from DSA. The Medium Contour SA58 (black) has a 21" barrel and is 1695$. The Predator SA58 has a 19" barrel and is 1645$. M14 stripper clips will feed into both rifles. DSA promises that should the owner ever move to a free state, they will return the rifle to its normal configuration for $50.

These, however, are the only two readily available options for CAL-FALs that I have been able to find.

Can anyone suggest any other options?

ps: Please don't suggest a move to a free state. I work for the State Education Dept, and I signed a five year contract that won't be up until 2009. When it's up, I will have saved up enough to buy a house elsewhere, but not until then.

SL

 

[10-Ring]

Good luck on your quest brother! I just finished my AR project very recently & have been very satisfied w/ it. I'm not sure of the in's & out's of building a fixed mag FAL in CA, but good luck to ya anyway

 

[mp510]

I believe that DSA also makes a model with wood furniture as well.

 

[silverlance]

yes

DSA does indeed make such a wood model. It is above my budget (price is excess of $2100)

 

[crazed_ss]

It sounds like you have your hear set on a FAL. Have you considered a M1A? That's what I'm saving up for. With 1800 bucks you could get a nice Loaded M1A and you wouldnt have to deal with the lameness of a fixed magazine.

Just a thought.

 

[Bwana John]

There is no big secret to a "Kali Legal" FAL.

You just need to get a stripper clip dustcover, there were a couple of countrys that used them, ie... Belgium, Canada. There are also aftermarket stripper clip dust covers (Tapco, ect...)

The fixed mag release is just a normal mag release that has been drilled and tapped for a set screw, then locktited.

A 10 round mag or a 20 round mag that has been blocked for 10 rounds and you are set to go.

Can anyone suggest any other options?

Go to the FAL files, pick up the rifle and parts for ~ $1200.

DSA promises that should the owner ever move to a free state, they will return the rifle to its normal configuration for $50.

$50 to unscrew the setscrew and put a normal mag release
in ???? Mag release=$5, allen wrench=$0.50

The thing I think(?) you have to watch is what is stamped on the receiver. For some reason I think if it says "FAL" you cant build it in CA. That is not that big of a problem as many upper receivers are stamped somthing else (i.e., St G 58, R1a1, ect...)

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

Anyone here actually try to load an SA58 using DSA's stripper clip top cover and M-14 type stripper clips? I have and find that it really doesn't work. The top cover does not hold the clip tightly. The clip tends to get pushed down into the magazine instead having it's cartridges stripped from it.

 

[Coronach]

Here is another option, for something other than a FAL.

Have you considered an M1A? Unlike the FAL, they do not require that many changes to be Kali legal. IIRC make sure it does not have a bayo lug and a flash-hider and you're good to go. You should be able to get into a base model for a lot cheaper than a DSA FAL, and the designs are regarded as being roughly equivalent. Ergonomics, personal preference and iron sights (the M1A's are better) are the three major differences.

I love my FAL. I also really like my M1A. However, if I had to live in Kali and were looking for a 7.62 NATO 'battle rifle', I would not even consider the neutered FAL. M1A, all the way.

Mike

 

[silverlance]

cosmoline

while it is true that I can likely get a decent condition m1a for about $1,200the problem for me and the m1a is weight. the m1a seems EXTREMELY front heavy compared to the fal. likely this is due to the pistol grip.

i have a very hard time off-hand shooting with the m1a, but the FAL is very easy for me. my first time picking up a stranger's FAL i was able to knock down 7 out of 10 bowling pins at 100 yards.

i've thought about getting a 16" barrel m1a in hopes of reducing weight, but unfortunately it doesn't take away much poundage and indeed significantly reduces the potential of the .308 round due to barrel length.

the possibility that m14 stripper clips won't work with the dsa upper is troubling to me. I will have to contact DSA and see what they say about it.

I will need to read up some more on building a fal to see what I can do about putting together my own. perhaps i can buy an STG58 and have it shipped to me in two pieces - the reciever first, then the rest of the parts. then I can fix the mag (i hope; i'm about as skilled with tools as a monkey) and assemble the rest of the parts including the aforementioend TAPCO cover (i believe that is the scope mount cover?)

i'm worried that I'd wind up with a really crappy shooting rifle, but i suppose i should have a bit more faith in myself.

 

[Eightball]

If you could get the shorter-barrelled version in black, that might be enough to A) have fun and B) annoy antis. Besides, it's all about the color of the rifle and cosmetics, right?

Still, $1800 in 3 months is crazy.

 

[KUJO2388]

Hi, I am new here. But I wanted to give some advice about a California legal FAL. You can check out http://www.entreprise.com/ They are a little bit cheaper then DSA. They are located in California so you can go down and check out the gun before you purchase it. Entreprise uses parts kits when they build there guns, so it would be best to go down and check them out. They have fals built on Imbel kits, and they have guns built from Steyr kits. There Imbel kit Fals are on sale for $799.99 right now. One of the Steyr kits on sale is $999.99. I am going to get one soon. Also if you decide not to go with a California Legal fal then you can get a California legal AR-10. (It is legal the same way a AR-15 is, it has a screw that has makes it so the mag release can't drop the mag, and the mag has to be a ten round mag) You can get one for about $1500.00 if you dont mind building one yourself. Good luck

 

[Bwana John]

I would NOT get another Entreprise. It took ALOT of work to get mine to the point of being concidered "reliable"

Get a Imbel or DSA upper receiver.

 

[silverlance]

entreprise

KUJO,

where did you get your figures from? can you post a link? the only imbels and stgs i found on that site were 1200 to 1500$ for CA models.

Bwana,

What do you mean by "unreliable"?

 

[silverlance]

entreprise

KUJO,

where did you get your figures from? can you post a link? the only imbels and stgs i found on that site were 1200 to 1500$ for CA models.

Bwana,

What do you mean by "unreliable"?

 

[Bwana John]

What do you mean by "unreliable"?

If it dont feed, fire, eject, extract, reload and do it again for 500 rounds it aint reliable (to me).

When I first got the receiver I had a failure to feed due to bolt over base ~ 20% of the time. Many other people have had this problem with Entreprise receivers also, do a search on the FAL Files for more info. Here is a link to one of the more notable FAL smiths where he reviews Entreprise receivers. Click on "Notes" and scroll down to Product Reviews. http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/

The ejector block in my Entreprise receiver was mounted too low in the upper receiver, and the feed rails were not the correct geometry. It took MANY new parts, and lots of time with a file and a welder to get it to the point it is now.

I been there and done that, got that tee-shirt. I dont want another tee-shirt.

Get a DSA or Imbel receivered FAL (or FN if you can afford it).

 

[silverlance]

ok

You've got me convinced, Bwana.

I'm going to buy a brazilian IMBEL kit from entreprise (since they're not making it, I figure I'll be ok).

But where can I find a decent reciever? Entreprise has problems; Century definitely has problems; DSA wants an arm and a toe.