Tell me about the FAL

[Alex45ACP]

Looking for a new fun/shtf rifle in .308 and the FAL style looks interesting... what do you think about them?

 

[longhorngunman]

I'd say any rifle that was considered the "Right arm of the Free world" to be a special type of weapon. Nice ergonomics, reliable design, easy maintenance, lots of parts, .308 cal, semiautomatic, decent accuracy, cheap magazines, whats not to like?

 

[hso]

falfiles.com is the place to go for fal fanatics.

I have fals and consider them to be great hobby guns. They have great international history so collecting them in all their military configerations will keep you busy reading and building. They are fun to build with all the different take-off kits out there so you can recreate those military variations you were reading about. They are reliable and accurate and mild to shoot.

What else is there?

 

[Alex45ACP]

Does the FAL have a last shot bolt hold open?

 

[longhorngunman]

Yes. And the charging handle is easy to operate.

 

[Swampy]

Alex asked:

Does the FAL have a last shot bolt hold open?

Some models do... Some don't.

IIRC, the "inch models" have the hold open. Some of the "metric models" do not.

BTW, when buying magazines, be sure you are buying the correct type for the receiver model you have.

Best regards,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[kfranz]

All models of the FN rifle CAN have a functioning bolt hold open

 

[Bwana John]

Quote:
Does the FAL have a last shot bolt hold open?

Some models do... Some don't.
IIRC, the "inch models" have the hold open. Some of the "metric models" do not.

other way around

 

[iamkris]

This is one of those topics where a reply of "Please go do a search" is appropriate...there is so much info in this forum because this specific question has been asked 100's of times.

That said, here are my fairly standard answer to this question

FAL is a great platform because compared to other major battle rifles (e.g., against CETME/G3/HK91, M1A):

-- FAL has overall superior ergonomics for me (subjective but I like pistol grips better)
-- I like the selector location (with the L1A1 selector) better on the FAL...just never got used to the Garand/M14 push-it-forward-with-your-trigger-finger safety and can't reach the G3's.
-- FAL charging handle is better placed for me...I'm a righty and like manipulate it with my left hand...G3 location is ridiculous
-- FAL breaks down/easier to clean and maintain MUCH easier than M14. No cleaning from the breech is a big downside of M14 IMO. I can have the bolt out of an FAL and be cleaning it by the time you get the trigger pack out of the M14. Breakdown of G3 is slow by comparison and you have non-captive pins to deal with.
-- FAL has more simple bolt locking mechanism
-- FAL has adjustable gas system (but I personally don't see that as a big deal)
-- Operating system -- I think the internal gas piston system is better than the big, external op rod system. Personal opinion.
-- M14 mags are overpriced (T57s from Taiwan help but you still can't beat $4-10 FAL mags in good shape), wash compared to G3
-- Cost -- you can get a good, service grade FAL for $700-1000. Base model M14 will cost $200-500 more. Top of the line rifles about equal. About equal compared to PTR91 cost. Real HK's are outrageously priced.

That said, I own (and love as my high precision battle rifle) an M1A Loaded and will eventually buy another G3 clone (sold my first one).

 

[Swampy]

Quote:
Does the FAL have a last shot bolt hold open?

Some models do... Some don't.
IIRC, the "inch models" have the hold open. Some of the "metric models" do not.

other way around

???!!??

Are you sure of this??

I own a few metric FAL's. None of them has a hold open.

Having said that', I'll allow for ANY possibility.... but it's obvious to me that not all metric's have a hold open.

Best to all,
Swampy

garands forever

 

[Bwana John]

Swampy,

The Metric pattern bolt hold open has a little extra pin which inpinges on the mag follower and raises the post which holds open the bolt after the last round is fired.

The Inch pattern does not have the pin, the Brits dont like the bolt to stay open after the last shot for some reason (sand?) The bolt can be locked back with the Inch pattern by manually pushing it up

That being said, either one can be installed in either type receiver, and they interchange with no problem.

 

[kfranz]

Inch pattern bolt hold open/bolt release mechanisms are slightly larger than metric, and will often not drop right in to a metric receiver. An easy hand sand fix though.

Any metric without the BHO pin is aftermarket. New, un-neutered BHO devices are readily available, and take about two minutes to swap. If you are a real go-getter, you can install a new pin yourself and save the cost.

 

[Bwana John]

Heres somthing from Gunthings.com

Photo by: Kevin Adams, Rifle, 7.62 mm, L1A1 Collector & Researcher. NEW ZEALAND

 

[Bwana John]

The bolt hold-open illistrates one of the great aspects of the FAL, you can have it anyway you want it.

Heres how I like it:

Carbine lenght barrel 17 3/8"
No bi-pod
Non-bipod cut HG's
Metric receiver type 2
Metric mags
SAW pistol grip
Humpback stock
R-marked selector
Para rear sight, windage adjustable
Folding cocking handle
Type 2 BHO
Sand-cut BC
Chromed bolt
FSE oversize mag release
Short Combo Device (flash/bayonet/gernade)
No carry handle (it's not a Bloody purse!)
Small gas plug
Mid-mount slingthingy
Regular dust cover, non-scope mounting

Each of the above options has at least 3 differnt ways to do it.
I have had a blast)) designing the rifle for me.

I dont really like the FAL that much in its standard guise, but how I got it fixed up it's my favorite MBR.

 

[iamkris]

I, like Bwana John, like the FAL but would like it even more customized. Many of his set up items are on my list as well.

The first pic shows how my FAL is set up today. The second is very similar to how I want my next one to be set up.

 

[ftierson]

Pick up a FAL, and all other 7.62x51mm battle rifles will pale in comparison...

And I like most of the other 7.62x51mm battle rifles too...



Forrest

 

[Foxtrot427]

kris, whats that sight on your AR?

Good luck with your FAL BTW. Thats a nice target your shooting for.

 

[Coronach]

I keep seeing that rail system for the FAL, and I keep looking at my old-school, as-issued STG-58, and considering an upgrade.

Not to hijack, but...does anyone know if:

1. That thing is free-float, or not (I'm guessing "no")

2. It weighs significantly more than a standard handguard?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Drakejake]

I have two FALS and like them but they are big and heavy. Hefting one around can help you understand why the world has gone for small, fast rounds shot from smaller, lighter rifles. But the FAL is a beautiful firearm, easy to clean, and strongly built. Like the Luger and the Mauser, the FAL is a whole world unto itself with many fans and resources.

Drakejake

 

[Drakejake]

As a rule, metric FALs have BHO, inch FALs do not. But if your rifle lacks this feature, you can install it by replacing some parts or by merely inserting the pin that makes it work.

Drakejake

 

[ftierson]

Although the FAL is relatively heavy, it's not really that much heavier (sans bipod) than an AR-15A2 type rifle (with 20 inch barrel). And the 7.62x51mm thumps a lot harder on the receiving end than the 5.56x45mm...

Now, comparing (weight-wise) a FAL to an AR15A1 (Colt SP1, for example) is another story...

Forrest

 

[longhorngunman]

ftierson is right. The FAL isn't near as large or as heavy as one might think. When I first saw a picture of one I thought they were as big as an M60 or Garand. Holding one in your hands you realize how slim and balanced they feel, just slightly bigger than an AR. Heck my PTR 91 is thicker and "bigger" than the FAL.