Took the plunge! (Battle Rifleitis)

[Still 2 Many Choices!?]

Well after telling you guys about my case of "Battle Rifle Fever", I finally decided on what I would get... The DSA FAL finally won out over the now seemingly unobtainable CMP M1 Garand. So in 12-14 weeksmad: ), I will be the proud owner of a 19", medium contoured barreled, black stocked, Predator(railed upper for optics) model FAL !!!!

Don't worry guys I will be doing a lot of reading up at the FAL Files in the coming months but was hoping to get some opinions on where to get good ammo and value(read as cheap) magazines so I will have something to feed the beast when it arrives.

Any and all ideas welcome. Hell even some pics to hold me over until I can actually have mine would be nice . I decided on the 19" barrel because I can always have it cut down to 16" or 17" and recrowned if I want to, but adding barrel back on is not soo easy a feat...

Besides ammo and mags, are there any other features/extras that you guys would suggest; like I think I would like a folding charging handle but not sure? Last, how accurate are these things? Would 2x MOA be doable out to maybe 600 yards with good ammo and glass? THANX IN ADVANCE TO ANY REPLIES..

Still 2 Many Choices!?(now I've got one less to make )

 

[DMK]

Nice choice. DSA makes a nice rifle. 18" or 19" is a good length IMO. You won't gain anything, only lose velocity by going any shorter.

I'd say leave it just as it came until you put at least 200 rounds through it over a couple of sessions. No point in 'upgrading' a rifle you haven't even held yet.

2MOA-3MOA should certainly be attainable. It may require a little tuning though. FALfiles has tons of info on that. Check your handguards, make sure they aren't putting pressure on the front sight/gas block. There's some trigger tips on The Files too.

 

[Slvr Surfr]

Weclome to the land of the waiting. Ive been waiting on my DSA STG-58 Para since early january!

The mags can be had for cheap from DSAs site. $5 a piece. Ammo seems to be a pita to find for cheap. It never fails that as soon as I get a particular weapon ammo seems to get scarce or expensive.

 

[1911JMB]

I got a DSA SA58 gently used for a grand, no wait

I would suggest you get the 5 dollar Austrian mags available straight from DSA. I have a boat load of them, and they are great. a little worn, but little to no rust, and they work perfectly. Some of them look almost new.

As for ammo, roll your own.With the now absurdly expensive .308 costs, its just about your only option. You can make reliable handloads quite easily. The cheapest option is a lee classic loader which will set you back 13 bucks when you order it from cabelas and pay for itself after 50 rounds. Faster and vastly more efficient options like a progressive loader will cost more.

 

[Still 2 Many Choices!?]

My |FAL |IS HERE!!!!!

I am on my way to pick it up right now! How awesome is that?! It only took them 6 months |fire::banghead: |) instead of the 12-14 weeks I was quoted... Man |I can't wait to get some range time with this thing.. Pics will be forth coming. Now I just have to get into reloading so that I can afford to shoot the thing. What a way to start off the week !!!!

 

[Hauptmann]

Sounds like you made the right decision. DSA FALs are the best on the market and the FAL design is one of the best if not the best .308 battle rifle design currently in existance.

 

[Chuck R.]

I decided on the 19" barrel because I can always have it cut down to 16" or 17" and recrowned if I want to, but adding barrel back on is not soo easy a feat...

I also had my DSA SA58 made with a 19" Badger barrel with the intent of lopping it off after the ban sunset. I later bought the DSA Para conversion and still have the 19" barrel. It seems to balance pretty well and the MV is still at 2700 with my handloads.

Chuck

 

[DMK]

It only took them 6 months |( |) instead of the 12-14 weeks I was quoted.

DSA is very slow. It took them about 6 months just to ship my Hampton lower. I kept emailing them for an ETA and they'd reply "Oh, any day now".

It's a really good thing for them that they have excellent quality and some of the best products on the market or folks wouldn't put up with the wait and delays.

 

[Still 2 Many Choices!?]

Chuck R.

What was the price of the conversion kit... Oddly enough, I have only just now gotten it, and even before, I was already kicking myself for not getting the Para model... What all is involved in the conversion? I know the bolt is different(or is it the carrier), and that you need a different rear sight, but that's about it... Any info is greatly appreciated. If I don't convert this one(read as: it is not outrageously expensive), I see another FAL( this one a PARA) in my future!!!

 

[cameron.personal]

PARAS ROCK!
PARAS ROCK!

DSA SA58 16.25" tactical carbine.... in tennis bag!

 

[Chuck R.]

It went up a bit, it was more like $350 when I ordered mine. Also for a few dollars more you can get the non-traditional lower with the M16 rear sight on it, colmplete with elevation adjustment and windage. Bolt is the same, headspace should not be effected in anyway. I ordered mine with the Para Extreme Duty Scope mount cover.

It really is a very stable and pretty comfortable folding stock, so much so I sold my original lower and stock on FAL Files.

Chuck

 

[DMK]

Bolt is the same, headspace should not be effected in anyway.

It's not. I checked mine before and after with my headspace guages.

Of course having built my rifle, I knew that the FAL headspaces on the bolt to locking shoulder and the carrier has nothing to do with it, but I just had to double check myself.

Also for a few dollars more you can get the non-traditional lower with the M16 rear sight on it, colmplete with elevation adjustment and windage.

The Hampton lower rocks! I love the M16A2 rear aperture and elevation adjustment.