Which FAL Parts kit?

[GLOCK45GUY]

Im looking to build an FAL rifle, and about the only thing Ive settled on is that I would like to have the longer 21" medium contour barrel on it with a bi-pod.

Of the "inch" vs "metric" variations available, which is better to build off of? The two kits ive been eyeballin are the FN FAL G1 from gunthings.com, and the parts set from DSA.

I would appreciate some direction and guidance.

 

[Robert]

Metric parts are easier to find and generally less expensive. DSA makes all the parts here in the US that you would need to finish the rifle. I finished my rifle with DSA parts and could not be happier with the result.
The only thing the Inch pattern has over the Metric is the ability to take both inch and metric mags. Unless you are wanting to build a copy of a L1A1 or another Inch specific rifle I'd go with the Metric pattern hands down.

 

[rcmodel]

Most FAL's, as made by FN in Belgium, and other countrys were metric.

British, Canadian, and Australian FAL's are "inch".

So, most all over the world, metric FAL parts, accessories & magazines are much more common, and cheaper.

rc

 

[GLOCK45GUY]

Should I go to DSA for everything? Id like to save money where I can.

 

[KodiakBeer]

I'll go with everyone else and advise a metric kit - lots more parts and accessories available.

That G1 kit on gunthings looks pretty rough... The only thing I see on the DSA site are Imbel kits which aren't bad, and are metric.

 

[GLOCK45GUY]

My only concern is the statement "should only be used for spare or replacement parts only" that DSA includes in their part description on the site. Makes me a little reluctant to pull the trigger.

Does anyone have direct experience in building an FAL from a DSA Kit? How was it?

 

[KodiakBeer]

Does anyone have direct experience in building an FAL from a DSA Kit? How was it?

I built mine from a DSA G1 kit. I'm sure the warning is just a lawyer thing.

 

[Z-Michigan]

DSA makes good stuff, but will generally be the most expensive source.

FYI, DSA sells both US-made parts and imported surplus parts, so for any 922(r) purposes be sure what you're buying.

Inch FALs have their pluses - IMHO, better ergonomics in a few ways - but as noted metric parts are much more readily available, as are metric mags. If it's your first FAL I would probably go metric.

Imbel parts kits are good and solid, and available from several sources, but the G1 kit may be worth a close look especially if it has real FN Belgium parts.

I recommend against a barrel-mounted bipod as it generally will open up groups. If you really do want one, don't bother building and instead just buy a DSA STG-58, which is a really nice parts kit gun made from mostly Austrian parts, and has a bipod included.

If you're hoping for great accuracy, well any hopes of less than 2 MOA are probably focused on the wrong platform, but if that is your goal then you should consider both the medium contour barrel and also a free-float forend.

 

[GLOCK45GUY]

Thanks for all the information gents. Its giving me a better idea of what I want to accomplish with the build.

Basically, I want a heavier round out of a longer barrel to get some decent accuracy at somewhat reasonable distances (600 yds?). And I think these guns look cool as hell!

 

[GLOCK45GUY]

Thanks for all the information gents. Its giving me a better idea of what I want to accomplish with the build.

Basically, I want a heavier round out of a longer barrel to get some decent accuracy at somewhat reasonable distances (600 yds?). And I think these guns look cool as hell!

 

[GunsBeerFreedom]

My only concern is the statement "should only be used for spare or replacement parts only" that DSA includes in their part description on the site. Makes me a little reluctant to pull the trigger.

This is their CYA for 922r compliance, since almost all the parts in a kit would be of foreign make, thus assembling them all together would result in a "illegal assault weapon" or whatever the ATF calls them these days.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Just to add, if you want a scope mount, get the DSA mount and don't look back. It's $80 and works and will last. The UTG that looks almost identical isn't too bad but isn't enough cheaper to be worth buying.

 

[Robert]

I have hit steel targets at 425m with my FAL using only the iron sights so 600 would be doable with some practice and or a decent scope.

 

[powermad]

The gunthings G1 does not come with a barrel.
Sarco did have brand new unissued Argentine kits recently.
But now they are gone.

Check out the falfiles marketplace, SLR-5000 had some of those new Argies for sale. He also had refinished inch kits also.

I see Imbel kits there in the $300 range, though the DSA one does come with new furniture.
Entreprise has Imbel kits as well for $329 and no mag. Or $429 for one that comes with a mag and a locking shoulder.
http://entreprise.com/shop/category.aspx?catid=14
I paid $150 for a kit from them years ago and thought that was to much.
I wound up getting a complete grade II bi-pod cut Imbel kit for $175 shipped and sold off the other kit.

The bi-pod is pretty much a useless feature, I had to have one and got it from DSA, I should have spent the $35 on more unissued $5 mags.
I took it out once and took it off when I got home.
If you absolutely have to have one I would suggest spending a bit more and getting the QD one.

It adds weight to an already heavy gun, It's not called a man gun for nothing.
You have to use it on a soft surface.
You need a large area to deploy them.
The feet will mar the handguards.
Changes POI depending how much pressure is on them.

Nothing wrong with Imbel FAL's, they are FN licensed and I believe the only ones still making them.
Most on the market today are the bottom of the barrel ones.







When it is all said and done it ends up being a lot cheaper to buy an assembled rifle these days.
I see guite a few rigs under $1000, most with a bunch of mags.

 

[CTW]

If you could score a nice Imbel kit in the 300 dollar range then I would jump on it. Most of the ones I have seen have cosmetic blemishes only and have not been shot a whole lot. They mostly have chrome lined bore's if that make's any difference to you. They are probably the best value going nowaday's for kit's. The G1's have more collector and history value, so if that is your thing you could go that route. Sarco has had some real nice looking Argentine kit's you could check out, but they run in the 500-600 dollar range. Hope I helped.

 

[KodiakBeer]

Check out the falfiles marketplace

Oh, duh on me! Check out falfiles.com before you make any decisions, because those guys are are all over the best deals and can help you with every step of your build.