Which flash hider for FAL carbine? Optics?

[Nightcrawler]

After a lot of thought, reading some articles, and experience I've gained here, I'm thinking that when I return to the US I'm going to trade or convert my 21" DSA STG-58A for/into a 16" carbine.

16" is plenty of ballistics for the uses I have for the rifle, and would offer reduced weight and improved portability. (A full length rifle isn't much of an encumberance in the field, but when one has to sling the weapon to perform other tasks, you tend to knock the muzzle on things. The flash hider on my issue Bushmaster 20" rifle has numerous scratches on it from where I've had to crouch down, on concrete. I have a plastic muzzle cap now.)

So, say I get a new 16" barrel. I could get one with the integral brake, but the AWB is dead. Screw muzzle brakes; they amplify muzzle blast needlessly.

I'm considering a few different flashhiders for this project.

Belgian type:

Pros: short OAL, mounts the (somewhat chinsy) FAL bayonet.
Cons: Looks kind of wimpy.

Short Steyr type:

Pros: Looks bad-@$$. Compact design. Wire cutting?
Cons: No bayonet mount. (Minor con, but I like my bayonets.)

L1A1 Flash Hider:

Pros: Mean looks, bayonet lug (for a REAL bayonet), I already have one in my parts box.
Cons: Adds unnecessary length to a short rifle.

So. Which do you like best, and why? Any other recommendations? Any device that can mount a bayonet gets special props, not because I have need of a bayonet, but because...well, hell, the AWB is gone, why not?

Secondly, I'm in need of a suitable optic for this kind of weapon. The ELCAN is prohibitively expensive, as is the ACOG.

I'm thinking of something fixed power, 4x probably. I like DSA's IOR Valada M2 scope, but the range adjustment cam is only for 168 grain ammo, when I'll be using 147 grain ball more often than not.

Any optics recommendations for a 16" .308? Preferably under $400.00.

Thanks guys!

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

If you were thinking of ACOGs and ELCANs but find them prohibitively expensive, take a look at the Trijicon Accupoint line. Usually much more competitively priced and features variable magnification as well, while having the same always illuminated fiber optic/tritium reticle that makes the ACOGs so useful.

They won't be quite as sturdy as an ACOG; but they should suit most needs fine.

 

[nickthecanuck]

Speaking of amplifying muzzle blast, the short belgian combo device i notorious for doing just that. A plus of this one is that you can mount a bayonet, if that sort of thing appeals to you.

The short "new design" one from DSA is just a chopped stoll kind I think. I have read favorable reports and seen mpegs of a FAL at night with this device. It seemed to do a good job and I'm getting one as soon as I get chopped and threaded.

The L1A1 hider is a good choice if you don't feel your FAL is long enough. Mine is plenty long but yours might not be.

This is the optic I am probably going to get for my FAL: http://www.riflescopes.com/products/NEWLEU56994/leupold_1.5-5x20_mark_4_mr_t_30mm_riflescope.htm

I'm also considering this one since money is a little tight: http://www.riflescopes.com/products/LEU55036/leupold_1.75-6x32_vx-iii_riflescope.htm

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

My STg58 has a Belgian model flash hider on it, but I'm considering replacing it with a genuine Stolle.

If you want 'authentic' but not necesarrily 'latest and greatest', consider a Trilux. Not 'state of the art' as far as 2000 goes, but it's what they could be issued with when they were new.

Here's a good source for them.

http://www.amerisurp.net/scopes_trilux.htm

You can swap out the ranging cam for .308 or suffer with the .223 cam and adjust your point of aim.


Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[Nightcrawler]

The Trilux is, I've read, a good scope. However, the mount won't fit a metric receiver without modification, and it mounts so far back it will prohibit having a standard rear sight mounted (which is why L1A1s had folding rear sights).

I'm probably more interested in a compact, fixed four power than a variable.

I know the L1A1 flahhider is long, but long flashhiders look cool on short barrels. I"ve got more than a hundred days yet to consider this, but lately I've been leaning more towards the Steyr type.

 

[Molon Labe]

Two days ago I (finally!) finished building my second FAL, and I stuck a short Belgian combo on it. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Beav]

IOR has a less expensive alternative to the ACOG. Its still around $600. I might eventually get one for my FAL.

http://www.snipercountry.com/InReviews/IOR_3x25_QR-TS.asp