Why do DSA Austrian FAL's cost less?

[gunnutery]

I've been wondering this for a while but it's been out of my financial reach so I just shrugged my shoulders. But the recent FAL threads got me to checking prices again.

So, does anyone know why the Austrian FALs cost much less from DSA?

 

[wayne in boca]

DSA builds the STG's from parts kits from Austrian rifles.All the other rifles they sell are made from parts they manufacture themselves.That said,I have one of their STG58's,and it is a magnificent rifle.Save up for it,it will be worth it.

 

[gunnutery]

Thanks for filling me in. I've been trying to figure out if I will buy a M1A Socom 16 or a FAL when I can afford one. I really like both rifles.

 

[Z-Michigan]

As Wayne said. FWIW, I have both an STG-58 and SA-58 (all new parts) from DSA, and IMHO the Austrian STG-58 is as good in pretty much all ways. The extra money for the SA-58 doesn't get you much except slightly nicer finish on some parts.

Between an FAL and M1A, well, you really need both so flip a coin on which to get now. Parts and mags are starting to dry up for the FAL, so if you'll only ever get one, the M1A might be better in terms of parts/mag availability and SA's warranty.

 

[goon]

My DSA STG will consistently put three shots into under two inches, iron sights, 100 yards, with most surplus ammo. Best it's done to date is 7/8" at 100 yards with South African surplus. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

 

[Birddog1911]

Goon, in the interest of intellectual integrity, you must admit that your FAL shooting a group like that is rare. Also, what type of group? 3 shot, 5 shot, 10 shot?

Gun, you'll just have to buy both, like I did. For me, it was a full size M1A, and a carbine FAL. One day, maybe I'll get a full length FAL to add to the collection.

 

[ny32182]

My 21" SA58 is noticeably more accurate than my 16" STG58. The aluminum DSA lower is also noticably lighter than the surplus steel one of the STG.

Combine that with some other minor quirks like (for me at least) needing/wanting to change out the handguards and drop the bipod on the STG.... if I could only keep one it would be the SA58. ymmv.

 

[gunnutery]

Thanks for all the input, I'm sure I wouldn't be disapointed by either model, though I'd really have to go with the cheaper option (DSA cheap, not CAI cheap) as I'm on public employee wages and I'm looking at the shorter versions to employ it as a patrol rifle. For the time being I've got my own Mini-14 that I'm trying to be content with until funds dicate otherwise.

 

[goon]

True, it's not common for a FAL to shoot that well - at least that's what I'm told.
Also, I'm talking three shot groups. Never shoot five because what's the point when group after group shows up in two inch clusters on top of the front sight? Or when it puts a twenty round magazine into a fist sized group as quickly as I can reacquire the sights and press the trigger again?

Having said that, I do want to scope it some day and run some really careful handloads through it. I imagine it will be surgical.

Also in the interest of intellectual integrity (as mentioned earlier) you shouldn't just consider the cost of the rifle.
A STG-58 (DSA) will probably run you close to $1200. Ten magazines is probably going to add another $150-$200 depending on what you can find on the FAL files or gunbroker. Ammo is the real killer. A thousand rounds of .308 is close to $500. Affording to shoot as much as I'd like is definitely a problem these days, so much so that I've been shooting the rimfires a lot more and picked up an AK for cheaper centerfire shooting.
If I had it to do over again, I probably wouldn't buy the FAL. I'd probably have gotten a couple No.4 Enfields for longer range or more accurate shooting and a couple European SKS's with chrome-lined bores for general rifle shooting.