Anyone ever build a FAL?

[Leland Pate]

I'm thinking about building a couple G1 FAL's from kits... seems like they might be a bit of a challenge. Looking for feedback on what to expect.

[id10t]

You'll need a variety of locking shoulders, since that is what controls headspace. You'll need a special tool for putting the barrel on and torqueing it down. Other than that, simple. Don't forget your 922r parts - but you already know that.

All you want to know about FALs including building - www.falfiles.com/forums

[Joeaksa]

Good weapon. The company I work for is now doing some work for FN and we are glad they are!

[gwood]

YouTube - AGI 122 FN-FAL L1A1 Rifle Armorer's Course

[sc_rufctr]

Great old rifle. I carried one when I was in the Army... Heavy SOB compared to an M16.

But during my basic training I was at the target end of the range raising and lowering targets behind the butt stops.
The first time I heard a 7.62mm hit the mound of dirt behind the targets I couldn't believe the sound.

It sounds like a REALLY BIG sledge hammer hitting the dirt. Scariest sound I'd ever heard.

[sc_rufctr]

This is an ex Aust army one. Except for the rear site this is what we carried. (note the folding and locking cocking handle)
The standard rear site was a simple foldable peep site.

There was also a full automatic version in service with a heavier barrel and folding bipod that took 30 round magazines!

[id10t]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Great old rifle. I carried one when I was in the Army... Heavy SOB compared to an M16.

But during my basic training I was at the target end of the range raising and lowering targets behind the butt stops.
The first time I heard a 7.62mm hit the mound of dirt behind the targets I couldn't believe the sound.

It sounds like a REALLY BIG sledge hammer hitting the dirt. Scariest sound I'd ever heard.

Had my new to me Imbel/DCI FAL out this weekend. Started by shooting 22 rifle with my son. A few stages down on the range, there were some tacticool guys wtih ARs with pounds of crap hanging off 'em. They start doing double taps on zombie targets at an amazing 15 yards... I tell my boy to finish the 22 rifle for a few minutes, and to keep an eye on the tacticool guys. Pull out the FAL, put the gas all the way closed (hadn't adjusted it yet, wanted to make sure it ran), and cranked thru a 20 round mag as quick as I can re-aquire the sights. Fist sized group at 50 yards.

[ODDJOB UNO]

i had posted about a guy by me selling a fn fal canadian L1A1. he never called never e-mailed pics as he said he would(flake). poof.............i am back in tha market again.

kind of steering towards a DSA STG-58. what the hell $1200 for a battle rifle. dont want a shorty. want the real mccoy long barrel.


i also want the option of a possible folding stock down the road. after that........dont wanna scope or nothing. a sling, a bipod, and maybe the folding stock for stowing in a truck will be perfect.


dont wanna dick with it, just shoot the hell out of it, come home crack a 6 pak and clean it, and step away from it.


my buddies pretty savvy with his, and when i find one i like , he said he would go with me and check it out for me.


what the hell, WHY NOT OWN ALL (3) MAIN BATTLE RIFLES!



the PROBLEM WITH THESE DAMN THINGS is the MYRIAD OF FREEKING PARTS MADE FOR THEM THAT DO NOT INTERCHANGE and MORONS who have hacked kits together for them.


so beware of that before ya buy one local let alone off gunbroker or gunsamerica.


thats why i kind of like just biting the bullet from DSA for a new one. and ya get a warranty that i have heard they are pretty damn good about from reading FNfiles.com.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by id10t

Had my new to me Imbel/DCI FAL out this weekend. Started by shooting 22 rifle with my son. A few stages down on the range, there were some tacticool guys wtih ARs with pounds of crap hanging off 'em. They start doing double taps on zombie targets at an amazing 15 yards... I tell my boy to finish the 22 rifle for a few minutes, and to keep an eye on the tacticool guys. Pull out the FAL, put the gas all the way closed (hadn't adjusted it yet, wanted to make sure it ran), and cranked thru a 20 round mag as quick as I can re-aquire the sights. Fist sized group at 50 yards.

They do shoot well. Once clean and setup they were very reliable.

The only thing that let them down were the sites. Very basic rear peep and blade front site. I used to blacken the sites with soot from a cigarette lighter.
The NZ Army had plastic furniture instead of wood but they were made in the same Australia factory as ours.

[id10t]

Oddjob -the basic SA58 has a MSRP of $1k exactly... not sure why you would pay $1200?

But I'd check the marketplace forum on falfiles.com/forums before buying - lots of deals there. In fact, someone just sold a SAR48 para (preban import, real deal made on licensed machinery) for $1400 ..

Seeing as how I just bought mine there should be all sorts of great rifles at good prices in the next few weeks...

[gtc]

My uncle has one of the folding paratrooper models. I wouldn't want to lug that thing around... it's freeking heavy!

[billh1963]

Love my FAL's

[jpachard]

I had a very nice G1 but sold it recently due to the fact i never shot it much once I got my M1-A.

For me, they are really nice rifles but the M1-A is a better fit personally.

Go try an FN-FAL and see how you like it prior to getting one.

James

[Jim Bremner]

I bought a M1A over the FAL back when the evil assault weapon ban came down.

I do love many things about my M1A. It's not on the ban list, the trigger and sights are better & it's a little more accurate ( not that I can out shoot it)

I got the chance to fire a FAL. I LIKE the gas system. I could get back on target quicker! It recoils a little less. I like the way it breaks down to clean.

I will own a FAL some day. it might be the 2nd or third rifle down the line that I pick up.

Next rifle will be a M1 Garand made by International Harvester.

I do not have a AR-15 that's together. I have a receiver but I really should build that up. ( but that means that I would need to stock another round. It's not in my plan right now)

[Leland Pate]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

This is an ex Aust army one. Except for the rear site this is what we carried. (note the folding and locking cocking handle)
The standard rear site was a simple foldable peep site.

There was also a full automatic version in service with a heavier barrel and folding bipod that took 30 round magazines!

THAT is gorgeous.

I have poked around the FAL Files. It's a wealth of information but (in my opinion) horribly organized. On several occasions I have delved into that site looking for build information but have always come up empty handed. In fact, my frustration from looking for a build tutorial there last night prompted me to post here. I am just looking for a build overview with photos to help me understand what's involved.

I have a very modern DSA Para but in recent years I've moved away from the railed out variants and really appreciate the older full size battle rifles a lot more.

[Leland Pate]

Originally Posted by billh1963

Love my FAL's

Wow, Bill.

We can be friends.

[jpachard]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

I bought a M1A over the FAL back when the evil assault weapon ban came down.

I do love many things about my M1A. It's not on the ban list, the trigger and sights are better & it's a little more accurate ( not that I can out shoot it)

I got the chance to fire a FAL. I LIKE the gas system. I could get back on target quicker! It recoils a little less. I like the way it breaks down to clean.

I will own a FAL some day. it might be the 2nd or third rifle down the line that I pick up.

Next rifle will be a M1 Garand made by International Harvester.

I do not have a AR-15 that's together. I have a receiver but I really should build that up. ( but that means that I would need to stock another round. It's not in my plan right now)

Jim, that's an interesting comment about the recoil. My experience was that the FAL had much worse recoil than the M1-A when shooting them back to back. I tried all kinds of different settings and still couldn't get it to be as pleasant to shoot as the M1-A.

Everyone, both rifles and people, are different though.

James

[id10t]

Originally Posted by jpachard

Jim, that's an interesting comment about the recoil. My experience was that the FAL had much worse recoil than the M1-A when shooting them back to back. I tried all kinds of different settings and still couldn't get it to be as pleasant to shoot as the M1-A.

Everyone, both rifles and people, are different though.

James

Got to see and shoot a FA FAL, M1A, and G3 all at the same sitting. FAL was much more comfortable to shoot. Watching other shooters from behind, the FAL was much more controllable as well.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Leland Pate

THAT is gorgeous.

I have poked around the FAL Files. It's a wealth of information but (in my opinion) horribly organized. On several occasions I have delved into that site looking for build information but have always come up empty handed. In fact, my frustration from looking for a build tutorial there last night prompted me to post here. I am just looking for a build overview with photos to help me understand what's involved.

I have a very modern DSA Para but in recent years I've moved away from the railed out variants and really appreciate the older full size battle rifles a lot more.

Thanks but not mine. With our current laws I can't even own the rifle I carried in the Army.

----------------

Just before I got out I shot one that had been customized by the armorer of the battalion I was serving with. It had a nice scope on a custom mount...
With that rifle at 100 meters I shot a 5 round group that was 3 inches across... No word of a lie.

I can only imagine what this rifle would be like with a modern reflex style sites.

I have so many great memories with this rifle. It fitted me perfectly. It was like that rifle was made for me.

[sc_rufctr]

They had a reputation for having a kick but the way they trained us was to lean into the rifle when you're standing and HOLD the frigging thing.

Don't baby it. Don't anticipate the recoil, just go with it. Take hold of it and put your body behind it and squeeze off the trigger.
Prone was much the same. Always pull it back into your shoulder. I often came home from the range with marks from my shirt imprinted on my shoulder.

It's not bad at all really. But then I shot an M16 and that old war gun was a tame baby compared to the SLR. Put Put Put as opposed to BANG BANG BANG...