[id10t]

oddjob - inch vs metric basically comes down to ergonomics - the pistol grip on each is different. I prefer the metric. Inch guns can use metric mags mostly but they will be wobbly. Metric guns can only use metric mags. A lot of the parts will interchange. Inch guns do not have a last shot bolt hold open - metric do. But you can add the metric part to an inch gun. I think w/ my small hands the "extended" style selector switch from the inch guns is easier to operate - and I can put one on my metric gun. And I think the Indian (dot not feather) mag release (a long horizontal bar) is better as well, and again I can put one on my metric gun. Butt stocks attach differently between inch and metric.

As to which FAL will give you a straight good shooter, I'd say just about anything built by someone who knows the platform and avoid Century and Hesse like the plague. Yes, you can get good guns from either (I had a great Century) but it is really a crap shoot, and they have no resale value. Bargain bin is DCI (Dan Coonan) receiver, better but not much is Entreprise, then DSA, and then a licensed manufacturer (Imbel, etc).

If you think you will want to convert to Para at some point, go metric and remember that you have to do more machining on the upper, get a new lower, get a new bolt carrier, etc. to do the conversion.

Still think your best bet is to handle an inch and a metric, see which you like the feel of better, and then spend some time watching the marketplace forum on the fal files site.