Imbels were one of the few true milspec receivers that made it into the country in any sizeable number. Argentine military receivers also came in usually through Century Arms Inc.
Others were a few L1A1 (british that came in as LEO demo sales units), a few real deal FN's came in as Browning rifles IIRC.
All our US made receivers are cast clones except for DSA's which are a forged clone. There are also some Entreprise machined from bar stock receivers too.
That said the Imbel quality was quite good. Their barrels are also chrome lined. Sounds like you got a good start on building a rifle.
ETA- sign up over at falfiles and read until your hearts content. it's the arfcom of FALs.
Thanks for the advice.
It seems like Imbels are something special. The only place I found selling them was a joint in CO wanting $600 for one. DSAs are going for like $300. Is that just branding or are they really twice as nice?
Originally Posted By SteelonSteel:
ETA- sign up over at falfiles and read until your hearts content. it's the arfcom of FALs.
Nah, I'm a silly bastard. I'll ask FAL questions over here then ask AR-15 questions over there.
Originally Posted By RotaryJihad:
...are they really twice as nice?
No. Don't get me wrong, it's a great receiver, but the price right now is strictly free-market economics. Limited supply, high demand, price went up accordingly. I remember not that long ago (2004?) when you could buy them all day for $179 plus shipping and transfer. I'm really kicking myself for not grabbing more than one, but hindsight is 20/20. ATF import restrictions are about the only reason you're seeing those high prices. The Imbel is a great receiver, but at the current pricing, the DSA is best bang for the buck retail. Unless you find a good private-party score.
Nah, I'm a silly bastard. I'll ask FAL questions over here then ask AR-15 questions over there.
[/quote]
Posted Via AR15.Com MobileOriginally Posted By deltaheavy:
Originally Posted By RotaryJihad:
...are they really twice as nice?
No. Don't get me wrong, it's a great receiver, but the price right now is strictly free-market economics. Limited supply, high demand, price went up accordingly. I remember not that long ago (2004?) when you could buy them all day for $179 plus shipping and transfer. I'm really kicking myself for not grabbing more than one, but hindsight is 20/20. ATF import restrictions are about the only reason you're seeing those high prices. The Imbel is a great receiver, but at the current pricing, the DSA is best bang for the buck retail. Unless you find a good private-party score.
Nah, I'm a silly bastard. I'll ask FAL questions over here then ask AR-15 questions over there.
There was just a Falfiles groupbuy on the last stash of Imbel receivers hidden away in a warehouse in the US. I don't think they were much more than $400. That said, you could buy a century rifle on an imbel for $650 break it down and build your own whatever. The argentine receivers are just as good.
The DSA are good and had a great rep for a long time until just within the last year. They released a batch of off spec receivers that guys had issues with like out of spec interior rail dimensions. Still a black eye for DSA over there not to mention they'r always out of stock and take forever to ship due to demand. That's nothing compared to the Entreprise black eye from their flubbed group buy. They never delivered product as far as I know, and no refunds either. Not sure on how that all worked out. That's the trouble with group buys, you can't make them too complicated or it never works. Apparently they had lots of options and custom sn's in the order. Well a lot of that was F'd up too. I've seen that with top shelf match barrel buys too. If the guy running it isn't strict and on his game then it can all be ugly. FWIW I often just skip the group buy and go direct and get a discount to match the group buy. Oh, and you'll never see my butt organize a group buy unless I'm retired. It's work so my hat's off to the guys who will do it.
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile[/quote]
