I've seen people complain a few times about the cost of rifles etc and part of economic survival is spending your money wisely.... So i thought i'd share this.

Ok my Mom wanted a real battle rifle not some wimpy mouse gun. But she’s retired and living on a fixed income so she doesn’t have a lot of coin to spend on something she may never need.

So being the good son I set out on a mission to build/buy her the “best” most affordable battle rifle I could find for the money.  It was pretty much a given this rifle would be a FAL since I have enough mags to set her up……and the adjustable gas system should make it relatively comfy for her to shoot.

The hard part patience is a must you can’t get in a hurry…… It also helps if you’ve got good friends who will help you keep an eye out for good deals. Well a few weeks ago one of my best friends called me up and said hey is your mom still looking for a rifle. I said yea. He said well I just bought one she can have for what I gave for it if she wants it. So I have her pay him.


She got this century built L1A1 on an imbel receiver for $430. Well my mom hated the but hole stock (thumbhole) it made the safety almost impossible to use and well it’s just ugly. So she wanted to get the gun back in pistol grip configuration.





To do this legally it has to be 922 compliant and have 6 compliance parts US made (7 with a muzzle attachment). So we got to go shopping.  We go with hammer trigger sear (3 parts), century but stock and pistol grip (2 parts),  gas piston (one part).
Other misc parts you need for this conversion.
You will also need a pistol grip stud to go on the lower where century ground it off.   The pistol grip screw (the one used for the buthole stock is to short). You will also need a new trigger return spring and plate (century ground off a tab on the plate and the trigger return spring used in the thumbhole is to long). FAL  multi tool for the stock is also a nice to have.

Total cost of parts 189.50. Please note my mom was out of patience and hated the buthole stock so I didn’t shop this stuff I went to reputable dealers and bought new condition stuff….. you could do it cheaper if you shoped.

The finished product………She has a $630.00 FAL that shoots great.  The gas system didn’t need any adjusting after the conversion it actually shoots a tad softer (plenty manageable for an old woman). My mom was shooting a 12 gauge when she was 8 months pregnant with me (could be what’s wrong with me )
Anyway just thought I’d give some of you an idea of what can be done if you want a battle rifle on a budget.

Maybe not the pretiest rifle in town but hey........ FAL's are for kill'n

GREAT RIFLE and it doesn't look bad to me i like it

You have the most badass mom in the world...

Nice Job AC.

Now your Mom don't have to sit on the porch with a shotty.

Nice .
Wish my mom was into shooting , I would probably get more usefull stuff around the holidays

hell of a deal, I'd give $430 for a butthole FAL as long as it worked, until I come across a deal, I'm gonna have to keep using my AR10 though.


two good things about getting a rifle for you parents is, one: your just giving a little back for them raising you, and two: gives you an excuse to your woman for buying a truckload more ammo and mags, you know for the family.

You gotta' post a pic of mom with her new FAL!

Quoted: hell of a deal, I'd give $430 for a butthole FAL as long as it worked, until I come across a deal, I'm gonna have to keep using my AR10 though. two good things about getting a rifle for you parents is, one: your just giving a little back for them raising you, and two: gives you an excuse to your woman for buying a truckload more ammo and mags, you know for the family.

3rd good thing (maybe a little morbid), but when your parent dies, you'll likely get the gun back.

nice job on the build, btw.

Quoted: Nice Job AC. Now your Mom don't have to sit on the porch with a shotty.

Get off my lawn!

Quoted: You have the most badass mom in the world...

SCATTER OR SPLATTER!! [/bad ass mom]

Quoted: You have the most badass mom in the world...

+1 !!

Cool mom , no doubt  

I have that same fal, except in it came correct from the factory with flash hider, etc.

I was thinking about selling it on the EE just before I read this thread

Shocking

sweet Rifle and great concept. its not many people who set out to do a budget MBR and end up with a nice FAL. you should be proud of yourself and your mother.

and yes, your mom shooting a 12ga when 8 months pregnant is what is wrong with you.
how do I know... my mom did the same thing.

Your a good son, "Honor your mother and your father"  with a Fal!!!!

It's no wonder you're so cool AC...with a mom like that, some had to rub off!

My mom only shoots a Mini-14.

Thanks

I'll work on pics

My mom only shoots a Mini-14.

Thats my dads prefered rifle....

Nice rifle. I lusted after FAL's three years ago...not so much now at .50 a rd....

Very nice.  Always wanted an FAL.

Where did you find 922R compliant L1A1 H/T/S? I've so far been luckless in finding any.

Quoted: Where did you find 922R compliant L1A1 H/T/S? I've so far been luckless in finding any.

Gunthings Here you go. $85. for the set but IDK of anyplace esle that has them......  the triger pull on this rifle was pretty stiff in it's original form... not sure if it's wishful thinking/more time with it or it's an actual marked improvemnt with it since the conversion.

Quoted: Quoted: You have the most badass mom in the world... +1 !!

ROFL mention me riden a street bike again around her...... you'll find out how cool she is and who taught me how to cuss (she blames the army)

She forgets taking me to 2nd grade on the back of one

Very nice.

A lot of the Century FrankenFALS had problems (believe me, I know ) but the Century guns built on IMBEL receivers generally get good reports. I have one with many, many rounds of that used to be cheap port. ammo sent downrange without issue.