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Posted: 12/23/2025 5:38:28 AM EDT
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A friend's dad and I were talking about guns (he's a collector). He asked if I had anything in 308, and I told him no, but if I ever get the money, I'll be picking up an FAL or a G3. He's moving here, so he's staying with us, and I know there's a ton of guns and ammo (but he's mostly into revolvers and bolt actions--though he has two ARs). Anyway, he says, "Go look in that black bag." I go, and it's this FAL. He said, "Merry Christmas." I told him I couldn't accept such a cool gun, but he insisted. His daughter (age 39) asked what it was, and I explained it had been used by like 50 countries from Rhodesia to Ireland, and was often called "The Right Arm of the Free World". I know there are TONS of different makes and models--often built on parts kits, and that some are considered "better" than others. I THINK this is an "early" DSA (perhaps when they were using LMT parts). Can anyone tell me about this gun? Thanks.       Is this thing supposed to turn freely? There's just a circle on the other side with a little notch in it as if something were supposed to fit in it: 
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Appears to be an early DSA with a lot of surplus StG parts in the build. What you are pointing at is the pivot pin that connects the upper and lower together. Hold the side with the pin protruding with fingertips and turn the other side with a coin to take it apart. Quite a gift... |
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I'm not adequately aluminumized for this thread. - gonzo_beyondo
CO, MI, OR - Please lobby your legislators to end discrimination against non-resident CCW permit holders
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Thanks. Are StG parts a good thing? I read that early DSA used LMT stuff (which they implied was a good thing). It appears to be all one color in person, but the camera made certain things look all different shades including some greenish. I'm not a fan of the heavy stock, but it seems like a folder would require a lot of changes (a para-upper or something). But I've always wanted one, and never would have thought he'd have one. I have an extra PA 1-6X as well as a Strike Eagle 1-8X FFP...one of them will likely go on it. I love the irons, but definitely couldn't hit center mass at 200Y with irons. |
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LMT made the receiver, based on what I recall on serial numbers. Which means it is a forged receiver, and the most desireable version of a common DSA receiver (not cast, not made in house by DSA). LMT made receivers are worth a pretty penny. Can’t recall enough about the differences to say if all the parts are STG-58, or if some G1 parts are mixed in. The Flash Hider looks standard Belgian or Imbel- not an STG or G1 type at all. Take off the handguards, see what the barrel says on it. Guessing it is STG. |
a loaded gun won’t set you free, so you say…
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Sort of looks like a kit build not actual DSA built but could be wrong. Some of the Stg parts kits looked like they were from brand new guns and that’s how this looks to me. I built a bunch of parts guns with Stg kits and a mix of DSA & Imbel uppers. Most of them looked just like yours in the picture except I preferred to standard stock. |
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Stg58 were made in Austria. I think they’re excellent. I had a couple of kits from Fedarms that were excellent, with great bores. I have an STG gun with the early DSArms LMT receiver, assembled by Rich Saunders of Century Gun Works (no relation to Century Arms). Very accurate. Nice gift! ETA: My STG58 kit gun: https://imgur.com/a/dsa-stg-58-FaRsyo0 |
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Back in the day DS Arms got a boatload of surplus FAL parts and IIRC some of the original tooling. They earned a good reputation on the FAL files. I believe your rifle is from that era. Having said that, your rifle is clearly unsafe. It pains me to do so but if you send it to me I will properly and safely dispose of it, and waive the customary fee.  Could you also notify your friend's dad that I am available for adoption? ETA: my FAL came from DSA with a similar stock. I found that the angled part directed recoil into my face and made the guy very unpleasant. I replaced it with a standard stock and it was much more pleasant. |
I know I'll never go home.
So set fire to your ships, and past regrets, and be free.
So set fire to your ships, and past regrets, and be free.
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Originally Posted By tac556: LMT made the receiver, based on what I recall on serial numbers. Which means it is a forged receiver, and the most desireable version of a common DSA receiver (not cast, not made in house by DSA). LMT made receivers are worth a pretty penny. Can’t recall enough about the differences to say if all the parts are STG-58, or if some G1 parts are mixed in. The Flash Hider looks standard Belgian or Imbel- not an STG or G1 type at all. Take off the handguards, see what the barrel says on it. Guessing it is STG. That would depend on how you define a pretty penny. I think only in the know FAL guys understand the significance of these early receivers. Also, in my opinion, stripping the receiver from the gun and selling the parts kit and receiver separately is the way to go. I used to watch Gunbroker when I was looking to sell an STG58 kit built on one. The full built guns never seemed to go for any more than Imbel or cast DSA receivered guns. The person I listed the gun for didn’t want to go through the hassle of breaking the gun apart and got just over $1000 at auction. Mind you, the kit was a Steyr STG58, all matching, and mint. |
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That’s an awesome gift. That man may need a nice bottle of scotch this holiday season. I’m sure he’s grateful for the guest room stay. That’s an awesome thank you in my book. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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As others said, kit build on a forged LMT-made Type 3 receiver. Some premium aftermarket parts (scope mount topcover, Magpul adjustable stock, gas regulator, safety). Type 1/2 Austrian Stg58 lower. You could essily sell some of those parts on falfiles and give it a more traditional look. You scored, bro. |
Pretty much focused on off-grid property, acquisition of needed things for an uncertain future, and lightening the load of things.
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Thanks for all the info. I started a huge fight on reddit bc one guy says he can tell it's cast by looking at it, and another guy says it's LMT and forged. They really got into it (I'm not gonna ever know the difference). Originally Posted By stimpsonjcat: Did it come with any magazines? Evidently he's got like 20-30 magazines and "a ton of 7.62" (there are at least 4 giant green surplus metal boxes--bigger than my surplus vietnam green ammo boxes--that are full of 7.62...I carried them in from his truck, and each one felt like 40-50lbs). He says he can't handle the recoil or even hold the gun up any more, but wants to go shoot his 8" barrel S&W revolver in 22LR (he had a 10rd cylinder installed). He has so many guns, he didn't even know what some were--he looked at one and said, "that must be one of the 10/22s," but I told him it was a Ruger 9mm PCC break-down. And then he remembered getting it. He loves his revolvers and wants me to shoot his Luger. He was a big prepper until his 80s; before he left Oklahoma, he sold off a lot of silver and stuff to help pay for the medical transport and nursing facility and stuff--just kept the guns bc he likes them and knows I'm a shooter (I don't have the money to be a collector; I have to sell one to buy one). **A few months back, I sold a G19 COA for $900 (lost $50) to buy parts for a car I got for my twin daughters who turned 16...a week later, Glock shut them down and prices went over $2000-$2500. All because I felt like a 92GTS would suppress better. **Suppressors have become my new addiction bc of my tinnitus. :( -- I've been best friends with his daughter for 21 years, and have always looked after her (I got her to beat an addiction and dealt with a few bad guys). She was in OK helping them and working online, but I got her a job here making a lot more with insurance, so she and the mom came down when they found a nursing facility for the mom; 3 months later, he left Norman, OK, to come here. His daughter and him are staying with me, but now his daughter's been diagnosed with some serious cancer at 39--we won't know HOW bad until more scans come in, but what we do know is that it's already so serious that the doctors think it's likely in her liver and/or bones besides the breast and lymph nodes. He had already said he couldn't lose his wife (who's been recommended for hospice), and now he's facing possibly losing his daughter, too. The nursing facility is $12.5K a month & insurance isn't paying any of it at the moment. He was Army for 8 years and then Marines before a 40yr career as a psychiatrist, so I had figured the VA would be helping...but maybe he just needs to find out how to get the right help. |
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That's a Type III receiver without a carry handle cut (non carry handle cut: NCH or NCHC). Just a quick search indicates that's a very limited production receiver. LMT, Type III, NCHC. Attached File |
valheru21:"The argument, "this gun won't go down in value," is used to convince the wife that you are not making a bad financial decision when purchasing a firearm. You're not ACTUALLY supposed to ever sell the gun."
Matt
Matt
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Dang, I am sorry for your friends trouble. I hate hearing the medical troubles. God bless her and I hope she kicks C’s ass! I am already mentally down with my sister’s kidneys close to failing. Seeing others in similar situations this time of year just is getting to me. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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Early LMT made receiver. Very very muy bueno good thing. Buy only surplus metric magazines for it and nothing else. Enjoy shooting it. |
“Liberty and love
These two I must have.
For my love, I’ll sacrifice
My life.
For liberty, I’ll sacrifice
My love.”
Petofi Sándor
These two I must have.
For my love, I’ll sacrifice
My life.
For liberty, I’ll sacrifice
My love.”
Petofi Sándor
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A STG build from DSA using an STG kit would have a A, B, or C after the serial number depending on barrel length. 21 for A, 18 for B and 16 for C This was more than likely sold as a bare receiver to someone who built a lit on it. They never used a type 3 on their builds for STG58 kits |
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that is a very generous gift pile! looks like the hard parts of that build were chosen by someone with good taste. the less expensive bolt ons can be swapped out pretty easily. the FAL equivalent of a buffer spring is inside that stock, there is no converting that to a folding stock. the upper receiver is the serialized part, it is a different design for the para, the spring is in the upper receiver not the stock. sorry to hear of their medical problems. enjoy their company while you can. sounds like he wants to enjoy shooting while he can. |
The deuce you say.
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