I experienced the exact same dilemma. I guess it's all in what you want. I held the PTR 91 at my local and did not realize how heavy it feels compared to the FAL, though, I don't believe there is much of a difference in weight, the PTR is front-heavy. FAL has an excellent balance to it. I guess the other deal would be when the dude showing me the PTR couldn't even rack the charging handle, he couldn't do it...he said, "It's just me...I'm a small guy." I said, "oh...that's a hell of a selling point there Mr. Wizard!" I was able to do it, but either there was something wrong with it, or something was stuck in the guts, because that SOB was not easy! HAHA! Have you considered an M1A or AR-10 also? I was trying to choose between those 4; I own two 5.56 AR's, and wanted to give the piston a whirl. I figured I'll end up with all of them in the future... If you go with the DSA FAL, contact my boy Douglas King at USmadeFAL.com (ERG Services), he'll hook you up. Tell him TJ sent you. ... Good luck, let us know what you decide!