[ARCHIVED THREAD] - FN/FAL owners: PLEASE EXPLAIN (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 8/19/2002 9:42:12 PM EDT
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What is the attraction? I find them to be bland looking. Nothing to tickle my fancy yet I find many that are crazy about them. Now it may be the same thing to me as the hunter who came up to me asking what is the attraction of the AR15... until I let him shoot a few rounds at he said with a smirk "I see now" Please enlighten me. |
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They're pretty utilitarian, but that's ok with me! I like FALs because a semiauto with 20 round detachable mag is just a great platform, no matter what specific rifle you have. But I like FALs because: -simple, reliable. -pretty cheap. You can get a really good FAL for $750-$1000. A functional, passable one for $400. -lots of parts available -mags are cheap |
| FN/FAL's are a precursor to the AR15. Also, they have decent ergonomics, shoot a 30 cal. cartridge, and have $8 magazines (20rnd, used). Accuracy is not excellent, but still quite good. Reliability is great. They can look awesome, they can look bland. Depends on what you are going for. Check out [url]http://www.l1a1.com[/url] for more. |
| Must be a psych thing from being a teenager when Wild Geese came out. I have always found them sweet, sleaker looking than an AR15. I never cared for the carry handle on an AR though I do like the flat top receivers with scopes. I like the changes you can see in models from different countries plus I like the wood I can put on them. Then there is the joy of putting them together, its like when you were a kid working on an old car. On a side note living in Cailfornia means no AR's beside what I have so the joy of collecting them is to say the least dampened. |
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Quoted: Quoted: OH yea. You picking one up, DF? -Gloftoe you're kidding right??? look where I live... not allowed here. You can still buy them here in California. Either remove the pistol grip or attach a 10 round mag, get a Canadian dust cover and feed in stripper clips. DSA has the cover and Tapco has the clips. |
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Quoted: ... You really think this is "bland" looking? [url]http://www.azexarms.com/images/gallery/IzzyLB1.jpg[/url] You know Winston...after staring at that pic for a bit.... The stock and the grip. there is just something not right about it. Then again I used to hate the .45 round and find the .44 Mag too much and that was like 10 years ago. Now two of my favorite handguns are the .45 and .44Mag I guess I will have to buy one and LEARN to like it. [;)] ATENCIO: You really think the FAL looks sleeker than the AR?? Wow. Well hey some guys like Redheads better than blondes too huh? Thats what makes the world go 'round. |
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Quoted: Hello, {{ Nothing to tickle my fancy yet I find many that are crazy about them. }} Yep iam a Crazy 1 # TS2 [url]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid29/pf976487f7539dcae48a0fcc8dd2f1c40/fd60fcdf.jpg[/url] OK Here we go... now THAT is one I can like!!! [beer] |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: OH yea. You picking one up, DF? -Gloftoe you're kidding right??? look where I live... not allowed here. You can still buy them here in California. Either remove the pistol grip or attach a 10 round mag, get a Canadian dust cover and feed in stripper clips. DSA has the cover and Tapco has the clips. I'm pretty sure you would have to permanently attach the 10-round mag or at least attach it so well that you would need a gunsmith to remove it. I'm not sure which route DSA took with their CA legal FAL, as it's difficult to get information about it. Anyway, I don't think it's simply a matter of using 10-round mags. |
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I didnt mean using just a 10 round mag without securing it in. You use an allen bolt and modified mag release that holds the mag in place and makes it unremoveable without a tool. Can't vouch for the legality but I think this is similar to what DSA is doing. [url]http://www.webshooters.org/diy_california_fal.htm[/url] |
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DrFrige: This may not enlighten you, but, you may find something to look at on the DSA site that will tickle your fancy...[url]http://www.dsarms.com/index.cfm[/url] I am one who likes the looks of the FAL, especially in light of the fact that the design is one of the better ones as rifles go. Form follows function in this case, and the result is a good one. Kinda like a nice girl WITH big boobs; definetly a bonus! Compact with nice wood furniture. Could be a hunting rifle with the 5-round mag and a fixed 6x scope. [img]http://www.dsarms.com/images/sa58carbinew.gif[/img] The wicked sister: [img]http://www.dsarms.com/images/sa58osw.gif[/img] (...disregard the Y2K version of the pre-ban Dissipator...) Even my Century IMBEL L1A1 Klinton Sporter has OK lines, if you can live with the thumbhole/"butthole" stock: [img]www.ar15.com/members/albums/BusMaster007%2FBusMaster007%2520L1A1%2520%26%2520DISSIPATOR%2D1%2Ejpg[/img] I wouldn't mind having a few FAL/L1A1's for the collection in different guises. They're a superb firearm. |
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I FIGURED IT OUT!!! By looking at the walnut version BusMaster posted... The Walnut one is way cool but the stock!!!! I HATE THE SHAPE OF THAT STOCK! The barrel and the handguard and reciever all look slick and straight lined until you get to the limpdick stock. Now I know why. Lame reason huh? |
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Don't forget: Hard-hitting 7.62x51mm round. Excellent gas operated design, will butt stroke with authority, rugged (hell, indestructible), pretty damn accurate (mine are, anyways), hell of a lot cheaper than an M1A (especially the mags), many different types, all kinds of accessories, kits are dirt cheap, receivers plentiful, fun to restore, easy to assemble yourself with a few tools and a little know-how, difficult to accidently perform a full auto conversion because of the ejector block differences and non-sear cut receivers i.e. no "constructive intent." All in all, a great battle rifle. Okay and a couple of cons: The iron sight windage adjustment sucks (pure battle rifle), many guys are going broke because of the FAL (hey, practice a little self-restraint, you don't need 20 of the damn things!), and the US parts count bs stinks to high heaven. Will never be CMP legal (except as a match rifle), unfortunately. AW ban is a real nuisance, too. |
| I've always thought the FAL was one of the most beautiful rifles, along with MG34 and M42. I think the angle of the pistol grip and shape of the stock have something to do with it. For a post WWII design it can still compete with the nwer HK, AR15 and SIG for looks. [img]www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid28/pf3adc854c5d6ac910f3e6b73d6da1ebd/fd651ff8.jpg[/img] |
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Quoted: I FIGURED IT OUT!!! By looking at the walnut version BusMaster posted... The Walnut one is way cool but the stock!!!! [red]I HATE THE SHAPE OF THAT STOCK![/red] The barrel and the handguard and reciever all look slick and straight lined until you get to the limpdick stock. Now I know why. Lame reason huh? That's NOT lame, at all, DrFrige. One reason I like the thumbhole stock is the straight line at the top. It fits with the lines of the gun. The 'dip' of the standard stock ruins the lines, form following function notwithstanding... If one could get a straightline buttstock and a Hogue grip for the FAL/L1A1, that would be a nice combination. |
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Quoted: Quoted: I FIGURED IT OUT!!! By looking at the walnut version BusMaster posted... The Walnut one is way cool but the stock!!!! [red]I HATE THE SHAPE OF THAT STOCK![/red] The barrel and the handguard and reciever all look slick and straight lined until you get to the limpdick stock. Now I know why. Lame reason huh? That's NOT lame, at all, DrFrige. One reason I like the thumbhole stock is the straight line at the top. It fits with the lines of the gun. The 'dip' of the standard stock ruins the lines, form following function notwithstanding... If one could get a straightline buttstock and a Hogue grip for the FAL/L1A1, that would be a nice combination. Thanks for not flaming. At least I found what it is that I dont like... Now if I can only get to try one at the range... I will look for a shoother there that has one and ask to take a test drive. Most of the shooters there are cool. |
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Quoted: All in all, a great battle rifle. Okay and a couple of cons: The iron sight windage adjustment sucks (pure battle rifle), many guys are going broke because of the FAL (hey, practice a little self-restraint, you don't need 20 of the damn things!), An AR A2 rear sight can be easily retrofitted, [url]www.vandenbergcustom.com[/url] for $125 AR's & FAL's are making me go broke! Black Rifles, an addiction [smash] |
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[img]www.ar15.com/members/albums/Paul%2FSTG%2D58%2Ejpg[/img] Once you go .308 you'll look different on the mouse gun and the .223. The FAL is a great rifle - just as flexible as the AR at all roles save the target plinker. It's more accurate than most shooters at targets at ranges worth shooting at. Magazines are cheap and parts are plentiful. |
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Quoted: Quoted: All in all, a great battle rifle. Okay and a couple of cons: The iron sight windage adjustment sucks (pure battle rifle), many guys are going broke because of the FAL (hey, practice a little self-restraint, you don't need 20 of the damn things!), An AR A2 rear sight can be easily retrofitted, [url]www.vandenbergcustom.com[/url] for $125 AR's & FAL's are making me go broke! Black Rifles, an addiction [smash] Does that rear A2 sight have a windage knob, and can you adjust the elevation like you can with a standard FAL rear sight? DSA sells a rear A2 sight for the FAL as well: [url]http://www.dsarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=VOW110&storeid=1&image=rsighttpara.gif[/url] But no elevation adjustment. -Gloftoe |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: All in all, a great battle rifle. Okay and a couple of cons: The iron sight windage adjustment sucks (pure battle rifle), many guys are going broke because of the FAL (hey, practice a little self-restraint, you don't need 20 of the damn things!), An AR A2 rear sight can be easily retrofitted, [url]www.vandenbergcustom.com[/url] for $125 AR's & FAL's are making me go broke! Black Rifles, an addiction [smash] Does that rear A2 sight have a windage knob, and can you adjust the elevation like you can with a standard FAL rear sight? DSA sells a rear A2 sight for the FAL as well: [url]http://www.dsarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=VOW110&storeid=1&image=rsighttpara.gif[/url] But no elevation adjustment. -Gloftoe It definitely has the windage knob. The elevation adjustment is also on the A2 sight so it doesn't slide front to back like a regular FAL sight for elevation. Basicly Vandenberg puts(welds?)a standard A2 sight onto a piece of machined steel that fits into the slot where the regular FAL sight fits. I'll drag it out of the safe & take some digital pics for you tomorrow! I just looked at that DSA sight & I think that's just for the paratrooper model ?? |
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Quoted: Couple of questions now that you all have me intrigued: What is the recoil like?? Not bad at all. Mine has no brake on the front, and I don't notice the recoil at all. Does it have a buffer setup like the AR?? The bolt has a "rat tail" on the back of it, which recoils against a sprint in the stock, so yes? What is the deal with that handle?? looks like a retrofitted coat hanger on it... what is that all about? That's the carry handle. The rifle is a bit heavy, but not so bad. It folds down to the ejection port side of the rifle. You can get it with or without a handle. HTH. -Gloftoe |
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I think my Century STG58 is actually a pretty damn ugly gun. But magazines are less than $10 each and the gun is totally reliable (with a good set of fire control parts from FSE installed). Bipod folds into the handguards nicely. It kicks alot more than a 5.56 but I like that, makes me feel like I'm shooting a "manly" gun (not that my girlfriend doesn't shoot it too, and she's not manly). Get behind one and put 100 rounds down range and then tell me you would kick it out of bed for eatin' cookies. With 7.62 NATO you'll know as soon as you hit the target--he ain't gettin back up. Penetration and stopping power are superior. Realiability excellent. Did I mention magazines are cheap? Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I'd rather shoot an "ugly" gun that works and kills my enemy than shoot a "cool lookin'" gun that will only get my blood all over it when it breaks or malfunctions. Something to think about. [img]http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/MolonLabe/smallfal1.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/MolonLabe/smallfal2.jpg[/img] |
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I got into them because I wanted an inexpensive .308 cal. rifle that I did not have to spend a fortune on magazines. I love them, own 3 of 'em. 2 Imbels & 1 G1. I like everything about them, the looks, the feel, the adjustable gas system, cheap mags. inexpensive tools and parts, plenty of surplus items for repair. Not as accurate as my M1A, but still acceptable accuracy and really fun to shoot. The only downside I would point out is the rear site, kinda' sucks. Thanks cantra for the link, I will check it out!! I'll try to get a pic of my Imbel I had coated teflon green (Olive Drab) with the Walnut furniture from DSA. Really a good looking rifle. But I have to admit, my AR15 is still my favorite of all!! |
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Quoted: Yes, my kitchen floor is dirty Yes, I have dogs (3) Yes, I live out in the mountains Yes, the rifle is cleaner than the floor Who cares about the floor? I declare anyone who says anything about your floors to be on the wrong forum. Anal retentive cleaning lady forums are somewhere else. Nice looking rifle, BTW! |
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"I describe it this way - the recoil of my FAL is AR-like. Seriously." really? i put 420 rds. thru one of my fal's on sunday and my cheek is STILL bruised! one of the main reasons weapons designers chambered down to 5.56x45 and 4.45x39 was the effects of recoil. a fal's recoil is most definitely NOT "ar-like" imo. still, of the .308 military semi-auto's, i prefer the fal above all others. [img]http://album.gunsnet.net/data/ekie/full_86_p2320.jpg[/img] |
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You might want to look at the gas ssytem then as mine kicks VERY little. I have the gas set to dump the rounds about 5 ft awy versus the 40ft it was when I got it. Its a rifle that doubles as a club when you run out of ammo and is very user maintainable which is important when in the field. Yeah, HKs have a certain mistique, but FALs IMHO are a better rifle. BrenLover |
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Quoted: Quoted: [url]www.ar15.com/members/albums/Pthfndr%2FFAL%2Ejpg[/url] Yes, the rifle is cleaner than the floor As well it should be. Question. What kind of optic mount is that? (yeah, you told me already and I forgot) That's a FAL scope mount dust cover. It's like a flat top AR. This one is some no name brand I picked up cheap at the Reno gun show. I was looking for a DSA made one because theirs is actual 1913 Picatinny spec. This one isn't and I had to use the standard ring that comes with the Aimpoint because the grooves are Weaver and hence too narrow for the QR Aimpoint mount. But it works well enough with the Aimpoint scope. If using a high power precision scope I would definitly go with DSA's dust cover. Made to the right spec and nice and beefy, stays secure at all times. |
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Quoted: An AR A2 rear sight can be easily retrofitted, [url]www.vandenbergcustom.com[/url] for $125 AR's & FAL's are making me go broke! Black Rifles, an addiction [smash] My bad, no elevation adjustment on the rear, I guess that limits you to the fron post. [img]www.ar15.com/members/albums/cnatra%2F104%2D0462%5FIMG%2EJPG[/img] [img]www.ar15.com/members/albums/cnatra%2F104%2D0458%5FIMG%2EJPG[/img] Gloftoe, i screwed up & the close-up "macro" shots are like 750kb-1meg. I can e-mail them or resize them tonight when I get home. |