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Posted: 5/23/2005 4:43:54 PM EDT
| Lets compare/contrast the Euro 7.62NATO cold war rifles. Which of these two designs, the FAL or the G3, is superior and why? |
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Screw em both, let me get my AK! hippie.gif seriously, the FAL... I've had a chance to handle both... though I haven't shot either. FAL was large, but felt right... heavy sturdy.. decent ergonomics. I really want one. The G3 on the other hand, pretty large, also sturdy. The charging handle was awkward, for me at least. If I could get a "Good" cetme, or PTR-91, for under 500, I would. If I gotta pay more than that, screw it, I'll get an FAL. but, the best one, AK all the way.... err, sorry... FAL Teflon |
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I vote for FAL. it points better, feels more natural when shooting, though the sights are somewhat lacking. the G3 is self regulating(through delayed blowback) so you dont have a gas regulator to monkey with, less moving parts, and the super cool HK slap down charging handle. at least thats my favorite part. |
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Does the G3 have a a bolt hold open? Like I say I've never had one, but the G3A4 looks damn sexy. A para FAL would cost almost twice as much. I know the FAL has a bolt hold open (last shot), adjustable gas system which helps with reliablity; does the G3 have either of these? |
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I own a HK91. I like it, but it has some downsides: 1. No bolt hold-open 2. Heavy 3. Long, heavy trigger pull (slack, creep) It is fixable (Williams Trigger Specialities, etc) 4. Has a wee bit of felt recoil  FAL's are also very nice. On my "git" list.  If you're doing price comparisons, consider magazines, accessories, and parts in the cost. |
What he said... and furthermore - the FAL's ease of cleaning is another plus in it's favor... - georgestrings |
| Fine, fine, fine. I guess I'd choose the FAL as well, although there are fewer things more satisfying in the firearms community than slapping down the charging handle of a G3. I have heard that the G3 is reliable though, especially in sandy environments, hence the Israeli's getting rid of their FAL's. Charging handle was made as it was so you could charge from the prone. American clones have no paddle release, which would make a big difference for reloads. I have a thing for the drum sights of the G3. They both weigh about the same, but the FAL feels better to hold. It's been awhile since I've played with a G3, but I'd like to try again. |
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I am unspeakably weary of this. Same old, same old. Blah blah blah. FAL this and FAL that. Did you ever take apart a G3? It comes apart in zip point squat seconds. Far easier than an FAL to maintain. This fact nullifies all the blather about G3's being dirtier. And G3's are far, far nicer looking. IMHO. |
I've got a nice, sleek walnut and blued steel single-shot .22 that looks better and takes down quicker than any FAL or H+K. Seriously, maybe there is a bit more to this topic than ease of dis-assembly, and/or looks. |
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The FAL is a superior weapon overall. The FAL has an adjustible gas regulator and lighter weight just to name a few of its many attributes. The G3 has slightly better sights than a standard FAL, but thats about the only advantage it has. They are both accurate, reliable battle rifles, but the FAL is a better weapon than the G3. Best 'cold war' 7.62 Nato battle rifles: 1.Sig 540 2.FN FAL 3.M14/BM59 4.G3 5.Valmet/Galil |
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Fals and G3 weigh the same pretty much what 1/2 lb diff if that! as for cleaning a REAL g3 is two stockpins and it folds open and all the parts slide out,, thats it nothing more. since it isnt a gas op'd gun, it eats any ammo you feed it! no woorys of mid battle havin to adjust it per ammoload, or such or while at the range! since surplus is just so consitant! accuarcy wisethey are about the same,parts wise,, they are both cheap and well its a chevy ford thing,,, That being said,, ill take a CETME any day over a G3,, cause i like the old school stuff may as well own the real deal not some german copy   hehehehehehhehe
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| I have fired both, I own a G-3 but it was as much a cost issue as anything else. I like the mag well and mag release better on the G-3, it doesnt have a bolt hold open on the empty mag but many acclaimed guns dont (MP-5, AK). In honesty the AR-10 and M1A are better than both the FAL and G-3 in my opinion. |
| After owning several examples of both and going through (and passing...they do not give away certificates!) H&K Armorer's School on the G3 / G33 / MP5 series, I personally prefer the FAL. However...if presented with factory new examples of each,(with the H&K being German in orgin) using excellent military ball ammo, I will say that the G3 just might be more reliable than the FAL under really shitty conditions..but not by much. In the meanwhile, my FAL will fit me better, shoot ( for me) more accurately, and feel more like a rifle and less like a clunk than the G3...JMO. |
I also think that part of the issue MIGHT be that most FAL clones out there are pretty good, but most G-3/HK-91 clones out there are pretty shitty (or at least hit-and-miss quality). I think if people compared an original new FN FAL to an original new HK-91, more people might be ambivelent, and agree that both are damn good firearms, and the difference really is primarily in ergonomics and design preference, not really one being inherently superior to the other. |
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