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Posted: 12/9/2001 7:49:15 PM EDT

I am pondering purchasing a .308 "Black Rifle" but I don't know much about the FAL or the HK and the variants. Can anyone suggest some good reading that will bring me up to speed on either or both of these rifles?
Since this is an AR board I guess I can get a few opinions, which is a better way to go? FNFAL or a G-3 HK? I see a lot of stuff for the FN on the web, how about the HK? Can anyone make a case for one being a lot better than the other? An AR-10 may be in the future but I wish to try something of the Non AR type for a while.

Thanks, Multi-G

Posted: 12/9/2001 7:59:33 PM EDT

[#1]

I have a L1A1 and a CETME. I like the L1A1 a lot better. I find that it is easier to operate and clean. The FAL doesn't destroy the fired cases like the HK type rifle. Optics are easier (and cheaper) to mount on a FAL.

If I had to sell one, the CETME would go before the FAL.

OSA

Posted: 12/9/2001 8:20:10 PM EDT

[#2]

Go to The FAL Files web site, dont know the address but it is in yahoo.
GG

Posted: 12/9/2001 8:27:22 PM EDT

[#3]

fnfal.com

or

hkpro.com

Posted: 12/9/2001 8:27:49 PM EDT

[#4]

I thought this was common knowledge to the cognoscenti:www.fnfal.com/falfiles/

Posted: 12/9/2001 8:30:43 PM EDT

[#5]

I have spent some time on both of the boards, but I still wonder which one is a better rifle.

Posted: 12/9/2001 8:32:16 PM EDT

[#6]

My 91 does NOT destroy brass. That problem is solved with a port buffer. It also does not have the recoil of a CETME because I have the G3 Heavy recoil buffer in it.

But, in either case, the mags are cheap.

Posted: 12/9/2001 8:38:41 PM EDT

[#7]

Go with the DSA STG58 part Kit gun. The price you pay for a HK you can make a small down payment on a car. The weight on the FN is nothing like the HK. The STG58 price is only $999.00+tax, and it comes with a carry handle if you want one and a built in bipod and, it comes with a 20 rd mag. Check out DSA web site for more Information.

Posted: 12/9/2001 9:49:52 PM EDT

[#8]

Ford or Chevy?

Coke or Pepsi?

Face it, someday you'll probably have both. Just surrender yourself to that reality and get on with it.

Posted: 12/10/2001 5:43:09 AM EDT

[#9]

I should have been more specific in my first post. I am leaning towards a DSA lightweight or something similar. I want this rifle to be somewhat light and as handy as I can make it. I figured I would go with a 16in barrel and top it off with some type of good optics. Maybe an Aimpoint or possibly an ACOG.
If this question is truly a Ford/Chevy one then sorry if this has been asked 1,000 times. I see a lot of support for the FAL but not as much for the HK. Is price and weight the deciding factor here? I will probably buy the first one then build the next one. That is unless I can really save a bunch putting one together. I have most of the tools and I am confident I can do it, but I know very little about either of these rifles. Is the FAL book that DSA sells worth the price?

Thanks

Posted: 12/10/2001 7:31:39 AM EDT

[#10]

HK's are absolutely reliable, almost AK-like. I have no experience w/ FAL's. If you get either rifle, consider a trigger job from William Trigger Specialists - they advertise in SGN / Gun List.

If you want the 16" barrel, fine. Just know that you are schlepping around extra weight without getting the full benefit of the .308 ballistics. Me, I'd choose either the DSA standard or medium contour barrel, and pick up the approx. 100 fps in muzzle velocity. To each his own.

Another thing, you can buy FN mags all day for no more than $10 a pop.

Posted: 12/10/2001 8:08:53 AM EDT

[#11]

what is the difference between an FAL and an L1A1? Are they the same rifle?
Thanks.

Posted: 12/10/2001 8:26:51 AM EDT

[#12]

The L1A1 is the British version of the Belgium designed Fn-FAL. L1A1's are inch pattern whereas most FAL's are metric. I own an R1A1 (South African) version of the FAL and I have fired the HK-91 in Germany. HK-91's seem to have more felt recoil. Overall, I like the design of the FAL better then the HK-91/G-3. Either way, you can't really go wrong - just ensure you buy quality - some surplus parts kit guns are good and some are for s##t. Jon

Posted: 12/10/2001 10:05:24 AM EDT

[#13]

Try one or the other out. Just stay away from cetme's, they arent real HK and they arent a real cetme, they are frankenguns from what I have heard. Now either gun you by will be a pretty good choice, but your missing the one important thing, the rifle has to fit you. Go to the gunshop and ask to hold both rifles, see which fits your body, which allows for quick loading and easy target acquisition. If you can go to the range and offer some free ammo to people with the rifles and get off a few test shots.

Posted: 12/10/2001 12:41:26 PM EDT

[#14]

How about books on these rifles? Any suggestions?

Posted: 12/10/2001 3:34:37 PM EDT

[#15]

Multi,
first determine if you want a real FAL. I suspect you do as that's in about the same pricing category as an H&K.

A real FAL is a Belgium rifle and the finest of the several Belgium rifles is the FN LAR 50.00.
I'm a very large ArmaLite fan and have an original AR-10 but in my opinion the FN 50.00 is the finest battlefield rifle ever made. Here you're looking at roughly $2,000 - $2200.

If you're looking for a non-Belgium FAL (American receiver) look no further than
"County 669's post. Dealer cost is $850.00 on the rifle and $900.00 on the carbine - both plus freight. You might consider having your favorite FFL order for you and make $50.00 or so and you'll still save a bit.

Posted: 12/10/2001 3:41:38 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
I am pondering purchasing a .308 "Black Rifle" but I don't know much about the FAL or the HK and the variants. Can anyone suggest some good reading that will bring me up to speed on either or both of these rifles?
Since this is an AR board I guess I can get a few opinions, which is a better way to go? FNFAL or a G-3 HK? I see a lot of stuff for the FN on the web, how about the HK? Can anyone make a case for one being a lot better than the other? An AR-10 may be in the future but I wish to try something of the Non AR type for a while.

Thanks, Multi-G

Slap a black plastic stock on a M1A and there ya go. No gas adjustment drum to burn the hell out of your fingers on and no fruity recoil operation to pound the crap out of your shoulder.

Posted: 12/10/2001 4:52:52 PM EDT

[#17]

I have to vote for the FAL, though the HK is no doubt a fine rifle. The FALs are less expensive, parts are readily available, magazines are cheap and plentiful. The gun is reasonably light and easy to shoot. I find it hard to tell the difference in recoil between my AR and my FAL.

Just my 3 cents (inflation, you know-- gotta charge more for my advice now)

Posted: 12/10/2001 6:16:49 PM EDT

[#18]

Dealer cost on a FAL is $799.00 (LEO cost as well).

Posted: 12/10/2001 6:22:58 PM EDT

[#19]

Go with the DSA Fn-Fal.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Fal vs HK

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