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Posted: 3/30/2003 9:50:18 AM EDT
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Hello folks. After contemplating for a good .308 battle rifle, (no range queen) I narrowed it down to AR10 or FAL. (no M1A or Hk91 simply because of the customer services, not saying these rifles are crap). Now I know some stuff about AR10 since I'm used to AR15s. But what about FAL? 1.Are they reliable in the field? 2.Are they combat accurate like standard M16A2? 3.Are the parts readily available? 4.Are these FAL barrels offered by DSA arms chrome lined? I know magazines for FALs are really cheap but AR10 has better sights platform. |
| They are very reliable.Kinda like the AK of battle rifles.The sights are the weak link but can be fixed.Someone is making a micro adjustable para sight.I have a fixed para sight.My groups went from 4-5 inches to around 2 at 100m.The makers name of the sight escapes me for the moment |
| I think the DSA STG 58's have chrome chambers and bores. There built from real clean kits with their reciever and U.S parts. I have'nt heard anyone say anything bad about them. Like Armalite Fan said the rear site needs some attention. I use a DSA mount and scope on my parts rifle and it's been very dependable so far. |
DSA sells a para sight that you can put on the rifle for $50 and five minutes of work. It gives you windage adjustment but no elevation. The reason I went to it was for the "wings" on either side of the sight that protect it from knocks. I zero the rifle for 225 yards. I can hit a full size sillouette from any distance that I want to walk out to, a few hundred yards, which is good enough for me.  1. The reliablity is very good. 2. They are more accuate then the shooter, these aren't benchrest target guns. 3. Plenty of part kits are available running $75 and up - just buy a complete whole spare rifle minus the receiver. You can replace the bolt dust cover for about $50 and have a weaver rail to mount glass optics if you want to hunt with the thing.  Wearing a compact ACOG. |
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IMHO the FAL is significantly more reliable than the AR10 I think the M1A is a close 2nd I've owned a AR10A2 rifle & a M1A rifle, I sold both & now own 2 FAL's & I'm building a third. A HK91 clone or CETME may be as reliable but I've never owned one. I will concede the AR10 is a inherently more accurate platform but not nearly as reliable as any of the others above. oh, the Austrian sourced STG58 DSA's have a chrome chamber I think but no chrome bore. You can still find new fully chrome lined Argentine barrels though, I got mine at DSA but they're sold out & I think Sportsman's Guide might have some. (if you get one get the closed ear gas block) check link here: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=7&t=168206&w=searchPop |
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The most serious reliability issue of most FALs is the lack of a positive control of the bolt. Unlike an M1/M1A, it is impossible to positively chamber a round with the typical FAL. In a battle rifle this is a decided advantage if the action/ammo is a little dirty. It's also important to be able to force the bolt fully forward, as that's the only way a FAL action can be opened. Fortunately, this is easily remedied. Simply obtain and install an Israeli style bolt carrier (preferably with the sand cuts) and the Israeli-style cocking handle. Pushing IN on the cocking handle knob engages a pawl that allows you to force the bolt forward and closed. I consider this a must-have for a battle rifle. Tapco and gunthings can fix you up. |
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I am sending my 3rd FAL kit(STG58) out to be built today.I am using a completely Chrome Lined barrel,from DSA,it is the 18 1/2" Para Barrel for $125,Sarco has 21" chrome lined barrels for $149<???,or somewhere close to that price..They are brand new!! I bought 1,but like the 18 1/2 Para for a Sturdy,Short and accurate chrome lined barrel,especially for the price..P.S. I just happen to have 2-Chrome Lined barrels for sale,1)a Para barrel,with Short muzzle brk.,perm Attached by Silver Soldier,(1125deg) f/Brownells..The other is an Argentine Chrome lined barrel,ah,almost forgot,also have a 21" Steyr Cold forged barrel,w/short DSA muzzle attached.Pick your barrel,the ones w/Perm.attached MB's are $175,SHIPPED...All ARE NEW!! Like you ,I shot my buddies 16" preban Sprinfield FAL,I sold my M1A the next day,and bought an IZZY,HB,Preban,(I was an idiot,and sold it)..Have had FAL's for 12yrs,MOST FAILURES TO Feed I HAVE HAD,WAS CAUSED BY ADJ.,OF THE GAS SYSTEM,if I tried to back it off,for a soft recoil,I would wind up changing ammo,and get a case stuck in the chamber,POP it out,and adj.your gas ,then No Problems..I Just Love FAL's..IM for Pics. Forgot,have any of you tried DSA's Peep Sight,I have them on all of my FAL's,they really work,much better that the original post sight.Also,I use the ARMS Mnt for my Scope,it is a Rock Solid platform,and doesn't mar your finish. |
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The FAL is an extremely rugged battle rifle, and won't fail you easily. Whenever the FAL Files get back up, look up the saga of "Old Dirty", a FAL in Texas that's still going strong after 3000+ rounds without cleaning (unless you count throwing it in mud puddles). Best, John Bear Ross |
I am currently modifying a standard StG58 rear sight to accept interchangeable screw-in apertures. This basically involves silver soldering a reinforcement plate to the front of the aperture blade, and which also adds about 1/16" to the sides and top of the aperture. This will allow drilling and tapping a hole for the new apertures, and at the same time strengthen the rear sight against being dropped. There are a wide variety of hunting, target, and low-light hunting apertures available. Without an aperture, the threaded hole in the aperture does duty as a glare- and reflection-free ghost sight. Since the new aperture hole is concentric with the original aperture hole, the sight graduations will still work. The short Belgian hooded peep sight is excellent for the range, but is too small an aperture for quick acquisition, or low-light conditions. |
| It might interest you to know, that after over 35 years of usage in the worst possible conditions, FN sent a team to Africa to access the need of used FALs in the service of various countries, for possible rebuild service...what the team of researchers found was almost "0" parts breakage, and zero need for repair, other than furniture and finish. Almost a zero failure rate...many rifles had no finish on them whatsoever anymore, were rusty, and had "changed hands" in numerous brushfire and civil wars, and still functioned perfectly. This was way beyond the expectations of the FN personel. |
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