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Posted: 6/25/2005 8:42:02 AM EDT
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I am looking purchasing a FAL. I want a .308 semi automatic but the AR variants do not appeal to me......Are the weapons available from DSA worth the premium  price? |
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Start out with something along the lines of the DSA 58A's, excellent value for the money if you buy right. They are exc/unissued Austrian parts built on a DSA receiver. Don't know what the prices/market is like there, but should be able to get into one for $850-900. DSA backs up what they build if you do have a problem; check equip. ex. regularly. Then, once you're addicted, start accumulating parts and plan a home-build. |
That would be the DSA StG58. The DSA SA58's are a good deal more money. Not sure what a DSA 58A is - never heard of it... |
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OK, my bad, the official designation is DSA STG58A--carbine and rifle version.... this is what DSA calls their builds with Austrian parts kits I thought 58A covered it pretty well edit to add: just got off DSA's website, the official-official designation is STG58A AUSTRIAN FAL |
DSA is over rated. Imagine how I feel with my new DSA stg58 that is finicky with mags while my pal has a Century R1A1 that works with all the mags that mine wont. Not to mention a few extraction problems that his doesnt have. Oh, did I mention I paid 2 1/2 times more for mine than he did for his? Thats not a good feeling  Look for a built rifle off the FAL files, one from a seller who'll stand by his work. I see a really nice STG58 on an Imbel for $650 right now. Go check out that one and save yourself $400. Here it is Also, one of my sight screws snapped off too. |
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Kingfish, I would be sending that beck in a heartbeat-- they will make it right. I have the rifle and carbine. The rifle is flawless, the carbine was sensitive to a few older range mags I regularly used. Quit using them, and runs great now. Not an issue only because I have about 30 new mags. I have a Century on Imbel receiver, and it truly is an excellent performer- it began the FAL odyssey. I have recommended the 58A's to several people that have been very happy, sorry to here that you got a lemon. By the way, how much did you pay? Just doing some math from your post, it looks like you must have paid 1050-1100-----prices must be thru the roof in MD. I think my price was 825 rifle, 875 carbine, and I considered the carbine price a gouge----I would be pissed too |
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I paid $940. My buddy paid $399 for his Century. I wouldnt call it a lemon yet. A guy at the range said it might need to be broken in more because of theheavy park, or I just might need to set the gas more closed (its already on 3). I replaced the screw myself, it was easy. Just ruined the day at the range, thats all. All in all, I think I should have gone for a STG kit on an Imbel and saved some $$$. |
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The heavy park is deffinately an issue, I hand cycled the carbine probably 200 times dry, then used Ultima lube and it loosened way up, before I even put a rd. thru it. It would have for sure caused some slow cycling problems if I hadn't done that. The rifle has run 100 percent from the start, and compared to the carbine, is a much cleaner and flawless build. Another 200-300 rds ought to tell you whether its a true problem child--good luck with it. |
| One thing that I noticed that the Century receiver has over the DSA, is the magwell dimensions allow for looser tolerances. Some not-so-good mags were a tight fit going into mine, while they dropped freely from his magwell (and worked fine). The Austrian mags seem to be the best, and now thats all I own. Other mags that I had seemed to be slightly wider (speced them out with calipers) and didnt function as well. I dont know what kind they were. I think for reliability, a looser sized magwell is best. Not a nice secure fit like the DSA, but tight enough, and reliable. |
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You can save $300 by going with a FAL from these guys: www.ohiorapidfire.com/fal.htm They never update their website so best bet is to call them. When I ordered mine a year maybe 2 years ago they were out of stock. I had them charge my card up front and build me one. They had mine to me in 3 weeks. The FAL carbine I got from them is a steal of a deal. I just posted a 1.5" 200yd 5 shot group with mine. Is it repeatable? Not sure yet as it's been my best group so far. The next best group I shot that day was 3" at 200yds. THe 200yd range I shoot at is a load one shoot one range, so there are lots of factors involved in getting a perfect 5 shot group. Here's a pic of mine.  |
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