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Posted: 12/23/2006 5:31:27 PM EDT
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What is the cheapest FAL build possible? Factoring in any abolutely necessary tools like headspace gauges. Tell me stories of your cheap builds. I heard the story of the FALfiles guys putting a gun together on the tailgate of a pickup truck. Possible to build one for under 500 bucks? |
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500? Unless you got some great deals that are becoming more and more like extinct animals...No. I paid 149 shipped for one of Dans ammo FAL kits. Should have bought four more  .Any way that and a new DSA receiver I'm guessing around 450. Then the build, which I may send off for. Any way I still believe I'll come out ahead then buying a century arms fal. Still though I dream of a factory DSA para fal.... one day 
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So far the cheapest I've been able to do lately is a "carried a lot" kit ($139), Century receiver ($185) and compliance parts (about $100) What I ended up with is a pretty good shooter that looks like it was carried a lot (finish well worn) for under $500. If you watch the Market Place over on the FALfiles, you might be able to pick up a "cheap" kit, some are still available. Like I said about compliance parts, the route most are going is US made hammer, trigger, sear, pistol grip, buttstock, handguards and gas piston. Also, you can make up 2 parts using a US made magizine follower and floor plate. That route requires the mag to stay with the rifle. Kits come in all stages of finish. You usually pay much more for more finish. Depending on the country of orgin, they may be fired very little, giving you a good bore. To do a build properly you will need some special tool. Some people will say that you can WECSOG (Willie E. Coyote School of Gunsmithing) some of the special tools. You will need some way to time the barrel properly, pin guages to determine what size locking shoulder to use (determines headspace), headspace Go-No/Go guages. I also have a barrel vice and a receiver clamp. I have about $150 wrapped up in tools. I felt the cost of the tools was worth it as I've built 7 FALs now and have 2 more waiting building (1 is complete and the other still needs a receiver). A Dremel is a useful gadget if you are planning to do your own builds. Right now, the receivers are the choke point. Because of the import ban of the beginning of this year, the cheap Imbel receivers have all but dissapeared. The are going currently for about $450 (average). Imbels are still available but the price is skyrocketing. I payed $225 for mine about 18 months ago. There are several US made receivers being offered, DSA (around $400), Century (around $200) and Entreprise ($279). Might be able to find a Vulcan (Hesse)(I found a Vulcan about a year ago, built up fine). Several other manufacturers have some coming in the near future. I didn't even get started on refinishing. Santa is bringing me a sand blast cabinet this year. I will even set up a parkerizing tank. It's fairley easy to do at home on a small scale. Places like Brownells sells the chemicals or you can mix up your own using stuff from "around" the house. Besides the FALfiles, try Cruffler.com for building instructions. 2 years ago I didn't know anything about FAls. Great hobby! But it's getting expensive. I'm not an expert and the prices I quoted are not fixed in stone. Like the EE here, you can make a score on occassion. I started a complete rifle and learned how they work, then jumped into the kit building. Good luck! PS, depending on where you live, someone local may have the tools to lend/rent you. |
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