Quoted:
thinking about buying a DSA Para kit for my DSA Imbel rifle.
Anything I need to know about build a FAL lower or about a Para style FAL in general?
If you want to use your current rifle as much as possible, the lower needs to be modified with a cut on the recoil plate, the removal of the buttstock and recoil assembly, and the cutting off or removal of the tang. You would need a para folding buttstock and hinge block and put that on. You may have to change your rear sight (or you could modify the block to accomodate the standard sight like in the South African folding-butt R1s). You will also need a para bolt carrier, top cover, and recoil spring assembly (guide, 2 inner springs, and an outer spring). If you have a para cover with a nose it will have to be cut off or the receiver cut to accomodate it. I'm not sure if it would affect headspace, but I'd check anyways. If you want a folding charging handle you'll have to swap that out, too. Everything else can be used as-is.
The other option is to get a para lower receiver (cheapest would be to get a stripped lower and switch the parts over) and get the bolt carrier, recoil springs, and top cover.
You can also either buy a new rifle or get a para parts kit and do a build on an upper receiver of your choice.
This is what a rifle looks like built off of a kit; it's going to get guncote or enamel paint applied and then it'll be done. Before the scope and mount were bought the total cost was $800, not including the bullet button. I got everything piecemeal for my friend (who's rifle this is). Lower assembly except the rear sight (which is DSA) is all South African, a para conversion of a standard lower for a Rhodesian contract; barrel is South African as well, Rhodie surplus, as is the sand-cut bolt carrier and the bolt (bolt is Belgian, don't know about the carrier). Belgian BGS front swivel, unknown manufacture combo device, original top cover was unknown American but now it has the DSA scope mount with a cheap Leeper's scope . Upper is a Coonan. Charging handle is a British inch-pattern modified for use on a metric receiver. Handguards are IMBEL. Mag release is South African/Rhodie surplus. The other small parts are of various but unkown origin.