Picked up my new DSA Type II STG-58 FAL from my FFL the other day.  I've
heard that even though these guns have *some* used Austrian parts,
they are virtually new.  We'll what I have heard is true.  The gun
appears new.  The only *blemish* I noticed was a small amount of
discoloration on the carry handle but you have to look hard to
find it.

The handguards, stock and pistol grip are new. The upper and lower
receiver have a charcoal gray finish and match in color.  Upon breaking
down the rifle, I notice the design of the FAL is made for reliability
with a bolt carrier that fits somewhat loose by design.  Breaking down the
the bolt carrier, I noticed a small pin holding the firing pin in
place.  This pin is easily removed.  The firing pin is somewhat
discolored and appears to be used.  The bolt carrier is covered with
a light coat of grease which I removed and then lubriated all the parts
with with Breakfree.  Hope this is the correct method.-:)  The Belgium
FN/FAL manual that comes with the gun leaves out lots of details.

The gas piston can be accessed and by turning gas plug assembly a full
turn where it pops out.  The gas piston and spring appear new.  From
what I understand the gas piston should be cleaned after use.  I lubed
it with Breakfree and put it back together.

The barrel was shiny but had a small amount of power residue from
test firing.  After a few strokes with patches soaked in Tetra solvent
followed by a bore brush and 4 dry patches, the barrel was shiny and
looks like new.   Wow, I was impressed.

Enough of the aesthetics, lets see how it shoots.  With the help of
Q-man, we had it on target at 100 yards after about 40 rounds.  
Trigger pull is somewhat typical of military guns, probably a little
worse than an AR-15 but I'm biased, since I have 3 AR's.  Recoil is
not bad but my right cheek bone was sore after shooting 50 or so
rounds from the bench.  I'll have to loosen up my cheek weld in the
future.  Q-man shot better groups than I did using Porteguesse(?)
and South African surplus.  For me, accuracy was around 2-5 inches
at 100 yards.  My old eyes just don't do well with the irons.  
I've got a DSA scope mount on back order, so plan on adding optics
it in the future.  We had one failure to eject with the spent brass
getting caught when the bolt cylcled.  This is not surprising since
cycling the bolt was stiff and has loosened up a fair amount.

DSA had the gas setting on 4 so I thought I would *improve* it.  Wide open
at 7 caused a failure to lock back all the way.  I tried 6 and the bolt
locked back.  Great I thought.  Less gas means less recoil.  Loaded up
a mag and the rifle locked up tighter than a drum after the first shot
was fired.  We banged on the butt while pulling the charging handle to
pop out the spent shell.  I moved the adjustment to 5 and damn, the same
thing happened.  Screw it, I moved it to 4 and the rifle functioned
flawlessly after that.  Hmmm, maybe DSA knows something about setting
the gas adjustment. -:)

The only thing I didn't like about sighting it was that that the front
sight has two spring loaded plungers that need to be depressed
simultaneously.  This required 2 of us to move the sight.  From looking
at the catalog, DSA sells a sight adjustment tool for $15.  I'll
buy one of these in the future.

I got 2 types of magazines from DSA, one used Autrian in excellent
condition and 4 Isreali new magazines.  The Austrian mag pops in and
out with ease and only shows slight ware. The Isreali mags are tight but
after some use, loosen up enough to use reliably.  I plan on ordering
more of the Austrian mags since they were made for the STG-58.  Don't
get me wrong, the Israeli mags are new but the fit is slightly tight.

All in all, I'm very happy with the gun.  If you want a rugged, battle
rifle, buy a DSA STG 58, you won't regret it.

spambo

Welcome to the FAL club.  You will want to start haunting this board as well now:

www.falfiles.com/forums/

Regards,
Gary

Check out the August issue of "GUNS" they did a 24 hour 10,000 round torture test. It came through with flying colors except they blew th barrel by overheating it.

FALs are fun. :)

If you get tired of the crappy rear sight, you can get an enclosed "para" type sight that's a little more along the lines to what the AR has. It should work okay with your existing front sight.

Stock up on mags while you can. I have something like 40 at last count and you'll find at $10 each for new mags, they're a hell of a lot cheaper than AR or M1A mags.

Happy shooting!

They are fine MBR and I hope you enjoy it. I do find the controls a bit awkward compared to the AR.

Quoted: FALs are fun. :) If you get tired of the crappy rear sight, you can get an enclosed "para" type sight that's a little more along the lines to what the AR has. It should work okay with your existing front sight. Stock up on mags while you can. I have something like 40 at last count and you'll find at $10 each for new mags, they're a hell of a lot cheaper than AR or M1A mags. Happy shooting!

Where can I find the para type sight?Thanx

Quoted: Quoted: FALs are fun. :) If you get tired of the crappy rear sight, you can get an enclosed "para" type sight that's a little more along the lines to what the AR has. It should work okay with your existing front sight. Stock up on mags while you can. I have something like 40 at last count and you'll find at $10 each for new mags, they're a hell of a lot cheaper than AR or M1A mags. Happy shooting! Where can I find the para type sight?Thanx

You can get them from DSA and Tapco may have them as well.

DSA had the gas setting on 4 so I thought I would *improve* it. Wide open at 7 caused a failure to lock back all the way. I tried 6 and the bolt locked back. Great I thought. Less gas means less recoil.

I would advise you not to open this up too much, as the more gas you bleed off the worse the wear and tear on the gas system, bolt, and bolt carrier.  If it works reliably on 4 I'd leave it there.

RE: Heavy Trigger

I've shot - and enjoyed - two triggers reworked by Williams Trigger Specialties out of IL.  The company advertises in Shotgun News and Gun List.

They may have forgotten to refinish the firing pin.  Normally they put a good phoshphate on the old parts and they look fine.  Most of them are in non-critical areas and the used parts don't really weaken the rifle.  They're a lot better than the other remade FALs being made.