I hoping to buy my first FAL pretty soon and was wondering if there is a big difference in performance between a 16 in carbine or 20 in rifle.  I'd prefer the shorter barrel but would like to know the pros and cons.

I have two 21", one 18", and one 16.25" carbine.  The shorty is definitely my fav.  It also is shaping up as the most accurate.  I shot a twelve round group yesterday with iron sights (KNS duplex front sight).  Six shots went in @100 yards under 1" and the rest were under 3 1/4" using 168 grain Winchester 308.  I'm planning on reshooting next week using a scope and a different target arrangement.  It's a DSA badger barrel.  The others are Imbel and Steyr.

Anyway, once you go under 18" barrel length you start losing some energy.  The tradeoff is less barrel whip.

Omar, have you ever measured velocity difference between each of your barrel lengths using the same ammo?

I still don't have a locking shoulder in the 18" one.  When I do, I'll chrono them and post it.


Jim