FN-FAL, your thoughts....

Marion David Poff

Marion David Poff

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
5,403
Good Day,

Let me start by saying this.....

I am gun-stupid.

I understand some the concepts, I am hazy on some of the workings... etc.

There is a local army/navy camping store that is offering FN-FAL's for $550, they are used British issue, with new American parts to satisfy import laws.

Now, I trust the gentlemen that own and run this store, but I am just seeking you all's thoughts on such a gun.
 
Sir,

If you are interested in exceptionally in-depth info and archives dating back several years, http://www.l1a1.com is a message board dedicated to their discussion.


What you've described sounds like a century L1A1. Most work, some are turds. Those which are turds can be made to shine without too much trouble.

Other routes would be to purchase one from another manufacturer (DSA is more or less the leader - $800 and up) or to have a gunsmith build one to your specs.

Things to watch out for - the receiver may be inch or metric. A metric receiver will only accept metric mags, while an inch receiver may function with either.

All in all, well designed rifles.
 
I owned and operated for a few years Springfield Armory's version, the SAR-48. Very nice, reliable rifle. We used to have a lot of fun with it.
 
MDP, the best suggestion I can give you is to go here:
www.falfiles.com

I have been looking at these rifles for some time now. What I have learned is that while you may get lucky and find a good Century parts gun, you stand a better chance of getting burned. Especially if you don't know what to look for.
You can likely find someone in your area via FAL Files to help build or buy an FAL (usually STG 58) that will work for about the same amount of money as you local shop.
 
FN-FAL's vary from great to junk, depending on if they are parts guns or new and who made them. some of the parts guns are fine, some junk. ya just gotta look at them. all are mil spec i think, but if one part (ie upper) is in the upper range of tolerance, and anothe r(ie lower) on the lower range, it wont work, happened to a bud w/a AR15.

i was thinking of getting a CETME G3 or a FAL, one of the cheap parts guns, a while back, and after research, decideed to wait and get a better one.

the good FAL(and G3's too imho) runs in the $1200 range, from what i understand, unless ya know your stuff about FAL's, and can make them work no matter what the specs on the parts

greg
 
"I am just seeking you all's thoughts on such a gun"

First, never call a rifle a 'gun'.:)

Second, a quality FAL should be okay. There are resources on the Internet that describe what to look for, when examining one.

Or you can just save up and get an M1A :)

--JB
 
First, never call a rifle a 'gun'.

---> Any particular reason?

Second, a quality FAL should be okay. There are resources on the Internet that describe what to look for, when examining one.

---> If your son/brother were considering buying one, would you suggest it?

Or you can just save up and get an M1A.

---> Those seem pretty pricey. What would you suggest for more economical choice?
 
"Any particular reason?"

It's just bad form, like calling a magazine a 'clip'. Nothing big - just a pet peeve of mine.

"If your son/brother were considering buying one, would you suggest it?"

While I obviously think there are better rifles (like the M1A), the FAL is no slouch. It is the widest-used battle rifle in history, IIRC, so a quality one should serve you well. It's just a matter of checking it over properly.

"Those seem pretty pricey. What would you suggest for more economical choice?"

The FAL or the CETME.

--JB
 
SIFU1A wrote:
i was thinking of getting a CETME G3 or a FAL, one of the cheap parts guns, a while back, and after research, decideed to wait and get a better one.
Click to expand...

e_utopia suggested:
> Those seem pretty pricey. What would you suggest for more
> economical choice?"
The FAL or the CETME.
Click to expand...

CETME RIFLES: PROCEED WITH CAUTION

Please, everybody, be extremely careful when purchasing CETME rifles, because there are big differences between the "Modelo B" and "Modelo C" CETME rifles!

ONLY "Modelo C" CETME's are capable of safely firing 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges (which generates in excess of 50,000 psi). The "Modelo B" were manufactured to fire the 7.62x51mm CETME--similarly-dimensioned cartridge but which generates only approx. 42,000 psi.

Unscrupulous, or worse just ignorant, dealers will advertise "Modelo B" CETME's as ".308" rifles--implying it is safe to fire the .308 NATO rounds. And while the Modelo B's may be able to temporariily fire the high-pressure NATO rounds, you are literally playing with fire by exceeding the pressure parameter of the CETME cartridge by 8,000 psi with each trigger pull!
 
e_utopia opines:
While I obviously think there are better rifles (like the M1A), the FAL is no slouch. It is the widest-used battle rifle in history, IIRC, so a quality one should serve you well. It's just a matter of checking it over properly.
Click to expand...

I think overall, the FAL & M1A (firing the same 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge) are a toss-up in terms of quality and reliability. As far as accuracy (and "potential" accuracy of the mechanical design), the M1A gets the nod.

What a buyer needs to more carefully consider is availability and cost of spare parts. There is a flourishing FAL aftermarket parts industry, while the M1A languishes much farther behind in that dept--which only means more choices and options for the FAL buyer. High-capacity magazines are scarce and cost-prohibitive for the M1A, while FAL hi-caps run currently at about $10.00/piece.

With sandcuts in the receiver and an adjustable gas system to compensate for crudding up, a properly-manufactured FAL in terms of reliability is maybe second only to the AK series.

A sniper rifle it is not, but accurate enough for almost any other application a battle rifles calls for. (Note: if ultimate accuracy is what you're after, you are better served by the M14/M1A platform.)

At one point in the late 1980's, the FAL was the issued rifle to approximately 70 non-Com Bloc countries worldwide (again second in number only to maybe the AK)--earning it the nickname of "The Free World's Right Arm".

Hope that helps...

BTW, when it came to buying either an M1A or FAL, I chose the FAL because of cost of aftermarket parts, magazines, etc. Also, because I anticipated the M1A to be legally available for longer than imported surplus FAL's. ;)
 
MDP wrote:
There is a local army/navy camping store that is offering FN-FAL's for $550, they are used British issue, with new American parts to satisfy import laws.
Click to expand...

Run, don't walk, to that store and pick one up!

That is an excellent price for an inch-pattern (vs. metric) surplus L1A1 (FAL)!

Oh, to live freely the great State of Idaho!
 
From what I understand, ARS puts together excellent FAL's, but you pay for it. DSA also puts together some nice rifles.
If you can find a local gunsmith who can build one for you, it can be done for about $500. Receivers are available for under $200 and a G1 kit with 6 US parts is available from Tapco for about $170. So figure $400 for parts and shipping, and $100 for labor if you can't do it yourself.
 
Marion,

What store did you see the FAL at. My parents live just south of you in Moscow. At that price maybe I could get them to pick one up for me.
 
The L1A1 is a very good battle rifle (if you get a good one) The early wooden furniture ones tend to be better than the later black plastic furniture ones.

I shot with one for the first year I was in the Territorial Army before we changed over to the 5.56 L85A1

I just love the kerching noise as the working parts reciprocate near you ear, AH ;)

I was doing a TA weekend at a stores base in Berkshire where they were installing a big chopper thing to convert thousands of rifles to scrap :grumpy:
 
bagman wrote:
I shot with one for the first year I was in the Territorial Army before we changed over to the 5.56 L85A1
Click to expand...

Bagman-

What was your experience with the L85 bullpup? Did Enfield design a lemon as widely reported in small arms press? Is the L85 readily convertible to left-shoulder firing? Is it true that troops in NI refused to patrol on the right side of the streets with the L85?

I'd like to hear from someone with experience with the L85! My only UK pal with service was in the Royal Engineers and was only ever issued L1A1's.
 
Guncollector,
I served in a British infantry regiment for 4 years and, being a member of the battalion shooting team, used the SA80 extensively. I used the weapon on the dusty plains and wet humid foothills of Kenya, in the mud and cold of Wales. I can honestly say that I never experienced one stoppage with the weapon. Admittedly, you have to keep the weapon well-oiled and maintained but, as a professional soldier, that should not be a problem. During live firing exercises I fired over 1000 rounds in about 4 hours through the long-barrelled "Light Support Weapon" variant with no problems (apart from my ears!)
I spent about 20 months on operations in Northern Ireland and always felt confident in the weapon.
It is EXTREMELY accurate and very well balanced - espcially when firing standing, squatting or kneeling.
I know that the SA80 is not a "sexy" weapon like the new HK's but it does work and I believe that a lot of the problems that the British army have are down to individual's poor personal battle skills.
As a Channel Islander, with different gun laws to mainland UK, I own an old Winchester M14 and a 7.62 Galil ARM. I love these guns - and they are "sexier" than the SA80 - but when it comes to the crunch :- carrying lots of ammunition for suppressing enemy positions and being able to hit someone, standing, kneeling, squatting, or prone - day or night - I would have to choose the SA80, ugly as it is.
 
Steven-

Thanks for the reply. I think much of the "bad rap" the L85/SA80 got was due in part to the early "working out the kinks" phase...much like the growning pains the AR-15 went through in the late 60's.

Sexy is as sexy does. And because we Colonials can't own an L85/SA80, that makes it exotic and somewhat sexy to us anyways. ;) Plus, if anyone makes fun of your SA80, you can always redirect their ridicule to the FAMAS ("Le Bugle") bullpup that the Frogs issue their troops! LOL!

You didn't mention what it takes to convert the rifle to left-shoulder firing. Would you mind writing a blurb on that?

BTW, I've been to your lovely little island of Jersey. ;) Wonderful place, great windsurfing. I spent 2 weeks there in the early 90's visiting an ex-pat American friend who was teaching windsurfing there...
 
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