FAL question

P

PoiDog

New member
I hope this hasn't been asked too recently,
but...

I'm considering buying an FN-FAL rifle, or one of the current copies anyway. My question is this: I keep hearing about metric vs. inch when it comes to magazines. Could someone
please explain what this means in regards to this weapon? Which one is considered better
and why? I appreciate any help.
Oh, and one more thing, which is more common? I'm considering this rifle because of its
proven utility, but also its price compared to the M1A which I dearly love. TIA
 
PoiDog.
I'm no expert but do own and have built FALS.
The metric is more common and parts are alot cheaper to buy. Inch versions were made mostly by the Commonwealth countries (England, Canada, Australia etc) and metric by others such as South Africa (R1, R1A1), Argentina, Belgium etc. Bottom line is both are excellent MBR with the inch being rarer and more costly.
The inch FAL will except both inch and metric mags, while the metric only accepts metric mags. Inch mags cost $15 up and metric $6 to $10.
The best deal is to build one yourself using an Imbel receiver and a parts kit. Total cost with US parts is $450-500 for a nice rifle and its fun to do. I have built on an Entreprise receiver but the Imbel is better as it is a FN licensed receiver.
I have both the M1A and FAL. My M1A is more accurate but the FAL just looks way cool! You can also vary its looks easily.
When the Falfiles website comes back up check it out. Lots of info and the guys are very helpful. A few gunsmiths even post to help out on building kit guns. HTH
 
Cherokee, I agree, I love both rifles. A friend of mine has had an original FAL for over 20 years now. I really like it, and also love the M1A. I'll get an FAL for now because of the cheaper cost in both mags and the weapon. Thanks for clearing up some of my confusion.
So many guns, so little time... :)
 
That site is only good for the discussions?

No sir.

Download all that documentation and print it all out.
Thats everything you need to know to care for and feed your FAL - including a good deal of history.
Very good reading.
 
Okay, I apologize, that was brash, and not meant to criticize the site which is as good as any other on a particular gun.

And you'll get a link to gunplumber's tech notes from there, telling you everything you (probably) need to know about building fals.


However, from the standpoint of understanding the current FAL market, you need the board. Especially with the recent ban, there are day by day changes in the market.

Battler.
 
The quick way to tell an inch magazine from a metric is the hook on the top-front of the mag. If it's fairly large and square and is a seperate piece that was brazed onto the mag body, it's inch pattern. If it's a rather small round hook that was punched out of the mag body, it's metric.

The basic difference between the receivers is the size of the cut in the magwell that accepts these hooks. The other basic difference is the cut of the cocking handle guide that allows the inch pattern cocking handle to fold flat against the receiver.
 
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