FAL Questions

G

galt

New member
I really tried to get thru all the stuff on www.fnfal.com., but it is too much and poorly organized for my needs. SO maybe someone can help?

What is the diff between an STG-58 and a CETME ? Are there other major variants I should be aware of ?

Imbel Imbel Imbel. How about Federal Arms receivers ? Any good?

I have seen FN-FAL's for $550 - $700, but also see many people say cheap ones iwll need a bit of work to get fully up to snuff. If I am going to spend $1100 - $1200 anyway, why should I get an FN-FAL over an M1A ?

What should I be aware of in buying a used FAL ? I saw one yesterday for $675 on a fed arms receiver, but trigger seemed very gritty and sloppy so I passed.

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galt
Speak Out on the Net http://www.netcitizen.org
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Imbel Imbel Imbel. How about Federal Arms receivers ? Any good?[/quote]

Imbel manufactured FAL rifles under license from the FN factory for the Brazilian military. They make a top quality mil-spec receiver. Federal Arms? I've seen examples of their G3 receivers and wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole. I also have a Glock barrel they manufactured that the chamber is cut too long on such that spec ammo sits
just a few thousanths of an inch too far forward for the firing pin to reliably strike. I have not seen one of their FAL receivers, though, so I have to reserve judgement :)

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I have seen FN-FAL's for $550 - $700, but also see many people say cheap ones iwll need a bit of work to get fully up to snuff. If I am going to spend $1100 - $1200 anyway, why should I get an FN-FAL over an M1A ?[/quote]

FAL spare parts are cheap and widely available. In particular, FAL mags cost about 1/5" of an M14/M1A mag. Other than that, the M1A is a great rifle with excellent sights. For real world applications, the FAL's field adjustable gas system is a major plus.

The FAL also looks much cooler than the M1A IMHO.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>What should I be aware of in buying a used FAL ? I saw one yesterday for $675 on a fed arms receiver, but trigger seemed very gritty and sloppy so I passed. [/quote]

The FAL trigger can be smoothed out but I doubt its possible to make it crisp. I have a FAL built from a DSA receiver and an Stg-58 parts kit that has an acceptable trigger. I don't know exactly what you mean by sloppy but the trigger return spring/plunger tends to make the trigger on my FAL feel a bit mushy. That's just the nature of the beast. Its a battle rifle, not a benchrest rifle.


[This message has been edited by proximo (edited August 18, 2000).]
 
The difference between the StG 58 and the CETME is that the StG 58 was the Austrian Army's version of the FAL and the CETME is what the HK series is derived from.
The main differences in FALS to look for is what style of uppers and lowers to get; inch, metric or Israeli? Complete assemblies are interchangeable (metric upper on an inch lower) but individual components within assemblies are not (metric trigger in inch receiver, Izzy barrel on metric receiver, inch mag in metric receiver, etc) Some of the parts will eventually fit with much work though.
As for pricing; a clone built from a kit will sometimes save you some money but not always. Though it is nice to be able to build one so that you know and understand the inner workings and also just to say you built it yourself. The major hassle with building one yourself is headspacing. The FAL uses a locking shoulder to headspace on. The problem is getting the correct locking shoulder the first time. It can get expensive buying a set of shoulders and most likely never using the majority of them. The rest of the rifle is as easy to build as using tinker toys or lego blocks.
Another option is to buy from Century etc. This is basically considered the most economical route, assuming you get a rifle within specs (not always the case). Putting it back into spec can drive the price up into the next grouping. That grouping is buying complete guns from an established builder, such as ARS. ARS and other smiths use Imbel receivers mainly and build up rifles and carbines using kits. Then there are the manufacturers, this grouping would include DSA, Entreprise, Hesse etc. DSA has an excellent reputation amongst the FAL crowd. The others have questionable reputations. You'll pay more for the DSA but it would be worth it, according to most FAL affectionados. The top grouping would be the FN FALs produced in Belguim. Those imported into the USA are currently running around $4000US if you can find a seller.
The FAL is a very reliable shooter. It was designed as a battle rifle and may not seem as civilized as what many are used to. When looking to buy don't use all the criteria used when looking at a premium bolt rifle. What you're looking for should be wear, stress on parts, barrel wear, etc. Are the internals in good shape? Is the barrel damaged (bent, corroded etc)? If the basic rifle is in sound shape, parts are inexpensive to get it the way you want it set up. There are even aftermarket companies selling some parts to dress the FAL up.
Also be advised that if you want to build a kit in original configuration you will need a U.S. parts kit to be legal in the USA.
 
You really need to go back to FNFAL.com and go through that stuff again...
Those downloadable documents are Gold... Pure Gold. I didn't know a THING about the FAL before I bought one... FNFAL.com got me started... I still dont know everything about the mighty FAL - but at least I can handle them and take care of mine the right way. The history leasons are WONDERFUL.
 
although i can't afford a built up one, i am considering buying a parts set before they are all gone

any recommendations?

looks like 170-250 bucks gets you a torn down rifle sans reciever

i had hoped to buy a nice built one in a year or so but this new development has me wanting to get something now.

dZ
 
Imbel and STG-58 is a very good combination.

If you can't read the FAL site, don't build one, buy one. It is cheaper and you will be missing something harder than reading the FAL site.
 
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