FAL Rifles

Why do they specify inch or metric?
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There are differences between inch & metric, but it's not things like screw threads. Partly that's why the term "inch pattern" is used so much as its the design changes between inch pattern & metric pattern guns.

The way it worked was that there were 2 basic versions of the original Belgian FN-made FAL rifle, (we're ignoring the oddballs like the Izzy & Indian versions which were their own little world here).

Fabrique National gave the design to Britain in thanks for the help they received during WW2 & the British reworked several design features to be the way they thought was best. This was actually done in Canada for the British.

Things like the HTS, the pistol grip, the butt attachment, the lack of an automatic bolt hold open, the bolt carrier, receiver & bolt being modified to be more sand resistant, as an example. Things like screw threads were re-labeled to Imperial specs but the thread wasn't changed, just the way it was described.

Then the Austrians changed the metric pattern to a lower sight profile & the die was cast.:eek:

If you're curious google "User preference modifications to FAL rifles" & you'll find hundreds of pages of info.

Metric magazines will sometimes fit some inch magazine wells, but usually not properly. It can be inserted & will lock, but its position is off & the fit is sloppy, sometimes so sloppy the magazine will either fail to feed, or fall out under recoil.
 
I bought my Century built L1A1 (Australian Kit) with a Hesse FAL-H receiver before I even knew anyone other than FN made real ones. I was very lucky I've owned the gun since 2001 and have never had a problem with it.

If I knew what I know now, I would have saved for a DSA SA58 (thats their brand new FAL) the stg 58 is a parts gun built on a better receiver and with a better finish than my gun. Although I've out shot guys at the range with DSA guns.

As much as I would love to own a real FN-FAL, for what they are going for today, I'd save for an FN SCAR 17 in 308 and never give it a second thought. The FAL was the best of the cold war era, the SCAR 17 is the best there is today in 308. If we were talking 5.56 I stick with my Colt AR.
 
Are the century built FALs something to stay away from? I've been looking at them andwould like one but it seems like the quality control is really bad. Is it easy to build them with little to no skill?
 
If it's a Century with a foreign made reciever, like an Imbel, then you might be OK taking a chance. I purchased a Century R1A1 in 2003 and the reciever was not inspect, which caused mutliple jams. Today, I own a DSA. Yes, it's more money, but it's a much better rifle.
 
I have a Century L1A1 on the Enfeild kit I have had for years with the Imbel receiver. It works just great. If you find one that has the GI parts in decent shape and with the Imbel receiver the odds are pretty good on having a great rifle.
 
Much as I'm a fan of the Century guns you do need to do your homework before buying one. There really isn't "A Century FAL", more like there are several Century FALs of which some are better than others.

If you don't mind doing the research up front you can get a great deal on a Century gun, just because you have the knowledge others couldn't be bothered to gain. You could tell the good, from the bad from the ugly.:D
 
Yes, I own FALs, both having STG58 lowers and thus they are metric.

I will admit that the safety is a bit awkward, especially to somebody used to the AR-15 design.

And I will reconsider the modification shown by the original poster, well, I mean the one who brought the thread back from the dead. :D

And what has to be done to fit a British style safety to an STG58 lower?

Bart Noir
 
Perhaps nothing.
It all depends on if there is a pin in the lower just in front of the selector switch. The inch pattern safe has a flat plat that will foul the pin if it is fitted.
You have 3 options.
1. Remove the part of the pin sticking out.
This is really easy to do the pin is brittle you can just cover the lower with tape & whack the pin with a screwdriver blade.

2. Cut away the portion of the flat plate that fouls the pin.
This does nothing to harm the gun or selector, the plate covers a cut in the Inch pattern receiver that is not in the metric one.

3. Buy the DSA extended safety which is a metric selector with a copy of the inch knob on it.

The actual replacement takes 30 seconds & needs no tools.
Cock action to drop hammer.
let bolt & carrier close on breech to clear rat tail.
Break open receiver.
Rotate selector 90 degrees so handle is facing UP.
Pull out selector.

Re-assembly is the opposite with the new selector. Note: some Inch safety shafts are secured with a split pin inside the receiver, I've never seen a metric one secured this way though.
 
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