California residency notwithstanding, I love my HK-91. Of course, for $$$ I spent fixing it up I could have bought a couple of very nice rifles, but I digress... My '91 has a PSG-1 trigger, an MSG-90 stock, the wide forearm with bipod, a ejection port buffer, a HK scope mount, and a Springfield Armory GenIII Government scope. It gets some wild looks at the range, even with the 5 round mags, but it outshoots most of the others in the safe. There are some things I don't like about it, namely, the lack of a bolt-hold-open-thing-a-ma-bob after the last round, and the location and ergonomics of the charging handle. If I was doing it again, I might opt for a Stoner SR-25 flattop.
Given the options you presented, Id stick with the M1A. There are BATF approved California legal "muzzle breaks" that closely resemble the original "flash hider" already available that would provide you with an excellent all-around weapon that would not legally be an "AW" under the new CA law, and as such, would not require you to register it. Mags are easy to find, although not as cheap as they once were. Of course, the same could be said for the HK and the FAL. My second choice recommendation would be a HK-91 clone, but stay away from the one with the "integrated scope mount" - it's trash. A thread protector or muzzle break, and a non-pistol grip/non-thumbhole stock would make this one a Non-AW and allow you to avoid registration also. I believe Guncompliantstocks.com is working on such a stock for both the HK and the FAL.
The only reason I wouldn't recommend the FAL is because of the number of poor quality kit guns on the market, and the possibilty of confusion with the various inch and metric parts, mags, and kits available. They (the good ones) are great guns with accuracy coming close to some good bolt guns, and are quite reliable when properly cared for, but it takes education, and experience to tell a "good one" from a, well, "not-so-good one" and as you have mentioned, your window of opportunity is closing rapidly.
Whatever you decide, don't forget to count the cost of any accesories, mags, spares, and ammo you will need. Good luck, and let us know what you decide.
[This message has been edited by Spyderman (edited December 15, 1999).]