HK 91 vs. FN FAL recoil

C

Cutter

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Anyone care to comment about the relative recoil of these two battle proven designs? I shot a friends HK the other day and was please by the relatively light recoil considering my 150lb/5'5" frame though I would not consider it ideal for rapid fire follow up shots. It's nothing like the AR or other 223 rifles but then again what a signature it has for 308. How would you compare it to the FN FAL? I'd appreciate any "subjective" or perhaps objective comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Much,
Cutter:)
 
I've fired both. IIRC the HK was lighter and a trifle quicker handling, and it naturally kicked harder. it was still managable, though.

The FAL is a freakin beast. :D Not a recoil problem to be had. :D

Mike
 
Have a couple FALs, a 91, and a CETME. The HK actioned guns are very much easier on recoil than the FALs. Unusually, they throw the mangled brass farther and higher than the FALs. If I were to suggest a .308 semi-auto military pattern gun to someone who is recoil sensitive, I would go with the HK and HK-types. For shooters who don't mind the recoil, the FALs.
 
Fascinating

Perhaps the HK I was shooting was using hot loads. As they say, YMMV.

Then again, I don't find FAL recoil to be an issue. *shrug*

Mike
 
Interesting, I have had the opposite experience. I find that the FAL kicks less. But then again, I have only shot a couple of HK style guns. Maybe it was the ammo?
 
I've found HKs to be generally somewhat lighter in recoil. They tend to weigh a ton (lots of accessories easily added to HKs). The collaspable stock HK I'd watch out for, though. Don't shoot them wearing only a t-shirt (voice of experience here...).

FALs usually kick some with the gas system adjusted correctly. The paratrooper is bad in this regard. Full sized FALs are generally better behaved than the para.
 
It may depend on which recoil buffer was installed on the HK's. many have the light buffer, which I've never shot, but have heard it has a fair amount of recoil. My 91 has the G3 heavy recoil buffer which reduces the recoil greatly. I don't know how FAL's work internally, but maybe they have the same thing. I'm 5'10", 135#, and can rapid fire my 91 fairly easily if that tells you anything.
 
It could be the recoil springs in the HK(-type) guns I have that might be causing the difference in performance. Retracting the bolts seem harder than the FALs and the springs could possibly be absorbing more force.
 
I have no experience with either (though I surely would like to purchase both), but I found the following description in one of my "gun books,"

Quote:

The H&K 91 (7.62x51) and 93 (5.56x45) are wonderfully reliable and recommended, however, the H&K is hard recoiling, very loud and as noted above has an exceedingly gritty trigger. A rifle which is equally as good but more available and has a superior trigger is the FN/FAL (7.62x51).

End Quote

The paragraph is from John Farnam's "The Farnam Method of Defensive Shotgun and Rifle Shooting."

I'd like to add a question to this thread. How does either of the rifles noted above compare in recoil to AK style of rifles (in 7.62x39)?

Would it be fair to suggest that 7.62x39 is midway between 5.56x45 and 7.62x51 in recoil?

Skorzeny
 
I'd like to add a question to this thread. How does either of the rifles noted above compare in recoil to AK style of rifles (in 7.62x39)?
Click to expand...

Not really in the same catagory. I've shot an AK a few times (and I have my first one coming in this week, BTW :D ), and I'd compare it to 5.56 NATO.


As for recoil of G3's vs FAL's....

I'm not terribly familiar with the G3's - that isn't it a non-adjustable delayed direct gas blowback? If that's the case, I'd say my FAL has a lot less recoil. Although the FAL's system is gas, it's an adjustable piston-type system.

My FAL's gas adjustment, when set properly for decent ammo, makes the gun's recoil comparable to my AR-15. Keep in mind, I bought it new and only have about 5000 rounds through it. As the gas piston wears, I'm sure I'll have to back off the gas adjustment a little more, resulting in stronger recoil.
 
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The recoil might be slightly less on a FAL due to the gas system, but I don't think that article above was unbiased. Either that, or he had sand in the HK91's trigger. I have a williams set trigger on my 91, and the let off is right at 2#. If I don't use the set option, it's probably somewhere around 8#, but certainly not gritty. I also think the author hasn't shot a 91 with a heavy recoil buffer. It's like a totally different gun. If there's anyone here in the North Houston area that wants to compare, I'd be glad to bring along my 91 so I can get other opinions.

brouhaha
 
A lot of opinion here on the subject.

I have fired my friends FAL and IMO my the felt recoil is less in my G3. It might be because my G3 is heavier. I don't know.

His certainly felt lighter than my G3. My G3 is weighing in at almost 19Lbs with ARMS mount, scope, bi-pod, and loaded steel mag.

I plan on getting an DAS FAL one of these days. I like the "cool" factor and the roller-locking action of the G3 though.
 
Oh you know what? I've been comparing my R1 FAL (the FAL I shoot the most) to the HK(-types) and it just occurred to me that since my R1 doesn't have a muzzle brake that that may be the reason. I'll have to re-compare with the DSA since it has a brake.
 
I find the HK 91/G3 types have consistently heavier recoil than the Fal types. Strangely I have found the Cetme has less recoil than the HK..There is a bit of difference in spring and stock design. I am using Radway Green NATO as fodder and firing from the slow fire prone position.
 
Thanks for all the great subjective responses on recoil. I looked up and down the HK 91 for a recoil type adjustment but could not find one. The 91 seems like a Benelli Super 90, fast and furious with lots of recoil. The FAL has an adjustable Gas port that allows one to tune their loads. Being Gas operated vs. Recoil operated would logically give the FAL the lighter recoil but then again this is dependent on ammo, muzzle brakes, rifle wt. and personal experience with said rifles. I'm hoping to borrow both the 91 and the FAL to test with the same match ammo. This said I will report back in the next few weeks. Either way, these are two 'great rifles' I would love to own. Thanks again fellows and Good Shooting,
Cutter
 
Search HKPRO for the words buffer and buffertech. These will let you know where you can get better buffers for a 91. But the G3 heavy recoil buffer is the one you want.
 
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