L1A1 or Metric FAL
- Thread starter jb26
- Start date
Inch magazines are sturdier, but usually cost more. But both are $10 right now through Tapco. Metric mags will fit in an Inch well, but they don't work very well. Inch won't fit in Metric.
I like the inch style safety vs. the metric. The most common of that is the wide flat British vs. the long knob Austrian. But that is all personal preference. And I also believe that you can swap those parts out.
I prefer Inch folding cocking handles, but some do not.
My next FAL will probably also be built on an Inch receiver just because I'm already accumulating Inch mags. And I kind of like the style of the L1a1 parts kits.
If building parts from scratch then the sky is the limit. If you are buying existing guns, then the best ones that are availible are all on metric platforms.
I like the inch style safety vs. the metric. The most common of that is the wide flat British vs. the long knob Austrian. But that is all personal preference. And I also believe that you can swap those parts out.
I prefer Inch folding cocking handles, but some do not.
My next FAL will probably also be built on an Inch receiver just because I'm already accumulating Inch mags. And I kind of like the style of the L1a1 parts kits.
If building parts from scratch then the sky is the limit. If you are buying existing guns, then the best ones that are availible are all on metric platforms.
It is possible to build your own. However you will need a few special tools. The best place to find information about this is as www.fnfal.com They have a section about building your own. There are also some videos availible. Check the discussion board there about building your own as well.
In fact you have to build your own if you ever want to be a member of WECSOG.
Wile
E.
Coyote
School
Of
Gunsmithing
Personally I'm a clumsy oaf, and I'm sending mine off to Azex to get some work done next week. www.azexarms.com
In fact you have to build your own if you ever want to be a member of WECSOG.
Wile
E.
Coyote
School
Of
Gunsmithing
Personally I'm a clumsy oaf, and I'm sending mine off to Azex to get some work done next week. www.azexarms.com
I see a lot of FAL clones at gun shows...even to my untrained eye, most are "parts guns" crudely put together by Joe Blow in his garage with a hammer and a set of Channelocks.
If I wanted to buy one, and didn't have a chance to test fire it first, what should I look for, what should I look out for, what brands are preferred, and what should I pay? (I'll stop at fnfal.com for more info, but since TFL-ers are generally well informed, I figured I'd try here first.)
If I wanted to buy one, and didn't have a chance to test fire it first, what should I look for, what should I look out for, what brands are preferred, and what should I pay? (I'll stop at fnfal.com for more info, but since TFL-ers are generally well informed, I figured I'd try here first.)
Jeff Thomas
New member
You'll find that most everyone sings the praises of DS Arms ... www.dsarms.com . Look at their STG-58, as well as their own SA-58 rifles. And, definitely spend some time at the FAL Files web site noted above ... use the search function. Lots of great data.
Good luck.
Regards from AZ
Good luck.
Regards from AZ
Unknown gun show parts FALs are a crap shoot.
My first experience with a FAL was very negative. It was a parts gun from hell. I honestly thought that the FAL design sucked after shooting this one horrid feculent.
Your best bet for buying one at a show is probably to first check for a builders mark. If it is from one of the known smiths it is probably going to be fine. If it is a Century then it could go either way. However some of the smiths will redo the Century for a very reasonable fee. I have a Century that is getting the CAI redo from Azex for $225. So even after that it will still be cheaper in the long run than buying a DSA.
I've heard of a few blowing up because the moron that built them fit the home builder description supplied by HankB. There was a thread on here about a year ago about a blow up. Apparently the builder hadn't even bother to head space or test fire the gun.
My first experience with a FAL was very negative. It was a parts gun from hell. I honestly thought that the FAL design sucked after shooting this one horrid feculent.
Your best bet for buying one at a show is probably to first check for a builders mark. If it is from one of the known smiths it is probably going to be fine. If it is a Century then it could go either way. However some of the smiths will redo the Century for a very reasonable fee. I have a Century that is getting the CAI redo from Azex for $225. So even after that it will still be cheaper in the long run than buying a DSA.
I've heard of a few blowing up because the moron that built them fit the home builder description supplied by HankB. There was a thread on here about a year ago about a blow up. Apparently the builder hadn't even bother to head space or test fire the gun.
Steve Smith
New member
Correia, why do you say that the inchmags are sturdier. I don't believe this to be correct. The FAL mags are identical except for the floorplate attachment and the front engagement.
9mmepiphany
New member
availability can be a concern unless you stock up at the same time you get the gun. the are just more metric parts out there than inch parts. that's because the only countries that used the inch fal as standard issue are UK, canada and austrailia (new zealand?)
Steve Smith
New member
In theory, you should be correct, but I haven't found that it's really true in the real world. The lock up always seems tobe the same, inch or metric. I have noticed loose lockup when using metric mags in an inch gun, but that's to be expected. Of course, inch mags won't work in a metric gun, unless it's one of Imbel's half arsed inch receivers.
Steve Smith
New member
Larry, I apologize, it really looks like I was trying to argue with you...that's certainly not true!
Steve, no problem man!
I went back and checked. It appears you are correct. The metric that seemed wobbly was built on a Hesse receiver. Probably out of spec. That would explain it.
Tried an Imbel and a DSA both in metric, both were fine. Both locked in solidly. I had shot other metrics before but apparently I had not really paid that much attention at the time. That sloppy Hesse stuck with me and colored my opinion.
I went back and checked. It appears you are correct. The metric that seemed wobbly was built on a Hesse receiver. Probably out of spec. That would explain it.
Tried an Imbel and a DSA both in metric, both were fine. Both locked in solidly. I had shot other metrics before but apparently I had not really paid that much attention at the time. That sloppy Hesse stuck with me and colored my opinion.
I just bought a Century STG 58. finish is so-so(typical for Century). The top cover has a big ding in it(easily replaced). However, the big reason I bought it is due to the Imbel receiver. I now have a shooter, and when funds are available, I have a great platform to build from.
If you have the bucks, the DSA is the current "cats meow". If you are limited, the Century guns are a crap shoot, but if you like to tinker(like me), then its not a bad route to go. And like Larry pointed out, even if you send it to Azex, you are still into the weapon a whole lot cheaper.
Inch vs. Metric: At one time, I would say Metric is the only way to go. Parts are plentiful, as well as mags. Currently it seems alot of inch parts/mags/guns have become available lately, so inch isn't quite the disadvantage it once was(for now at least).
Zane
If you have the bucks, the DSA is the current "cats meow". If you are limited, the Century guns are a crap shoot, but if you like to tinker(like me), then its not a bad route to go. And like Larry pointed out, even if you send it to Azex, you are still into the weapon a whole lot cheaper.
Inch vs. Metric: At one time, I would say Metric is the only way to go. Parts are plentiful, as well as mags. Currently it seems alot of inch parts/mags/guns have become available lately, so inch isn't quite the disadvantage it once was(for now at least).
Zane