I normally hate comparing two rifles that are so different but I have to make a decision. I've got a few hundred extra dollars (@600) left at the end of the month and am going to buy another rifle (of course). I've been looking at the STG 58 and the SAR 1 at AIM surplus. I really want a FAL type rifle but am a little leery about buying a parts gun I've never held, seen, or fired. A buddy of mine has a SAR 1 (from AIM) and it functions flawlessly. I can get the AK, 5 mags, and 1,000 rnds for a little more than just the STG 58 alone. Right now I'm leaning towards getting the SAR and lots of ammo and saving up to buy a real FAL, maybe a DS arms. I guess I just want some other opinions before I make the jump. Other considerations: I have a very accurate .308 bolt gun, a couple semi auto .223's but no 7.62x39mm rifles. I guess I like diversity. Thanks for your $.02
STG58 or AK?
- Thread starter SLK978
- Start date
Sounds like you've answered your own question
I have a CAI/Imbel Stg 58. Like it so far. I will admit, though, that the SAR1 is a better representative of the AK series than a CAI Stg is of the FAL series. Ammo for the FAL is cheap. Ammo for the AK is diiiirt cheap. Dunno what the current AK mag supply is like, but good FAL mags are cheap <$10 each. Here's a bolt of inspiration. Buy the SAR 1 as you describe, and also lay in some metric FN/FAL mags for when you make that buy. Don't scrimp on the 7.62x39 ammo. It's soooooooo cheap now, and, even with the new Administration coming in, you can never be certain how long these cheap stocks of this ammo will last.
I have a CAI/Imbel Stg 58. Like it so far. I will admit, though, that the SAR1 is a better representative of the AK series than a CAI Stg is of the FAL series. Ammo for the FAL is cheap. Ammo for the AK is diiiirt cheap. Dunno what the current AK mag supply is like, but good FAL mags are cheap <$10 each. Here's a bolt of inspiration. Buy the SAR 1 as you describe, and also lay in some metric FN/FAL mags for when you make that buy. Don't scrimp on the 7.62x39 ammo. It's soooooooo cheap now, and, even with the new Administration coming in, you can never be certain how long these cheap stocks of this ammo will last.
Steve Smith
New member
STG
shiroikuma
New member
I had both a SAR-1 and a STG from century. I sold the AK it just isn't as nice as the FAL. It feel as if it recoils more and just isn't at all pretty. 
The Fal is a very nice piece of machinery. On the other hand the AK is much lighter and ammo is ssoooooo cheap. All I can say is I sold the AK and kept the Fal after owning and shooting both.
shiro
The Fal is a very nice piece of machinery. On the other hand the AK is much lighter and ammo is ssoooooo cheap. All I can say is I sold the AK and kept the Fal after owning and shooting both.shiro
I've heard that the kit gun from AIM is a good shooting rifle. I would get it and shoot it silly while I saved the cash to send it to a good smith. Another $300 in smith work would leave you with something to rival the DSARMS FALs... and probably leave you with a MUCH better trigger.
Destructo6
New member
This is an easy one. Get the STG on an Imbel receiver.
9mmepiphany
New member
i think it hinges on how you feel about a kit gun (even a real good kit gun is still just parts)
the fal could very well be the rolls-royce of battle rifles, in terms of desirability i would rank them as:
1) DSA - a true american made fal with any options you may want but also at the true price for a real fal (about $2500)
2) buy the receiver of your choice, add the parts of your choice and have a gunsmith put it together for you...you get exactly what you want (about $1000-1500)
3) as mikul stated, buy a already assembled kit, see what you can live with, paid to have it modified or not (from $600-$1100)
OR
buy the sar, much like a mecedes diesel taxi, it always works and last forever, cheaper to feed and maintain. not as prestiages but lots of fun
i have the sar 1 and 2, but i also have a fal receiver and stg-58 parts kit with a whole buncha austrian mags
the fal could very well be the rolls-royce of battle rifles, in terms of desirability i would rank them as:
1) DSA - a true american made fal with any options you may want but also at the true price for a real fal (about $2500)
2) buy the receiver of your choice, add the parts of your choice and have a gunsmith put it together for you...you get exactly what you want (about $1000-1500)
3) as mikul stated, buy a already assembled kit, see what you can live with, paid to have it modified or not (from $600-$1100)
OR
buy the sar, much like a mecedes diesel taxi, it always works and last forever, cheaper to feed and maintain. not as prestiages but lots of fun
i have the sar 1 and 2, but i also have a fal receiver and stg-58 parts kit with a whole buncha austrian mags