Why I like my FAL

C

Correia

New member
As many of you know I had the chance a few months ago to purchase a FAL off of another TFLer. I've had the opportunity to give it a good workout, and all I can say is "Wow!"

The gun is British L1a1 parts on an Imbel Inch receiver, assembled by Century. I've heard of a few folks who got pretty crappy guns from Century, and I even used one once that was totally unreliable, but I lucked out, this one is very very nice.

First off, it isn't perfect, mine has a thumbhole stock that is built for a gorilla, however being gorilla sized it works pretty good, though I think I'm going to replace the Century stock with the dragunov style stock from DSA. The trigger pull is short but heavy, making shooting pretty groups through a scope hard. But those are my only complaints. (If any of you guys know a way to make the trigger lighter please let me know). Also for some bizarre reason Century grinds off the last round bolt hold open, I'm going to have to get that fixed. Don't really like the iron sights, but I have it scoped anyway so it doesn't matter to much.

The best thing is, you can't hardly make it jam. I've used a Bushmaster Dissipator as my knock around gun for the last couple of years, and it has been a good gun, but it hasn't been 100% reliable. I had a problem with my ejector, and it really ticked me off that a tiny little flake of brass could get under a roll pin and screw your gun up that bad.

With the FAL I've only had one malfunction, and that was with a round that was very badly out of shape, in fact it wouldn't even chamber in my Ishipore. Other than that it has been great. It chucks brass with authority! The adjustable gas system is a neat feature, but I haven't needed to play with it much yet.

It weighs a ton, but it has a very solid feeling. The accuracy isn't the best I've ever seen but it is pretty darn good for what it was designed for.

Another plus is that this has got to be the easiest to clean semi-auto there is, way nicer that toothbrushing the carbon out of those tiny little lugs on an AR.

So what I'm saying is, if you are thinking about getting a FAL do it! This is my first, but I'm positive that it won't be my last. This one is my workhorse, I have named it "Tank". My next one will probably be spiffed up and pretty. :)

There is no end to how you can customize these things with different surplus parts, check out the FALfiles, member photo gallery on their discussion board to see some really pretty creations.

And a special thanks to the guy who sold me this rifle.
 
I have the same FAL. Aren't they just great? I love to shoot it next tothose little AR's. They are accurate and reliable. Even the mags are built like Tonka's. Congrats. I did take a few coils of my trigger return spring. It helped a little. Happy FALlen.

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When guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns.
 
If your Fal is really tossing the brass, your gas port is too far open. I use the gas port adjustment technique from the British army manual. I will summarize here:

Note: this only works on FALs that have the bolt hold-open installed; most Century FALs do not have this installed (Desert Storm leftovers) My gunsmith installed one for me for less than $30.

1. Screw gas block completely closed (down against piston housing)
2. Load one round in the magazine.
3. Cycle bolt handle and let it slam home.
4. Fire gun. (Gun will probably not stay open as too little gas is operating on the piston.)
5. Repeat 2-4 but open gas port one notch at a time until the bolt reliably stays open on the empty magazine.
6. Open gas port one more notch. This should be the normal setting for your gun. Not this position (usually numbered).
7. If gun gets dirty or sluggish, you can give it another notch or two. Opening the port too far is rough on the brass and on the gun.

Hope this helps!

[This message has been edited by Chad Young (edited October 22, 2000).]
 
One thing about that L1A1 and why I think its better than a the average FAL. That folding charging handle! Not only is it very HK'ish - it slims the weapon and keeps it from snagging stuff like the other option can. That and I hate that big knob fals have. Left hand cocking is something you get used to... practice make perfect. You can actually do it with out taking your firing grip off the gun - or the gun off the target with more practice.

About accuracy - it takes extra effort to get get accuracy out of those rifles. If you tuck in tight, get behind that scope properly, have it loaded with the right ammo, and get into a voodoo-zen like conection to where you - your rifle - your bullet - and your target are ONE... Then you'll make your bullseyes.

Aim Small, Miss Small.
 
Plus it is nice to be able to zero in on your target in the scope and jack in a round with the left hand while you pull the slack out of the trigger. :) The FN is as close as you ran get to a BAR wth out packing a 24 pound gun. :) And the 10 mags for 70 bucks does not hurt also. :) all hi-caps of course. :)
 
Ahh yes folding cocking handle, a very nice touch. And don't get me wrong, this rifle is plenty accurate for what it was intended for.

Guess what I'm trying to do is encourage everybody to go out and get a FAL now while they are so inexpensive. Even if your FAL has problems, you can always get them fixed latter.
 
Correia How did you spend for your FAL?
I'm looking at an L1A1 with 5 mags going for $1000. Its in very good condition no scope mount just iron sights.
 
Correia, why can't you go with a pistol grip stock? From what I understand, replacing the 10 parts with US parts gets you a pistol grip, if you want. Obviously, you'd do more checking, but I like them with the pistol grip. Does anyone know where to get a cheap scope mount receiver cover? I'd like to try mine with a scope just for fun. Soda, to me, that price sounds high. Of course, Ive heard of inch mags going for $20 or more, so that means the rifle is selling for $900. To me, that's still too high. For that price, check out the Entreprise guns through http://www.inter-ordnance.com for a $799 rifle with a lifetime warrantee. It will be metric, and therefore have $7 mags.
 
I have an FAL and do not like it.

100% reliable, yes. Cheap magazines, yes. Low recoil. Easy to field-strip.

Left-hand cocking assumed you can hold it up by just the pistols grip. The rifle is so front heavy, that won't happen. Which brings me to the sticky point of balance...the gun isn't all that balanced. Maybe I should have picked a shot barrel instead of a 20" with a bipod...

Further, in low light I can hardly see the front sight (though I can use the protectice ears to bracker the target). Any fixes for that?
 
I'm scoping my FAL when I get it. I guess I'll get a mount that has the see threw rings so I can still use the Iron sights. But I think its easier to look threw a scope in low light than trying to see threw Iron Sights. Put a Night Vision Scope on it!
 
Just got back from Thanksgiving, hmmm...Pie... Correia cannot move, too full...

I got an insanely good deal for my FAL. As was mentioned earlier, it was a good deal for both of us. I would rather not say how much I paid for mine because then everybody would get all jealous and stuff. ;)

On the pistol grip stock, I still haven't decided if I'm going to go the 10 parts route or not. I've been thinking about adding the DSA inch thumbhole stock, as it has a larger grip opening, and this may sound bizarre, but I'm starting to really like the look of the thumbhole. The main problem I have is that I'm the only person I know who can easily flick the safety on and off, but then again I large of stature. The same as balancing, I find that it balances well for me, but then I am bigger than most. Even bigger now after my Mom force fed me all of that turkey and ham and stuffing and pie or glorious homemade pie. :)
 
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