DSA FAL paratrooper worth $1200 used?

[1KPerDay]

I've wanted a FAL forever though I'm a lefty and they're not ideal. LGS usually charges about 30% high prices has one for sale for 1200 bucks. Standard FAL forend, no carry handle. Folding steel tube stock, 18" barrel I think. It looks to be significantly used with lots of dings from brass on the receiver (and possibly painted over) but otherwise seems OK. Deal or no deal?

 

[M1key]

If it's an original DSA--probably a good deal--DSA lists a new one for $1975.

Pull the bolt assy and check for wear and matching numbers.

Hopefully it comes with at least a few original mags--mil surp ones are better but cost more.

The brass dings are normal. Maybe needs a bit of gas adjustment.

Good luck

M

 

[MachIVshooter]

You're unlikely to find it for less. FALs can be had under a grand all day long, but not a DSA para. I gave $1,950 for mine in '13

 

[wideym]

The lowest I've seen DSA paratrooper rifles was about 10 years ago when Shotgun News had an ad for DSA Paracongo FALs for $1650. I ordered one right away and still have it.

 

[bannockburn]

My brother has an older DSA FAL; excellent build quality and my favorite of the Big 3 battle rifles (FAL, M1A, and HK91). Definitely worth the money if it checks out okay.

 

[eldon519]

I've never specifically fired the FAL paratrooper but my experience with similar folding stocks is that I'd rather have their fixed stock brethren. That said, I love my DSA StG58. Great build quality and assiming that rifle is in good shape, I think it's a good price.

 

[Chuck R.]

It sounds like a good deal, I paid about $1600 for mine some time ago, when DSA would deal directly with customers on special orders.



See if it has the lightweight lower, and you can always check the SN with DSA. It is possible to have a DSA "Frankengun" since they did/do sell their receivers separately.

Chuck

 

[joem1945]

DSA FAL is one fine rifle. I bought mine many years ago for $650.00 used from a guy I worked with.

 

[1KPerDay]

Pulled bolt can't find any numbers. It has sand cuts. Looks okay. Don't know enough to to know if it's lightweight or not. Probably shouldn't buy if I don't know what I'm doing LOL

 

[1KPerDay]

Price is $1299 guy says they may have 50 bucks or so wiggle room.

 

[eldon519]

Well STGs have steel lowers. DSA branded SA58s have an aluminum lower. You could try a magnet. The SA58s usually ran maybe $300 more than an STG58 if i remember right. $1250 is not a bad price for a used SA58 in my opinion. Not a great price for a used STG in my opinion.

 

[1KPerDay]

Is steel or aluminum more desirable?

 

[adcoch1]

The steel one if you ask me. But a para for that price is worth it IF it functions OK. Don't buy it before shooting it if possible, and familiarize yourself with the gas system before shooting too. Mags can be a pain and every new one I get my hands on has some sort of feed issue. Tune them up though and they are fine. Mil surplus are usually already smoothed out. Shoot it, buy it, and welcome to the addiction...

 

[eldon519]

Well the DSA steel ones are built off Austrian Steyr StG58 parts kits. The SA58 ones are built with commercial aluminum lowers. The SA58s have always been more expensive. I think the aluminum lower drops weight by 1/2 or 1 lb, I can't recall. I have always heard that the aluminum lower is a good upgrade for an StG, but I kind of like the steel just for the sake of knowing it is as close to mil-spec as possible minus import compliance parts. I think of it like a GI vs commercial Springfield M1A but that probably isn't a proper analogy. I think Larry Vickers was really fond of the SA58 for a long time until AR10s started getting better and thinks like SCAR 17s started coming out, so can't imagine anything is wrong with the aluminum. DSA used to make fantastic guns, not sure if they still do though as the surplus parts markets have been drying up.

 

[1KPerDay]

Definitely can't shoot it first. Cabelas. Hence my astonishment at the seemingly fair price. It makes me leery. Wish I knew a local FAL expert who could give it a once over but I don't. That's a lot of money for me.

 

[eldon519]

You could try to do some research over at FAL Files. If it's an aluminum lower, I think the price is good. If steel, probably not a great price but probably fair. If you like folding stocks, I'd say go for it.

 

[1KPerDay]

Went back. Aluminum lower. Maybe a hairline crack left side upper receiver where a pin goes through. Looked at it with a loop. Sales guy said he thinks it's a scratch but hard to tell. One mag.

 

[Robert]

On the FAL is the lower is not the firearm so if need be you can replace the lower without undue hassle and there are really no special tools required to do so. I would not hesitate to pick up a DSA if it were a good deal. DSA makes a solid FAL.

 

[1KPerDay]

FYI went back next day and it was gone. Oh well.

 

[goon]

Put the $1,200 together and start adding $50 a month to it until you have enough for a new one.

 

[1KPerDay]

good idea. However I want a Colt SAA first.

 

[Hookeye]

Buddy had a para Belgian. It shot OK.
Other got a Steyr reg. It too shot OK.
Pops runs an Argy.........shoots same as the prev mentioned.
He has long and short Belgian paras unfired.