FAL owners- your input, please.

[callgood]

I have had my FFL send a fax to DSA and am in the process of trying to decide just what I want to do. I would value the input from all you FAL owners out there so this is where I am at this point:

I went down to Birmingham to a shop I knew had some FALs on the wall. They had a Para Carbine- 16" barrel. Not what I had in mind. I was looking for a Para Congo, but the more I thought about it this is what I'm looking at:

SA58 Standard with a Type 1 receiver. I know the trend is to miniaturize everything, but I want the 21" barrel and the velocity it brings. I don't forsee any forced marches anytime soon, so weight isn't a factor.

Para Folding Stock, Para Flip Rear Sight, Para Carrier/top cover.

SA58 Extreme Duty Scope Mount

???Carry Handle Cut with Carry Handle??? Does anyone ever use these? How would it balance without the standard stock? Seems like with the folding para stock it would be front heavy if used.

???Bipod??? I have one for my AR and have never used it. I was looking at the VersaPod 50, but I could slap one on later if needed. What about the Belgian quick detach model?

That's about it. The range I usually use has only a 100m rifle range, but there is one about 30 miles away w/ 200m and another one I've not been to with- I think- some longer positions. I currently have a Bushnell 3200 on my AR but am squirreling away some $$ for an EOtech w/ a LaRue mount- this my delay things there somewhat.

Again, thanks for your input.

 

[Scottmkiv]

I would avoid the cary handle cut if possible. They don't seem useful to me, and the reciever should be marginally stiffer without it. You should get a sling anyway. Then the carry handle is really pointless.

I would avoid bipods on the FAL. They attach directly to the barrel which causes accuracy problems. Plus they are extra weight.

 

[usp_fan]

The carry handle doesn't balance super well, you can take it or leave it--no one actually carries the rifle that way. The para stock is a nice set up--to me it looks a little out of place on a rifle with 21" barrel. The cheek weld isn't as nice as on a standard stock. If this is going to be a range rifle, with an optic, I'd go standard butt stock. If you're going to put a red dot on it and use it like an urban defense rifle, I'd go 18" barrel, vortex flash supressor, and para stock. What ever you decide, they are really neat rifles and you'll have a ton of fun getting to know the system.

Just my oppinion of course.

I'd love to have the cash to send to DSA, my FAL is a homebuilt 18" carbine and is a work in progress. I think a folding charging handle is the next mod.

--usp_fan

 

[hksw]

I have an SA58 Para Congo on order with my local gun shop. Upon placing my order, I was given the barrel length choice of 16", 18", and 21". Much like you, I prefer longer barrels to get the full potential of the caliber and chose 21".

Personally, I like the option of collapsing or fold a stock. If I want to, I can. If I don't, I can just leave it extended. I also prefer the carry handle. I have used it a few time with my beater FAL. As it is, the fixed stock FAL I have is slightly heavier in the rear. Getting a folder, IMO, would move the center of mass a little closer to the front but not past the handle. I'll have to wait and see when my Para comes in to be sure, though. I also prefer a bipod. Again, if I want to it's there, if not leave it folded.

 

[callgood]

Thanks, guys. Some good points for me to consider- I didn't know you had the option of a 21" barrel on the Para Congo, which is one option I was looking at.

Now, here's something I should have asked about. The Austrian SG58 copy says it is chambered 7.62 NATO. The copy for the SA58 standard says .308 Win. I know with the AR there were warnings not to shoot 5.56 in a SAMMI .223 chamber. So does the same hold true for the FAL? I know most people shoot mil surp South African, etc. Is there a problem with using 7.62 thru a .308 chamber?

Of course I can get all this info from DSA, I just want to have as much information before I call them.

Edited to correct 5.56/7.62 goof. Would be like 9mm in a 1911!!!

 

[varoadking]

Is there a problem with using 5.56 thru a .308 chamber?

Yup...it will likely just slide down the barrel...case and all...

 

[hksw]

Although your post was mis-stated, I've hade no problems shooting NATO 7.62 through my DSA SA58 (my other non-beater FAL [medium contour]).

 

[Matthew748]

I just checked my DSA built Austrian STG-58 and it’s marked .308 Cal on the receiver. Of course, the receiver was made in Barrington by DSA and the barrel (and hence the chamber) was fabricated in Austria. Still, I doubt DSA would let that slip by if it were a potential safety hazard.

As I understand it, 7.62 NATO is OK in .308 chambers but the opposite is not always true. From what I have been told, the SAAMI spec for .308 cartridges allows for a higher pressure loading than what is commonly used in 7.62 NATO ammo. I know that it is a very big deal with the M14 due to it’s operating rod, but I do not know about the FAL.

Darn it, I just checked out DSA’s site for more info and noticed that the STG-58 is now available with that nifty para folding stock. Now I have to try and forget what I saw and battle temptation for the next 2 weeks.

 

[Chuck R.]

DSA will cut the barrel to any length you want. I had my SA58 made with a 19” barrel on it with the intent of cutting it down when the ban ended. After shooting it for a while, I decided I like the balance/length, so I had the fake suppressor sweated off, and kept it at 19”. Mine has no problem shooting 7.62 Surplus, and my handloads equal the MVs from some of the surplus ammo when shot in a longer tube.

To me at least, a FAL needs a carrying handle, even if you never use it. They just don’t look right without one.

I ordered a DSA Para lower a while back, complete with internals. It should have been here in July, or Sept, or OCT, or maybe even November, or possibly sometime in 2006. Once it DOES get here, it’s a simple deal to swap back and forth for range use.

Chuck

 

[Texfire]

To me at least, a FAL needs a carrying handle, even if you never use it. They just don’t look right without one.
Chuck

+1

I'm a big fan of keeping military rifles that are in good condition as close to stock as possible. After I get my FAL Sportster working I'm going to look into what components I need to get to bring it's appearance to something more "stock" looking. A carry handle and flash suppressor are in it's future.

 

[hartzpad]

while I appreciate stock or original configuration military rifles, I seem to be in a state of "tactical" rifles, almost Black Rifle disease, except that I hate .223's and I love AK's.

I picked up a DPMS AP4 .308 16" barrel and put a bunch of fun stuff on it and I love the 16" barrel. I'm planning on getting a 16" barrel Imbel FAL and adding the same types of accessories: aimpoint or EOTECH, scope mount, 30 round mags, etc. I also tricked out my Saiga by converting it into a wannabe 12" barrel AK-104 w/ extended brake to make it legal. If I had more money, I would like to have both modified and original versions of each rifle, but I don't, so I have to go with what I enjoy most and that is a rifle that I have made my own through personalization.

 

[ny32182]

If your receiver doesn't have a carry handle cut, I doubt you can add one after the fact...

Anyhow, I have an SA-58 from DSA. Ordered it right as the AWB expired, with a threaded barrel and short Belgian flash hider.

Like you, I went with the 21" rifle. I figure if you need .308, you need .308.

Also, I got the full stock. No reason to try to pretend the FAL is a light little carbine. If I want light and compact, I've got an AR.

I also got the carry handle... I just prefer the look. And I went with the Type II receiver. Ah well, here is a pic:



It is a fine rifle.

Also, like someone said, common wisdom goes that .308/7.62 are opposite from .223/5.56: 7.62 is alright in a .308 chamber, but the reverse isn't always true.