FN FAL: Options?

[Panzerschwein]

Guys what are the options for buying a FAL? Meaning a semi-auto copy, not the real deal!

I am going for a basic 21" barrel military model with the carry handle. I do not want scopes, rails, just no. I want a classic FAL, something that would have been used in the Rhodesian Bush War or something.

So just what are the options out there? I see DSA Arms made or has made (hard to tell, they seem to be a very low production output company) that I can get for $1500. Is that about the only option? Can I get one for cheaper? Not really wanting a used model, but new.

What do you FAL guys recommend? Ever since selling my PTR-91 I've had a battle rifle shaped hole in my life. Thanks!

 

[Sunray]

"...would have been used in the Rhodesian Bush War..." ATF decided you can't have one of those with their "Once an MG, always an MG" rule. No law says that Stateside as far as I know. FAL's used there were select fire.
Anyway, there are a bunch of assorted FAL's on Gunbroker. None for $1500 though. Don't touch any rifle assembled out of parts bins by Century Arms. They thought nothing of mixing inch and metric parts. Means the rifle may or may not function.
DSA Arms is cobbling parts together too. Closest thing to a real FAL is their Medium Contour Barrel Fixed Stock Rifle. Isn't $1500 either though. Mind you, that's their MSRP and probably as close as you can get. They run about $1200, BNIB, on the assorted auction sites. gunsamerica.com item #921902815. Some dealer in Florida.

 

[FL-NC]

Back in the day they were a popular "project build" from various parts kits, since they are pretty easy to work on and receivers were available. Not sure what the availability is on those parts kits nowadays though. DSA is supposed to be the best quality, from what my FAL cult friends say. Personally, I have used actual military models- Belgian, Austrian, and Israeli. They are nice rifles, and IMO better than the HK and M14 designs- which some may say is heresy- but I base my opinion on operational use. Also I used the M14 and variants throughout my career, and I am a Hk certified armorer, for what its worth.

 

[Prijador]

There are periodic buys of NOS (new old stock) Imbel FAL receivers over on the FALfiles. The quality of the Imbel receivers is stunningly good on the two examples I have (even compared to HK and Valmet, for example).

You can then buy a parts kit (Imbel, or whatever, or even DSA).
The big issue is getting a good barrel and bolt. There certainly ARE high quality parts out there, you just need to look a bit.

Edit: There is a FAL in Kryptek Typhoon camo on GB with a buy it now price of $1300

Edit #2: FAL's ARE awesome.

 

[MachIVshooter]

If you're wanting to buy an assembled rifle, either DSA or a used build of known quality.

If you want to build one, there are god parts kits out there that won't break the bank, and you can build on a new DSA or Imbel receiver. But the FAL is not an AR; building one is much more involved.

 

[Robert]

For a new, assembled, FAL DSA is it. As others have said there are good parts built guns out there but stay away from anything built by Century. Mine was is an Imbel parts kit built on a DSA receiver.

An know, there are two main types of the FAL, inch and metric. The inch was used by the Brits (SLR, L1A1 and others) and the metric pattern by everyone else. Some parts interchange, some do not. Inch pattern guns can use inch or metric pattern mags. Metric guns only use metric mags...