Bartholomew Roberts
Member
I've used the FAL a little and lately, two events have combined to get me interested in owning one.
The first event was that I used one in a carbine class and discovered that it was lighter than my existing AR and about as handy. The ergonomics weren't as nice; but they were good and sufficiently close to AR ergos that I could deal with it. In some respects they were even superior (location of charging handle for example).
I saw cameron's FAL post with a folding CTR stock on a FAL and a nice 1913 rail mount for the FAL. Right now one of my big problems with iron sights is that while I can still hit things with them just fine, I can't really see well enough to acquire the target to begin with if it is too small, too far or doesn't contrast well.
I've looked at the ballistics for .308 out of a 16" barrel and it will do for my needs. So I am not worried about that. I would prefer the accuracy and ergos of an AR-pattern .308; but don't like what I have seen with these rifles concerning reliability. So I have a few questions:
1) What does someone who is familiar primarily with AR15s need to know about an FAL so they aren't surprised by their assumptions based on AR15 experience?
2) On the AR platform, a rail system usually provides superior cooling and free floats the barrel. Is this also true of the FAL rail system or is it simply an attachment point for accessories?
3) How does a medium-profile fluted 16" FAL barrel hold up to heat? Any issues with wandering zeros? Will it do 800 rounds in eight hours of shooting without losing accuracy or having reliability issues?
4) Anybody worn out a FAL barrel yet? What was the round count?
5) What do I need to know about mounting optics on a FAL?
6) Ideally I'd like a combo that lets me use irons with optics still attached. Barring that, I'd like the same system as I have with my ARs where I can remove the optics easily and shoot irons without losing zero on the optics. Is this realistic with FALs?
7) How handy is the FAL with stock folded? I've fired MP5s, ARs, and AKs with no stock using a sling for tension (like the British do on occasion). Seems like it would be doable with a folded stock FAL as well.
8) How handy is the FAL in and out of vehicles? Do I need the folding stock to make it usable there? Shorter barrel?
9) I notice that DSA has two different length forearms for the 16" FAL. Any significance to the different lengths? I notice the "Tactical" length has a shorter sight radius and different gas system presumably. Can someone explain the differences here?
The first event was that I used one in a carbine class and discovered that it was lighter than my existing AR and about as handy. The ergonomics weren't as nice; but they were good and sufficiently close to AR ergos that I could deal with it. In some respects they were even superior (location of charging handle for example).
I saw cameron's FAL post with a folding CTR stock on a FAL and a nice 1913 rail mount for the FAL. Right now one of my big problems with iron sights is that while I can still hit things with them just fine, I can't really see well enough to acquire the target to begin with if it is too small, too far or doesn't contrast well.
I've looked at the ballistics for .308 out of a 16" barrel and it will do for my needs. So I am not worried about that. I would prefer the accuracy and ergos of an AR-pattern .308; but don't like what I have seen with these rifles concerning reliability. So I have a few questions:
1) What does someone who is familiar primarily with AR15s need to know about an FAL so they aren't surprised by their assumptions based on AR15 experience?
2) On the AR platform, a rail system usually provides superior cooling and free floats the barrel. Is this also true of the FAL rail system or is it simply an attachment point for accessories?
3) How does a medium-profile fluted 16" FAL barrel hold up to heat? Any issues with wandering zeros? Will it do 800 rounds in eight hours of shooting without losing accuracy or having reliability issues?
4) Anybody worn out a FAL barrel yet? What was the round count?
5) What do I need to know about mounting optics on a FAL?
6) Ideally I'd like a combo that lets me use irons with optics still attached. Barring that, I'd like the same system as I have with my ARs where I can remove the optics easily and shoot irons without losing zero on the optics. Is this realistic with FALs?
7) How handy is the FAL with stock folded? I've fired MP5s, ARs, and AKs with no stock using a sling for tension (like the British do on occasion). Seems like it would be doable with a folded stock FAL as well.
8) How handy is the FAL in and out of vehicles? Do I need the folding stock to make it usable there? Shorter barrel?
9) I notice that DSA has two different length forearms for the 16" FAL. Any significance to the different lengths? I notice the "Tactical" length has a shorter sight radius and different gas system presumably. Can someone explain the differences here?
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