QuebecoisWolf
Ultimate Member
So I'm at Engage Armament yesterday for the sale when I see an STG58 on the wall. Though Engage offered me a good deal, given my economic situation it wasn't "an offer I couldn't refuse." Besides, I have an obsession with carbines and figured that the para would be more up my alley. And then I realized I don't even know the proper manual of arms for FALs, let alone how to properly inspect one. That info is fairly easy to Google. What's harder to find is specific information from other shooters. So I figured that I'd come here and ask. I'm looking for any info or any advice whatsoever, but I'd love to hear from the resident FAL maniacs about their preferences and experience. Share as much or as little as you want.
The purpose of this FAL? Primarily as a range gun and a source of awesomeness and badassery in the collection as well as (hopefully unnecessary) SHTF work alongside my AR-15 and M590. Why FAL? Because I like the ergonomics, the history behind the design, and they're more exotic than M1As and HK91 variations. I have heard that they're a bit sensitive to sand, but I'm totally rocking the Yugo and a Speedo if we ever host a range day at the beach.
Never mind. I'll get to my questions now.
1. Muzzle device: I've seen para muzzle brakes as well as AR-style, Belgian short, Steyr short, and military standard flash suppressors. Are any of them noticeably better or worse?
2. Bipod: Is the FAL bipod any good or is dead weight that you remove, toss in your gun-related junk bin, and never see again?
3. Barrel length: 21 inches vs 18 inches vs 16.25 inches. As a carbine fetishist, I like short barrels, but at the same time worry about flash, noise, and wasted muzzle velocity with 7.62 NATO. I've also noticed that 21 inch barrels tend to have a long flash suppressor, making them closer to 23-24 inches which is very long for a tactical rifle. Anyone have any advice, ballistics data, pseudoscience, anecdotal evidence, range experience, fortune cookie wisdom, or war stories? I'm totally on the fence about barrel length. Or maybe I need to start saving money for two FALs.
4. Receiver: Metric vs Customary/British. I get the difference and understand that Metric mags tend to be cheaper and easier to find. What I don't get are DSA's references to Type I and Type II receivers. What's the difference and should I stay away from one type or another?
5. Carry handle: I think that FALs look naked without them, but I want to know what you guys think.
6. Scope Mounting: Not a huge priority for me, but what are the options besides the built-in picatinny rails? Is there a scope mount for standard FALs? I may eventually decide that I just must have an optic of some type.
7. Stock: Fixed vs Para folder. After shooting the Mosin, I have recoil on the mind. How bad is recoil with the Para stock? It seems awfully narrow to me, but what do I know? I do know that the DSA sidefolder has the tightest lock-up I've ever seen in a folding stock.
8. Manufacturer: I'm thinking of DSA and don't mind being on a waiting list. This is a dream gun and I'm willing to custom order from the factory if need be. I've also heard that DSA will build from parts kits, but have no idea how to choose a good kit. And no Century guns, please. I've gone 1 for 3 with them despite my best efforts.
Thanks in advance! Whether ten words or ten pages, any replies will be appreciated!
The purpose of this FAL? Primarily as a range gun and a source of awesomeness and badassery in the collection as well as (hopefully unnecessary) SHTF work alongside my AR-15 and M590. Why FAL? Because I like the ergonomics, the history behind the design, and they're more exotic than M1As and HK91 variations. I have heard that they're a bit sensitive to sand, but I'm totally rocking the Yugo and a Speedo if we ever host a range day at the beach.
Never mind. I'll get to my questions now.
1. Muzzle device: I've seen para muzzle brakes as well as AR-style, Belgian short, Steyr short, and military standard flash suppressors. Are any of them noticeably better or worse?
2. Bipod: Is the FAL bipod any good or is dead weight that you remove, toss in your gun-related junk bin, and never see again?
3. Barrel length: 21 inches vs 18 inches vs 16.25 inches. As a carbine fetishist, I like short barrels, but at the same time worry about flash, noise, and wasted muzzle velocity with 7.62 NATO. I've also noticed that 21 inch barrels tend to have a long flash suppressor, making them closer to 23-24 inches which is very long for a tactical rifle. Anyone have any advice, ballistics data, pseudoscience, anecdotal evidence, range experience, fortune cookie wisdom, or war stories? I'm totally on the fence about barrel length. Or maybe I need to start saving money for two FALs.
4. Receiver: Metric vs Customary/British. I get the difference and understand that Metric mags tend to be cheaper and easier to find. What I don't get are DSA's references to Type I and Type II receivers. What's the difference and should I stay away from one type or another?
5. Carry handle: I think that FALs look naked without them, but I want to know what you guys think.
6. Scope Mounting: Not a huge priority for me, but what are the options besides the built-in picatinny rails? Is there a scope mount for standard FALs? I may eventually decide that I just must have an optic of some type.
7. Stock: Fixed vs Para folder. After shooting the Mosin, I have recoil on the mind. How bad is recoil with the Para stock? It seems awfully narrow to me, but what do I know? I do know that the DSA sidefolder has the tightest lock-up I've ever seen in a folding stock.
8. Manufacturer: I'm thinking of DSA and don't mind being on a waiting list. This is a dream gun and I'm willing to custom order from the factory if need be. I've also heard that DSA will build from parts kits, but have no idea how to choose a good kit. And no Century guns, please. I've gone 1 for 3 with them despite my best efforts.
Thanks in advance! Whether ten words or ten pages, any replies will be appreciated!