Dsa fal

[Scrim]

Any Fal owners/users around here? Im seriously considering this for messing around at the range and when the zombies come.http://www.dsarms.com/SA58-FALTactical-Carbine-Rifle-308-Cal/productinfo/SA58TAC/.
Ive shot the FAL or SLR in the UK years ago. Just in the mood for something different other than AK or AR types.
Opinions, other FAL options are welcome...

[akd]

DSAs are very nice. Here is a more affordable way to get a quality one:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=121573573 (you don't have to bid on the auction, just e-mail him).

Tell him Alan D. sent you. Be advised, you will wait awhile on a newly-ordered DSA FAL. DSA makes their FALs to order.

[gaijinsamurai]

A good friend has three DSA STG58-type FALs, and loves them. I've played around with his, and prefer them hands down to my own L1A1.

If I weren't broke, I'd get one.

[TonyT]

I have a DSArms Para Carbine and it also has a rail interface handguard, extreme duty scope mount, Saw pistol grip, and 18.5" barrel. I have mounted all sorts of optics and have shot it iron sighted. I think the fit and finish from DSARms is excellent and I really love shooting a FAL.

I also have an M1A National Match and a couple Colt AR's. Here is my review the the DSARms in comparison to the other rifles listed:

Here is a short review of my FAL (pro's and con's). The fit and finish is excellent. The rifle is very reliable (as reliable as my AR and M1A but not noticeably better) and is very easy to clean. I have always hated cleaning an AR. Pop it open and wipe off the piston and bolt carrier. The form factor is also nice and much better with the SAW grip.

What I don't like about my FAL is that it has a very rough and heavy trigger. Accuracy isn't very good. It actually shoots worse with a scope mounted than with iron sights, which I attribute to the scope mount but have no idea how to fix it. I am only capable of shooting about 2-3" groups at 100 yards, off sandbags. I can shoot about 1'5" groups with my M4 and less than 1" groups (depending on ammo) with my M1A NM.

Many will chime in that it is a battle rifle and 2-3" groups are good enough. I counter that if you are willing to spend $1,500 - $2,500 on a rifle then it should be very reliable and very accurate.

Bottom line, I like my FAL enought that I shoot it more than any rifle I own and am convinced I can find ways of shooting it better. I would buy another, if I could get one.

[SMGLee]

DSA FAL is on of the best FAL clone on the market today, if you want a FAL, DSA is second to none...

As far as accuracy, sometimes, gun are ammo dependant, so you might want to tested with several different brands. I have shot my Original FAL with the US Lakecity M118 and it usually yield a decent 2 MOA using a Leupold 1.5-5x MR/T scope. I am usually pretty satifised with the performance. I have tried with match ammo such as the 308M, but the performance gain in min. at about 1.5MOA at best...but take my stats with a gram of salt, I am not that good of a paper puncher.

back to the DSA, the rifleitself are well engineered, the quality is good, and the egronomics are excellent due to the excellent FN design, and the magazine are cheap at about 15.00 a pop for new surplus.

Good luck,

[lt tahoe]

I've owned a FAL for years now, and it's a great go-to gun. As noted, it's reliable, easy to clean, and parts and mags are cheap and widely available. Make sure you note whether it's a metric- or inch-pattern, but otherwise parts are pretty interchangeable.

It's not a precision rifle, it's a battle rifle. I can hit a man-sized silhouette out past 400m with an Aimpoint, so it does the job.

Note that, of the rifles you listed (AR15, AK47/74, FAL) this one has the most powerful, but most expensive, ammo...I started reloading shortly after getting this rifle for that reason.

[maw]

i think larry vickers was saying that the fal was his favorite battle rifle.
i had a dsa stg. not for me, crap trigger that can't really be improved with stock parts. accuracy was meh. i much prefer my lrb m1a.
having said that, dsa fit and finish was excellent. if you get one, avoid the temptation to get the 16" bbl. a minimum of 18" for 7.62x51.
with the assault rifle ban i only want rifles that can last a generation or three- on the fal the receiver is a stressed member.
and before the flaming starts - it's a great rifle. just not the top of my list.

[James]

I'd like to get one some day. I'm partial to the T48 (http://www.dsarms.com/SA58-FAL-T48-Collector-Series-Rifle-308-Cal/productinfo/SA58T48COL/). I like the Israeli version (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=121294985) too.

[SilentType]

DSA knows their FAL's and to that end obtained some of the best surplus parts kits out there with the STG58 Steyr Austrian parts. Barnone the best you can get.

I'm not a fan though of 16" barrels with the 7.62NATO round. I wouldn't want to go any lower than an 18" barrel.

If you want a short overall length 7.62NATO rifle check out the upcoming Kel-Tec RFB. They'll be retailing at around $1830.

[EZFEED]

Any Fal owners/users around here? Im seriously considering this for messing around at the range and when the zombies come.http://www.dsarms.com/SA58-FALTactical-Carbine-Rifle-308-Cal/productinfo/SA58TAC/.
Ive shot the FAL or SLR in the UK years ago. Just in the mood for something different other than AK or AR types.
Opinions, other FAL options are welcome...

Owner, believer here, I have 6 or so...all Steyr STG-58's and all but two in parts kits. I also have DSA recievers for all kits plus three. Sold my M1A's and kept the FAL's.
See my photoalbum in my profile for pics.

DSA hands down has been the sh*t when it comes to FAL recievers. I would almost go on to say they are better than the originals. I have a buddy who has a full auto FNC and thats a blast, I've fired post sample L1A1 and what a beast......one would definitley only need to flip the happy switch when the SHTF.

Buy one dude, buy several, if you can snag one get an Israeli HB model. p-)

[EZFEED]

I'm not a fan though of 16" barrels with the 7.62NATO round. I wouldn't want to go any lower than an 18" barrel.


^^^^^ Ditto, too much flash/wasted powder. If you want something short step down in caliber, otherwise your wasting the effectivness of the round.

[lt tahoe]

I've fired them on full auto, and I don't want one. Waste of ammo; unless you've got a LMG setup, it's pointless.

[-[Crosshair]-]

I've fired them on full auto, and I don't want one. Waste of ammo; unless you've got a LMG setup, it's pointless.

That's what I think too (fired the old FN C1A1Ds (full-auto Navy version, the infantry had semi-auto C1A1s) and C2A1s we had in the CF before our C7s and C9s) and I only ended up shooting the C2A1 on auto, ****ed with the rifle resting on its bipod because .308 is one hell of a round on full-auto. I think the FAL makes an excellent semi-auto rifle though, and I'd like one myself for longer-range shooting.

[speckfire]

-;3876015']That's what I think too (fired the old FN C1A1Ds (full-auto Navy version, the infantry had semi-auto C1A1s) and C2A1s we had in the CF before our C7s and C9s) and I only ended up shooting the C2A1 on auto, ****ed with the rifle resting on its bipod because .308 is one hell of a round on full-auto. I think the FAL makes an excellent semi-auto rifle though, and I'd like one myself for longer-range shooting.

You're only 19. when did you fire the C1A1 in the CF?

[Scrim]

Some great info guys, thanks! So DSA it is. Now Im going to agonise over damn barrel length.
I recently had a fantastic career change and am working for a class 3 dealer, primarily law enforcment. We have no FALs at the moment:-(.
Im still the FNG, but if I start kissing ass now, maybe they will take me to Knob Creek! I can go pester the DSA guys.

[trunk_munkey28]

You're only 19. when did you fire the C1A1 in the CF?

I believe he's weapons tech. There are still quite a few FNs in our war stocks. It could have been a famil shoot.

[EZFEED]

I've owned a FAL for years now, and it's a great go-to gun. As noted, it's reliable, easy to clean, and parts and mags are cheap and widely available. Make sure you note whether it's a metric- or inch-pattern, but otherwise parts are pretty interchangeable.

It's not a precision rifle, it's a battle rifle. I can hit a man-sized silhouette out past 400m with an Aimpoint, so it does the job.

Note that, of the rifles you listed (AR15, AK47/74, FAL) this one has the most powerful, but most expensive, ammo...I started reloading shortly after getting this rifle for that reason.

Hmmmm.....how worn is your barrel???? My plain jane standard STG-58 with issued Steyr barrel (new) whips a match M1A (new) hands down. Tighter groups at 250 yards with iron sights. If I had to pick a rifle from my collection in an emergency situation that required a balance of durability and accuracy the FAL it would be. Now if I had were in a situation where I had to humph ammo for an extended period......nope...p-)

I agree with you too, the full auto feature on these rifles is a complete waste but so it was in the M-14 too. Leave the full auto 7.62 to the LMG role and sharp shooters, it is too uncontrolable to be effective in a package like the FAL.

[-[Crosshair]-]

You're only 19. when did you fire the C1A1 in the CF?


I believe he's weapons tech. There are still quite a few FNs in our war stocks. It could have been a famil shoot.

This.

Our instructors were qualified on the C1s and C2s and managed to get them out to the range. I love them.

[trunk_munkey28]

-;3878541']This.

Our instructors were qualified on the C1s and C2s and managed to get them out to the range. I love them.

Crosshair, you might be in the know on this. I've heard a couple of rumours swirling around that some FNs are going to be rebuilt and reintroduced as Designated Marksmen Rifles. Any element of truth?

[Hollis]

One of the few catalogs that I miss getting is my DSA catalog. Really nice rifles. I would recommend if you have the opportunity to obtain one, do so.

[speckfire]

-;3878541']This.

Our instructors were qualified on the C1s and C2s and managed to get them out to the range. I love them.

Oh really? The RHR or RMR?

[-[Crosshair]-]

Crosshair, you might be in the know on this. I've heard a couple of rumours swirling around that some FNs are going to be rebuilt and reintroduced as Designated Marksmen Rifles. Any element of truth?

I heard a rumor that some guys wanted C1A1s in Afghanistan but that's just another rumor, and that was a long time ago. Our consensus was that it's bull****. We hear so many rumors as far as weapons go that we don't pay attention anymore...

The best one I heard recently was when I was in Camp Wainwright back in sep/oct/nov, apparently we maintenance people were supposed to get H&K MP7A1s in our T-LAVs/Bisons instead of the brand new C8A3s that we just got issued... :roll:


Oh really? The RHR or RMR?

I have no idea what those are, lol. (Being french-canadian in a french-canadian batallion means I'm not up to date with english CF terms that much...)

[RSone]

Crosshair, you might be in the know on this. I've heard a couple of rumours swirling around that some FNs are going to be rebuilt and reintroduced as Designated Marksmen Rifles. Any element of truth?

There were rumours that in recent years, KCT(Dutch Army SF) Operators pulled it out of the armory, started using the FAL again in Afghanistan. Don't know if it's true.

[lt tahoe]

Hmmmm.....how worn is your barrel???? My plain jane standard STG-58 with issued Steyr barrel (new) whips a match M1A (new) hands down. Tighter groups at 250 yards with iron sights.

It's an '03 Imbel, and I've not put more than 1000 rounds through it...anyway, I'm sure it could hit farther, but with an Aimpoint it would be luck :) I have a full stock and SUIT cover I could swap out if I wanted to shoot farther, I just need to re-finish it.

Scrim--Some food for thought on barrel length, I read a study where they started with a 21" barrel and shot groups, then cut down 1" and re-crowned, shot again, cut again...anyway, 18" seems to be the threshold for shortening the barrel. The loss of accuracy was minimal until you go below 18", then it starts dropping faster. Hence, the 18" on my Para has stayed!

[Hollis]

Hmmmm.....how worn is your barrel???? My plain jane standard STG-58 with issued Steyr barrel (new) whips a match M1A (new) hands down.


Well, maybe - maybe not. There are a lot of very fine rifles that can not group because of the jerk on the trigger.

Some guys think if the buy the best, they will shoot like the best.

[EZFEED]

^^^^ As always quite true Hollis. Also the crispness of the trigger plays a hand too.
Might just need a little trigger work although normally they are pretty fair. If you have a Tapco compliance pack then oh yeah it needs some tweaking. Thats a pretty rough FCG out of the box.:-(

[trunk_munkey28]

-;3881688']I heard a rumor that some guys wanted C1A1s in Afghanistan but that's just another rumor, and that was a long time ago. Our consensus was that it's bull****. We hear so many rumors as far as weapons go that we don't pay attention anymore...

The best one I heard recently was when I was in Camp Wainwright back in sep/oct/nov, apparently we maintenance people were supposed to get H&K MP7A1s in our T-LAVs/Bisons instead of the brand new C8A3s that we just got issued... :roll:



I have no idea what those are, lol. (Being french-canadian in a french-canadian batallion means I'm not up to date with english CF terms that much...)

How about the M203s mounted to Remington 870s; that were supposed to go to tank loaders. LOL. Half of my Sqn was spinning like crazy over that. Good one.

[-[Crosshair]-]

How about the M203s mounted to Remington 870s; that were supposed to go to tank loaders. LOL. Half of my Sqn was spinning like crazy over that. Good one.

Lol damn...