FAL Rifle Advice Wanted

n/a ^ | June 23, 2005 | self

[Mulder]

I'm seriously considering purchasing a DSA FAL rifle in 308, but really don't know much about them, so I thought I'd post a thread to learn some more.

I want this rifle to accurately reach out to 500-600 yards, but not be too large to preclude it from CQB usage.

My main questions are as follows:

What type receiver should I get? Type I, II, or III?

What is the best method of mounting an optic to this rifle, such as an Aimpoint or Leupuld 3-9X?

Are the rail interface handguards worth the $250 price that DSA sells them for?

Does the 21" barrel provide a significant advantage over the 16" barrel in terms of accuracy and recoil?

How good (or bad) is the trigger on a typical DSA?

Any additional input would be appreciated as well.

Thanks.

[Khurkris]

"5.Be advised that the .308 is a full power cartridge & it has a solid recoil & is rather loud especially in confined spaces."

AMEN to that one. Especially in hallways, most normal sized rooms, cars, vans and 'suburban-type' vehicles. Also the fact of over-penetration. That round will go through walls with high possibility of collateral damage and injury.
Te FAL is an excellent weapon for the purposes for which it was designed. (Un)Fortunately CQB is not one of them. Get a Mossberg 12g (bottom ejecting-no distractions) and use the FAL for open country shooting. Good advice on this thread.

[Squantos]

Get what you need and like and can afford Mulder.....:o)

As to a multi task, one, do it all rig, I'd suggest ya take a peek at a three gun match and look at their rifles..... I adopted a simple system for my HBAR Flat top I saw at such a match that made so much sense for meeting my needs here on the plains of the panhandle. My flat top HBAR has a 10X leaupold for 200-800M Yotes and a Eotech mounted on the floating handguard at the two o'clock position that lets me cant the rifle just a bit for up close snap shots (CQB) but easily transistion back up to twelve o'clock for nailing sod poodles at 600M !

I have the same system set up on a bone stock M1A "loaded" version I picked up last year. It's a quick and easy setup with the addition of a set of rails or getting some hammer monkey (not Eaker) to install em for ya !

That's as "goofy" as I can get this late .....Hope I helped ya think of other ways to solve yer problem.

Eaker ya little peckerwood .........:o)

[Joe Brower]

Lots of good advice here, Mulder. I have a DSA SA58 with the medium contour barrel, metric, fixed stock, iron sights, no carrying handle on the reciever, and no folding bipod on the handgaurds. I have the muzzle brake, since this was bought before the AW ban sunset:

Without a doubt, this rifle is one of the best I own, probably the best overall battle rifle in my collection. Out of the box, it was zeroed perfectly at 200m. A bit heavy to lug around all day, perhaps, but worth the effort. It points surprisingly well. Standing, I can hit military "dog" target out to 300m all day, and almost twice that from prone. Let me put it this way -- if I were "working" along the southern border, this is what I would bring along.

CQB would tough, since it is a rather long piece, but that .308 makes it all worthwhile, methinks, because the .30cal is far superior to the .223 if you want to shoot something and have it stay shot. And with 20 rounds as fast as you can pull the trigger, it would wreak holy hell on hostiles coming in the doorway in a stacked entry, for example.

Ammo and mags are cheap for this firearm. And as others have pointed out, DSA has now introduced many newer variants of this that deserveexamination. Bottom line, the FAL is without a doubt one of the best of the best. You will not be disappointed.

[Deguello]

Bump for good internet gun porn.

[Atlas Sneezed]

The very best resource for helping your decision is "Boston's Gun Bible"

www.javelinpress.com

[Squantos]

Great post Joe.......

Cogadh na Sith yer expertise of the FAL is needed here !

See if ya can add to these great first hand reports from owners. I remember ya had advise for me at one time regarding my first purchase of a FAL...........

Help if ya have time !!

[Cogadh na Sith]

I want this rifle to accurately reach out to 500-600 yards, but not be too large to preclude it from CQB usage.

Those are contradictory requirements.

[Mulder]

Mulder - how often do you intend to fire at or near full auto rates? (Makes a big difference on which barrel/receiver combo you want.)

All semiauto. Should I go with the Type I?

[Mulder]

Those are contradictory requirements

Yeah... I'm probably asking too much to get both from one rifle.

My original plan was to get a Bushmaster BAR-10 rifle, and set it up for long range work with a mildot Leopuld 4-14X; and a Bushmaster BAR-10 carbine with an Aimpoint for CQB work. But they keep dragging their feet about making spare parts available, and I don't want to sink $3000 into a system with no spare parts readily available.

So I'm thinking I'll get an FAL in the meantime.

[Cogadh na Sith]

There's no point getting a full-auto FAL or variant.... It's fun but uncontrollable--no tactical value.

The L1A1 is a great rifle. I'm partial to the inch patterns. Your mileage may vary.

[mylife]

I like the Cetme, recoil is light and its a strong accurate rifle.
There is no gas operating system to Fal, I mean foul. ;)
The FAL is actually a better design but you can get 2 Cetmes for the price of a FAL

[Cogadh na Sith]

There is no gas operating system to Fal, I mean foul.

Not true, it is 'a gas operated short throw tappet system with gas regulator'. It can eventually foul, but you can open the gas port to provide more force--to a point....

[mylife]

Cetme is delayed roller blowback

[Cogadh na Sith]

Yeah... I misread your post.