Building FN FAL Cost

[SweetPotato]

Saw this thread http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403518 and wonder how much does it cost to put together a FAL. And also how readily available are the parts. I did a little research and found that only few years ago, the receiver is only around $150 so I wonder why the receiver price has gone up to $475 so fast.

[MRBESQ]

Arizona Response Systems is selling Imbel kits for $475 right now. Receiver costs about the same, depending on Coonan or DSA model. AR15barrels can build it for you as well. Took about an hour and change to do my upper. About $100. I cerakoted mine as well, for like $150 (Tsart does great work). Can be done for around $ 1000. Not bad for a classic battle rifle! Totally dig mine.

[AKSOG]

I have never seen FAL uppers for $100. The Coonan I got a few years ago was about $400.

[SweetPotato]

I have never seen FAL uppers for $100. The Coonan I got a few years ago was about $400.

Ok, might just been reading it wrong.

[God Bless America]

Husadee where are you, I have tools.

[hollowpoint67]

Stg58 parts kit, imbel receiver, 922r parts, gunsmithing etc ended up costing close to $2k. If I was to do it again I'd find one 2nd hand built by a reputable builder.

[SweetPotato]

Wow your estimate is twice as much as mrbesq. May be he could shed more light on his.

[MRBESQ]

Shedding light....

IMBEL kits (Brazilian) tend to be cheaper than STG kits because the German barrels and receivers are supposed to be higher quality. You can also get FALs second hand on FALFILES, GunBroker or auctions for between $800 to $1000 in good shape.

Building a kit is regarded as more expensive, as the components cost more than an assembled rifle. But as I indicated in my original post, you can get an Imbel Kit for $475 right now from ARS.

I bought a kit from GunThings for $575 because the barrels are pristine (and mine was chrome).

You will need a handful of 922R parts. Another $100

Cerakote by Tsart - $150, or so (the finish sucked).

The DSA Receiver was $300 second hand on Calguns. The IMBEL Gear Logo I bought a month ago was $500.

AR15Barrels put the upper together - barrel timing, headspacing, locking shoulder fitting and gas system assembly $100.

So my Imbel kit on DSA FAL, which you can find pictures of if you search my posts was $ 1225. But I could have cut corners and built it for less (no cerakote, cheaper kit, cheaper 922r parts).

But it runs like a champ, is exactly what I wanted and has been a real kick to put together. I am building an SLR and a para, both of which will cost about $1300 - $1500.

[SweetPotato]

Thanks. That made me feel a lot better than 2k. Though I check the mention site and it said that the frame isn't for sale. ... do I have to call to order?

[-hanko]

Saw this thread http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403518 and wonder how much does it cost to put together a FAL. And also how readily available are the parts. I did a little research and found that only few years ago, the receiver is only around $150 so I wonder why the receiver price has gone up to $475 so fast.

In the mid 2000's, a great deal on receivers was from Rav at the Dealers Warehouse in Modesto...$179.99. I remember this since bit in CA and I in ID split a 10-pack and got another 10% off. I've never seen an upper receiver in the $100 range, unless it was the remains of a DEMIL. Maybe you're thinking of lower receivers??

Arizona Response Systems is selling Imbel kits for $475 right now. Receiver costs about the same, depending on Coonan or DSA model. AR15barrels can build it for you as well. Took about an hour and change to do my upper. About $100. I cerakoted mine as well, for like $150 (Tsart does great work). Can be done for around $ 1000. Not bad for a classic battle rifle! Totally dig mine.

ARS built the sweetest FAL I've ever shot, including a few real FN's. DSA normally has a $50 or so discount for FAL Files members.

[SweetPotato]

Yeah, the post I read may have been that old. I assume that then the thread refer to upper receiver. I made the initial assumption that it is lower receiver ike ar receiver that has the serial number. But based on your comment, i probably made the wrong assumption. Thanks.

[SweetPotato]

Husadee where are you, I have tools.

I am in So Cal (try to pm you but it wouldn't go thru). I don't have the lower yet and will have to order the rest of the part once I have the lower. But I really appreciate your offer and would take up if possible when the time come....biggy thanky.

[crazychinaman]

Right now parts kit have almost dried up .So price has gone up too.The receivers have to because Imbel no longer imports into the US.They where the best .So Conan,DSA and Entreprise Arms are left.Too bad 2 years ago I sold my last 3 STG German kits,almost brand new.Still has cosmoline in the Barrells.It might be cheaper to buy one now.good luck

[Top Shotta HiFi]

The actual cost really depends what variant FAL you want to build. I just finished building up an M964 clone 'Imbel on Imbel' FAL. It is a surplus Brazilian Imbel kit built up on an Imbel 'Gear Logo' receiver - the same receiver offered in the current group buy actually. The Imbel receivers are forged (vs. cast) and built under FN license and are generally considered superior to the rest of whats available now (DSA/Coonan/Entreprise/Hesse). Unfortunately being foreign made, you will need to make up one extra US part elsewhere - no biggie.

These are Metric Pattern receivers (vs. Inch Pattern) so that immediately narrows the field of possible variants you can build. If you want to go the 'Imbel on Imbel' route, here are the costs you can expect to pay:

Imbel GL Receiver (Current Group Buy) $500
Surplus Brazilian Imbel Kit from Arizona Response Systems (ARS) $487.
Correct size locking shoulder for head spacing (ARS) $47

922(r) parts
Set of US Made (PSAW) Furniture (ARS) $50
US Gas Piston from Falconarms (FA) $30
US FCG - (FA) $50
US Mag Follower (FA) $4
US Mag plate (FA) $2

~$1200 gets you there going this route. Tools are the expensive part - approx $425-$450 - pretty spendy for just one build. Where do you live? Sounds like God Bless America is willing to loan/rent you the tools - I live up in Sonoma County and can do the same. Gunplumber's (ARS) Home FAL Gunsmithing workbook and DVD course are very thorough and definitely worth the money ($70).

Stg58s are Belgian made (FN I believe) and I agree they are going to cost you a whole lot more to build. Same with the G1, Israeli Light Barrel, Rhodesian (legit Commie Killers) and other variants.

I suggest you head over to the FALFiles - the collective knowledge over there of all things FAL is incredible.

Best of luck!

[SweetPotato]

I just register there. So much to read between this and AR9. Is FAL better with longer barrel for bench shooting or is it more like off hand rifle. Or is it just personal preference.

Does the more expensive part kit worth the price or is it just preference?