SOCOM 16, Bush Rifle or FN FAL?

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

I would go with the Fal out of your choices. You can build two Fals for the price of one M1A.
I would take the AR-10 over a Fal or M1A.

[CrazyJeep]

I would go with the Fal out of your choices. You can build two Fals for the price of one M1A.

I highly doubt that. How so if you don't mind me asking.

[WOLFPACK117]

Socom 16

Tough decisions I have both. SocomII and FAL. Since I can't have a detachable mag on my future build/purchase on FAL anymore, I picked M1A/SocomII. I wish I bought more FALS before the banned.

http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/wolfpack117/?action=view&current=MY****.jpg

[Jax]

lol

I have several of each, and like both platforms.
The M1A is more accurate the FAL platform in standard configuration.
The FAL is more adaptible than the M14 platform in standard configuration.

Your gun safe is like a toolbox - to each particular job a different tool is suited.

you need to change that sig line.....whats the special this month?

[Czechsix]

"finicky gas systems that easily crack?" Huh? wha?

The only gas system issue I've ever had on a FAL is a regulator nut that was too heavily parked - and the system still ran flawlessly, go figure.

Where'd you hear about the finicky gas systems?

Oh, and between those choices, I'd go FAL.

[Paratus et Vigilans]

I've had my SOCOM 16 just over a year, and I love it. It'll run all day (and has), no FTF or FTE. Wish I had some 20 rd mags for it, but other than that, it's my preference for a .308 battle rifle. In fairness, I've never fired an FAL, and I know many people love 'em. I've got a couple of Garands, so I appreciate the M1A's heritage and lineage, and for my money, it's built like a brick ****house and seems like the all-American solution to me. Plus, no fixed-mag issues to worry with.

However, before you buy, go shoot all your possible choices and decide for youself what YOU like!

[FlyingPen]

From my limited bank of knowledge:

FAL: reliability expert, not all that accurate
M1A: Very accurate for a semi-auto, used as designated marksman rifles in the military

Saiga 308: Very reliable, decent accuracy, very inexpensive

[Bucc]

I have the standard plain jane M1A and love it.
Right out of the box it was as accurate as many scoped bolt rifles I have fired.
It isn't quite a death ray but damn close.
That said I just got a couple FAL receivers to build for SHTF rifles.
Again, not terribly accurate. But brick solid and dead reliable.
The FAL parts are cheaper and easier to find. Not that and M1A breaks but stuff happens. You can also adjust the gas system in the FAL for different bullet weights.
There is a gas plug for the M1A for that but I have seen mixed reviews on it.
I like the SOCOM but it's kinda disco, sort of a bit too tacticool for me.
The Saiga is cheap, easy to work on, but not real accurate.
I am not sure how the Sagia handles heavy bullets though.
The best thing to do is get around and first handle each at a shop or show.
Then hook up with some Cal gunners local who might let you cap a few.
If you are in So Cal near Orange, SD or Riverside Co. I'll let you pop a few from my M1A but it is a standard not the type you are asking about.

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

Jeepcrazy,

Quote:
Originally Posted by rg_1111@yahoo.com
I would go with the Fal out of your choices. You can build two Fals for the price of one M1A.

I highly doubt that. How so if you don't mind me asking.

Keep doubting.
Well to start two DSA Type 1 Metric receivers with DROS $1,000
Two Imbel Kits $300 to $350 a piece.
US. Parts $100 For Both rifles.
Ok at the Most $1,800. EVEN CHEAPER if you know where to LOOK! That's about two Hundred Over a M1A. For two Rifles.
Jeepcrazy You just Keep doubting the Fact's.

[FlyingPen]

Can you add links?

[wooger]

Having both FAL's and an M1a, I would have to go with the FAL. As far as two FAL for the price of one M1a my two all imbel builds costs are $1570.00.

[Bucc]

I got my DSA receivers both under $500.
One substantially cheaper from a calgunner.
The other was happenstance at Bright Spot.
I ordered an Imbel kit from Enterprise for about $350 but could have done cheaper had I wanted a lesser kit.
Cole distributing has them for 300 I think.... might have misread it was way early this morning when I looked and coffee hadn't kicked in.
The US parts sounds about right.
With tools and do it yer ownself Id say doing 2 FALs for the price of a SOCOM give or take a C note or two is VERY doable.

[Solidmch]

I like the 16 and bush. That is cause it uses mags I have had for 19 years for my M1A. I like having several guns that work with mags I already own. I have a bush too. It is great. I really did not want a Socom II. My wife bought it for me for a birthday present. I shot it, and fell in love. It has an aimpoint. It has turned my bush into a safe queen.

[-hanko]

FN FAL- Pretty cool, a little bit heavier than the M1A series from what I have read (though not by much). One thing I have read on/heard of is FALs having finicky gas systems that easily crack
They're both heavy relative to a mouse gun...OP asked about a battle rifle.

I've been playing with & building FAL's for a very long time...the gas system is not finicky, it has the advantage of letting the user adjust it for different types if ammo if needed, most of the time no adjustment is required.

I have never seen, heard, or read about a gas system cracking...if you look at the gas system there's nothing to crack.


Gotta love the irony there. I love the FAL's too, but it seems less complicated to obtain and maintain a M1A if you don't have a platform preference. By this I mean new production FAL mags are unlikely to be 10-rounders, there's the metric / standard versions, all the 80% import / export part laws, etc.
Obtaining an FAL is as easy as any other gun...DSA, Enterprise, AZAX, Arizona Response Systems, as well as quite a few new and used on the FAL files. If you want to build your own, it is about 2 to 1 v. building an M1A.

There are NO new production FAL mags; there are a lot of NIB mags out there, old mags continue to work perfectly and new or used, they are a LOT cheaper than those for the M1A.


FAL, unless you want to compete NRA service rifle them a M1A. Whats a "bush" rifle? Tell the range people to trim the grass. And if you cant carry it go to the gym. You can buy ammo for your FAL, with the money you save by not buying the SOCOM ( "Gucci Gun", preferred by all mall ninjas types and not adopted or ever adopted by over 93 countries ). FAL , professional, lean like a cheetah, a mans rifle.
M1A's sell better because...FAL builders do not get into advertising showing muddy soldiers (I think the cool name now is "operators") crawling through crap with a muddy gun. If you get either gun muddy, it may well not go boom. If you're a fan of the tacticool thing, yippie; you've made your choice.

If you compete in NRA service rifle, an FAL is not allowed. If you want a real battle rifle that always goes bang and has been used by 90+ countries, you've got one choice

Guess how I voted.

-hanko

[WINGEDSWORD]

M1A or Fal

I have both the M1A Bush rifle and the SOCOM 16. I like both of them. I have
had the full size M1A and the FAL. I no longer have the FAL. My older Son pestered me into giving him the full size M1A as a College graduation present.
For me, The Fal, in it's California version is a waste. I hate stripper clips.
Further more, I grew up prior to the pistol grip era battle rifles and am more comfortable with that style stock. As for reliability, I have NEVER had a problem with any of my M1a's, as long as I fed them good ammunition. Another thing about the SOCOM 16. While it produces a very noticable muzzle flash, the muzzlebrake is very effective and significantly reduces muzzle climb. Furthermore, Springfield stands behind their products. Try getting free service if a FAL fouls up!