SOCOM 16, Bush Rifle or FN FAL?

[hoax]

I'd get the FAL.

They just look friggin cool.

[vinny_land]

Well, I've had a M-14 and the FALs. Sold the M-14. The Fal by far is a superior weapon.

And yes, building them for under $500 was common place a few years ago, now a days it may be more expensive, but still doable for about $600-700.

$300 for a receiver, $300 for a parts kit. $100 for US parts, and do it yourself.

is there an online source to get all this stuff?

[CrazyJeep]

Realistically, if anyone's situation resulted in them needing the full capability of a battle rifle, who's gonna' not use a real magazine in the M1A, and who's not going to defeat the magazine lock in the FAL??

Were I looking for another M1A, Springfield would not be a choice. Something from LRB with a GI barrel and GI parts would be sweet. I still find Springfield's advertising a little more dramatic than it needs to be, but that again is just my opinion.

-hanko

So what would prevent someone to use magazines they bought for their (postban/non AW) M1a before the ban and not be in hot water if they used them? If a M1a has a muzzle brake on it, then it isn't considered an assault rifle, or does the threaded barrel kill that notion?

[JohnJW]

Realistically, if anyone's situation resulted in them needing the full capability of a battle rifle, who's gonna' not use a real magazine in the M1A, and who's not going to defeat the magazine lock in the FAL??

Because people interpret "needs" differently. What I think I need is very different from the PD or the DA. There are also "actual needs", "potential needs", "in your face needs", and "out camping needs."

FAL/HK91/AR10 maybe be better rifles, but unless AB23 goes away, M1A is the better choice if you want a semi auto .308 rifle with detachable magazines, available to you 24/7 anywhere you go in CA.

[BossHogg]

For a battle rifle .... Id go other .... G3 (PTR-91). I have all 4 (ar-10 ,fal, m1a,g3) and for battle and mobility g3 is great and light. That and the fact G3 mags are $2.50 each. Of course my ar-10 has a 24 inch bull barrel and solid steel receiver on it so it kind of doesn't count.

[RegularLT1]

Can you guys who are saying you can build a FAL for under 1k please post some links? Some cursory google searches turn up nothing even close to the prices you are talking about. Perhaps the prices and/or availability has changed? I'd love to pick up a FAL (or 3 )

[-hanko]

Can you guys who are saying you can build a FAL for under 1k please post some links? Some cursory google searches turn up nothing even close to the prices you are talking about. Perhaps the prices and/or availability has changed? I'd love to pick up a FAL (or 3 )

Start w/ the Marketplace forum on the fal files.

-hanko

[4 Brigada]

Can you guys who are saying you can build a FAL for under 1k please post some links?

Ask those guys to sell theirs for under 1 K

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

4 Brigada,
There has been three in the for sale forum that sold for under 1K.

And for the poster that says were all blowing hot air.
I have owned and shot both M1As and Fals. Sense im not a Veteran I wouldn't know anything about a combat rifle. Seems funny that 90 other countries use the Fal as a Battle rifle.

[double_action]

I recently bought an FAL off Gunboards.com. It's an Imbel parts kit on an Imbel gear receiver, built by Investment Grade Firearms for $900.

Just look around.

[4 Brigada]

There is excellent deal right now on the sale forum, DSA built 1300 USD . check it out. thats a deal. Not a surplus parts kit built gun

[thedrickel]

Can you guys who are saying you can build a FAL for under 1k please post some links? Some cursory google searches turn up nothing even close to the prices you are talking about. Perhaps the prices and/or availability has changed? I'd love to pick up a FAL (or 3 )

I'm going to sell one soon, reparked IMBEL on Century build, US parts, bullet button - still well under a grand.

If you shop around you can bring one in at about 750:

IMBEL kit - 250
Century receiver ~ 300 (+transfer)
US parts ~ 120
Bullet button/set screw & 10rd mag ~ 50
Build/park - ???

Cursory google searches won't help you. You need to join the FAL Files and surf the marketplace nonstop for a couple weeks.

[BHPFan]

Well, I am looking for a .308 battle rifle. What are your opinions on these rifles and what are your reasons for your vote?

Here is what I have heard/read so far...

SOCOM 16- I've heard of some reliability problems with them, but mostly people are happy. Short, handy, pretty cool.

Springfield M1A Bush Rifle- 2" longer than the SOCOM 16 but I have heard it is far more reliable.

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.

What about longevity? Cost of ownership? How badly is the Kalifornia version of the FAL neutered?


Let the voting begin and the opinions fly!

From that list, I vote FAL. However, if you include the std barrel M1A (22"), I vote M1A.

If I have to choose between the M1A (with the 22" barrel rather than the shorter ones) and the FAL, I choose the M1A all because of living in PRK.

If I were living in a gun-friendly state like NV, AZ, FL or TX, then I choose the FAL.

YES... my decision is based from the stupid fixed mag if you want pg and either no ppg or have a silly mmg if you want detachable mag.

[duenor]

Our California Legal STG58 (FAL) Rifles can be converted back to AW status within the space of two minutes by the most obtuse of gun owners. Indeed, all parts required to do so can be stored in the pistol grip of the rifle with plenty of space left to spare. I suspect the same might be said of other CA-compliant FAL variants.

In the event of a true SHTF, we would encourage all gun owners to remain compliant with the law and not swap out the small, easily removed locking component with the small, equally easily installed AW component. Doing so would render the firearm immediately capable of accepting 20 round FAL magazines such as the very high quality STG Austrian ones currently being sold for as little as $3.99 at J&G sales in Prescott, Arizona.

-----------------------

The M1A is a solid battle rifle with advantages and disadvantages when compared to the FAL. Its advantages lie in its excellent long range accuracy and its ability to use detachable magazines when in standard configuration. In some situations, its lack of a pistol grip can also be advantageous (such as having to roll on the ground with the rifle). Finally, the GS sights on the M14 have largely been considered superior to that of the FAL.

The FAL is another solid battle rifle whose advantages lie in its inherent adaptibility (able to accept any type of ammo due to its gas adjustable system), extreme resistance to abuse or fouling, and superb ergonomics. Its magazine system is also much more fluid, requiring much less effort to change magazines than the M14.

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiTJYnJFwO0


If you look in the background of my pic, you will see an EAI FAL that we have essentially converted back to the FN-49's (the FN-FAL's predecessor, also designed by D. Saive) loading system (10rnd fixed magazine, top stripper clip loading). This was done for California residents. Incidentally, if a CAL-FAL rifle owner moves out of the state, we will replace the 10rnd mag with a detachable 20 and ship it back to them for free.

[-hanko]

There is excellent deal right now on the sale forum, DSA built 1300 USD . check it out. thats a deal. Not a surplus parts kit built gun

Though every DSA STG58 uses a US built receiver with surplus Austrian parts.

-hanko