which would you get, fn fal or ptr 91?

[gwgn02]

Since no one else has mentioned it
Saiga or Vepr Option is viable

No one mentioned it because OP didn't ask about it in his thread title. This is a FAL vs PTR thread.

[killifornia]

My uncle has a Century Arms FAL that's a mish mash of metric and inch parts. Seems to be of mediocre quality and accuracy isn't very good. Maybe that's not typical of FAL but his is underwhelming. On the plus side he did offer to sell it to me for $600. Just don't know if it's worth it though.

[Joe Blowitup]

Had a ptr and had to sell it and was haertbroken since it was my favorite. When i bought a new one i also bought a fal at the same time. Now i wish i would have not bought the ptr as the fal is a much better gun. I also hate cleaning the ptr and leave it in the safe so i dont have to clean it. Fal all the way!!!

[Bladewurk]

My uncle has a Century Arms FAL that's a mish mash of metric and inch parts. Seems to be of mediocre quality and accuracy isn't very good. Maybe that's not typical of FAL but his is underwhelming. On the plus side he did offer to sell it to me for $600. Just don't know if it's worth it though.

Buy it and rebuild it if its on an Imbel receiver. If its a Century cast receiver then pass

[bsut]

Given the choice, I bought a PTR-91 A3S. I wanted the welded-on optics rail, and I have refinished some wooden furniture myself.
The M1A was a close runner up, but the PTR's price couldn't be beat.
I just couldn't take myself seriously, shooting a gun with a French name!

Surplus G3 magazines are cheap and plentiful. If you buy the gun and the magazines from Atlantic Firearms (a CGN sponsor), they'll be sure they're compliant before they ship to your FFL. The standard magazine release parts arrived in a baggie, tucked under the foam padding in the carrying case, so I'll be able to convert it back to full functionality when I escape to a free state.

I bought surplus standard-capacity 20rd G3 magazine rebuild kits, and installed magblocks to keep them legal for use while I'm still in Kalifornia.

[ja308]

Just because it should be mentioned.

If you are not giving M1As a hard look and you live in Kommiefornistan you are missing out. (no bullet button nonsense).

I have both a FAL and A M1A and if I had to keep only one it would be the M1A hands down.
And my M1A is a springfield, not a high end LRB or SEI, or even a Norinco or Polytech for that matter.

My FAL is a pretty desireable STG58 from Steyr with a Type II upper which is also desireable - even still, I would let the FAL go before I got rid of my M1A

Marksman choose the M1a or M14 because of a superior sighting system !
A standard m14 or M1a has a precision 1 minute adjustable rear sight ! For windage and elevation .

I suppose a FAL could be fitted with optics to give it a degree of precision, however without optics, its difficult to move point of impact ! At least on the models I personally have observed .
As for an adjustable gas system, this may be the solution for shooting 180s or especially light hand loads .

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/699378/schuster-m1a-adjustable-gas-plug-steel-parkerized

[k248576]

Both are great shooters, The brass is a one timer. The brass cannot be reloaded due to the dents, markings and expansion. So if you reload, not for you. If new brass, you will have lots of fun with either. A forum link - http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/thre...-damage.76415/

[Cuda440]

I love my PTR. The brass IS reloadable, contrary to internet hearsay. It is known to be as reliable as the ak platform, has no gas system to adjust or worry about, and is the most accurate platform of the era because of the full floating barrel and no gas piston system. Yes, a $3500 scar is more accurate, but for compareable pricing the PTR can't be beat. I love handing my PTR to a new shooter, telling him where to aim, and watching them ring steel at 500-600 yards with the iron sights and surplus ammo. They normally love it too

[bob_e95482]

If a choice between the two, an FAL. Since I already have a RAW metric FAL, I guess the PTR would make a nice addition.

[BHPFan]

which would you get and why?

Personally, I like the FAL due to ease of operations, ergonomics, relatively softer recoil in comparison to most battle rifles and the versatility of its adjustable gas system. That being said, if I didn't have a FAL nor having FAL parts and accessories, I'd buy the PTR due to how much more affordable it is.

FAL because an american made copy of an hk firearm is just not the same as an HK firearm.

But a real FN FAL cannot be bought nor brought here (it's on the stupid ban list) and by your logic, an American made copy of an FN firearm (DSA FAL) is not the same as an FN firearm either.

Yes.

I've owned both - hard to go wrong either way.

If I were in the urban cessmaze, I'd chose the PTR91, for CQB. If I were on the lone prar-rie, I'd take the FAL, as my 'forward observation' rifle. And that's basically my mitigating criteria.

This. However, the PTR91 can do either role.

Fal is far more battle tested. Fal choice easily.

True, but so is the G3 and there are still armies using the G3 rifle (Iran, Pakistan) from which the PTR is based from.

i really want the FAL but the PTR will leave me with around $400 to buy magazines and a claw mount for an acog.

i really need to do some serious research. i take that from your earliest post
that you prefer the FAL but do you see any clear limitations when you compare either one? they are both the rifle models btw.

Either one is a good choice. Having owned an HK91 before, it is possibly the sturdiest and most reliable rifle I've shot as that sucker can really eat any ammo I fed thru it (Cavim junks, Pakistani crap, good ole Lake City loads, etc...), but in my experience it really kicked hard out of the box so for the similar PTR91, you'll have to shoot it first before deciding if you want to get a heavy recoil buffer. If you plan on reloading, then you'll have to buy a port buffer because in my experience of owning a HK91, it did a job on the ejected brasses due to the flutings in the barrel. Since I don't reload, it didn't make a difference.

[-hanko]

But then who built your CA Legal Fal? Any other maker other than DS run for your life.

Hard to answer your question. PTR makes a solid product as does DS Arms.

"Run for your life" is just not even close to correct.

I've built, rebuilt, and collected FAL's since the 1980's...best I've seen and shot have come from ARS. You can also find a dozen builders on the FAL Files who build weapons as good or better than DSA.

The only makers I'd clearly avoid are Hesse and Entreprise.

Fal is far more battle tested. Fal choice easily.

In use and in battle with more than 80 countries.

holy smokes for the price of one fal mag i can get 3- 4 ptr mags!

I would never consider mag cost when buying a weapon. It's a one-time expense.

Fal all the way.
It has milled steel receiver,easier to replace barrel. Easier more thorough cleaning, easier on brass, softer recoil, better ergos and manual of arms,faster mag changes ..
PTR has sheet metal receiver, crappy welded construction, No BHO..
HK/PTR/Cetme is a runner up even the Germans wanted the Fal instead.
JK PTR aint that bad

The Germans had the G1...FN told them to FOAD since the memories of WWII were still very fresh.

DSA is good to go, Just beware of Century and RUN FOR THE HILLS if you see an Entre'prise FAL. I have an Argentine on a Coonan and a Izzy HB on a Entre'prise and the Entreprise is nearly a build from hell with wrong dimensions. Also, if you need parts, get DSA or Numrich and again, STAY AWAY FROM ENTRE'PRISE!!!!! as this is an example of the ****ty parts they provide: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=879815

Though Entre'prise does sell Imbel kits in which i have heard good things about.
if you do build on surplus parts, I'd probably recommend Coonan over DSA. only thing DSA really has going for them is being forged, but Coonan will be the easiest to build on due to the high quality machining. Don't let Cast vs Forged dissuade you since type 3's (late production, think Imbels) were made in cast and occasionally forged.

AND spend time on the FAL Files before you buy anything.

Since no one else has mentioned it
Saiga or Vepr Option is viable

ROTF etc. Not battle rifles. Made by children for children. Not to mention that wasn't OP's question.

My uncle has a Century Arms FAL that's a mish mash of metric and inch parts. Seems to be of mediocre quality and accuracy isn't very good. Maybe that's not typical of FAL but his is underwhelming. On the plus side he did offer to sell it to me for $600. Just don't know if it's worth it though.

Definitely worth $600 to buy and resell, or part-out.

Buy it and rebuild it if its on an Imbel receiver. If its a Century cast receiver then pass

A gun that runs well with a Century receiver will continue to do so. Century also imported a bunch of Imbel's with both names on the receiver...just as functional as an Imbel without the CAI marking.

Given the choice, I bought a PTR-91 A3S. I wanted the welded-on optics rail, and I have refinished some wooden furniture myself.
The M1A was a close runner up, but the PTR's price couldn't be beat.
I just couldn't take myself seriously, shooting a gun with a French name!

Not French, Belgian.

[ramathorn]

I've been eyeballing those Fal parts kits for years but they seem tough to build, not nearly as much help out there as there is with AR and AK builds. One day...

[-hanko]

I've been eyeballing those Fal parts kits for years but they seem tough to build, not nearly as much help out there as there is with AR and AK builds. One day...

It's not too difficult to find a builder who can help you, or assemble and finish the weapon if you ship him the parts.

Once again, check the FAL Files.

[munkeeboi]

The hardest part of a FAL build is timing the barrel and installing the locking shoulder. past that, it's just a little bit harder than an AR to assemble.

[thenodnarb]

I went with the FAL in my case. Finding a good one is the tough part. Mags are more expensive than the PTR-91. But the FAL is rugged, and soft shooting.
I spent way too much on mine, but its done, I have it and it will not break.