Anyone own a FAL? I've been looking into them but haven't found a retailer for them here in the US whole just found part kits. If you own one or have shot one what are your opinions on them.
FALs rock. I have built a few dozen. They can be assembled with a few hand tools and a bench vise. In general, they are not super accurate, but once in a while you get an accurate one. They are pretty reliable - not as reliable as an AK but more reliable than an AR. They are ergonomic and are natural pointers. They are main battle rifles, not assault rifles. They are heavy by today's standards, but not as heavy as a Garand. They do not tolerate sandy environments well, but they do tolerate wet/cold environments very well. They make a pretty good general purpose rifle. There is a reason why 80 countries adopted them as a primary weapon. A lot of people don't realize that the FAL was the Bundeswehr's first choice and that the HK was their third choice (Swiss PE57 was the second choice). You can find out just about anything you want to know about FALs at www.falfiles.com.
Actually, it's not all that loose, if you consider the early milled AKs. Between my Galil and milled AK, many parts are interchangeable. Tapco G2 FCGs drop right in. The IDF switched from the FAL to the Galil (which was known as the R4 in the RSA) after the Six Day War because there were reports of sand getting into the action and bollixing up the works. However, I have not seen a definitive study on this, and my BS meter rises when I hear this. I suspect that there were other, more nationalistic reasons that were not publicized. The reason I say this is that the Brits never complained about sand in their FALs and kept soldiering on with them. Also, I know two fellows that went to work for a PMO after they got out of the Army, and both ended up on the Arabian peninsula, and both carried FALs as their personal weapons, and said they never had issues with them. Israeli FALs are equipped with forward assist cocking handles.
Phil, Have you shot a Galil? Which did you prefer the Galil or FAL and why? Does anyone import non-auto Galil's?
We're slowly trying to build up the FN FAL section at our forum - there are a few FAL afficinados there now, if ya have any questions...
For ready built FAL's it comes down to DSA and Entreprise Arms, although a Centry will pop up now and then. DSA is the cream of the crop, and worth the price. I am still debating selling mine. Great rifle, but it doesn't "fit" me, so my overall shooting of it suffers. I am at that point where it is either spend the money and make some major changes, or sell it and move on. -Bidah
I own a kit-built Galil para in 223. It's OK. But I'd just as soon have an AK with a folding stock, as it is much lighter than a Galil. But you asked about the Galil vs the FAL. Between the 2, I'll take an FAL. The ergonomics are slightly better. The gas system on a FAL is controllable, even to the point of turning it off. It is even easier to field strip an FAL than it is a Galil or AK. The length of pull on a standard FAL fits me better. With the correct dust cover, you can load an FAL with stripper clips. The stock weld on a Galil para sucks. The safety on my Galil is backwards from every rifle I own, except for my CZ ZKK series rifles. Plus, I just shoot better with a FAL. There are Galils in 308 and there are Galils with fixed stocks. Many come with a terrific built-in bipod. Mine has tritium night sights that still work. I also have 3 50-round Galil mags that work pretty good. Here is an FAL that I built for under $300 total:
nice looking FAL, Phil. i bought mine a few years ago, wish i would have spent the money on a few kits to build up. i went with the DSA SA58 mediam contour in .308. prices have stayed pretty close to what i paid back then, within $150. but they are worth every penny. never had a problem with mine, and would put it up against an AR10 any day. there are a few Galil .308 semis out again, too. not sure who is bringing them in, or quality. inter-ordinance still has a few FAL and L1A1 kits available. better hurry though, the prices and availability of receivers could be a prob. oops...corrected who had the kits, slo
Some are better than others, but for the price you can't touch them, Hands down!!! And are chambered in a battle proven round that kills'em dead, why would you want anything less? I have to agree!!!
