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The flat top doesn’t need an aftermarket bridge added and bolted on.

The flat top is a new design. The original AR design had an integral carry handle. Early optics like the AN/PVS-2 had custom mounts that mounted beside the handle because they were so huge, but for practical purposes the only way to put modern optics on an early AR is to replace the upper.

A quality FN dust cover makes the rifle stronger. A touch of Loc-Tite in on the screw threads and it might as well be part of the rifle.

I have a simple dust cover that only accommodates optics but some of the more advanced ones will allow loading of ammo from stripper clips and the attachment of a brass catcher. Very versatile.

THe flat top is a new design? REALLY?

Shoot, I saw them made in the early 1980s just by grinding off the handle and milling in 4 slots.

The point is, the ARs can inherently take a scope. AKs and FALs need a clunky bridge bolted on.

Er... I dunno (insert dumb look here :-). I had a dust cover on the FAL that I had before my fishing accident just about the time that Obama took office and it was NICE. It had the cut-out for strippers if you wanted to use them. The only thing I didn't like was that it interfered with thorough cleaning because it was screwed ON. But it was VERY stable and never moved when the rifle was scoped.

I think I favored the short AR-15 that I had before my fishing accident over the FAL though. I know all about the exterior ballistics differences, but point blank range on SS-109 5.56 ammo is 250 yards...300 if it's "hot". Point blank range for the 7.62 is "about" 180 yards. In all reality, it's not a big deal until you try to "point and shoot" at 400 yards. If you zero SS-109 5.56 ammo in at 100, you'll have to hold over 24" at 300...whereas you'll have to hold over "about" 32" with the 7.62. ...and yes, the 7.62 round at 400 yards will impart "about" 1280 ft-lbs of kinetic energy, whereas the 5.56 imparts "about" 594 ft-lbs of kinetic energy. The 5.56 only produces 1173 ft-lbs of kinetic energy at muzzle. :-)

I liked being able to hump the weapon WITH 300 rds of 5.56 ammo on my person as opposed to 150 of the 7.62.

Gosh I hate fishing now. :-)