FAL Rifle Advice Wanted

n/a ^ | June 23, 2005 | self

[Mulder]

I'm seriously considering purchasing a DSA FAL rifle in 308, but really don't know much about them, so I thought I'd post a thread to learn some more.

I want this rifle to accurately reach out to 500-600 yards, but not be too large to preclude it from CQB usage.

My main questions are as follows:

What type receiver should I get? Type I, II, or III?

What is the best method of mounting an optic to this rifle, such as an Aimpoint or Leupuld 3-9X?

Are the rail interface handguards worth the $250 price that DSA sells them for?

Does the 21" barrel provide a significant advantage over the 16" barrel in terms of accuracy and recoil?

How good (or bad) is the trigger on a typical DSA?

Any additional input would be appreciated as well.

Thanks.

[ReadyNow]

Don't get it. You could shoot your eye out with it.

[AlbertWang]

And while we are at it, how does the CETME stack up to the FAL? is the FN worth the extra$?

[datura]

It's an excellent rifle. I'd put the 21" barrel on it, para stock, replace the dust cover with the scope mount, and definitely use the original long flash hider - NOT THE BRAKE!!

[flashbunny]

try the falfiles - falfiles.com

I'd go with the DSA para congo myself.

[datura]

The CETME uses an entirely different form of lock for the bolt. I personally prefer the FAL system hands down. When I reach into my gun cabinet, I can choose between an M1A National Match, an FN/FAL G-1, and an M-4. I grab the FN 90% of the time.

[Random Nonsense]

yea.. the SA58 Tactical is nice, I even want to get one meself.

Another one that I am looking at is the Krebs Tactical Carbine, although it is more like an AK than a FAL.

[Travis McGee]

FALping

[papertyger]

... but not be too large to preclude it from CQB usage.

You're kidding, right?

:o)

[datura]

Mulder - how often do you intend to fire at or near full auto rates? (Makes a big difference on which barrel/receiver combo you want.)

Definitely get the factory bipod. (Not as adjustable as some aftermarket ones, but the ergonomics are great for most usage.)

Few - if any - rifles are as well balanced to carry on patrol as the FN.

[ExSoldier]

The FAL is an awesome rifle. DSA is a great company. But wanting to reach out 500-600 meters and STILL be useful for CQB is a bit of a reach. The FAL has a typical two stage trigger that is common to all battle rifles, and it will do the job for which it is designed. If you don't like it, there are kits and smiths' to refine your situation, I would imagine. I myself have an M1A SuperMatch in .308. I had it tuned by the ROBAR company to reach out and touch at over 900 meters +. I scoped it with a Shepherd Range Finding scope that was specifically calibrated for the Federal 168gr match bthp bullet. The interior was covered in the ROBAR proprietary substance called NP3. This substance bears metal against metal and in so doing shaves off molecules. In effect the rifle become self lubricating and it is sure smooooooth. It's also impervious to salt, and moisture and most corrosive chemicals. Besides the scope, I have a see-thru mount so I can use iron sights if necessary. Also have a Harris adjustable bipod. My point here is that the whole system is dead on accurate out to a range further than I can see unassisted. But the penalty is weight and maneuverability. I could never take this fine distance rifle and clear my home with it or use it in tight brush. For that I'm currently saving for THIS SOCOM16 Short barrel, same mags as my M1A and just as rugged albeit a bit louder. Also more effectively configured.

[Nebr FAL owner]

The FAL isn't my first choice for CQB but it is a very reliable weapon but if that's your cup of tea so be it .

1. Get the shortest barrel length offered by DSA
2. Get the Flash suppressor of your choosing DEFINATELY
NOT THE MUZZLEBRAKE.
3. Replace the dust cover with the scope mount sold by
either tapco or DSA.
4. Remember that the money invested in glass results in
joy on the range and good quality scopes last longer.
5.Be advised that the .308 is a full power cartridge & it
has a solid recoil & is rather loud especially in
confined spaces.

[Nebr FAL owner]

The FAL isn't my first choice for CQB but it is a very reliable weapon but if that's your cup of tea so be it .

1. Get the shortest barrel length offered by DSA
2. Get the Flash suppressor of your choosing DEFINATELY
NOT THE MUZZLEBRAKE.
3. Replace the dust cover with the scope mount sold by
either tapco or DSA.
4. Remember that the money invested in glass results in
joy on the range and good quality scopes last longer.
5.Be advised that the .308 is a full power cartridge & it
has a solid recoil & is rather loud especially in
confined spaces.

[tahotdog]

First off, the basic FAL rifle is heads and shoulders above any other NATO semiauto rifle in my estimation. It was the choice of around 100 nations, and parts and accessories are still easily available for it.

For any 308 semiauto you want at least a 20" barrel. It'd doubtful you'd gain much more velocity with more than 20".

My experience with DSA has been as follows. The basic rifle is very well made and functions very nicely in a mechanical sense. Nonetheless there has been a big problem with the Badger barrels, at least on the rifles they were selling three or four years ago.

DS claims or at least used to claim that those barrels REQUIRED a 180 grain or heavier bullet in order to achieve accuracy. 100 Yard groups with those barrels and ordinary NATO ammunition or 168-grain hunting loads looked like what I'd expect from a shotgun, i.e. were totally unacceptable.

The experience put Badger Barrels on my personal shitlist for life.

First off, I do not see how any firearm can be accurate with heavier bullets but not lighter. I mean, if you have the spin rate to stabilize a 180 grain bullet, it should also stabilize a 168 or 147 grain bullet.

Secondly, any firearm has to shoot the ammunition which is common or normal for it, and comman and normal for any NATO 308 rifle is 147 and/or 168 grain. To me, 168 grains is max for a 308, period. 180 Grain bullets means you're shooting a 300 winmag and 220 or more means you're shooting a 34 caliber rifle and not a 30.

I sent one such rifle back to DS with a very nasty letter attached and they replaced the Badger barrel with what they called an "experimental" barrel at the time, which does shoot normal 308 ammo accurately.

If I were going to order anything else like that, I would specify to the factory that I intended to shoot normal NATO ammo and 168 grain hunting ammo and that, if the thing did not shoot that stuff accurately, the rifle was coming straight back to them.

You might also want to consider either something from Springfield arms, or some sort of a less expensive FAL with an Imbel receiver and chromed Imbel or FN barrel.

[tahotdog]

>How good (or bad) is the trigger on a typical DSA?

Nobody ever made a really good trigger for a FAL. The big secret is that they get better as they wear in. Some people try to lap them with jewelers' rouge. My own basic thinking is to simply not use new triggers on FAL rifles. Buy a used one. www.gunthings.com

[Jeff Head]

I own a CAI Sporter FAL, fitted with a normal stock and pistol grip. I have had it for a number of years. It is the best all-round weapon I have owned and I use it regularly for target shooting (particular out in the mountains where we shoot regularly at picked targets on the sides of mountains anywhere from 300-500 yards out) and for varmit hunting (particularly coyotes).

I do not have a scope on it, but with the peep site the weapon is very accurate at those ranges. I shoot with a 21: barrel.

I have shot Rueger 7mm Mags (own), Rueger Ranch Rifles (own), and friend's M1s and M14s (Fulton Armory) I personally like the FAL the best...but if I could afford a match grade Garand or a Fulton M14, I would get one of those in an instant too.

Here I am before I put the normal stock on it.

[Jeff Head]

Sorry Joe, meant to BUMP you to my post 16 as well.

[Jeff Head]

Sorry Joe, meant to BUMP you to my post 16 as well.

[Jeff Head]

Oops...hehehe...double tap.

[Eaker]

I want this rifle to accurately reach out to 500-600 yards, but not be too large to preclude it from CQB usage.

Short to mid-range sniping and CQB/FIBUA often require two or three different weapons. I have never trained to clear my home with a 600 yard rifle. That duty is reserved for a pistol-grip shorty shotgun and an assortment of pistols.

Good luck and be ready for Squantos to jump on here with some goofy advice. I have been informed in confidence that he has a red-dot scope on his vacuum!!

;< 0

Thanks for the ping Jeff!