Fusil Automatique Léger ("Light Automatic Rifle")

[Black Blade]

Fusil Automatique Léger ("Light Automatic Rifle")

The Fusil Automatique Léger ("Light Automatic Rifle") or FAL was originally produced by the Belgian armaments manufacturer Fabrique Nationale de Herstal (FN). During the Cold War it was adopted by many NATO countries, with the notable exception of the United States. It is one of the most widely used rifles in history, having been used by over 90 countries. The FAL is chambered for the 7.62x51 NATO round, and because of its prevalence and widespread use among the armed forces of many NATO countries during the Cold War it was nicknamed "The right arm of the Free World.

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Top - Century Arms Intl R1A1 Sporter model with Vortex 6-24x50 AO Mildot scope and Bottom - DSA SA58 model with S.U.I.T. Trilux scope.

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Once sighted in the Century FAL was a nice shooter consistently hitting about center. Oddly enough the Century FAL shot well out of the box while the DSA has a few bugs to work out.

- Black Blade

[Glass]

Nice. ALways liked the FAL. Never had the chance to use one. The no fuss styling appeals. How are they for recoil?

They were pretty popular on the South African continent during the 70's with all the Merc action going on. With the M16s tendency to jam at the first sight of an actual round you can see why these were/are popular.

[Black Blade]

The recoil is definitely noticable. I was using German MEN surplus and some reloads to test for a friend. I can see the NATO 308 works better than the Winchester 308 in these rifles. I finally got the DSA SA58 to function smoothly. Seems the bolt wants to keep from fully closing. I cleaned and lubed while working the action until it loads the round full forward. I will have to work it until it breaks in and maybe polish the channels on the reciever. Apparently this isn't all that uncommon in these new builds. Got an old "Widow Maker" CETME to work on tomorrow and hopefully get out on the firing line before the snow falls.

[midnight rambler]

Always keep your bcg well lubed on the camming surfaces where the bc cams (tilts) the bolt down against the locking shoulder. This is the most important spot to keep well lubed on a FAL. Do not run it dry if you can help it. That failing to go into battery may be the result of your bcg not being well enough lubed.

[Black Blade]

Yep, lubed up with Weapon Shield and runs like a champ now. Also a little polishing with 0000 steel wool probably helped as well. The Century actually performs slightly better than the DSA but both are decent shooters. Now just need to add a Belgian and Argentine to my collection.

[midnight rambler]

Now just need to add a Belgian and Argentine to my collection.

A couple of suggestions:

First of all, the type 3 commercial Belgian FN FALs SUCK. The receiver is cast (not that big of an issue, but the cost is unjustified - for the price of a single type 3 Belgian FAL with a cast receiver one could acquire TWO superior mil-spec SAR-48/4800 rifles with forged receivers all made on FN tooling by Imbel) but what's worse is that ALL the internals of the commercial type 3 FN FALs are made of powdered metal. I've seen at least one powdered metal hammer from one of the commercial FN FALs get the sear notch shaved clean off of it. The bolt carrier is also made of powdered metal (uncertain about the bolt, it may still be forged but one thing is for sure, they are NOT 'mil-spec'). If you just *must* have a true mil-spec FN FAL I would suggest getting a G series (known as 'amnesty guns' since they are machinegun receivers 'converted ' to semi-auto by Browning upon importation) if you have the cash. The 'G' in G series stands for 'gift' and they are presentation grade FALs made in the '50s through the '60s. I've had 3 G series FALs and the last one I sold via the classifieds on the FALfiles was a low round count in excellent condition which the buyer (a collector of G series FALs) sent a cashiers check for $5k six years ago within a day of listing it and not knowing me from Adam. So expect to pay in the $5-6K+ range for a G series FAL in excellent condition.

As for the Argentine FALs, most of the Argy FALs you will find were built from surplus parts sets on new semi-auto receivers. You can spot these parts guns because they have the high profile sights (open ears on the front sight) identical to the L1A1. The exception is the batch of about 300+ brand new mil-spec production Argy FALS imported in the mid '80s (IIRC) - these new production Argy FALs have the low profile sights just like the StG58 rifles and the SAR-48/4800 rifles. If you're going to get an Argy, the only one worth getting is the 'new production' Argy FAL with the low profile sights. Some of us regard these 'new production' Argy FALs to be the finest semi-auto FALs available (short of having a G series).

And a FYI - the monkeys at Century Arms Int'l could fuck up a steel ball bearing with a rubber mallet. They have a track record of CONSISTENTLY fucking up the two most reliable battle rifles in the world, the AK and the FAL, and that's pretty fucking difficult. My advice is if a rifle is marked 'C.A.I' run like hell in the other direction. However I'm not at all surprised that your CAI gun shoots tighter groups than your DSA gun 'cause it's strictly a crap shoot as to how a FAL will shoot after it's built. I was going to have T. Mark Graham aka 'the Gunplumber' build a FAL up for me using a pristine StG58 kit on an Imbel receiver using either the original StG58 chrome moly barrel or a brand new Imbel chrome lined barrel. When I specified I wanted it to shoot 1 MOA Mark said, "there's no way I'm going to guarantee how accurate one of my FAL builds is going to be because with FALs it's strictly a crap shoot regardless of the barrel you use. It could be sub-MOA or it could end up shooting 2"+ groups."

[Black Blade]

I'm looking at pre-bans and the prices are stiff. Some of the FAL files crowd occassionally puts one up for sale. I can get Argy parts and do my own build as I have a couple Imbel logo recievers lying around here somewhere. That said, I have been tied up anyway and other projects on my mind when I get back home. Heck, I got guns I never shot just don't have the time with work and other needs (like building my PM investments, visiting my land and cabins, some R&R, adding to my prepping needs, etc.). Expanding my small FAL collection may have to be placed on the back-burner for now.

http://peakoilpetroleumandpreciousmetals.yuku.com/topic/4882/Survive-and-thrive

Actually I do have another project underway and just added another CETME for fun.