Let's Talk About FAL's

[Maverick44]

Good info here. Thanks! I have some research to do.

Bad info there. Yeah, definitely do the research and you'll know the truth. FALs were adopted by a very large amount of the free world for a reason. They work, and they work well. They saw use in the 6 Days War, Vietnam, the Falklands (on both sides), the Rhodesian Bush War, and a few other conflicts.

The giant WWIII type war everyone was preparing for in Europe never happened, so they didn't see the type of use they were expected too, and most NATO countries tried to avoid war anyways so that's why they didn't see as much combat use as the AK or the M16. It had nothing to do with the gun itself.

Also, despite what we might like to believe, small arms do not decide modern wars. They are one tool in a massive toolbox, and they are not the most important one in there. Any wars that the FAL "lost" had nothing to do with the rifle itself. It had to do with how the rifle and the thousands of other tools at those militaries' disposal were used.

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[smittyb]

What do you call a Stg58? A R1a1? A L1a1?
Answer: FAL.

What do you call an M1 garand the Italians modified to accept a 20 round magazine?
Answer: BM59

 

[zackmars]

Incorrect. As I said, the FN is the Fusil Automatique Léger, while the Beretta is the Fucile Automatico Leggero. Beretta formally called it FAL BM 59, the Italian military called it FAL, similar to the commercial AR-15 is called M16 Rifle (or, as circumstances dictate, M4 Carbine) in American military service - or, inversely, the FN FAL is called G1, StG-58, etc., in military terms.



You completely missed my point about the side equipped with the FN FAL losing nearly every conflict it was involved in, with the notable exception of the Six-Day War. I prefaced my statement concerning the Falklands war that it is arguable.
By the way, the M14 has been in military service for the United States for over 60 years, I'm not sure the FN FAL is in 1st-world military service anywhere - and not even Imbel is producing all the necessary parts any more, only DSA remains as a new manufacturer.
Only the G3 design remains as a current-military-production battle rifle, although the BM59 is reportedly produced in Indonesia as the SP-1 as needed.

Eli

No, the m14 spent only 14ish years as a front line service rifle. Sitting in storage and seeing limtied issue as a SDMR is not the same thing as being a front line service rifle.

Being a smart ass doesn't make you smart, it just makes you an ass. Its pretty obvious that the OP was referring to the FN FAL. Not some technical name for the BM59.

 

[zackmars]

What do you call a Stg58? A R1a1? A L1a1?
Answer: FAL.

What do you call an M1 garand the Italians modified to accept a 20 round magazine?
Answer: BM59

 

[cycleguy2300]

Incorrect. As I said, the FN is the Fusil Automatique Léger, while the Beretta is the Fucile Automatico Leggero. Beretta formally called it FAL BM 59, the Italian military called it FAL, similar to the commercial AR-15 is called M16 Rifle (or, as circumstances dictate, M4 Carbine) in American military service - or, inversely, the FN FAL is called G1, StG-58, etc., in military terms.



You completely missed my point about the side equipped with the FN FAL losing nearly every conflict it was involved in, with the notable exception of the Six-Day War. I prefaced my statement concerning the Falklands war that it is arguable.
By the way, the M14 has been in military service for the United States for over 60 years, I'm not sure the FN FAL is in 1st-world military service anywhere - and not even Imbel is producing all the necessary parts any more, only DSA remains as a new manufacturer.
Only the G3 design remains as a current-military-production battle rifle, although the BM59 is reportedly produced in Indonesia as the SP-1 as needed.

Eli

That says more about the support the troops were getting. The FAL certainly has it's tradoffs, but it is a GREAT battle rifle and fills it's role as such functionally and reliably.

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[TX OMFS]

One cannot properly LARP as a Rhodesian without a FAL and a good pair of short shorts.

LARPing as a Rhodesian is part of the reason I want an FAL. I've been to Zimbabwe & stayed at the Vic Falls Hotel.

 

[TX OMFS]

Why has OP not posted pics of his new PE57?

As soon as I remove your wisdom teeth I will.
LOL.

 

[TX OMFS]

Now I have to decide metric or British pattern. So many choices. These things could reproduce like ARs

 

[Maverick44]

Now I have to decide metric or British pattern. So many choices. These things could reproduce like ARs

Metric mags are cheaper and more plentiful. Inch pattern guns will technically take both types of mags, but the metric mags will be a little loose in them. It's better to stick with inch pattern mags for the inch pattern guns.

I'm no expert in FALs, but I don't think there's any real advantage in one over the other. If you are wanting the same FAL that the UK, Australia, Canada and other Commonwealth countries had, then I'd go with inch pattern. If you are just wanting an FAL in general or a modernized one, metric would be the way to go in my opinion for the cheaper and easier to find mags.

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[zackmars]

I would say go metric. More options for guns, mags, parts, etc.


Then buy a paint kit from Arizona Response Systems

 

[Coyote9]

I have had three including a FN para...sold two and kept the Aussie repro cause I like the rotary peep sight and flat charger handle. I have a 1000 dollars in it but that includes an original Ring duplex sight and a Trilux. What do I like most about L1A1 or FAL? The adjustable gas port! Also the curved L4 30 round mags are way cool! The ones with a bipod rock because as everyone whined correctly , it is a little heavy (M-14ish)

 

[Coyote9]

Heavy.
Sights suck.
Trigger sucks.
Get an M-1-A

I put a trigger spring and did some TIG and file work now the trigger is just "not great" instead of milspec ! LOL

 

[sreyemj]

The FAL's biggest fault is that most were imported as parts kits and factory guns are hard to come by ($$$). I hunted with mine for a few years, but it was pig to haul around. Accuracy was a consistant sub 5" for 5 shots at 200yards.

 

[Maverick44]

The FAL's biggest fault is that most were imported as parts kits and factory guns are hard to come by ($$$). I hunted with mine for a few years, but it was pig to haul around. Accuracy was a consistant sub 5" for 5 shots at 200yards.

View attachment 217270

Is that one of those bolt on pic rails from DSA? How do you like it? I'm thinking about getting one for my FAL when I finally get it, so that I can put a 1-6x or 1-8x scope of it.

 

[sreyemj]

Is that one of those bolt on pic rails from DSA? How do you like it? I'm thinking about getting one for my FAL when I finally get it, so that I can put a 1-6x or 1-8x scope of it.

It is, worked fine. Went back to irons to save weight.

 

[Maverick44]

It is, worked fine. Went back to irons to save weight.

It's good to hear that it worked just fine. I can imagine that a mount like that along with a scope would make an already heavy gun even heavier. Mine's mainly going to be a range toy, or might be used on occasion to kill off some of those damn hogs that keep tearing up our fields, so I'm not too concerned with weight. I definitely prefer a lighter gun for hunting though. Especially where I hunt. Thick woods and rocky hills aren't too much fun if you have to lug along an 11-12 lb rifle.

 

[sreyemj]

It's good to hear that it worked just fine. I can imagine that a mount like that along with a scope would make an already heavy gun even heavier. Mine's mainly going to be a range toy, or might be used on occasion to kill off some of those damn hogs that keep tearing up our fields, so I'm not too concerned with weight. I definitely prefer a lighter gun for hunting though. Especially where I hunt. Thick woods and rocky hills aren't too much fun if you have to lug along an 11-12 lb rifle.

If I remember right this was 13lb-something with a loaded 20rd mag (18in STG kit). I ran into a couple game wardens waaaaaay back up in the hills with it and after checking my licensee and tags they suggested I get a 6.8spc AR!

The only other amusing anecdote I recall from hunting with it was missing a shot at a blacktail spike one frosty morning because my fingers were too cold to get the safety off. After a few seconds of standing broadside it walked behind some trees in a clear cut and disappeared.

 

[Coyote9]

I picked one up at SAR in 2017 with a Trilux for $850 (not FN) shoots steel out to 500 meters, the trigger hone and spring kit helps but never gonna be an X ringer.

 

[sreyemj]

I picked one up at SAR in 2017 with a Trilux for $850 (not FN) shoots steel out to 500 meters, the trigger hone and spring kit helps but never gonna be an X ringer.

Great deal with the trilux. Trigger is a bit heavy on mine, but not unpleasant.

 

[Coyote9]

Great deal with the trilux. Trigger is a bit heavy on mine, but not unpleasant.

Yep FAL or L1A1 the trigger sucks, Wolfe springs sell a improvement spring and polishing with stone helps a good bit still not a match rifle LOL.