Originally Posted by
Templar
Re/Recoil.....
The Para typically has more felt recoil than a fixed stock, mainly because there is no drop to the stock, it's straight back to you.
If you want to compare the recoil of a FAL to a Remington 870P.....
Compared to full power buckshot or slug loads, far less recoil. Compared to reduced recoil LE buckshot or slug loads, a bit less. Compared to dove loads, there's a bit more recoil, but not much.
Recoil is such a subjective thing though....the FAL, especially with 18"~21" barrels allow you to play with the gas system a bit and get a good compromise between reliablity and recoil. You can bleed more gas with the longer barrels and still have a very reliable rifle. The shorter the barrels, the less you can afford to bleed and maintain reliablity. Also, the longer barrels will tend to have less felt recoil and less muzzle rise.