Teach me about the FAL

**ballistic** · 07-28-09, 07:06

Originally Posted by mark5pt56

Ballistic, Does that Para sight retro the standard rear?

Mark

Affirmative.

**mark5pt56** · 07-28-09, 09:43

Originally Posted by ballistic

Affirmative.

Thanks! Looks like a worth while addition.

**Bowser** · 08-01-09, 01:14

Is it worth it to have the 21" barrel as opposed to the 18" version? Shooting will be done mostly under 600 yards.

**TOrrock** · 08-01-09, 08:42

From page 4.....

Really depends on what you want to do with it.

Originally Posted by Templar

LDM nailed it.

On a 16" or 18" FAL carbine, the weight/balance/handling are greatly improved with an aluminum lower. The lower is a very low wear/low stress part.

With a full length (21" barrel) rifle, the balance is probably better with the steel lower.

Really depends on what you want to do with the FAL.....if you're looking for a serious use carbine, an aluminum lower is probably something to look into. For a full length rifle just to have as an example of the system and for the pleasure of shooting....the steel lowers are just fine, and more "correct" if you're looking at the Collector edition rifles from DSA.

**Gutshot John** · 08-01-09, 09:55

Taking results from Gary J. over at FALFiles, between 21 and 16" you only lose about 100 fps with each inch of barrel removed.

Out to 600 yards you shouldn't have trouble hitting a torso-sized with an 18" barrel but you'll have to figure out your dope with specific ammo.

**M4Fundi** · 08-04-09, 05:38

Here is mine. Its an original Belgian 50.64. I do wish it had an 18 in barrel. Someday I will get a DSA exactly like I want it. The FAL is my favorite rifle and there are only minor things I would change they are close to perfect from the factory

**BSHNT2015** · 08-04-09, 18:43

Very good read, makes me regret selling my L1A1 now, if someonce can explain the +/- of steel vs aluminum receivers, steel is stronger and heavier-aluminum lighter, etc.

**TOrrock** · 08-04-09, 20:43

Originally Posted by BSHNT2015

Very good read, makes me regret selling my L1A1 now, if someonce can explain the +/- of steel vs aluminum receivers, steel is stronger and heavier-aluminum lighter, etc.

When talking about the upper receiver, which on a FAL is the serialized "firearm", it's steel. The locking shoulder which is fitted in the receiver needs to have steel surrounding it, that's what the bolt locks against.

There was a company about 8 years ago that attempted to manufacture aluminum FAL upper receivers, Williams, and predictably, it was a disaster.

As far as lower receivers go, it's a fairly low wear item, I've not seen an aluminum lower wear out.