To build or to buy a FAL

**mcclainm** · 03-14-11, 06:56

I'm interested in obtaining a FAL. But the question is do I build my first or buy? Anyone been in a similar situation? The extent of my gunsmithing knowledge is doing AR builds so I don't know if this is a whole new ballgame or even a new sport. I've been reading FALfiles and the threads tacked here but I would like some fresher input. What would be the best route to enter the FAL world.

**TOrrock** · 03-14-11, 07:52

You missed the FAL building boat by a good 10 years or more.

With the ban on importation of barrels and receivers, there aren't many affordable decent kits left.

You can buy an Imbel (Brazil, licensed FN producer) build from DSArms for $1K, which will have the original hard chrome lined barrel, and lifetime warranty, with all compliant parts, and professionally built and finished by people who know what they're doing.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.as...fle&groupid=11

Compare that to the price of buying the kit, receiver, and compliant parts, and it's a no brainer to just buy one already built.

http://www.dsarms.com/SA58-FAL-Metri...tinfo/0291CHC/

http://www.dsarms.com/Imbel-Kit-Good...tinfo/IMBELKT/

Hope that helps.

**Buck** · 03-14-11, 08:09

I still think the best FAL bang for the $$$ is the Springfield SAR 4800... If you shop around you can find them in excellent shape for a little over a grand...

Give this a read... LINK

B

**Gutshot John** · 03-14-11, 08:12

Originally Posted by Templar

You can buy an Imbel (Brazil, licensed FN producer) build from DSArms for $1K, which will have the original hard chrome lined barrel,

Is it a chrome-lined barrel or just a chrome-lined chamber?

**TOrrock** · 03-14-11, 09:20

Originally Posted by Gutshot John

Is it a chrome-lined barrel or just a chrome-lined chamber?

In re-reading I've got to say chrome chambers.

As Buck said, if you can find an excellent condition/nib Springfield Armory SAR-4800 for $1100-$1300, that's something to jump on.

**memphisjim** · 03-14-11, 09:40

looking around at threads it seems there are plenty of boats ive missed

**mrbieler** · 03-14-11, 23:32

Originally Posted by Gutshot John

Is it a chrome-lined barrel or just a chrome-lined chamber?

The Imbel barrels on the kits I had and the one I kept were all chrome lined chamber and barrel.

The STG kit on my other FAL is not chrome lined.

**Gutshot John** · 03-15-11, 13:29

Originally Posted by mrbieler

The Imbel barrels on the kits I had and the one I kept were all chrome lined chamber and barrel.

The STG kit on my other FAL is not chrome lined.

DSA lists their Imbel FALs as chamber only which is why I wondered if Templar know something I didn't.

http://www.dsarms.com/Imbel-FAL-Stan...tinfo/IMBEL58/

**TOrrock** · 03-15-11, 13:34

Originally Posted by mrbieler

The Imbel barrels on the kits I had and the one I kept were all chrome lined chamber and barrel.

The STG kit on my other FAL is not chrome lined.

Originally Posted by Gutshot John

DSA lists their Imbel FALs as chamber only which is why I wondered if Templar know something I didn't.

http://www.dsarms.com/Imbel-FAL-Stan...tinfo/IMBEL58/

Yeah, every Imbel rifle/kit I've seen has had a fully hard chromed bore as well as chamber, so I had assumed that was the case here....but when re-reading the ad from both DSA and AIM, they are listed as chrome chamber only.

I know that Fabrique Nationale would build a country a FAL in just about any configuration that they wanted, so if you wanted a hard chromed bore and chamber, you got it, if you wanted a non chromed bore (Austria for example), you got it.