Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 11 to 20 of 20

Thread: Considering first FAL... need help

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Georgia, USA
    Posts
    3,818
    Feedback Score
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by lowprone View Post
    I would just find a Springfield SAR 48 and be done with it.
    Itajuba factory pre ban forged receiver, metric, prices are very reasonable, now,
    who knows about tomorrow
    Reasonable or not, that's a $2500+ rifle. I had a Springfield SAR-4800 (thumbhole version of the SAR-48 with no flash hider). It was factory built by Imbel. The chamber was grossly oversized and headspace was excessive. I built an STG-58 from a kit on an Entreprise receiver. Because it's way more accurate than the SAR-4800 and doesn't destroy brass like the SAR-4800, I sold the SAR-4800. The bottom line here is that while "factory" built is better as far as collectability and value goes, it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get a better performing rifle.

    Quote Originally Posted by sig1473 View Post
    That's not an Imbel receiver. I can see "Canada" marked on the receiver. That is more than likely a Century cobbled together FAL. I think the guy is being less than truthful IMHO.
    I have a Century FAL (in 5.56x45 no less) that has an Imbel receiver and is marked Canada, so they do exist. It's likely true that it was put together by a gunsmith, but you don't know if the Century gunsmith was a monkey or not.

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Midwest Flyover Country
    Posts
    3,742
    Feedback Score
    0
    delete
    Last edited by RetroRevolver77; 07-09-20 at 14:04.

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    33,884
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)
    Imbel with a L1A1 kit or Stg 58 kit are common early FALs.

    But they come in all kinds of flavors.

    Sometimes the receiver was imported by Century Arms but the build was done by somebody else, potentially this could be an excellent rifle.

    But sometimes the build was done by Century Arms and it's not a matter of Century didn't know how to cobble a FAL together, the problem is they used Z grade parts kits and pot metal crap 922r compliance parts.

    The problem is it can be very difficult to determine who actually did the build. Generally metric is preferred to inch pattern rifles because parts and magazines are more available. Also metric kits (especially Steyr made) were brought in in much greater quantities so there is a better chance of getting a rifle made from a parts kit in VG or better condition.

    Unless you can absolutely verify who did the build, I'd try and source a DSA made Stg 58 with a factory Steyr barrel, those are usually in excellent condition. But keep in mind DSA sold receivers and a lot of other people used them for Stg 58 builds so you'd have to find some way of verifying it's a DSA built rifle.
    It's hard to be a ACLU hating, philosophically Libertarian, socially liberal, fiscally conservative, scientifically grounded, agnostic, porn admiring gun owner who believes in self determination.

    Chuck, we miss ya man.

    كافر

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    6,824
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Needs more pics, but more than likely Imbel.

    https://falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291046

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/L1A1_Self-Loading_Rifle

    I can't see the floor plate well enough to tell which magazine is in it.

    The butt and grip are Maranyl which were pricey the last time a saw any for sale. Can't tell if the pistol grip popsicle stick is there and what kind of screw.

    Fairly sure the forearm is not an original L1A1.

    The barrel appears to be full length so that makes me think a legit L1A1 parts kit on a Century imported Imbel upper. If correct, that is a plus since it is the original barrel threading and cut for the flash hider locking key along with not having a rebuilt pistol grip stud (Century had to mill the stud off for their thumb hole stocks.) If correct, that is likely also a plus since Century didn't have a hand in setting the breaching washer(barrel timing) or the locking shoulder(sets head space).

    It does have an L1A1 bolt carrier, but Century occasionally stuck non L1A1 bolts in them which will work although not as smooth.
    Last edited by jsbhike; 11-05-19 at 07:49.

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    429
    Feedback Score
    5 (100%)
    DSA from the 90's is the way to go.

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Past the second cattle guard, at the end of the gravel road
    Posts
    416
    Feedback Score
    21 (100%)
    In the days of cheap parts kits, FAL build parties were common.
    Anyone with a little aptitude could build a FAL cheap, FrankenFALs with mixed parts were common items at gun shows.

    Unless you can shoot it ~200 rounds to verify it runs, I would avoid it. Much better off getting a DSA or one from a known builder.

    I have a few FALS. Imbels, Austrian, and a DSA.
    Also have a Century receiver FrankenFAL L1A1 that runs perfectly fine.

    All soft shooters, much easier than a G3. Not noted for accuracy like an AR10 but reliable rifles.

    Good luck !
    Last edited by Ready.Fire.Aim; 11-05-19 at 23:34.
    "Jill, if there's ever a problem, just walk out on the balcony ... take that double-barrel shotgun and fire two blasts outside the house,.." VP Joe Biden Feb 19, 2013

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Black Hills of S.D.
    Posts
    1,697
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)
    I have seen Springfield SAR 48 rifles sell for sub 2K $ on falforums marketplace in the last 90 days.

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    6,824
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by Ready.Fire.Aim View Post
    In the days of cheap parts kits, FAL build parties were common.
    Anyone with a little aptitude could build a FAL cheap, FrankenFALs with mixed parts were common items at gun shows.

    Unless you can shoot it ~200 rounds to verify it runs, I would avoid it. Much better off getting a DSA or one from a known builder.

    I have a few FALS. Imbels, Austrian, and a DSA.
    Also have a Century receiver FrankenFAL L1A1 that runs perfectly fine.

    All soft shooters, much easier than a G3. Not noted for accuracy like an AR10 but reliable rifles.

    Good luck !
    Not sure about currently, but DSA went through a few years where reviews seemed to be on par with Century Angry Beavers.

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    34
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)
    My best most reliable and accurate FAL was my first many moons ago, A Century R1A1 ....Was the cheapest way to go at the time, and since then went through more higher end FALs, including a springfield....but my CAI R1A1 with imbel receiver has always been the bees knees....I Got lucky I guess, because I have heard of many problems With CAI in the past. But wouldn't trade mine for anything

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    13,549
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    Time is not on your side. I miss my STG 58. It was Austrian with Imbel receiver.

    If you just had to have a FAL, get a DSA.

    If it were me, I’d likely get the standard 21”.

    Dubya really killed off the parts kit scene but that’s another story.

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •