Yup, I Am Thoroughly Lost.

[Aaron 2.0]

I have been trying to figure out what to buy (for me as a welcome home gift to myself) for when I return from Kuwait this fall. I have dissmissed the idea of a Sig556 and am now thinking FAL. Holy crap is there alot of info out there and damn I dont know whats what. I have registered at falfiles and been trying to navigate the site best I can (need more practice I guess). Any way, is there anything in particular I should look for before purchasing. Brand, variant, obvious problems? I am just looking for experianced and knowledgable opinions (please try to dumb it down for me). Any info you can offer is greatly appreciated. Thank you

[drine]

I'm in the same boat. I got an FAL and went there from so info and general reading. The guys there seem to be collectors and getting the last detail right only to fail because all demils we cobble back together are not original. They are very knowldgeable but I would get pissed for some to tell me rifle was not right because it needed brand "X" receiver or had this or that wrong. My rifles are shooters. The price for FAL stuff is high. I would get a built kit from someone here or the FAlfiles if I were in the market. A new DSA is just too pricey for my tastes and their QA is questionable of late.

[Aaron 2.0]

Unfortunatly for me building is not an option. I am so mechaniclly declined my wife barely lets me have power tools. Sad but true. I just want one that shoots reliably and strait. Doesn't have to be a collectors item. Just good quality.

[mga4848]

I don't pretend to be knowledgeable but I have a century R1A1 that I picked up at a show for 700.00 It was actually my first BR and I have a DSA SA58 I bought new off of gunbroker for 11 or 12 hundred, not sure which. I have never had any trouble with either of them and they both are fairly accurate. I like the fals alot. It would be nice to actually have it in hand if you were getting a used rifle. I think those prices are still pretty close. Good luck finding a nice one

[yellowhand]

I've got two FALs.
One, wait, wait,wait, A HESSE MESS
and the other a century build.
The HEESEMESS aka HEESE built reciever and @ the time a new Imbel parts kit!
3200 rounds later, this thing will still group less than two inches at 100 yards.
I bought the other, after I learned about Heese.
It still is pretty much new condition, a few hundred rounds, still waiting to back up the "terrible" Heese.
Point I'm making, look at one, then buy what you can afford and go from there.
ALL of these rifles, remakes from parts kits of military rifles is, "pay your money and take your chances" prety much.
My Heese built has never once FTF or FTE.
Other Heese builts have been reported to have blown up.
Not knowing is a lot of the fun with these...:)
Welcome to the club...

[hansellhd]

Let me make it simple for you, get this Gun:http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1DSAIMBEL&name=DSA+Imbel+FAL+.308+Rifle&groupid=11

They are built on Original Imbel parts kits and include the original Chrome lined bore & chamber, I have one and it's a very good Gun in every way.

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a443/hansellhd/FALWood001.jpg
Every time AIM gets stock on these FAL's they sell out in a week or two
you can order direct from DSA (it will take longer):http://www.dsarms.com/Imbel-FAL-Standard-Rifle-308-Cal-21-Original-Imbel-Barrel---IMBEL58/productinfo/IMBEL58/

I put wood on this one, good luck in your search.
HDH.

[chili]

Coming from someone who owns "several" FALs, I suggest going with one built by DSA. Building one from a kit will cost almost as much as one from DSA. WIth the factory gun you will have a warrenty.

[automick]

Come on aaron....if you can change a flat tire...you can build a FAL.
Besides...itl be very rewarding and realy fun.
There are LOTS of guys here that can guide you thru it.
ATB...auto.

[Grunt Medic TXARNG]

It's completely your call, of course. One of the advantages of being deployed is that you can order something that is going to take months to deliver, pay for it up front - and not even notice the wait. I fon't yet have a FAL - it's on my 'to do' list.

Here's what I chose to do while I was in Iraq - bought a semi M14 receiver from fulton when they went on sale (also bought 5.56 and 7.62 AR Receivers on sale - but that's another story). Had it sent to Jon wolfe and had him build it up with an all USGI Parts kit and His Wolfe Medium Modified Barrel and Op Rod Guide. Turnaround time for the build was about a month - it lived at my dealer's for quite awhile! I also ordered a JAE precision stock - it took over 6 months to come in - but my '14 loves it!

My take - pick what you love, put your trust in a reputable gunsmith - and enjoy the results!

[Buddymack]

The DSA way is a good way to go if you just want to buy and fly, if you want some of your own ideals and tastes you can still add the furniture you want and do mods that require very little mechanical aptitude to do.
But that being said, you can also buy a kit or build up a kit from scratch with some help from here, Falfiles, Weaponsguild and others and talk to probably the same guys with maybe a different name that are all pretty much some of the best guys you would want to know "most"..
They can help you without insult on what you need, kind of like buying a gun on layaway and then if you don't want to do the task there are plenty of licensed small builders that will do it for a small fee, the builders will take your rifle and testfire it and make sure it cycles before it gets back to you, but of course all would be hard to do except buying a kit remotely.
I am not the expert you are looking for but I love this rifle enough to be a traffic cop to help you.

Other than that my friend it comes down to tastes and wants, that is why I am building three at the same time, my favorite because of my tastes is my Izzy HB, and I can't wait to get my rifle back from Battle Born which is my early G1, but you may just want something completely different.

[Buddymack]

By the way very nice rifle! is that Ironwoods product or Bluemonster or???

[hansellhd]

Ironwood, thanks.

[rosewater]

Let me make it simple for you, get this Gun:http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1DSAIMBEL&name=DSA+Imbel+FAL+.308+Rifle&groupid=11

They are built on Original Imbel parts kits and include the original Chrome lined bore & chamber, I have one and it's a very good Gun in every way.

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a443/hansellhd/FALWood001.jpg
Every time AIM gets stock on these FAL's they sell out in a week or two
you can order direct from DSA (it will take longer):http://www.dsarms.com/Imbel-FAL-Standard-Rifle-308-Cal-21-Original-Imbel-Barrel---IMBEL58/productinfo/IMBEL58/

I put wood on this one, good luck in your search.
HDH.
I'd like to replace the cheap plastic on my CA R1A1. Where did you get your wood furniture?

[Evilblackgunsrfun]

I suggest you order a new D.S.A. , just be prepared for acouple to a few month waiting period. But the best thing about going with D.S.A. They will build it to your taste.

[M1 Tanker]

As Automick said, if you can change a tire, you can build a FAL.

Nothing wrong with a DSA FAL, so hard to go wrong there. All my FALs I've built myself on DCI receivers or Imbel Receivers. Having said that, WHAT are YOU looking for in a FAL? There are a lot of different models, many with different features.

Nice thing about shopping the resale market as opposed to the new DSA market you can find some really nice rifles built on some nice kits that DSA doesn't offer.

[hansellhd]

I'd like to replace the cheap plastic on my CA R1A1. Where did you get your wood furniture?

http://www.ironwooddesigns.com/IWDsite/IWDHome.html
When it comes to wood Matt is the Man.:rockon: You will have to finish off the wood yourself but that's half the fun. The quality you get for the money is outstanding and you will add value to your Rifle wile giving it a great look.

before
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a443/hansellhd/FALArge005.jpg
after
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a443/hansellhd/FALWood005.jpg


HDH.

[MistWolf]

I went from this:
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n289/SgtSongDog/Liberty/Workbench.jpg
To this:
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n289/SgtSongDog/Liberty/DSC_0146.jpg

with more waiting in the wings

I would suggest you stay away from FALs built by the Angry Beavers at Century. It's true that once you get a FAL up & running it will stay running, some Century built rifles take a lot of tinkering to get there.

Of the current DSAs, most feel their Imbel clones are the best bang for the buck. Barring that, see if you can find an early DSA STG58.

Lot's of guys love their inch patterns, like the L1A1 and they run well too.

My suggestion is that you don't buy a FAL. DOn't even think about it. Because not long after you get the first, she'll start asking "Daddy, when can I have a sister?"

Next thing you know, you'll be asking about a Para, or a Rhodie, South African, G1, BGS, Imbel or Argentine. (I suggest you get the Para first or second and get it out of the way as soon as possible)

[chili]

I would suggest you stay away from FALs built by the Angry Beavers at Century. It's true that once you get a FAL up & running it will stay running, some Century built rifles take a lot of tinkering to get there.

Lot's of guys love their inch patterns, like the L1A1 and they run well too.

My suggestion is that you don't buy a FAL. DOn't even think about it. Because not long after you get the first, she'll start asking "Daddy, when can I have a sister?"

Next thing you know, you'll be asking about a Para, or a Rhodie, South African, G1, BGS, Imbel or Argentine. (I suggest you get the Para first or second and get it out of the way as soon as possible)

Couldn't agree more.

[rudrules]

From my experience I say get a DSA Fal, I have owned three Fals and the only one I still have is my DSA is just an awesome rifle!
I have lots of xtras on it and a couple of my buddys have offered good money for it but it is a keeper for sure.

Good Luck and a safe return home!

Rudy:America::2pistol: