On the FAL
Civis Proeliator on the FAL:
As a MBR (Main Battle Rifle) we see the FAL (utilizing the 7.62×51 round) as the best of all worlds even though the rifle weighs in at over 9.5 lbs unloaded and runs approx. 42 in. long. We see the 5.56mm (.223) fired by the M16A2/M4 and others as being too small a round to be effective against many targets and much shorter in effective distance. Even the 7.62×39 fired by the AK and it’s variants or the SKS, though they’re .30 caliber, is hard pressed to match the all around effectiveness due to it’s smaller powder load. While we agree the latter could be sufficient in a close quarter, urban type environment we still believe the larger round to be best for a rifleman due to it’s longer effective range and hitting power.
I have decided that I need want a 308 rifle and have been mulling my options. I personally like the M1A, but have not ruled out the FAL, HK-91, or an AR chambered in 308. Thoughts?
June 23rd, 2005 at 8:43 am
I shot an FAL a few weeks back ((AAR here).
Loved it. Great gun. Accurate at 50 yards, easy to handle. Only put ~ 20 – 30 rounds through it, but it fed/ejected fine.
June 23rd, 2005 at 9:40 am
I really like FALs, but I’m not personally sure if I’d rather have that or an HK91… FN and HK are both top class manufacturers in my books, so I’d probably be really happy either way.
June 23rd, 2005 at 9:55 am
Well, I’ve got a FAL, and I’ve got a M1A… and… my favorite.. is the M1A.
The FAL is probably a slightly better “battle rifle”. The pistol-grip, and thumb-operated safety in particular.
But the sights are nowhere as good as the M1A’s, which are superb, the trigger on the M1A is better (but both are military, and from the box, aren’t _great_. I also prefer the bolt handle to be where the M1A’s is.
The left side seems great in theory, but in reality, I have just as much speed with my right hand and back to shooting position than I would with moving the left… Plus, the M1A lets me PUSH the bolt – which the FAL doesn’t. Hopefully you’ll never need to – but in case of a FTF, you *can* whack the M1A forward, The FAL you’ll have to try and clear by ejecting the round, and re-chambering.
Cleaning, of course, the FAL takes the win with a huge lead, since you can break it and clean from the breech.
If you want to scope the rifle….
http://www.chuckhawks.com/mount_telescope_rifle.htm
is about the M1A. Trust Me.
The FAL has a receiver cover available (which I purchased with mine), with built-in Weaver ridges. Much, much easier. I think some new M1A’s have built in scope mounts, which would negate this.
I’m looking at getting a E2 stock, to “fix” the difference with the pistol grip.
Cheap FAL’s are usually used, with some military abuse – good guns for the price – but not brand new M1As. M1As are new, and pristine.
I’ve seen a couple incredible deals – painful to me – for M1A’s this week, like NM’s for $1050. Anybody want to loan me about $500? Grrrrr. Anytime I try and save money… 🙂
June 23rd, 2005 at 10:34 am
I absolutely love my M1A. I have had it for over 10 years, and have used it in both matches and informal target shooting. I would suggest you try both rifles, and see which suits you best. Usually, shooting two weapons will sway someone towards one or the other.
June 23rd, 2005 at 10:38 am
I’ve shot both and like both. I even owned an M1A before selling it to fund school back when I was a starving graduate student. But it’s been a while and I can’t remember which one I liked better.
June 23rd, 2005 at 11:22 am
Given your obvious love for the AR platform, you could go for a .308 AR just to be different from all the guys at the ranges with FALs and M1As.
A minor thing Addison didn’t mention-if you’re left handed, the safety on the M1A is ambidextrous, just like the M1 Garand. (I’m not, but I shoot lefty sometimes because I’m left-eyed.)
And the wood is just plain pretty.