I want a SHTF do anything rifle. I don't want a real short barrel because of the balistic lose but I don't want to carry a teliphone pole in the woods either.
I like the thought of a quad rails to add a light and maybe a stubby for grip.
I'm fine with minute of man accuracy.
I believe the fal fits this.

Is a Fal the right platform for a light, though? Would the recoil throw it off target? It has been so long I don't rightly remember.

I'm just thinking a general illumination light. Not a laser.

What's a dsa FAL?

DS Arms

I have some mixed feelings on DSA rifles but am happy to admit that is purely anecdotal as I have not handled one made in the past five years.

For a light and forward grip I would just aquire a second set of handgaurds and add some appropriate rail to them. The FAL is no light weight already (nor is any real battle rifle)and the whole quad rail thing will serve to throw out the balance (and add unnecessary weight)and ergonomics of what is arguably the best of the breed. Unless you intend clearing rooms *I* (and I certainly don't profess to be a font of knowledge on the subject)don't see the use of a light on a 7.62 rifle in the bush, certainly no need that is not served by a quality light on your person. I also don't see the need on a 5.56 rifle/SMG unless that whole room clearing thing is envisaged. I have hummmm, some professional cause to carry one of H&Ks newer products from time to time and yes it does wear a light, foregrip, Aimpoint and dual clamped magazines BUT it's main use is for VERY close quarters. If I take to the scrub the light is gets dumped in my rig and the second clamped magazine removed and back in the pouch. Accidentally activating a weapon mounted light out in the night (OK I am assuming you are not operating NV and the light is unfiltered)is begging for some bad guy to come hard you.

Not all FALs are big and long either, I am not saying this one is "practical" but it sure is FUN... All the toys belong to a good mate of mine in the US BTW...

That FAL with 18 in barrel would be perfect!

I meant more of what's the quality of a dsa FAL like. How do they compare to kit rifles?

Depends on the kit, and who built it. I have built more FAL's than I will ever confess to and one of the most problematic builds I've done was using DSA parts.
Parts used were a DSA Combat Elite short gas system front end that was $450. DSA type two receiver which was over $400. This DSA barrel hand timed to the DSA receiver at 12 oclock.. {see FAL Files for timing explanation}. After shimming, peening and alot of cussing I finally got it timed. After all the work that went into getting this thing to function, the piece of [censored] now keyholes !!

Needles to say I'm not a DSA fan.

Two years ago my home built 18"Imbel kicked everyone's [censored] at the 6th annual Oregon FAL shoot. This event had over 20 entries which included factory DSA rifles and a $3500 custom built FAL on a DSA receiver which was built by a renowned {to some} gunsmith in Arizona.

Here is a pic of my home built 2011 6th annual Oregon FAL Shoot winning FAL. Imbel kit with factory 18" barrel and Imbel receiver. I was using Australian surplus ammo that was manufactured March 27th 1967

Yes Andy it now has the factory muzzle device on it now.


Here is a copy and paste from the FAL Files. I was using the FAL mentioned above.

I'll fall on my sword (again) in the DEBRIEF thread. Meanwhile, we had very tough conditions on an already difficult shoot. The poppers are USA poppers, and are 24" tall. The round 'body' is 8" wide. There were five poppers standing at 125 yards, and another five standing at 250 yards, making it a 3 MOA challenge for FALs, iron sights, and (mostly) surplus ammo. And then came the wind and rain. Gusting at 20 (easily), and at times 30mph, it was a very difficult day.

These results are for the MBR Class, which, in case you don't remember, is .30 caliber rifles with iron sights. Without further ado, the order of the

MBR Class in the Drop 10 Event

1. sportsnut - 65.87 seconds (FAL)
2. kwthor - 79.02 seconds (FAL)
3. Tuscan Raider - 83.40 seconds (Garand and four [that's 4!] clip loads)
4. Tat2 - 90.42 seconds (FAL) ...

we limited out at 90 seconds, so the following are shooters and their plate count at 90 (yes, I know, Tat2 belongs down here with 9 plates at 90 seconds. I thank you for your assistance...).

5. Otis61 = 9 plates
6. Son of Otis = 9 plates
7. Tat2 Jr. = 9 plates
8. brunop = 8 plates
9. Rich of Oregon = 8 plates
10. Jim = 8 plates
11. Dom = 7 plates
12. jdhdjunkie = 7 plates
13. snowhawk jockey = 7 plates
14. Dation = 7 plates
15. Tailback = 7 plates (Garand)
16. Brush511 = 6 plates
17. sparky923 = 6 plates
18. Greg Jr. = 6 plates
19. Biltong Bobby = 5 plates
20. Erik the Red = 4 plates
21. 4x401 = 2 plates
22. Black Elk = 1 plate
23. PSL54Junkie = 4 plates (need confirmation)

That fal is amazing! That's what I'm looking to own. Buy or build.

go look at sumnoj275's pics on page 1 of this trhead, he psosts up a pic of a true FAL para. The one I pictured is a LaFranch receiver (pre-86) with the happy switch that has been built up as an OSW (by DSA). 12inches of barrel I believe...

.... 'nut rolls his own, that is a build.

How hard is it to put optics on a fal? Like an aimpoint?