FAL Experts?

[chrisxd45t]

I'm in the planning stages of building and FAL. I decided to build because I just don't have the funds to throw down on a complete rifle.
I've been reading, but need some real empirical advice. So, here comes the questions.
I've seen lots of Israeli parts, are these better?
I found a place that is selling Israeli G.I. chrome-lined air-gauged heavy barrel kits for $845 for everything minus the receiver, which is more than I would like to pay all at once but if that barrel (which accounts for $600 of the final price) and the parts are really so great I could bite the bullet. I would really like wood furniture but I don't like the Israeli furniture, the hand guard in particular, but I suppose I could get over it or change it latter if possible. I know some of the Israeli parts are not interchangeable with other metric parts which also causes me to hesitate.
Would it just be better to go with the chrome-molly medium contour barrel from DSA? Or some other?
Whose upper receivers are best? I'm leaning towards DSA, but I've looked at Enterprise Arms' site for a comparison and I'm torn. Enterprise has like 6 different types of receivers with little explanation as to the difference between them, so any input there would help.

I'll post more questions as I think of them.

[chrisxd45t]

It might help if I add a little bit about what I'm looking for in this rifle. The main purpose of this rifle is to have a very accurate semi-auto in .308/7.62NATO (No, I don't want a M14 pattern rifle right now), so I'm looking for a 21" barrel, which, I believe is the standard length. I'll need a top cover with stripper clip guide too. I'm not too particular about the country the parts are from but would like to have the best, easiest to obtain, least worn (greatest availability of new or excellent condition parts) parts I can get, since I plan on getting duplicates and triplicates for most of the major components.

[WmBSmithII]

Seeing as Im in california as well. How are you planning on making it stupid california legal?

[chrisxd45t]

I found a site that shows how to make a locking mag release, or I could just attach a ten rounder permanently and use stripper clips.
You do what you gotta do.

Unless maybe monster man comes out with grip for the FAL.

[Kaboom]

Ugh, dont go stripper for the dust cover unless you are going to go "inch pattern".
Here is where you need to go dude, I need to get back to visiting there, the message board is a treasure trove of EXPERT builders and afficianados:
FNFAL.com / The FAL Files

[chrisxd45t]

Thanks, I just joined this evening and have been doing a lot of reading.
I'm starting to re-think some of the things I thought I wanted and have been looking for.
Some people say heavier barrels don't make much difference in groups size, so I might just go with a DSA receiver and complete front end and try to piece everything else from parts kits. I guess it doesn't make much difference between Imbel or Israeli and the like for parts.

[chrisxd45t]

I guess I'm gonna steer away from Israeli stuff, too many parts aren't interchangeable and I don't know what is and what isn't.

[panther308]

Had a STG58 (Metric) built on a FAC Rec and loved it, they are not tack drivers unless you spend some $$ to do some finish work they are however super reliable (mine never choked on any ammo)
FAL parts are getting harder and harder to find, hell I remember when you could but parts on Ebay but since our Leaders banned import kits the supply has gone away.
IMHO you should go to DSArms and plop your booty down on a STG58 on save it for a M1A and be done either way these two rifles are the best of the .308 Semi-Auto's JMO

[Kaboom]

I'm not convinced anyone other than an expert can build a tack driving FAL, just too much going on in that breach design. If you build your own you will need headspace gauges to be safe. I would bite the bullet and get a "new" FAL, put it on the card or maybee a small loan, SOOOOO much less to worry about when it is done right by someone who knows what they are doing.
I personally wouldn't go with wood handguards they are prone to cracking because of the large vent holes, not a problem unique to FALs other designs have that problem too.
You WILL find that shooting tin cans with a 7.62 isn't much fun, you need to upgrade to very large stuff just to see what that cartridge can do, coffee cans or any large steel thing will just make jaws drop by witnesses . Throw an old lawn mower engine out there and hit it with a string of semi-auto and watch it roll around the yard FA man FA!

[chrisxd45t]

Originally Posted by Kaboom

I'm not convinced anyone other than an expert can build a tack driving FAL, just too much going on in that breach design. If you build your own you will need headspace gauges to be safe. I would bite the bullet and get a "new" FAL, put it on the card or maybee a small loan, SOOOOO much less to worry about when it is done right by someone who knows what they are doing.
I personally wouldn't go with wood handguards they are prone to cracking because of the large vent holes, not a problem unique to FALs other designs have that problem too.
You WILL find that shooting tin cans with a 7.62 isn't much fun, you need to upgrade to very large stuff just to see what that cartridge can do, coffee cans or any large steel thing will just make jaws drop by witnesses . Throw an old lawn mower engine out there and hit it with a string of semi-auto and watch it roll around the yard FA man FA!

Thanks guys. I know the limitations in accuracy in a semi-auto; I don't have unrealistic expectations.

I have a couple of gunsmiths locally that can handle the tough parts if I build, and I've thought about just buying a complete rifle and putting it on a card, I might still do that; right now I'm balancing my options. Though building seems more fun, it may end up being too much for me.

Wood furniture just looks good to me, but it's expensive, and if I don't go that route, cost will probably be the reason.

As far as shooting stuff goes, I recently got a new job at the local range. It doesn't pay for much other than food and tuition, but basically it's like having my own private range. My friends and I stay after and shoot all kinds of things. Safely. No heavy, metal objects.