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FAL What to watch out for
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 4:41 am
by Chuck
Might have a chance of an FAL, semi auto. will be seeing it next week..what should I watch out for....told some were NOT made in Belgium..any tips.......That should give me a bookload of stuff from here...keep it simple...please.
Re: FAL What to watch out for
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 7:57 am
by Sim G
I think it would be fair to say that the majority of FALs were not made in Belgium!
Really, I don't think there is nothing more to look at than you would any other second hand semi. Perhaps the only things over and above would be the fit between the upper and lower and are the mags inch or metric.
Brazilian (Imbel) were supposed to have been very good, better than the Belgique. The Brit ones were supposed to be outstanding tolerance and accuracy wise, but the most appalling of finishes!
Re: FAL What to watch out for
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 11:22 am
by Blackstuff
Don't forget the pictures (or preferably video!) tongueout
Re: FAL What to watch out for
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 11:37 pm
by Chuck
We'll see folks, no promises....I'll maybe get info and pics first for the FB Jury
Re: FAL What to watch out for
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 11:49 pm
by saddler
Collector Grade did some special* editions on the FAL - 3 volumes in total - then a combined one volume set
A good point of research prior to spending any money
* aka Speshul in Co Durham, but in the former use no short buses were travelled on nor were any windows licked.
It's a very worthwhile point to remember that the FAL was designed with wooden furniture...
Re: FAL What to watch out for
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:27 am
by Chuck
Seems its an IMBAL, with US (metric??) parts fitted to qualify for Made in the USA.....hope to see tomorrow....
At least I know where to get magazines for it...
Re: FAL What to watch out for
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 1:51 pm
by Burner
Imbel FAL's (Yes they are metric style) were well made rifles and are sought after.
High quality parts. Made in Brasil.
I have built several of them.
Check who made the receiver on it.
If the receiver is Heese, Vulcan or Century, shoot it before buying.
If it is a Williams aluminum receiver, hit the seller with the rifle for trying to kill you. The Williams crack at the locking lug and come apart in your face.
Make sure the barrel is properly timed and the bolt and carrier fully close with out binding.
A DSA, Enterpise, or Coonan (DCI) is a fine receiver.
If it is a Imbel exported, receiver even better.
Good luck, you will have fun with it!
This is a Imbel I built up on a DSA receiver.
Re: FAL What to watch out for
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 3:08 pm
by Sim G
Burner wrote:
A DSA, Enterpise, or Coonan (DCI) is a fine receiver.
Bill, is that "Coonan" as in Coonan .357 semi pistol?
BTW, nice looking FAL......
Re: FAL What to watch out for
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 3:25 pm
by Burner
Bill, is that "Coonan" as in Coonan .357 semi pistol?
Yes Sir!
Fine receivers!
I assembled a Belgian (made for post war germany) G1 on one of his early receivers.
Fine receiver!
Re: FAL What to watch out for
Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 5:06 pm
by Chuck
Had a quick butchers yesterday...rifle has been fully refurb'd by a local FAL specialist..looks very clean and tidy...as a refurb would do.
I'll check with the info you've given me burner, see if I can get a photo or two. Thanks for the input.
What would be a reasonable price for such a beastie, it's a semi auto....??? Any of our US friends got an opinion...