Opinions
 

Here is what I'm about to order:
1. SA58C FAL Carbine Rifle, .308 Cal. 16" Threaded Premium Barrel with Belgian Short Flashider. The Tactical version has the same Barrel length but it is fluted, short gas system and A2 threaded Flash Hider. I decided on the Original SA58 version because the hand guards are standard length, the Tactical SA58 has the short Hand Guards. I did not like how the Tactical Barrel sticks out of the shorter hand guards. The A2 threading also will not allow you to attach any other FAL Breaks or hiders because of the thread direction. Other then that there are no major differences between Original and Tactical SA rifles. The price, options and upgrades are the same.

2. Picatinny alloy lower receiver. This is somewhat new and the reason I finally made the plunge. Two pounds lighter then the standard receiver. However, it also adds $129.00 to the price. This newer receiver allows you to use a Picatinny rear iron sight of your choice. One that sits higher to align with a mounted Scope. Before shooters would have to remove any Optics in order to make the switch to Iron Sights. There are Scope mounts that sit high enough to see under with the FAL Iron Sights. However, this made it difficult to acquire a good cheek weld for the Scope. The Picatinny Receiver provides the FAL Shooter with BUIS system similar to the AR.

3. SA58 FAL Extreme Duty Extended Scope Mount. The extended mount will reach the forward Rail System. Creating one continuous top rail. Tapco manufactures a lighter Scope Mount, which receives positive reviews.

4. FAL Rail Interface Hand Guard. This runs $240.00 retail. Sturdy Construction similar to the Nights AR Rail System, but manufactured by DSA. Could not find any other Forward Rail System on the market.

5. Speed trigger. Eliminates Trigger play and Trigger pull is reduced to 4 pounds. My personal M4 has this type of Trigger job. If I can afford this option, I will never own an assault weapon without it.

6. Standard OD Stock/OD SAW Pistol Grip. From all the reading I did. Many people complained that the Folding Para Stock is to light for this configuration. Better, balance using a standard stock and Forward Rail System. Besides looks I have no need for a Para Stock.

7. I do not plan on getting the Picatinny Gas Block yet. Unless someone can give me a reason why the fixed front iron sight won't work in this configuration.

I have owned three FAL rifles, if you want to see/shoot a Standard Rifle or a Belgian Congo clone let me know. I like the folding stock.

Get the mags quickly, there may be a run soon.

TR

Envious. . .

I have a box of older ones at home, they came with a FAL purchased years ago. I am looking into ordering a few of the higher quality mags on the market, if their worth it. I looked hard at the Congo SA, definitely would like to shoot one when I get back. I didn't see a whole lot of positive feedback on Dura Coat, for the money DSA wants. If I modify my other FAL it will definitely have a Para Stock added.

Mine has Dura Coat.

Looks nice, not sure how well it will hold up.

Come see us when you get back.

TR

KG - Link-up with TR when you get in town. I'll bring my Para too. It has DSA's rail handguards, scope cover, modified Para stock (M-16 sights, much better than standard) and I'm using an Aimpoint in a LaRue mount for (temporary) optics. I'm very impressed with the upgrades and DSA was easy to work with - despite a lengthy backorder on the Para components. FWIW - I recommend the Para barrel, it's 17.25 inches vs. the 16". I had my gunsmith cut down a standard barrel and put M-14 threads on it. It currently has a Smith Vortex until I can get the Surefire FH adapter. Muzzle blast is attenuated some - better than the short Belgian - but I still wouldn't want to use it in a phone booth :p . You're right about the height of optics mounts and the Para stock makes it worse. You'll have to fill me in on the trigger mod - mine's "not match quality". I'll be doing my own Dura-Coat sometime this summer (can't do it in the house and don't have a garage :( ). Peregrino

I am glad there are others who own or like me, wanting to own one of these. Definitely need to set up a group shoot. I will finally be home long enough to do it this time. End of June.
The wait is why I ordered now. I get home end of June. Hopefully it will be waiting. This dealer orders about 15 SA58 Rifles at a time. Only mod he includes is the scope mounts and a couple with trigger jobs. Then he post the rifles on a forum and it's first come first serve. Anything else he has to order. DSA says 12 weeks but the average is about eight. They had a big back order when the AWB died but seemed to recover.

On Dura Coat from DSA, I like the Dura Coat. But It would of put me over my $2000 limit. Check out what the dealer said below. I know this guy a little and he had nothing to gain or lose in what he told this buyer. Something to definitely look into for future purchases. The barrel was a hard choice between 16" and 18". Because I wasn't looking to drive nails at 300+ Meters I wasn't to concerned with better muzzle velocity. There are a Butt load of Breaks and Hiders out there for the FAL. The threaded Barrel is a must. The upcoming elections kind of motivated me a little also.
It's kind of funny when researching the FAL. There seems to be a large number of people who are against attaching Rail Systems, Tac Lights, Scopes....etc. Some pretty heated discussions about putting Tactical Accessories on an FAL. A lot say if you want your FAL to look like an AR, buy an AR. I felt like I was violating some kind of FAL law:rolleyes:


"An 18 inch carbine and a congo are identical except for the Duracoat. I think the congo is not the best value due to the Duracoat. I have seen and used FAL's and AR's with the Duracoat. If it is scratched or chipped, it will start to flake. If and when the barrel gets hot, the Duracoat blisters. This is why I think getting the congo is not the best value. If you want the congo "look". Get an 18 inch carbine, your choice of stocks and get it coated with NP3 from Robar"

Many get confused and think a carbine is only the 16.25 inch barrel when in reality I can order an 18 inch barrel at no additional charge"

if you get the lower with the picatinny sight base instead of the standard irons, you won't be able to use the standard front sight - it's too low. in your aforementioned configuration, you can just add a folding front sight on your rail system to go with whatever rear you're going to be mounting.
but then the standard front sight will always be useless unless you switch out the lower to one without a pic rail.
if it were me, and i were going with the pic lower, i'd get the pic gas block to match it - might as well.
without a cheek piece, the para stock will suck for AR-height sights on top of the FAL. since my para has standard sights, and i didn't want a cheek piece, i went with the lowest aimpoint ring i could find. but i don't have any backup sights.

That was not the case when I bought mine. The 18" barrel was not an option on the carbine, and the STG-58C had broken me from the 16.25". That thing hurt to shoot.

TR

Was it the nose bleeds or the tinitus? :munchin

Filling replacements.

TR

Hurt
 

I've been reading this entire thread and finally someone say's what I'm thinking about the 16.25"

I have a .50 BMG rifle, a .375 H&H, an M1A Bush Rifle, a LMT CQB-R, and a lightweight .45-70 carbine. Recoil does not bother me, but the muzzle blast off that bitch did. Wicked.

I look at it and I wonder why? Could be the post ban muzzle brake helped, but it still sucked.

The 18" is little different from normal.

TR

Muzzle Blast
 

I'll bring down my SA M1A/M14 SOCOM with the 16"................just dont bring your NVG's it'll burn the tubes right out of the damn things.

I just added it to the Rifle yesterday, after my original post. Someone gave me the same advice as you. Lucky for me, I would of been stuck with a useless front sight and forced to have the Gas Block changed out. If I would of ordered this Rifle just a week ago. There would of been more then just one mistake. Lucky I'm deployed, don't know if I would of researched this much at the house. Lesson learned.

This was news to me also. Changed a lot of my original ideas. I don't know how long ago DSA started giving customers their choice of Barrel lengths. Before this was considered a special request. From what the dealer told me very expensive to. Today DSA will interchange any compatible components between their Rifles. DSA only charges extra if the part you want cost extra. Good business move. Most likely the reason behind the longer waiting period.