weaponArts FAL-1 Tactical Stock & PG (includes 'shots fired')

[EMDII]

Birdman!

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! You could use this thing as a medieval battle-axe. But the shape works great once mounted, and feels perfect.

What a piece of hardware. I like the look and feel: it's massive, per (1) of the instruction manual's 'Other Design Issues' in the handout. An excellent handout. I actually read the whole thing after I fondled the assemblies for an hour or so. My wife gave me that curious 'boys and their toys' look. Then I re-read it for a complete understanding.

Likes:
- excellent shape, fit of parts, ease of learning, range of adjustment.
- slipped right onto my StG and Israeli lowers, but snug w/o binding.
- the lock on the thumbwheel.
- ambidextrous adjustment knob on the cheekpad
- the ambi-grip just may be the best grip I've ever put to hand, w/ or w/o the platform. It reminds me of a Hogue monogrip in feel and fit. Even my wife was impressed by how well the platform adjusted to snug up against her hand.
- I could use this thing to brain an assailant if I ran out of ammo. It's that tough-looking! How did he impregnate the aluminium into the stock epoxy? That is too cool.
- The 'Dos and Don'ts' are perfect.

Noted:
- as the manual indicates, there are minor imperfections. I will report them as just that, MINOR, in the epoxy finish. The injection sprue break-off on the left side is the only one noticeable. Other very minor bubbles break off flush w/ the body when rubbed- gotta love silicone (Can I bead blast this lightly for a matte finish? I'm curious). Where's 7 of 9 when we need her?
- the buttpad support rods have a rather shallow (4-thread) engagement, and wobble slightly. Extra stiffness might help some who have an overly developed sense of 'how tight is tight'. They work fine out to the end of normal travel. Deeper engagement and/or perhaps a slightly larger diameter rod would eliminate this as a potential source of complaints. Turns out: that they ship slighly loose, as customers have requested that they be removable so that the customer can twist the buttplate a la PSG-1 design.

Recommendations I made to Birdman:
- Don't change a thing on the current production.
- Hard coat the support rods, the cheekpiece knob and buttplate adjustment knob, the buttplate 'nose-plate' and the stock 'end-plate' for a tactical dark finish. NO reflections for that 'tactical counter-sniper' market segment (or the wannabes)
- Take a potful to KCR next spring!

Sure did like the look of that Tasco SS MilDot scope on his demonstrator. I have one on my 110 FP Savage tactical, but I may have to get another. Now, I need another Metric lower, to which I would naturally attach a metric upper, and the various parts, yadayada.

I'm not a 'precision' shooter, and didn't believe the FAL is particlarly suited to being a PSG (Precizione Grenschutz). But for those who do want the ability to fine tune, this is an excellent addition to your rifle. The material is an aluminium skeleton, silicone skin, and excellent hardware. The ergonomics work for me (5-10, 220) and my wife (5-2, 125). It'll provide a range of adjustments you just don't have on 'stock' furniture.

All-in-all, a VG product, and useful.

TED
1*

http://www.weaponarts.com/images/stock003big.jpg

http://www.weaponarts.com/images/stock004big.jpg

[ December 01, 2001: Message edited by: EMDII ]

[usmc326]

I keep checking to see if he's toned down the metal on that stock, not for wannabe sniping, but to prevent spooking varmints(coyotes). It would be look more refined too. If when I get back from AZ in January & he still hasn't matted the metal I'll order one and do it myself(B-C's aluminum black,
bed liner spray, etc.).
I think bead blasting the epoxy might
risk damaging the surface. Why not cut out a circular piece of 3M abrasive pad, put a screw in the center, then chuck it in a drill? That ought to safely dull it.
What about the cheekpiece only being adjustable for 1": will that suffice
for a high mounted large objective scope, or for an AN/PVS-4 NV scope?
The weight virtually requires a HANDGUARD mounted bipod. Are you going to mount a bipod on your's?

[gunplumber]

"Fal Sniper" a project between myself and Phil Arrington of Arrington Accuracy Works. Douglas Premium Air Gauged super ninja match barrel, Phil's adaptation of AR-15 style free-float aluminum handguards, VOW/Hines PSG-1 Pistol Grip, and the Birdman Stock with a few modifications by myself, including coating the aluminum and applying a thin texture finish. My recommendations include a nylon washer on the cheek piece tightening knob to distribute the force over a larger area and prevent possible cracking of the resin from overtightening. Also to consider a painted finish to allow minor mould imperfections to be patched. Maybe a splatter coat, and a black hard anodize on the aluminum. Gun shoots MOA with LC 173g Match
http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/webpictures/falsniper1.jpg
http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/webpictures/falsniper2.jpg

[ November 29, 2001: Message edited by: gunplumber ]

[EMDII]

Wow!

[weaponARTS]

Ode to Gunplumber:

GP did indeed send me some great input. I hated the idea of the adjustment knob spinning directly on the epoxy surface. GP suggested a "nylon washer" to which I found a perfectly fitting size nylon washer at the local "Lowes Hardware Store". This suggested modification was right on the money and I very much appreciate GP's tip!

Here is a pic of the adjustment knob with the nylon spacer/washer:

http://www.weaponarts.com/ftp/gp.jpg

I'm in the process of sending people who ordered a stock before this GP mod a washer via mail. .....Nice call!

Birdman

P.S. GP was also very kind to me while I was financially delayed in getting him his stock ...God love'm.

[EMDII]

I shot the FALO-C today, a total of 160 rounds for testing the weaponArts equipment and the WAC scope mount/bodycover. I'll address the bodycover in it's own thread.

The weaponArts stock and PG are a joy to shoot. I used both a 10x42 Tasco on rings, and a BSA red-dot 30mm. Various ammo, including some 168g HPBT Match stuff, for additional recoil.

The cheek pad left more than sufficient height to properly align my eye behind the lens. The scope was clear of the rifle, and the cheek-pad adjusted readily to my height. A 56mm objective scope might be close, but it's only a 7mm climb [(56-42)/2] from where I sit know, and the pad appeared to have enough edjustment. I don't use 56mm anything, not even on my tactical rifle, so I can't judge the efficacy of the stock for that question. I think for BIG NVDs it'll leave you a bit shy, but the ARMS mount is about 2mm lower than a WAC, so an ARMS and the weaponArts stock might be the ticket.

Looking through the red-dot was real cool, everything lines up just right. The dot sits right above the foresight pin. Obviously the red-dot is not a precision device, but we kept all the holes inside a 3" stickie at 100m today, even in 'timed fire'.

The adjustable pull is real nice, as I'm husky (be kind!) and having the adjustment lets me wrap round the rifle nicely.

The real joy is the PG. It's NOT a snake-eater's PG, but it will do just fine for precision shooters. The swell fills my hand very well, and I always felt 'glued' to the PG when firing.

The entire combination felt real good. Like slipping into my A4, I felt like I was wearing the FALO-C, and that we recoiled as a unit. IF you just have to build a PSG-FAL, this is one of the building blocks. Go see Rod Taylor at taylor Werkes, or GP, get a good foundation (a really worn out G-1 might not do), and build away. I think this is a great product for use in this specific application!

Hat's off to Birdman at weaponArts.

[ December 01, 2001: Message edited by: EMDII ]

[EMDII]

The weight virtually requires a HANDGUARD mounted bipod. Are you going to mount a bipod on your's?

No. I have a 16" FALO-C, and don't want the additional weight. It is already a HB (heavy bastard), and sits on the bench quite well.

This stock is NOT for hunters and snake-eaters. So, if you want a bipod, OK, but I used a shot bag for a front HG rest.

[VoceNoctum]

Have you tried teh VOW/ Hines grip? If so, how does this compare in feel?

Thanks.

[EMDII]

I have Dan's L1A1 grip, but at the time I thought their PSG-style was not ambi, so I haven't tried it yet. I've held one of his grips, but haven't had one mounted for T&E.

I'm LH w/ a rifle, and RH w/ a pistol. Makes transitions real easy on 3-gun courses! But requires an ambi grip, for sure. FWIW, if Dan's is anywhere near it (knowing Dan, it's right there) then it'll be fabulous also.

[Dan at VOW]

The Tactical grip that I sell is for right hand shooters, I have been after Steve at Falcon/ERGO for a couple of years now for an ambi. So if you want an ambi grip there is only ONE source, Birdman. I had a chance to look things over at Knob Creek, very impressive set up. Grip will fit either hand with ease. The stock looks way cool as well. Dan at VOW.