DSA STG58A Type 2

[Hexagram13]

Last Friday, I got my much-awaited DSA STG58A Type 2. I ripped the rifle out of the case and began to fondle it, and immediately my heart dropped. There were marks on my receiver! I looked over the entire receiver and then realized that I was seeing the infamous “brass kisses” that I had heard about. What started out as supreme disappointment quickly became ok when I figured out that these were test-firing marks. The rest of the rifle was absolutely wonderful! It had that newly lubed, never been harassed by another gun store shopper feel to it. I am spoiled by the fact that my father is a FFL, and I get to pick most of my stuff before it ever reaches the shelf. There is nothing like pulling the bolt out of a new rifle and getting oil on your hands. It made me feel like my gun hadn’t been sitting in some warehouse for a long time. It was made for ME!
Action was smooth, and the kit looked excellent. Park job matched throughout. I was very pleased with the aesthetics of this rifle. I took it home and ran 20 rounds of FMP that I stole from the enblocs to my dad’s Garand. Bolt hold open worked at 5.5 but I lowered it down to 4.5. The thing probably would have been okay on 5 because at 4.5 it slung the empties 10-15 feet. Recoil was much lighter than I expected. I expected a sonic boom out of the Stoll lookalike brake, but noise was less than my (late) Mini-14. Gun grouped well from freehand shooting at about 25 yards. Front sight was too high, so it was shooting a little bit low. I didn’t have a front sight tool, so I had to settle for moving the rear temporarily. (See my post in marketplace if you have a sight tool to sell.) After raising the back site to the 500 meter mark, it was dead on.
No problems were experienced with this rifle. Everything ran just like it was supposed to, right out of the box. I will also use this time to put in a good word for Anne & Susie @ DSA (as if they need it). They were super helpful everytime I called DSA. I had a slight misunderstanding via email with another member of the staff and Anne threw in a T-shirt for good measure. Only bad thing about the order is that the shirt was a large and I can’t quite fit into it. I don’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth and send it back, so I will probably auction it off for the FALFILES.
All in all, I can’t say enough good things about this company or this rifle. If you need an FAL get a DSA!
tony

edited to fix a couple of typos

[ November 06, 2001: Message edited by: Hexagram13 ]

[usmc326]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Hexagram13:
[QB]Last Friday, I got my much-awaited DSA STG58A Type 2. I ripped the rifle out of the case and began to fondle it, and immediately my heart dropped. There were marks on my receiver! I looked over the entire receiver and then realized that I was seeing the infamous ?brass kisses? that I had heard about. What started out as supreme disappointment quickly became ok when I figured out that these were test-firing marks.

Hexagram: Scrub off the brass marks with Hoppes, etc., & an old toothbrush, then get some 3/4" black self-adhesive velcro at a sewing/fabric or craft store(you can buy exactly as much as you want).
Degrease the "ding" area using rubbing alcohol, let dry, then apply a 2" strip. Use the "female" fuzzy half, as it won't attract dirt like the male side. No more brass dings.
You can also apply some to a scope, like on an SKS with a long scope, if brass is striking it as they eject.
Well, now that you have a "store bought" FAL it's time to build one:-).
Order the needed tools through your Dad, as he can write them off on his
FFL income taxes. Why not build a lightweight as your first(Williams Receiver, Imbel Kit, and a DSA lightweight lower...or use the Imbel lower until Williams markets their aluminum lower)?
If building is out of the question for now, then at least squirrel away some parts Kits, then buy mags while they're still cheap.
Buy 1,000 Rds. of berdan-primed NC Portuguese .308 from "Lippy" @ Lippman
Enterprises for $139.95 + shipping. Great ammo! HAVE FUN!! :)

[Nachoman]

This is my gun. There are others like it, but this one is mine...

[Rifleman44]

But USMC326, if he gets the 1,000 rounds from Lippy (who is a pleasure to do business with), what's he gonna do tomorrow?

Also, great idea for a receiver ding protector!

[ November 07, 2001: Message edited by: Rifleman44 ]

[Hexagram13]

Thanks for the tip on the velcro. I had noticed that Derek @ AZEX put it on his rifle, but hadn't really considered it until you mentioned it. I am just glad to hear that the marks will clean off. I haven't bought the ammo yet as I was hoping to get a good price at the Little Rock gun show this weekend. What I found was $250 Hirt and $200 Port. Thanks for the thumbs up on Lippy. I considered ordering from him or Kieslers.
I don't think I am ready to build just yet. The thought appeals to me, but my dad and wife are making me go cold-turkey off the gun buying for right now. I can still play with the Dillon 650 to get my fix though. I am putting together a 9mm with a 90gr hollow point with 1 00Buck ball behind it. I have already put together a .357 with 2 balls and it shoots pretty good. A few of my police friends carry it in their backup. I am sure playing with the recipe on this new round will give me plenty to do. Add to this the fact that I am in medical school and have a side project that involves a rifle gong, and I got too much stuff to do. I am sure building a FAL is somewhere in my future though.
tony