Ident: various types of FALs?

[Sparhawk]

What makes a STG-58?

Wat makes a L1A1?

What makes an Israeli FALO?

I am new to FAL's, but I just ordered an
Imbel receiver, and I want to know what
the different types are so I can decide
which style to build.

Thanks,

Chris

[kcsturm]

The primary differences are in the country of origin and the physical differences in the barrel assemblies, furniture and so on. . .

I'd suggest first to go to the Fal Files Home (http://www.fnfal.com/falfiles) and browse the FAL image database to familiarize yourself with the different variants.

[Sparhawk]

I've looked at the images there and at other
places also. But most of the pictures don't
seem that different to me except for the
furniture.

Chris

[Dirtfarmer]

StG-58 was adopted then produced for/in Austria.
L1A1 is the designation for the British FAL.
FALO is any heavy barrel FAL but rather than Fusil Automatique Legere ( Light automatic rifle) it is Fusil Automatique LOurde (Heavy Automatic rifle).....French.
Commonwealth guns (Britain, Canada, Austrailia New Zealand etc.) are widely referred to as "Inch" pattern guns, and they differ in internal dimensions with what are referred to as "metric" FAL's(though it has been pointed out that this is a misnomer, and should rightly be "Commonwealth" pattern for the former and "Belgian" pattern for the latter as they are all "inch" in thread pitches etc.), though it's interesting to note that a metric lower will pin to a inch upper and vice versa , and function. But stocks and internals are not interchangeable, save the gas piston.

Hope this helps,
Goodwill,
Dirtfarmer


[This message has been edited by Dirtfarmer (edited January 08, 2001).]

[Sparhawk]

Thanks.

Chris

[Sparhawk]

This is what I really don't understand.
There is a group buy going on for an "Imbel" kit.
Now someone is talking about changing that to an STG-58 kit.

What is the difference?

Does anyone know of a link to detailed pictures of these different kinds of kits?

What I really want to know is functional information like:

STG-58 "Metric Pattern", 18" barrell, light bipod, plastic futniture.

L1A1 "inch pattern", 20" barrell, no bipod, wood furniture.

FALO "Metric Pattern", 18" heavy barrel, heavy bipod, woood furniture.

I have no idead if the above is correct, but that is the type of information I am looking for.

Thanks!

Chris

[kcsturm]

Chris,

they are not changing the group buy for the South American Imbel kits. Jen is still hashing out the details for the Imbel kits. The group is starting a new group buy for STG58 kits.

STG-58, steel handguards, bipod, plastic buttstock (straight taper), flashhider -grenade launcher, 21" barrel. Metric pattern

Imbel kits, plastic handguards, no bipod, plastic buttstock (humpback), 21" barrel. Metric Pattern.

[Sparhawk]

kcsturm,

THANKS! That is the kind of informaion I was looking for.

Anybody else have that kind of information for other styles of FAL's?

Chris