carbine or tactical?

[pass1over]

I am a so0n to be FAL owner and am trying to decide on what to get. It would be nice if there was somewhere close to where I live that I could handle both, but alas, I havent found a place yet.

Will the shortened gas system on the tactical cause more recoil or different adjustment procedures that the standard carbine?

Anyone have any pros/cons for purchasing the tactical?

The gun will mostly be used for fun, maybe some deer hunting, but I have a bolt for that. Would both version be the same really, and it just comes down to what I think lo0ks better?

Thanks

[pass1over]

55 views, 2 days, and no one has an answer or comment?

[Venom6]

Well, it's just my oipinion, but I much prefer the carbine. Yes, I've owned both. To me the carbine handles better. I also feel better with an original length gas system. While the FAL is a very different gun, I've seen no end of problems with the shortened gas systems on AR platforms, and that makes me nervous, which translates over to the FAL. In the days to come, it also might be easier to get a replacement gas piston for the carbine rather than the shorter system; and as was recently pointed out to me on another thread by gunplumber, the pistons are hardened at both ends, softer in the middle, so you can't just cut down a regular piston to fit the tactical. You also get a longer sight radius, which makes accurate shooting just a bit easier (well, OK, lots easier for those of us with eyeballs north of a half-century old...)

[SIG552]

Dude,
Get a 50.63 with a 16.25 inch barrel and have the best looking FAL rifle ever.

Pretty handy too.

SIG552

[pass1over]

you'll have to excuse my ignorance, but what is a 50.63?

my only real concern, as the carbine and the tac carbine are basically the same rifle, with the tac carbine having shorter furniture up front, is that im unsure as to which would feel more comfortable in my hands.

[SIG552]

When it comes to the choice between short or normal hand guards I would always advise taking as long as possible, unless of course the barrel is so short that the handguards HAVE to be a certain length.

Additonally, all that barrel sticking out the front is unsightly in combo with the short gas system :).

The 50.63 is a shorter FAL para with 2 barrel lengths (18" and 16.25"). It is shorter than the normal 21" para (the 50.61).

Hope this helps,

SIG552

[Varangian]

I gotta go against the current here and speak up for the tac.

It balances better for me, and I've seen no reliability problems with the short gas system.

Parts and accessories might be an issue for you since the only source I know of for short system parts and accessories is DSA. They aren't cheap. They are also usually rather slow, though I have always, eventually, gotten what I've ordered.

But I personally *reallly* prefer the balance, handling and looks of the tac.

[TheJokker]

go with the short gas system. i've had no reliability issues and the reduced weight makes it balance better in my opinion. accuracy is better if your support point is closer to the magazine so the length of the handguard really makes no difference. there is no more or less recoil with the short system. it comes down to whether you like a traditional look or a more modern look.

[wolfdog45]

I really enjoy my Izzy Carbine. I put a shorter butt on it and it feels great.
It won't be shorter than my wifes M4 but it's shorter than my Bushmaster AR.
It's my go to rifle now instead of my AR.

[pass1over]

so it seems that the rifles are basically the same (even weight, only a 0.1 lb difference) and it comes down to a visual preference.
I have thought about the shortened gas system's availability of parts and figure somewhere down the road, i'll order and store some extra parts that are exclusive to the tac carbine (if thats the road I go).

I like the para setup, but wouldnt want that on there all the time, and since I found out you cant just swap a para stock for a normal stock, i'll stick with the normal one.

I appreciate all the replies, opinions, and comments so far. This matter isnt closed or finished for me yet, so keep em coming!

[W.E.G.]

I really like my para with the short gas system.

I like all the other versions I have played with and have.

Overall though, this one is definitely my favorite.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd7/rkba2da/rifle%20pics/FAL/Hampton-Varela-railonly.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd7/rkba2da/rifle%20pics/FAL/Hampton-Varela-EOTECH.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd7/rkba2da/rifle%20pics/FAL/Hampton-Varela-scope.jpg

[tuck0411]

I'm also going to be in the market for a para this year and am leaning towards the DSA tactical model myself. If they had a reputation for stuff breaking in the short gas system, I'd guess parts availability would be more of an issue, but I've not heard that they have any more problems there than the normal length system. As for barrel length and the amount of it hanging out the end, I'm even considering a short system with an 18" barrel. That will depend on availability and wait time, though, so I'll probably end up going with the 16.25 inch barrel.

There's probably pictures of the 50.63 somewhere in the images section.

[vegasgsxr750]

I have a para tac and love it. The sight radius is a legitimate criticism, but if you go with an optical sight, it's moot.