WTK: FN FAL Lowers, NIW de TAPCO

[owlcreekok]

Don't even have one whole FAL yet, but want some input from the community. TAPCO is running a special now. Among the stuff is listed, "New in Wrap FN FAL lowers with tube". Look to be stripped. Need to keep saving for the Coonan to go with my R1 kit,,,BUT. Seems to me this MIGHT be a sound buy to pack away for the next build ???? Does anyone have a guess as to whether these lowers are actually stamped "FN" in some manner? $75 seems to be a good number to one as ignorant (newbie) as me. Any merit to having a "NEW" lower as opposed to an "OLD" one coming with a "KIT" ?

[Wade Kimmell]

Very nice lightweight lowers are available from DSA. If I were going to replace the original, I'd get a DSA. It is 8 oz lighter. I have one and will be getting another.

[shootist87122]

IIRC, Tapco has NIB G1 lowers and new Imbel(?) lowers. Be sure its the G1/FN version. It won't have FN stamped on it anywhere, but it's a Type I and really nice. I have one squirled away.

[mojo_matic]

I'm going to disagree with Wade. The G1 lowers sold by Tapco are BEAUTIFUL! The G1 lowers are the highest quality, as well as the lightest FAL lower out there (other than aluminum). I dropped $100 on mine, and EXTREMELY pleased. A steal for $75.00! Man, unwrapping the beauty was awsome...

I would recommend picking up two or three and stashing them away. They will only become more valuable.

There has been reports of an occassional DSA lower that has been out of spec....of course, there is no reason to stash it away...you can order it from DSA anytime.

[adam762]

Buy it. No, buy two. They are worth it simply for the fact that it is a type 1 with no serial number. I have two of them, and have special plans for both. I agree to make sure you get the G1 version though... Call them and ask what the markings are on the side. Maybe they'll tell you....

No FN markings to be had on these. No advantage over a used one either that I have noticed.

Buy one and have it engraved with the SN from the upper you buy. Matching numbers gun that way... or at least it will look like it.

Adam

[1006587]

I just looked up an old Tapco invoice. I paid $29 for one when they first got them. It wasn't in the wrapper like the one in the current picture and it was a little scuffed up. The paint on these is impossible to remove chemically. It has all of the lightening cuts on the inside and matches a Type 1 receiver.

$75 is a good deal if it comes in the wrapper. They must have fown off the shelves at 30 bucks because they jacked the price up quickly.

[9337yankee]

I got two the last time they were on sale. Opened up the wrapping to inspect and they were like new. There are no serial numbers or manufacturer stamps on them. The look like G1 contract loweres.

'37yankee

[owlcreekok]

Thankee Thankee Thankee

I knew I could count on the guys! Trigger pulled, Shot inbound. Alas, ordered ONE. I figgered I could grovel at wifey's feet to success for one. TWO woulda got me kicked!

Now,,,,for some lower receiver dressings,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,note to self: buy body armour for upcoming grovelling session!

There are no serial numbers or manufacturer stamps on them.

!!DANG!! Looks like a gen-you-wine U S of A made part to me! See there Bubba!? It has a leetle 'U.S.' raht they're by that strang 'o' numbers!

How convenient!

[bykerhd]

I bought one from TAPCO a couple years back when they were $ 29 also. I complained at the time because the finish was quite a bit less than perfect and the packing for shipment had been pretty shoddy. Wish now I had bought several at that price.
They were advertised as unissued Belgian lowers back then weren't they ?

[owlcreekok]

No idea about the previous sales, Belgian, etc. The guy I talked to at TAPCO answered my DA questions pretty well, I wanted to know if they were marked FN. He said no. No marks, no numbers, nada. He was briefly explanatory on the type/maker/lineage. IIRC he pretty much indicated that they are called FN metric simply to discern them from inch. No info as to WHO made them, just that they are made to "FN" specs. He was very polite and interested that I understood the unit is a stripped lower. I appreciated that. Lots of outfits don't GAF what you know or what you want. Long's ya give up the jing, they are happy.

I am likely gonna finish up the first build (R1) b-4 spring. This lower will give me something to build on for deeper WECSOG enlightenment. Might even find some group of folks who would offer ideas on what kind of bang stick to "build from scratch". ya know,,, just fer S's & G's.

[1006587]

Originally posted by bykerhd
I bought one from TAPCO a couple years back when they were $ 29 also. I complained at the time because the finish was quite a bit less than perfect and the packing for shipment had been pretty shoddy. Wish now I had bought several at that price.
They were advertised as unissued Belgian lowers back then weren't they ?

Invoice says:

Metric FN Lower w/tube, New $29.99

Kinda wish I got a few back then. I seem to remember a few folks got them still in the wrapper. I was a little ticked at the time, but looking back, we got a good deal.

[Mr pogo]

The Tapco NIW lowers should be SED selector markings instead of SRA. Internal lighting cuts mean FN made, Austrian made lowers for Stg58 never had internal cuts. The selector stampings are also different from each other but you would have to compare them side to side to notice.

[shootist87122]

Tapco's pic is blury enough so you cannot tell if the NIW lower is a Type I or III or even see the selector markings...

They also list the NIB G1 lowers for $99 (with a better pic, btw). Now if they know one is a FN made G1 lower, why don't they know who made the other???

[detroit360]

tapco advertises the lowers at 99.99 dollars for a G1 and one at 75.00 dollars for a FN fal , whats the difference ??, or is there a difference.

[mojo_matic]

"Now if they know one is a FN made G1 lower, why don't they know who made the other???"

The box for the G1 lower is labeled as such, and in German. Only German FAL rifle was the G1. Only FN produced G1 lowers.

The other lower is type I...called tapco to verify. Does not indicate exact type of rifle it was built for on package label...therefor leaving origin up for interpretation. I would be interested to see if the $75.00 type I lower has sandcuts or not....sandcuts would solidify origin an FN.

Regardless of origin, a brand new in the wrap type I lower for $75.00 is a great deal...and pretty much rules out Imbel production (I believe).

[Mr pogo]

Both $99 and $75 pics show a G1 lower. Only diffs are one is in a box and the other in a wrapped package.

[kbbeckius]

I think the last Sarco ad I saw in SGN had complete lowers for 75$, I think they said they Belgian.

Thx Brad

[KB in CT]

I emailed Tapco the other day asking what was the difference between the $75 and $99 lowers and they said only the box. I ordered the $75 one and it came today. The only difference between the one that came with my G1 kit and the one I got today is the one that came today doesn't have any dents, scrapes or gouges on it. I just finished swapping it out on my G1 and it looks great. Now I gotta scrape up $75 for another one.

[owlcreekok]

Got the lower from USPS today. Kudos to TAPCO and the snail mail folks. The lower looks pretty much like a naked hindpart. Brand-spanking-new! Very nice. The paper wrap has a number that reminds me of the FSN's we had on US materiel in the military. Among other hieroglyphics on the label is "F.N. HERSTAL BELGIEN". There is a date of 8/22/60 on it. The 8/22 is hand written with the /60 being printed. Pretty interesting to me. But then, I am easily amused! I noted a red paint inlaid symbol in the "overdrive" postion of the selector. More amusement to this ignerrent child!??!?!?

If I scare up another $85.95 we must get another for hard times!

[mojo_matic]

owlcreekok,
Did the lower have sandcuts on the inside?

[owlcreekok]

mojo, I have recently learned what a sand cut is. (sort of learned!) Help me out here. I see carriers cut in an "x" pattern. That's a sand cut,,,right? The lower does not appear to have any 'post stamping' machining on it.

[mojo_matic]

Lightening/sand cuts can be found in many different types of FAL rifles, in different configurations. Sand/lightening cuts are not issolated to just Inch rifles. I believe that all FN produced upper receivers had internal sand cuts. Lightening/sand cuts can be found in the upper receiver, the carrier, the lower receiver, and even the bolt itself....again, in different configurations depending upon type/manufacture. I recently found out first hand that internal sand cuts differ in an Izzy type II lower, compared to that of a type I. Due to amount of variations out there, the subject would necessitate a new thread with questions...not a bad idea. I'm sure that the subject has been covered....a search might be in order.

Lightening cuts to lower receiver will be found along the inside, where the H/T/S sit.

Quick inside pic of a G1 lower (received from Tapco). Notice the material removed from inside walls. If you have another lower (STG58, Imbel, R1 ect.), take a look inside. You will most likely notice that the interior is absent of any sand cuts. Whether this was done to shed weight or debris (in regard to lower receiver), I don't know. Sure looks cool though!

[Mr pogo]

On the lower they are not sand cuts, only for lightening. A characteristic of FN lowers from the 50s and 60s, I believe later ones may or may not have had the cuts depending on the contract requirements.
There are variations in lightening cuts, IIRC some will have all, some only partial cuts and some will have a scallop to assist removing the hammer spring. Israelis do show several variations as mentioned previously.
And yes this was covered before

[owlcreekok]

The lower looks like the pic. Upon close exam WITH spectacles, I see that the cuts are there. Will spend some time searching the next few days on this subject. I cannot recite the differences in G1, STG 58, Imbel, Izzy, R1. I know my (first and only) kit is an R1 by claim of the vendor and other evidences recently learned. Gaining more knowledge via searches herein seems to be the first step in deciding how to build up around this new lower. I am thinking I shall endeavor to make a nice example out of it, and the R1 a "nice" shooter. From you guys last comments, and the '60 date on the wrap, I seem to have an early G1 lower. Let's see what we learn about building along that line. Thank ya, mojo & pogo.