First Time FAL Build

discogodfather · February 11, 2007, 00:22

Ever since I was a kid I admired FAL's, decided to build one after a friend loaned my an excellent manual/DVD from ARS.

Where I live a good outside range is a two hour drive, with the only close-by option being a pistol range (allows people to shoot rifles) at a max of 25yards. Pretty silly for a high power .308, but I figured making the project into a more tactical "rapid aquisition" short range rifle might be fun.

All started at a gun show where I picked up an exceptionally clean STG58 barrel/block set:

DSA textured STG58 handguards
STG58 bipod
DSA new copy of a STG58 flash hider (short kind)
DSA receiver (standard, parkerized)
DSA machine aluminum lower
DSA internals, trigger, safety, etc
Imbel Bolt Carrier, bolt (refinished from gunpartsguy)
Tapco SAW stock and grip (gunpartsguy)
Tapco Stanag mount with picatinny adaptor
All stainless spring kit from Falcon arms (including TPR kit)
Weighs 9.6lbs total with Eotech

I also added a T48 handguard and a SAW style carry handle I molded myself over a stock STG58 metal handle (had to be shorter to clear the picatinny).

Using some excellent quality match 168grain Sierra bullets with winchester brass I was able to do around 1.5" groups at 25 yards (with one flyer). Probably not very good for a FAL but it was my first time with the gun, standing without a bipod or any support. The Eotech sight seems good for these short distances even with a big 308.

The Stanag mount from Tapco is ok quality, but at 9 dollars you can't be too critical. Its also the only scope mount I know of with a FAL that allows full view of the iron sights without any blockage.

The Tapco SAW hardware is really the only stock set I was comfortable with ergonomically. The Steyr kit I had just would not allow me to get a good cheekrest looking through the iron sights (just too damn high). Guess my ugly mug is a few sizes larger than the average Austrian's.

Overall this was the most fun rifle build ever, thanks to ARS's excellent manual and the info gleened from this forum. Thanks falaholics! Love to hear your opinions.

Aifwikir · February 11, 2007, 03:28

Nice lookin' rifle you got there. It seems they're always BETTER if you build them yourself. You can take pride in saying "I built this!".

Aif

SIG552 · February 11, 2007, 05:40

Well done!
Hows your cheek weld with that EoTech? It seems very high....

SIG552

discogodfather · February 11, 2007, 06:03

When using the iron sights, its actually better than with a G1 or Steyr style stock. With a big long face, nothing but a SAW stock from tapco can give you the clearance you need for iron sights.

As for looking up at the eotech, I used a cheekpad that straps onto the stock and gives you something to "weld" up to, but its still not perfect.

My goal here was to make a rifle that could use iron sights with no blockage from accessories. In order to use the Eotech I need the cheekpad, which does in fact creat a block for the iron sights. All in all this is an ongoing project for a weird setup, But I have to believe there is something that will make it work.

Azrial · February 11, 2007, 06:07

Looks like you did a very craftsmanlike job with your rifle, but seeing how high that sight is makes me realize that I will never use that TAPCO mount that I have just like it.

Edgsmth · February 13, 2007, 00:56

Your shop looks as squared away as your rifle. Inspirational.

elbo · February 13, 2007, 06:11

I see you have a heavy barrel planned.

discogodfather · February 16, 2007, 22:30

.50bmg makes everything look small........

February 11, 2007, 00:22	#1
discogodfather Registered FALaholic #: 24239 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5	First Time FAL Build Ever since I was a kid I admired FAL's, decided to build one after a friend loaned my an excellent manual/DVD from ARS. Where I live a good outside range is a two hour drive, with the only close-by option being a pistol range (allows people to shoot rifles) at a max of 25yards. Pretty silly for a high power .308, but I figured making the project into a more tactical "rapid aquisition" short range rifle might be fun. All started at a gun show where I picked up an exceptionally clean STG58 barrel/block set: DSA textured STG58 handguards STG58 bipod DSA new copy of a STG58 flash hider (short kind) DSA receiver (standard, parkerized) DSA machine aluminum lower DSA internals, trigger, safety, etc Imbel Bolt Carrier, bolt (refinished from gunpartsguy) Tapco SAW stock and grip (gunpartsguy) Tapco Stanag mount with picatinny adaptor All stainless spring kit from Falcon arms (including TPR kit) Weighs 9.6lbs total with Eotech I also added a T48 handguard and a SAW style carry handle I molded myself over a stock STG58 metal handle (had to be shorter to clear the picatinny). Using some excellent quality match 168grain Sierra bullets with winchester brass I was able to do around 1.5" groups at 25 yards (with one flyer). Probably not very good for a FAL but it was my first time with the gun, standing without a bipod or any support. The Eotech sight seems good for these short distances even with a big 308. The Stanag mount from Tapco is ok quality, but at 9 dollars you can't be too critical. Its also the only scope mount I know of with a FAL that allows full view of the iron sights without any blockage. The Tapco SAW hardware is really the only stock set I was comfortable with ergonomically. The Steyr kit I had just would not allow me to get a good cheekrest looking through the iron sights (just too damn high). Guess my ugly mug is a few sizes larger than the average Austrian's. Overall this was the most fun rifle build ever, thanks to ARS's excellent manual and the info gleened from this forum. Thanks falaholics! Love to hear your opinions.

February 11, 2007, 03:28	#2
Aifwikir Registered FALaholic #: 2187 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Magazine, Arkansas Posts: 3,061	Nice lookin' rifle you got there. It seems they're always BETTER if you build them yourself. You can take pride in saying "I built this!". Aif __________________ Cosmo the Lene,,, Smeller of old grease! http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m...ber3575new.jpg

February 11, 2007, 06:07	#5
Azrial Registered FALaholic #: 21440 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA, USA! Posts: 4,198	Looks like you did a very craftsmanlike job with your rifle, but seeing how high that sight is makes me realize that I will never use that TAPCO mount that I have just like it. __________________ A Police Officer shows just how much he cares everyday, even if it is the last thing he ever does.

February 13, 2007, 06:11	#7
elbo Registered FALaholic #: 8362 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: va Posts: 2,803	I see you have a heavy barrel planned. __________________ Keep your trust in God; Your government has failed you miserably. The Lord Gives Me Grace and the Devil Gives Me Style

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February 11, 2007, 05:40	#3
SIG552 Registered FALaholic #: 21446 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: FL350 somewhere Posts: 1,619	Well done! Hows your cheek weld with that EoTech? It seems very high.... SIG552

February 11, 2007, 06:03	#4
discogodfather Registered FALaholic #: 24239 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5	When using the iron sights, its actually better than with a G1 or Steyr style stock. With a big long face, nothing but a SAW stock from tapco can give you the clearance you need for iron sights. As for looking up at the eotech, I used a cheekpad that straps onto the stock and gives you something to "weld" up to, but its still not perfect. My goal here was to make a rifle that could use iron sights with no blockage from accessories. In order to use the Eotech I need the cheekpad, which does in fact creat a block for the iron sights. All in all this is an ongoing project for a weird setup, But I have to believe there is something that will make it work.

February 13, 2007, 00:56	#6
Edgsmth Registered FALaholic #: 25932 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: WNY Posts: 582	Your shop looks as squared away as your rifle. Inspirational.

February 16, 2007, 22:30	#8
discogodfather Registered FALaholic #: 24239 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5	.50bmg makes everything look small........