Century Arms FALs, any good?

[zhamm]

I just bought a Century Arms FN-FAL, mostly because of the price. I'm new to FALs, and am not even sure where this rifle originated. Comments?

[DABTL]

They have varied. My Century STG58 has performed flawlessly for the most part. Early on a bent gas piston and after a few thousand rds. a defective charging handle.

Some are reported to be POS.

Most get started with one of the Century guns and then add the correct parts to bring it around to a more exact clone.

Enjoy.

[TheOtherChris]

I have been very happy with my Century STG58.
It's on a gear logo receiver with new Austrian barrel.
It too had an early problem with a bent gas piston, but a quality replacement solved the problem.

I have seen others that IMHO weren't worth the bargain price.

If yours functions well and you are happy with it. Enjoy it. Use it to learn more about FALs.

[58772239]

i have a century stg58, built on an imbel, no gear logo, new us barrel, love it, i am not sure i like the inch reciever that it is built on, just do not like the loose mags, but it functions perfectly, and groups very well too

[jefferson101]

My Century L1A1 (Century receiver, 1pc gas piston)is up to about 1750 rounds through it, and it's still running like a top.

I polished the feed ramp and the chamber, and filed a bit on the takedown lock. It was a little too stiff to operate manually. Other than that, it's as it came from the factory.

[meganpoo]

I have a Century L1A1 Sporter, too. Heard the horror stories but the price was right. The newer ones seem to be OK. I have a one with a 01-XXXXX SN, single piece gas-piston (BTW, Century e-mailed me stating they are using single-piece gas pistons now). Takedown lever is a little stiff and I had to practically hose it down the clean it the first time, but so far through 200 rounds it shoots about as well as I can with my other rifles (which is not too great).

[gunhead]

Hi Guys;
My CAI is marked R1A1 Sporter and its on an Non-Gear logo Imbel with flip-up/down rear sight with STG style buttstock.
No Muzzle thingie, one piece piston & still in it
Seems to have a Chrome-lined barrel, shiny bore looks new!
Worked fine outta the box & I paid condsiderably more then todays prices & I only bought it about 6-8 months ago
GL with your new aquisition!

[DABTL]

I should add that my Century is equipped with a Hesse receiver. Never a problem with the receiver and when I had the gun blued the receiver turned out to be the hardest metal.

[dude47jp]

I bought one about a month ago it has a new century receiver with L1A1 parts and single piece gas piston it has worked great right out of box.

[Derby FALs]

Keep an eye on the piston. I thought mine was one peice but if finally loosend up and bent. Replaced it with a DSA.

[chucku]

I just bought an older thumbhole CAI L1A1 sporter with an imbel reciever. It shoots real well and functions perfect. I am verry pleased.

[Nihilist]

I have one built on an IMBEL and haven't had any problems at all and it shoots great.

[Mad Dog 7.62]

Just bought one. The good is that the fit and finish are pretty good, new barrel, good price, most all the parts look to be in excellent to new condition. The bad is that the replacement barrel they put on isn't grooved for a bipod like a STG58 should be, and the gas piston is slighty bent requiring the gas system to be run at "0" (fully closed) for the rifle to function. (New piston on order from DSA ) I have read in the FAQ's that Centrury has had a prob with bent gas pistons before...maybe it was "good enough" for them that the rifle will run with the gas reg closed. Haven't shot for accuracy yet, want the get it running right first, and it's been a little chilly here!!

[amstel78]

Mad Dog, the barrels on Century's L1A1 are acutally Aussie barrels, and never had the bipod ring on them. HTH

[Quake Guy]

If you are a perfectionist and/or like everything to be at the best it can be, buy a DSA or have one built for you.

If you just want a FAL to play with and may not be sure you really want to hang on to it, a Century gun may be for you.

I went Century, by the time I fixed everything and put a humpback stock on it, I could have had a nice premade gun for a couple hundred more. And I got a good gun with no real functional issues, if you got a Century POS, you could spend more fixing it. In addition my finish is marginal which if I was to have it refinished would eat up that couple hundred difference.

If you go Century, go with an Imbel receiver. I have seen them in Shotgun news for less than $500. The guns from IAI are nice and may be a good compromise between a highline FAL and a Century. They are price around $600-700.