Did Para FAL always have shorter factory barrel?

Beyond_Visual_Range · February 14, 2009, 21:07

Just wondering if Para FAL were all done with factory short barrel. Or if some Para FAL also had regular length barrel?

**Andy the Aussie** · February 14, 2009, 21:16

They came with both the standard 21 inch (?) barrel as well as the 17 and a bit or 18 inch tubes I believe....someone versed in the subject will no doubt clarify with a 50:6... something number

Cobrafreak1 · February 14, 2009, 22:23

I don't know how long the original FN Para barrels were, but DSA has them in 16" and 18" inch. I'm in CA and can only have the 18" because folded it is 30 1/4" in length. Has to be at least 30" long folded-John

nwobhm · February 14, 2009, 22:28

Quote:

Originally posted by Beyond_Visual_Range
Just wondering if Para FAL were all done with factory short barrel. Or if some Para FAL also had regular length barrel?

I think it was:

50.61 & 50.64 =21"
50.63= 16" or 18"

Beyond_Visual_Range · February 14, 2009, 23:42

So there were authentic 16" barrel Para FAL then? I thought it's only 18" barrel.

Does anyone know if there's any reliability issue with 16" barrel, does the gas hole have to be opened up?

Barbcue · February 15, 2009, 00:02

hi,
i have a factory imbel barrel that is 16"
also have a factory Belgian that is 17 or 18" cant remember off hand..

Blue Monster · February 15, 2009, 00:32

Quote:

50.61 & 50.64 =21"

Original Para 50.61: 21" barrel, and the sexiest IMHO.

Kinda like Elizabeth Hurley...

in a mini skirt

**Andy the Aussie** · February 15, 2009, 00:42

Quote:

Originally posted by Blue Monster
Original Para 50.61: 21" barrel, and the sexiest IMHO.

...see that is why it is a good thing there are options in the world, I have ALWAYS thought the 21 inch paras looked "wrong" .... not bad just wrong, yes I would have one, no I would not tell my friends about it....

Blue Monster · February 15, 2009, 09:31

Sam says Blasphemy!
Liz is his favorite FAL.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

**J. Armstrong** · February 15, 2009, 09:38

The 50.61s, at 21" are by far the most common variant, both military and commercial. The 50.63s at either 18" or 17 3/8" were substantially less common, with the .64s at 21" being least common.
I have heard about 16" factory barreled paras but have never seen one. I believe that they are by far the rarest para variant.

Personally, I think the 21" 50.00s are the " prettiest". the paras, being a bit more "industrial" looking seem more businesslike ( and more practical ) in the 18" persuasion.. I have always felt that if you wanted the folding stock to ease storage/transport, you may as well lose 3" of barrel and optimize that situation. That last 3" doesn't do much anyway !! ( wish the GF felt that way

)

February 14, 2009, 21:07	#1
Beyond_Visual_Range Registered FALaholic #: 5097 Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 233	Did Para FAL always have shorter factory barrel? Just wondering if Para FAL were all done with factory short barrel. Or if some Para FAL also had regular length barrel?

February 15, 2009, 00:02	#6
Barbcue Registered FALaholic #: 5782 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CALI Posts: 2,841	hi, i have a factory imbel barrel that is 16" also have a factory Belgian that is 17 or 18" cant remember off hand.. __________________ Bring back the Chicken Mitt !

February 15, 2009, 09:31	#9
Blue Monster Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 21622 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MI Posts: 1,761	Sam says Blasphemy! Liz is his favorite FAL. [IMG][/IMG] __________________ I wouldn't recommend sex, drugs or insanity for everyone, but they've always worked for me. - Hunter S. Thompson Just a soldier in the war against chastity.

February 15, 2009, 09:38	#10
J. Armstrong Minister of Amusement Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 13629 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SE Pa Posts: 8,502	The 50.61s, at 21" are by far the most common variant, both military and commercial. The 50.63s at either 18" or 17 3/8" were substantially less common, with the .64s at 21" being least common. I have heard about 16" factory barreled paras but have never seen one. I believe that they are by far the rarest para variant. Personally, I think the 21" 50.00s are the " prettiest". the paras, being a bit more "industrial" looking seem more businesslike ( and more practical ) in the 18" persuasion.. I have always felt that if you wanted the folding stock to ease storage/transport, you may as well lose 3" of barrel and optimize that situation. That last 3" doesn't do much anyway !! ( wish the GF felt that way ) __________________ "The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools" Herbert Spenser "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

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February 14, 2009, 22:23	#3
Cobrafreak1 Registered FALaholic #: 41405 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 134	I don't know how long the original FN Para barrels were, but DSA has them in 16" and 18" inch. I'm in CA and can only have the 18" because folded it is 30 1/4" in length. Has to be at least 30" long folded-John

February 14, 2009, 23:42	#5
Beyond_Visual_Range Registered FALaholic #: 5097 Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 233	So there were authentic 16" barrel Para FAL then? I thought it's only 18" barrel. Does anyone know if there's any reliability issue with 16" barrel, does the gas hole have to be opened up?