My first FAL! Imbel STG-58 Update: Range Day

DTOM1776 · June 18, 2012, 16:31

After much longing, I finally acquired my first FAL. I work with M4's, but I am not very familiar with this platform yet. Here is what I know about the gun:

Imbel Gear Logo receiver (Imported by PAC), STG-58 parts, unknown railed top-cover.

After removing the digital camo paint job, I disassembled the weapon to inspect the internals. Everything seems to show very little wear, plus lockup is tight on bolt, sear, safety, magazine, etc. Functions check is a go.

I've been lurking here for a while, even went as far as to register since I was spending so much time sponging up knowledge from the forums... I couldn't help but post some pics of my new baby.

If any of you experts here can tell me anything else about it just by looking, I'd be grateful. I have about $850 in the gun so far, so hopefully I didn't get hosed. I plan to use this rifle for 3-Gun competition (H.M.)

Best regards,

A.

Arby · June 18, 2012, 16:35

Congratulations on your new acquisition!

If you paid $850.00 for an Stg kit on an Imbel receiver and everything looks good, you scored a nice deal!

BigBangStick · June 18, 2012, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTOM1776

After much longing, I finally acquired my first FAL... Imbel Gear Logo receiver (Imported by PAC), STG-58 parts, unknown railed ... I couldn't help but post some pics of my new baby.

A.

Welcome Aboard, (officially). Where are the pics?

DTOM1776 · June 18, 2012, 16:42

Pictures up... Took me a minute and one is still upside down. I'm headed to the basement to get a hammer and fix it.

G3isMe · June 18, 2012, 16:42

That is probably the best deal I have heard of for a FAL in a long time. Good Job! Looks like an STG to me, well done. Plus you got a rail top cover with it too. If you don't want to use that you can find an original top cover on the Marketplace for probably $10-20, any metric topcover will fit on it, not just an original STG.

nwobhm · June 18, 2012, 16:49

Buy a new Steyr or FN cover. Lose the rail. Great gun.

SmokeEater2 · June 18, 2012, 16:52

Congrats on a nice STG and welcome to the 'files!

DTOM1776 · June 18, 2012, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwobhm

Buy a new Steyr or FN cover. Lose the rail. Great gun.

Good advice, I have my eye out for one since I won't be using optics. I hate the way this railed cover attaches, using back plates on those cheap-looking screws. The person I got it from had a scope mounted and a ton of paint; I want to make this into a K.I.S.S. setup.

Thanks for all the replies! I plan on a range trip this weekend to confirm the irons and feel out any potential issues before I put it to work.

Sperzuki · June 18, 2012, 17:04

Nice!! I love the FH!!

crcksht · June 18, 2012, 17:10

The locking latch standing so far from vertical would worry me a little. I would try another locking pin or fit that one for better lock-up. Nice buy though.

FALRifle · June 18, 2012, 19:29

Nice looking rifle!

**Hebrew Battle Rifle** · June 20, 2012, 22:04

I would recommend replacing those hand guards with surplus synthetic and save those metal guards for display. Unless of course you like to wear an oven mitt while you shoot.

Edited to add:
Welcome to the blah blah blah. Glad to have yada ydad yada. All that jazz!

**jimmbob** · June 21, 2012, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTOM1776

Good advice, I have my eye out for one since I won't be using optics. I hate the way this railed cover attaches, using back plates on those cheap-looking screws. The person I got it from had a scope mounted and a ton of paint;

Quite the deal for $850.- Good job on removing the disturbing paint job

Here's a few topcovers on GB. Seller is top notch:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=292333150

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=292623757

DTOM1776 · June 22, 2012, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmbob

Quite the deal for $850.- Good job on removing the disturbing paint job

Thanks, I don't mind a painted rifle, but I HATE digital camo, it's garbage no matter how well done. I sold the rail to another member here, and am buying a cover from another member, and a railed forend from a third, haha. I love this place already, top notch group. Once my .308 reloading stuff gets in, I will be in more trouble than I know what to do with...

DTOM1776 · June 30, 2012, 13:58

After a little wheelin' and dealin' with some great members in the marketplace forum, I swapped the top cover and the too-skinny hand guards for a nice smooth cover and some rails.

Then, I finally got some range time today. This is my equivalent of poker night, except we draw hands at 75m and it happens around sunrise before the temperatures start to climb (107 yesterday and today).

The rifle shoots great and soaks up the recoil. I was contemplating a shorter barrel, but I am 6'3" and it really fits my wookie frame perfectly. Now I just need a SAW grip and a safety that stops at the semi mark... I also think it wants a paint job

(no digi-cam.)

June 18, 2012, 16:31	#1
DTOM1776 Registered FALaholic #: 65432 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Louisville Posts: 19	My first FAL! Imbel STG-58 Update: Range Day After much longing, I finally acquired my first FAL. I work with M4's, but I am not very familiar with this platform yet. Here is what I know about the gun: Imbel Gear Logo receiver (Imported by PAC), STG-58 parts, unknown railed top-cover. After removing the digital camo paint job, I disassembled the weapon to inspect the internals. Everything seems to show very little wear, plus lockup is tight on bolt, sear, safety, magazine, etc. Functions check is a go. I've been lurking here for a while, even went as far as to register since I was spending so much time sponging up knowledge from the forums... I couldn't help but post some pics of my new baby. If any of you experts here can tell me anything else about it just by looking, I'd be grateful. I have about $850 in the gun so far, so hopefully I didn't get hosed. I plan to use this rifle for 3-Gun competition (H.M.) Best regards, A. __________________ - Celeritas, Mirum, Violentia Actionis - Last edited by DTOM1776; June 30, 2012 at 13:59. Reason: Update

June 18, 2012, 16:42	#4
DTOM1776 Registered FALaholic #: 65432 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Louisville Posts: 19	Pictures up... Took me a minute and one is still upside down. I'm headed to the basement to get a hammer and fix it. __________________ - Celeritas, Mirum, Violentia Actionis -

June 18, 2012, 16:42	#5
G3isMe Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 6530 Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,752	That is probably the best deal I have heard of for a FAL in a long time. Good Job! Looks like an STG to me, well done. Plus you got a rail top cover with it too. If you don't want to use that you can find an original top cover on the Marketplace for probably $10-20, any metric topcover will fit on it, not just an original STG. __________________ "I believe that time wounds all heels" ----John Lennon

June 18, 2012, 16:52	#7
SmokeEater2 Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 10990 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NC Arkansas Posts: 3,296	Congrats on a nice STG and welcome to the 'files! __________________ "A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards." ~ President Theodore Roosevelt Welcome to New Zimbabwe, Previously known as the United States of America.

June 18, 2012, 17:04	#9
Sperzuki Registered Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 63037 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 145	1st FAL!! Nice!! I love the FH!! __________________ Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they're NOT out to get me!!!

June 18, 2012, 16:35	#2
Arby Registered FALaholic #: 653 Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 3,489	Congratulations on your new acquisition! If you paid $850.00 for an Stg kit on an Imbel receiver and everything looks good, you scored a nice deal!

June 18, 2012, 16:49	#6
nwobhm ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ FALaholic #: 9580 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: USA Posts: 5,925	Buy a new Steyr or FN cover. Lose the rail. Great gun.

June 18, 2012, 17:10	#10
crcksht Registered FALaholic #: 15315 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Volunteer State Posts: 1,159	The locking latch standing so far from vertical would worry me a little. I would try another locking pin or fit that one for better lock-up. Nice buy though. __________________ "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." -- George Washington "A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves ... and include all men capable of bearing arms." "To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms..." -- Richard Henry Lee - Senator, First Congress "I ask you sir, who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people." (Elliott, Debates, 425-426) --George Mason

June 18, 2012, 19:29	#11
FALRifle Registered FALaholic #: 66120 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Plano, Illinois Posts: 429	Nice looking rifle!

June 20, 2012, 22:04	#12
Hebrew Battle Rifle Horses Ass Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 5777 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Arkansas Posts: 6,812	I would recommend replacing those hand guards with surplus synthetic and save those metal guards for display. Unless of course you like to wear an oven mitt while you shoot. Edited to add: Welcome to the blah blah blah. Glad to have yada ydad yada. All that jazz! __________________ THANK YOU JESUS

June 30, 2012, 13:58	#15
DTOM1776 Registered FALaholic #: 65432 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Louisville Posts: 19	Range Day After a little wheelin' and dealin' with some great members in the marketplace forum, I swapped the top cover and the too-skinny hand guards for a nice smooth cover and some rails. Then, I finally got some range time today. This is my equivalent of poker night, except we draw hands at 75m and it happens around sunrise before the temperatures start to climb (107 yesterday and today). The rifle shoots great and soaks up the recoil. I was contemplating a shorter barrel, but I am 6'3" and it really fits my wookie frame perfectly. Now I just need a SAW grip and a safety that stops at the semi mark... I also think it wants a paint job (no digi-cam.) __________________ - Celeritas, Mirum, Violentia Actionis -

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