H&K 91 vs FN 50.00

[PetroPower]

I've been wanting to buy an honest to goodness Belgian 50.00 for a little while now. However, it seems prices on the H&Ks are really soft at the moment. What are the similarities and differences? Is a nice Belgian 50.00 at $2200 as good of a deal as a nice M-91 at, let's say, $1800? TIA!

 

[DK]

All gun prices seem to be soft right now. It's a great time to buy! All things being equal, I'll take the FAL over the Hk91 every time. The FAL has cheaper mags, parts, (parts are PLENTIFUL), better ergonomics, looks nicer, NOT made of stamped sheetmetal, (personal preference), last shot hold open, easier to field strip and clean, etc, etc.

My opinion...

DK

------------------
Historically Freedom is bought with steel, not gold...

 

[Abominog]

If you want a "real" 50.00 then you're buying as a collector, not a shooter.

In that case, buy like stocks...buy cheap, and something you can move faster. The HKs are generally better known and will sell faster.

If you want a shooter, get the FAL.

 

[paintballmagnet]

While both of these are good rifles, the HK is like a chopping axe compared to the FAL's handling characteristics. I have owned both and would not hesitate trading a 91 for a pre-ban FAL.

 

[Tully]

The HK-91 is an excellent rifle. It is very rugged, accurate, and reliable. It has more recoil, particularly if you run into the famous "bolt problem". It craps-up your brass and throws them into the bushes, and does not remain "open" after the last round.

The Belgian 50.00 is the best battle rifle ever made. It comes close to perfection. I also like the Sig AMT, the Sig 57 (not 7.62x51), the M14, and the Galil better than the HK-91. They all have their good and lessor points. However, the FN 50.00 is in a class by itself. There is nothing about the rifle that I don't like. It is to the battle rifle what the pre-64 Winchester is to the bolt gun, or the 1911 .45 Auto is to the defensive handgun. Simply the best.

 

[m60mgman]

I have to agree with the above sentiments. The refinement of the FN is head and shoulders above the HK91, and so much more fun to shoot. For a collector, it is whatever excites you. I have examples of the FN and various HK guns, and there is no question the owner's pride is superior with the FN. You really see the quality with all those machined parts. No visible welds, no stamped metal receiver. Putting a scope mount on will mar both to some extent. Much easier to adjust the FN sights. Mag release is easier to use on the FN. Safety easier to use, too.
If you have a registered sear, the HK is fun to shoot full auto, but other than that, I recommend the FN.

 

[RRotz]

the HK is imho, a very hard operating rifle. the recoil is brutal, beyond my handling ablilities in rapid fire. if you're looking for a rugged rifle the HK is definately a solid rifle, not reliant on gas operation, hard on brass and basically everything else metal in the rifle. the FAL is the absolute best all around battle rifle design and we're talking field use here. you can break it down and inspect every aspect of the rifle in the field and under pressure.

if you can find a belgian, GRAB IT! i plan to do the same real soon. it's a buyers market and you should consider a $2k deal on a 50.00 import a very good deal indeed.

 

[PetroPower]

Thanks for all the great comments guys!

 

[PetroPower]

Originally posted by Tully:

The HK-91 is an excellent rifle. It is very rugged, accurate, and reliable. It has more recoil, particularly if you run into the famous "bolt problem <snip>

Would someone please elaborate as to the "famous bolt problem" ? Thanks!

 

[DABTL]

When the Third Reich fell, a gun called the stg45 was on the drawing boards and a few were produced. It was a gun to be made with crude machinery and had a delayed blow back design in the bolt.

After being redesigned and tested in secret in Spain it was licensed by the West German goverment to H&K, FMP and a host of others.

The gun was designated G3 & CETME. It is stamped sheetmetal mostly.

The recoil is brutal. The cartridge is ejected to the right front of the gun. Each cartridge has a tell tale dent in the side of the hull. It falls about 20ft out to the right front.

The Germans have done a great job selling the sizzle on this cleverly designed gun. I prefer almost any other rifle to shoot.

 

[SteveS]

I am probably in the minority here, but I actually like the handling characteristics of the HK-91. It's shorter than the standard FAL, and comes on target better for me than the FAL. The greatest improvement to my shooting the HK-91 was when I got the slimline forearm. The tropical forearm that takes the bipod was way to big for my tastes. Getting a trigger job from Williiams Trigger Specialties also helped a great deal.

Now don't get me wrong, I really like the FAL. The graceful lines and machined steel put the HK to shame in those categories. And I'm sure I would like the handling of an 18" para FAL best of all. If only I could get a para buttstock for my SAR-48 at a decent price!

Now I don't know where these brutal recoil comments come from. I've been shooting the HK-91 for almost 20 years and the recoil has never bothered me at all. On the contrary, when I shot my first FAL 2 years ago I was surprised by the brutal recoil ON MY CHEEK! This was on a SAR-48 standard with a humpback stock. My cheek hurt for days after that range session. I have since learned to move my face a little forward on the stock which has helped somewhat.

My advice with these difficult decisions is to get both.

Steve

 

[Templar]

Both FN 50.00's and H&K 91's are excellent rifles.

The market on H&K's is pretty soft right now, you can find them all over the web. Real FN 50.00's are a little more rare.

The ergonomics of the FAL are superior to the H&K, but then they are superior to most any other rifle. The H&K is still pretty fast handling, and they shoot well. If you get the TAC LATCH installed, mag changes are much quicker and easier. Sights also seem more rugged on the H&K than the FN.

I don't understand the "brutal recoil" comment either. Yes, the FAL is softer with the gas properly adjusted, but I have no problem shooting the H&K's either.

Again, both are excellent designs and both have served in various conflicts all over the globe with honor, but for pure investment value, the FN is the better choice in my opinion.

You'd be very well armed with either though.

Good luck in your decision.

Of course, the proper decision is to buy both!

 

[Hawk]

I like both. The FAL is definately better ergonomically designed than the HK91. The FAL is also a bit lighter, at least it feels lighter. But, I find the HK91 a lot more accurate. FAL is the carry battle rifle while the HK91 is for short range sniping.

Have no idea what "brutal" recoil you guys a talking about? I don't think that the kick is unmanagable, even in rapid fire. Feels no more or less than M14. Need to go out and shoot that bolt action 30-06 more often.

 

[exsanguinate]

I had a HK91 and Springfield SAR3. Sold both. Now I have 2 STG's. That says it all

 

[fubar]

I had an HK91 in the past, and found the ergos and balance to be pretty poor. Neat, reliable gun though. Recoilwise, shooting one with the collapsible stock and metal buttplate is like holding a meat grinder on your shoulder. I much prefer my SA-58 Lightweight, the ergos are much nicer, recoil can be adjusted thru the gas system settings, and I prefer milled steel to stamped anyway

.

 

[msu89dawgs]

I've had two HK-91's (actual HKs, not clones), and have owned one Belgian FAL (21" barrel with Para folding stock) and two Springfield SAR-48s in the past. I get misty eyed thinking about the FN, as it is probably the nicest rifle I have ever owned.

To me, the FAL is much more enjoyable to shoot. I agree the the recoil on the 91 is very stiff, considering the weight of the rifle, which felt heavier to me than the FAL. The ergonomics on the FAL are also better, and the asthetics of the FAL are much nicer. For shooting purposes, the only HK's I'd really like to have are a 33 and MP-5 (both Class 3's), but I ain't got the dime for either one.

George Gouger currently has an Imbel receiver and Imbel parts kit that he is building for me. I've looked at having a 91 clone built on a FMP receiver, but just don't think I'd enjoy the rifle enough to justify the cost.

$.02 deposited....