I've been debating on building or buying a FAL and have been spending a lot of time reading up on the various kits and receivers available as well as the pros/cons of building vs. buying.  Garuda has also given me some pointers on building as well for which I am grateful. I'm  aware that the current prices of a ready-made FAL is actually less than the cost of buying and building but I don't mind spending the time or the money to buy the necessary tools and to actually build it. Having said that, I would also consider having a reputable gunsmith build the rifle for a reasonable price to avoid the hassle of buying the tools and potentially risk screwing things up.  Has anybody in the 2AHawaii community built their own FAL? Is there a reputable gunsmith in Hawaii who has the experience of putting one together? Any advice/recommendation would be appreciated.

~F

A friend who lives in Texas recently picked up a DSA (at least I think) produced FAL.  I'd have to ask him, but I don't think it was very much. 

I believe he also looked up the option of buying a receiver and building. I recall there being issues, but not the details.  I can ask him for details if you'd like. 

I do know that mag quality/function as well as availability and cost are issues.  Something about him having to live with "good enough" mags. 

A friend who lives in Texas recently picked up a DSA (at least I think) produced FAL.  I'd have to ask him, but I don't think it was very much. 

I believe he also looked up the option of buying a receiver and building. I recall there being issues, but not the details.  I can ask him for details if you'd like. 

I do know that mag quality/function as well as availability and cost are issues.  Something about him having to live with "good enough" mags.

Thanks.  I've been looking at the DSA Fals as one option. People who own them seem to like them. Atlanticfirearms sells the DSA Fal 18" for $1K.  It's a nice package but I think its built on a DSA-made receiver. The receiver has received less than stellar reviews of late.

https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=2761&virtuemart_category_id=23&Itemid=725

Having said that, I would also consider having a reputable gunsmith build the rifle for a reasonable price to avoid the hassle of buying the tools and potentially risk screwing things up.

Why else would you build a firearm?

Thanks.  I've been looking at the DSA Fals as one option. People who own them seem to like them. Atlanticfirearms sells the DSA Fal 18" for $1K.  It's a nice package but I think its built on its own receiver. The receiver has received less than stellar reviews of late.

https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=2761&virtuemart_category_id=23&Itemid=725

That's the one that he bought.  He mentioned that other than the trigger being "just terrible. It's long, spongy and heavy".  He accepted that the gun was designed and built as a battle rifle and not with fine accuracy in mind. 

Another aspect that didn't impress him was the iron sights.  I've shot DSA FALs before and I thought the sights were fine.  And I recall the trigger being just fine as well.  Was able to easily ring the steel plates (say about 16" by 16") out about 240-250 yards no problems. 

Arizona Response Systems has been doing good work on assembling FALs and L1A1s for years.   He calls himself the Gun Plumber,    You can also read  FAL Files to get ideas of building your own or which manufacturers have good reps.    I've always wanted a DSA made  FAL myself but never did get one over the years.
https://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/index.html
http://www.falfiles.com/forums/index.php

Here's me shooting James' FAL clone at the range today. I hit the metal targets 3 out of 4 times.

Thats a HK91 clone with rails ( PTR build) . Not a FAL.

It is much cheaper to buy a DSA FAL at $799 than to build a 922r compliant; from the surplus Israeli part (metric).  Imbels  metric and British inch parts are long gone.

Thats a HK91 clone with rails ( PTR build) . Not a FAL.

I wouldn't mind owning one of those either!   

Thats a HK91 clone with rails ( PTR build) . Not a FAL.

The general appearance of the two platforms are very similar and I also thought they were essentially the same until I started reading about them.

I have built HK from flats, but not FAL's.

HK are relatively easy and only requires one weld for the trunnion. Most parts fit nicely and only modification required for a semi is the trigger pack. It involves the removal of the Auto Sear and cutting the house to disable the sear slot. Also the forward  push pin slot for the trigger pack must NOT exist on the receiver.

Other Full auto parts may be used in the build.

Thats a HK91 clone with rails ( PTR build) . Not a FAL.

Oh, he told me what it was but couldn't remember.

Garuda set me up with his Imbel on Imbel parts kit.

Mahalo, Garuda! 

Nice kit, it even has the receiver. How much was it?

Nice kit, it even has the receiver. How much was it?

PM on the way.

very very nice !!! I'm jealous

Garuda set me up with his Imbel on Imbel parts kit.

Mahalo, Garuda! 

  can't wait to see the finished product! 

Here she is!





I couldn't find a local source of gunkote and online sources refused to ship to Hawaii so I opted to paint her with Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy Paint from a $4.50 rattle can which I decanted and applied using an airbrush to the metal after parkerizing. The paint was then baked for an hour at 400 deg.  The baking knocked off the gloss and the finish came out better than expected. The finish is reportedly hard and impervious to solvents but only time will tell.

All that's missing is the rubber stock butt pad which I left off before snapping the photos.

I am currently range testing her to ensure reliability.

Here she is!





I couldn't find a source of gunkote so I opted to paint her with Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy which I applied using an airbrush and baked it for an hour at 400 deg.  The baking knocked off the gloss and the finish came out better than expected. The finish is reportedly hard and impervious to solvents but only time will tell.

All that's missing is the rubber stock butt pad which I left off before snapping the photos.

I am currently range testing her to ensure reliability.

nice!