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 Is circles in a circle on a FAL barrel the best?
astrafire  [Member]
3/24/2012 10:54:17 AM
I am not an FAL guy but a friend of mine who has since past is an FAL guy. During a gun show, my friend pointed to a 16/17" barreled FAL with about a 3" long muzzle device with 2 holes at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00, and said that particular barreled FAL is the best. Based on that prior pronouncement, I just bought one as he described in pristine condition (appears unfired) for $950. It has a DSA lower and the barrel has circles in a circle with lines at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00. The gun has the carry handle and most of the metal parts are grey.

Technically, what is this FAL/barrel? Is it the best? How much is it worth?
Powderfinger  [Team Member]
3/24/2012 11:11:42 AM
The barrel has been cut so the muzzzle device isn't necessarily original and not indicative of much. The best barrels are the KAL 7.62 marked Belgiuns made for the German G1 and Austrian STG 58 and the Styer made Austrian STG 58 marked VCL 140. The Styer made barrels are considered the best of the best. The G1 barrels are usually not pristine though, being well used. The Austrians VCL 140s are typically like new or excellent condition. I don't recall what the "circles in a circle with lines at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00" barrel is.

ETA: These are metric versions. The inch versions made by the Brits and Aussies is a whole other story, both considered top notch.
astrafire  [Member]
3/24/2012 11:49:45 AM
Yes, the barrel has VCL 140 also along with two proof marks. I have received two pm's indicating the barrel to probably be a cut-down steyr from a run that DSA did about 9 years ago.
Hebrew_Battle_Rifle  [Team Member]
3/24/2012 2:03:56 PM

Originally Posted By Powderfinger: I don't recall what the "circles in a circle with lines at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00" barrel is.

He is describing the Steyr logo.


Powderfinger  [Team Member]
3/24/2012 2:52:04 PM
Does the rest of the rifle have serial numbers matching the barrel? Lower receiver, bolt and bolt carrier will be numbered if you have a complete STG 58 kit.
I sold a pristine, matching numbers STG 58 with the VCL 140 barrel built on a DSA Type 2 receiver for $950 a year and a half ago. They are selling for $1000-$1100 now days so you did OK.
If it came with a bunch of mags and/or ammo, you did great.
astrafire  [Member]
3/24/2012 5:11:31 PM
Originally Posted By Powderfinger:
Does the rest of the rifle have serial numbers matching the barrel? Lower receiver, bolt and bolt carrier will be numbered if you have a complete STG 58 kit.
I sold a pristine, matching numbers STG 58 with the VCL 140 barrel built on a DSA Type 2 receiver for $950 a year and a half ago. They are selling for $1000-$1100 now days so you did OK.
If it came with a bunch of mags and/or ammo, you did great.


Numbers all match.
Do not know about receiver.
Came with 5 mags and a soft case with pouches for the mags.
Hebrew_Battle_Rifle  [Team Member]
3/24/2012 5:33:52 PM

Originally Posted By astrafire:
It has a DSA lower
What features lead you to conclude that the lower was made by DSA?
astrafire  [Member]
3/24/2012 5:42:58 PM
Originally Posted By Hebrew_Battle_Rifle:

Originally Posted By astrafire:
It has a DSA lower
What features lead you to conclude that the lower was made by DSA?


Says DSAinc LK Barrington on one side and SA58 on the other.
Hebrew_Battle_Rifle  [Team Member]
3/24/2012 6:32:11 PM

Originally Posted By astrafire:
Originally Posted By Hebrew_Battle_Rifle:

Originally Posted By astrafire:
It has a DSA lower
What features lead you to conclude that the lower was made by DSA?


Says DSAinc LK Barrington on one side and SA58 on the other.
That isn't the lower. That is the upper.
Berserkr556  [Member]
3/24/2012 10:14:20 PM
The best of the metric bbl's are the Steyr made. The best of the inch bbl's was Aussie made by Lithgow, the non-chrome lined version.