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Posted: 2/3/2005 6:28:16 AM EDT
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Hi all, I'm brand new to Fal's and I have some questions I know you can answer. I came across a used DSA at a shop near me and I am interested in purchasing it. I dont know the model number but it has a 21" Stainless barrel that the gun shop guy called a "medium wieght" barrel. He also had a new dsa that had a "lightweight" barrel. He said the used(very clean) rifle was 1,795 new and was a great deal at $1,100 and suggested the s/s barrel was much better than the standard barrel.The standard barrel model was around 1,400. Whats the difference with type 1,2 and 3 receivers? How easy is the fal to maitain? Whats the accuracy,distance trade off from the 21" to a 24". I'm looking for a fun 200-300 yard range gun that would also be practical for long range zombie use  Oh...most important..I'm a left handed shooter and the guy said the brass will fly so far to the left that i dont need to worry about brass hitting my face...is this bs or not? Thanks for the help! |
| FALs are easy to maintain and in my opinion better than the AR10 and M14. The difference in receivers lies in the amount of machine work done to them. The type 1 and 2 have more lightening cuts than the type 3, which has minimal machining. Some say that the type 3 is better because it is more rigid. |
1) For a lightly used, very good condition DSA SA58, $1100 sounds fair to me. Make sure it's DSA from tip to tip though, and not just the receiver...and make sure the receiver says "SA58" on it. Not that it's the only good receiver, but it's what commands that price. FAL's are notorious for being parts guns, and parts for them run the range from very well made to total shit. If you know the shop where it is and trust them, I wouldn't worry. If you are concerned, get the factory new rifle. Make sure you're talking about a DSA SA58 & not a DSA STG58. Both are great guns, but the STG's cost under a grand new. 2) As for receiver types...1,2 or 3....there is very little to be concerned about as far as distinguishing between them. If it's a DSA receiver, you'd never know the difference....all are very well made, all are as strong as you or I or anyone would ever need it to be. It's more a matter of asthetics rather than function. Type 3 has less cuts, more metal, but that isn't a huge selling point to me. None of their receivers ever breaks, so more metal just means heavier...and that's that. Research these rifles at DSA's web page. Check out the receivers, the differences between the STG58's & the SA58's. SA58's sell for well over $1000. STG58's sell for less than $1000, new. Both are nice, but know what you're buying...read all the markings on the rifles, write them down and post it here if you have any questions. DSArms Web Page Link..................... |
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$1100 is a very good price in the condition you describe. Barrel length alone has nothing to do with accuracy. The velocity difference between 21" and 24" is not significant for most types of shooting you would use a FAL for. It's basically a civvie version of a Mil. issue rifle - thus easy to maintain. I am a Lefty myself - No problems with my DSA Stg58 - ( or any other semi rifle BTW ) Buy it ! 
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If you're a lefty, try out an M1A. You will think it was made for you. The FAL and the H+K are not noted for their friendliness to the left-handed shooter. You can train around it, but with the M1A such is not needed. The AR-10 can be equipped with Ambi controls at extra cost, but it would be more expensive than either the alternatives you mentioned above or a rack-grade M1A. In addition, some AR-10 users have reported some reliability issues, |
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First off, I like FAL's much more than I like the other .308 Semi-Auto Battle rifles. If the rifle in question is a true DSA SA-58, then it is a good buy at $1,100.oo , but if it is a parts gun... built on a DSA receiver then it can be purchased for much less. That is why the DSA StG-58 sells for less than $1000.oo, they are parts kits built at the factory on a DSA receiver. You can find parts built guns for sale as low as $500.oo or so. As for DSA receivers, they are built like tanks. Good receivers are; DSA, FAC "Coonan", & Imbel "Gear Logo". All others are suspect. The difference between type 1, 2, & 3. amount of metal removed for making it lighter. It doesn't matter. A good receiver is a good receiver. I like the type 1 receivers. They look cool. I am building a 16 inch Paratrooper model FAL, on a FAC Coonan Type 1 receiver (with out the carry handle). As stated above, barrel length is not an indicator of accuracy. I find the 16 inch models are easier to handle than the 21 inch rifle length models. If I want sub MOA then I grab the Bolt action Model 700 BDL with 6-24 x 50mm "mil dot" scope. The carbine paratrooper model is for the fast action playing at the 3-Gun matches. With a DSA carbine or rifle you will have no trouble zapping zombies out to 800 yards with good optic. |
Get a bore light/flash light...something to hold in the chamber and look down the bore with. Should be clean with sharp rifling. Look for any parts, internally or externally that show excessive wear. If the finish is good on the outside, frequently, thats a good sign that the previous owner either really cared for the rifle or didn't use it much. Both are good signs. Once the rifle receivers have been opened, you're looking at the firing mechanisms. Again, clean, without any excessive wear...and the bore/barrel are in good shape, you're pretty much done. Now if something is mechanically wrong with it, often this will only be discovered by firing it. Looking for wear is 85% common sense, 15% knowledge of the gun. If it looks funny/worn/second rate...then it is. If it's clean, sharp edges, smooth surfaces then you're probably looking at a gun worth owning. |
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I had a chance to take another look at the rifle and it is a SA-58. The gun store owner said it a factory gun not a kit gun but it has a 21" s/s barrel with a seperate muzzle brake and I cant find that option on the dsa website for the medium contour series. Is it possible they dont have all the options listed or that it is an older model. It really looks in great shape. It was a trade in on a carbine dsa and the gun store guy vouched for the owner and said he would warranty it for 30 days even though its a consignment gun. |
The muzzle brake could have been added later, but I don't know of an SA58 model, w/ a 21" stainless barrel with a brake. Could be wrong, but I don't think it was offered. DSA will do almost anything you want to a rifle, so who knows? I'd be more concerned with getting the right answer to one question. Is the rifle 100% DSA? Let them know that there is no current DSA offered w/ a 21" barrel & muzzle brake and you just want to make sure before you fork over $1000. So far, my gut instinct is to say buy it. Everything seems good so far. Wait too long, and someone else will grab the deal you hedged over. |
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