18" vs 16" FAL

[markthenewf]

Here's the deal:

Bought a FAL on sale tonight for about the same price as an AR10. I'm sure the salesperson felt like I was pulling teeth. Anyways, I was assured that it was the 16-incher. Got home and looked at the packing slip in the case. I apparently have an 18" FAL (SA58C18) not a 16" (SA58C16). DOH!

I wanted as short a barrel as possible, but is there really any difference between the two? Really the barrel velocities will probably be within 100 FPS or so. The shop is amicable to swap it out *IF* their distributor has one. Right now it looks as though they don't, so I'd be on a waiting list for it. The distributor is closed on the weekend, so they can't even ask them when they can get the next one. I'm in no big rush but, like most folks, I won't wait months for it.

Am I being too fussy over 2" of barrel? Does it really matter for a 30 caliber FAL?

Does anyone have a 16 inch barreled FAL they can take a tape measure to so that I've got something to compare with? The DSA website indicates all the SA58 rifles are all the same length!

[G.A. Heath]

Get a rod of some sort (Dowel or cleaning rod). Close the action and place the rod into the barrel until it reaches the breach face. At this point mark the rod some how and remove it. Measure from the end of the rod to the mark and this will give you the barrel length.

[Monker10]

Congrats on your SA58. I just got mine this December. When I was shopping and doing research on the rifle I also wondered about the barrel length. I wanted a shorted barrel to so it could be more versatile, but reading several first hand experiences with the shorter 16 inch barrel seems to effect performance of the .308 cartridge and also is much louder and more recoil, while the 18 inch barrel seems to be closer to the performance of the original 21 inch barrel. So if it was me i woud stick with the 18 " .There are several discussions about this topic for you to look up so you can decide for your self.
As for me I decided to go for the 21 inch barrel after all to keep it true to specs but with a medium contour barrel and I am very happy with it. It's very accurate! I figured it's already a heavy weapon already so it's not likely I am going to be clearing rooms with it so it's better as an accurate long range rifle.

[Syntax360]

I agree with Monker - I think things actually worked out in your favor. The general consensus seems to be that 18" is the sweet spot for that caliber/platform, and while a 16" might be ever-so-slightly more "handy", you don't buy a FAL if you're looking for a light, small carbine. For what it is, I think 18" is just about perfect.

[big 54r]

Mark as charlie sheen would say you're "winning!"

Keep the 18' unless it'll be a total trunk gun which I doubt being a Fal. (get far cheaper gun for that!)

[markthenewf]

Thanks for the input, guys. I'll be keeping it.

I did a range trip Sunday afternoon. The good news to me is that out of 60 rounds of every type of ammo I have, not one failure/misfeed/stoppage. That's better than the LAR8 ever could do! Yeah, it's pretty loud and the sights are waaaayyyy off. When I read the manual (after the fact, of course), it states that the sights aren't set and that the user will need to do that. I've ordered the front sight tool and have to dig out my 30 cal bore sighter and get it close down to the end of my hallway (~15 yards). I then figure it's back down to the range & start at the 25 yard position and then work my way up to the 100 yard.

Now I gotta go start a thread on optics since I sold it all as a package with the LAR8!

[RECIT]

Thanks for the input, guys. I'll be keeping it.

I did a range trip Sunday afternoon. The good news to me is that out of 60 rounds of every type of ammo I have, not one failure/misfeed/stoppage. That's better than the LAR8 ever could do! Yeah, it's pretty loud and the sights are waaaayyyy off. When I read the manual (after the fact, of course), it states that the sights aren't set and that the user will need to do that. I've ordered the front sight tool and have to dig out my 30 cal bore sighter and get it close down to the end of my hallway (~15 yards). I then figure it's back down to the range & start at the 25 yard position and then work my way up to the 100 yard.

Now I gotta go start a thread on optics since I sold it all as a package with the LAR8!

I don't think its against the rules to hijack your own thread, so just change the title of the thread to optics for an 18" FAL.

[big 54r]

as far as glass goes I like a good 4x with a mil-dot reticle...although mine has a fine duplex I plan on getting it replaced (either scope or reticle!).
Burris makes a really nice 4x mildot...

[Monker10]

I put a bushnell elite 6500 tactical 2.5x to 16x on mine. It is the most versatile variable range scope I could find.It's been tested to take several thousand rounds of magnum recoil and has quick adjust large turret knobs (which I love),and parallax side adjustment. The optics are very clear and I read many reviews that it's just as good or better then several more expensive scopes on the market. One downside is that it is pretty heavy and adds more weight to a already heavy rifle but it's manageable and still easy to get on target fast. Al and all I think it is a excellent scope.

[markthenewf]

I finally got around to putting some work on the FAL.
- Replaced the 'tombstone' rear sight with the better para-type (similar to an AR A-2 sight)
- Replaced the grip with an better Hogue-type one w/internal storage (keep my broken case extractor in there!)
- Replaced the springs with a Falcon Arms 'pull reduction' set. Trigger was about 10 pounds, now it's about 5.
- Added DSA receiver top rail.
- Added a Leatherwood CMR 1-4x24 scope on a GG&G mount.



Hmm... not a very good pic from the cell phone!

About 700 rounds later, she's yet to misfeed, misfire, or FTE (except prior to adjusting the gas system). I'm getting somewhere about 1.5-1.74 MOA, which is pretty typical for a DSA FAL.

The only thing I'd like to do now is replace the forearm with something I can mount a vertical grip or monopod to. I know that a pod on a FAL is a bit silly, but it'll save me from dragging around sand bags or laying down on the dirt!

Again, thanks for everyones input. Between here and the FAL Files, it's been a much more smoother experience than it was with my AR.