My uncle has an original, non parts kit, type 1 receiver, Israeli FN FAL. With a 4 digit serial number in the 4,000 range. He said it's getting passed down to me because of its historical importance, he wants to keep it in the family. Trust me, it's staying with me for life!
It must be an extreme honor. Hold on to it for deal life my friend! I am going to inherit my Great-Great Grandpas Winchester in 25-35. Its loose, but I can't necessarily fix it if something breaks because he soldered a super expensive scope to the side and over the screws, I might redo the job he did on it but its unlikely.
Tuning FAL gas is a little bit of an art, but once it's done, it's done. Also, you could always crank the gas all the way up and it will work 100% and fling the brass as fast as the bullet and almost as far. Mine was a little gassed up for the video, but just barely. Great tuning by DSA.
As a college student, I can confirm that I too are in a FAL faze. However, I’m also in a no money faze as well so looks like this beautiful machine likely won’t end up in my possession. Great video 👍
I was just thinking the same thing, although I've always been partial to the Austrian STG58. Still, I actually remember thinking, "Damn, almost $200 for a parts kit? I'll wait until they're a little cheaper." Don't bother beating me up for that. It's just one of many past firearms-related decisions for which I constantly berate my self.
Went to the Knob Creek Machinegun Shoot on Friday and DSA was the first vendor in the middle row just inside the caution tape barring you from entering the show before official starting time. There were two Izzy officer's models on the racks just a few feet away from where I stood. When the clock struck 9 AM I lifted the tape and picked one up. Gorgeous. I wanted one. But I left it to fate by going through the whole show floor before returning. If it was still there I told myself, it was mine. I tried to maintain focus as I had come to look for German gravity knives, but I kept peering back to see if the rifles were still there. Finally I scanned the last table and beelined back to DSA. Both rifles were still there. I compared them and made my pick. Their gunsmith was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions. The salesman was quick and efficient. It will be here next week. While we were talking a guy walked up to ask when the one he ordered would arrive. "Later this year" he was told. The other Izzy sold in the middle of the afternoon. I call this being in the right place at the right time. I have always wanted an FAL and finally this grail rifle will join my collection. But as a shooter, not a safe queen.
I like these rifles as they were used in Aus until the late 80’s. Only ever handled one, not fired it. A mate of mine had one that he shouldn’t have. Despite the booty shorts even James can’t look fruity firing one of these.
In the 1970's 1911's were forgotten about for a reason, if your obsessed with them and have one running great then thats cool. I've had a couple Sig P220's and think it's a better gun. More reliable, softer shooting and weighs over 10oz less. Safty on a handgun is stupid and outdated in 2020 if you ask me.
I well remember those days, still have a can or two of the Radway Green ammo. Wish I could have bought a pallet of those little brown cans back then. It’s good ammo.
After a 22 this was one of the first firearms I ever shot green beret/air Marshall took me out to the desert after doing some work we shot one of these fals a steyr aug and a ar 15 built out. That was 10 years ago I'm 24 now just about my first AK very grateful that he introduced me to this life.
hey TFB, IDF soldier here. had the pleasure of shooting a FAL when i was still in service (finished service in 2019). although ironically it was a rifle that we confiscated from a Hamas cell in the west bank. great rifle, nice shooting experience, but yeah if you get even a smidge of sand inside, they jam. not feeding properly, bolt not closing properly. i would say the Galil is the better option, simply from a reliability and handling standpoint. it's a battle rifle, we primarily do urban CQC so it sucks where we usually operate. but during its service, they had alot more open terrain, long ranged combat, therefore it was the superior choice. Plus, we take our rifles home, so carrying around a 21" battle rifle on the bus home is alot shittier than taking a Galil, and today we have our X95 tiny rifles that you can stuff in your backpack lmao. love your videos.
I bought the soldier grade (this is what a LGS got and I told him to hold it for me) and have 100 rounds through it. I will probably put a couple hundred more before I do my review... But I love this thing so far.
Armscorp sold a bunch of Israeli FALs in the mid-late 80's.I was lucky enough to buy one. Lots of fun,but a little beaten up .It wasn't the heavy model but a light weight. Shotgun News had new H&K 91's for a little over $600.00 back then. I sold the Izzy to buy a H&K91. The H&K was brand new in the box, as they were back then, and a bit easier to deal with.Although it kicked a bit more than the FAL...noticeably so... I often thought that although beaten up,the FAL had a better balance than the H&K but it didn't inspire any buyers remorse.Today...I can reacquaint myself with the izzy, thanks to DSA.
Here in India ,police personnels and Home guards still uses FN FAL L1A1 in service and the para military still had the Auto FAL, along with the designated indigenous INSAS rifle and AKM's
I dispute that the FAL qualifies as an old gun HOWEVER I set that argument aside to appreciate with you the thought of Tim watching this video with a tear rolling down his cheek.
WITHOUT. The receiver color match is better and if you look at the old pictures and read up on the history of the light, the version without a muzzle device and with a bayonet/accessory lug on the barrel's 6 o'clock position was the predominant, if not exclusive issued version of the light. Great question. - James
Without is the most common however once the Israelis realized how unmanageable the bare barrel was in full auto, they had Belgian engineers come in and retrofitted a good amount with the Belgian device as seen on our Officer Grade model.
Am I the only one who was expecting to read a bunch of circumcision comments here? Not sure whether I should be disappointed in, or proud of the rare maturity from this fan base...
I've greatly enjoyed my time with my FAL. It's an overhauled surplus Commonwealth L1A1 Australian. I say overhaul, but all I changed was give it an AR-style inline stock and simplified the sighting picture to a 100-200 yard aperture flip sight and fixed post. It's proven to be an extremely capable desert rifle when I've used it in competition in Alice.
Hmm... can't understand the troubles I hear people have with the gas system. It taught to me in a few seconds; 'Look here. It goes from 0 to (11 0r 12, IIRC), set it in the middle at 6, if it fails to cycle, increase gas, you can see how much gas escapes here where this rotating slide covers more or less of this hole, more gas escaping means less gas to work the action. If the trouble worsens, clean it better or inform the armourer, get all this done at the range before going into action'.
Excellent presentation! The FAL is an impressive platform; but there is another important message in the maintenance and service of the weapon in the field. The IDF switched from the FAL to the IWI Galil Ace which was designed around the Kalashnikov which has still proven itself to be the most robust platform in all environments.
Matt Downs at Brimstone Arms built my FAL kit for me. At the time that he had my parts kit/coonan receiver at his shop he also had a Rhodie parts kit he was building for LV himself. He has also built several high quality AKs for a few of my friends.
I had a Century Arms South American made FAL in the late 1990's and still regret selling it to this day!! It had synthetic furniture and a bi-pod built in the fore grip. It literally never jammed once and I fired 1,000's of rounds through it. It wasn't the most accurate past 350-400 yards but was pinpoint deadly out to 300 yards. I'd get about 1.5 - 2.0 inch groups at 100 yards with surplus ammo. I only paid 700 at Alaska Shooters Supply gun store and this was during the 1994 assault weapons ban. I agree with you James,, They're excellent rifles!
James, first off, the 1911 does NOT suck! Okay, with that out of the way, I owned an L1A1 FAL that I built as a parts gun with an Enterprise Arms receiver. LOVED IT! The left hand charging handle offers some real advantages. And as one who qualified with and carried an M14 for three years I can attest to the confidence the 7.62x51 NATO round gives. I well recall being issued an early M16 during predeployment training before going to Nam and none of the 150+ Marines I was with were happy about it. I like the M14 a lot but I wish we could have had FALs instead. Excellent, though heavy, rifle.
Hello, like your enthusiasm for this gun. Brit here; Royal Air Force service 1976 - 86 and have shot several SLR L1A1s, some with mixed wood and black furniture, various carrying handles, one gun was so worn the 'break' to open the gun would not hold when being fired. For qualification and safety drills we didn't get new guns! We were always taught to hold the butt flat to the front of our shoulder, not the upper point of the butt into the shoulder (even though that can help with the sight picture), to place our front hand at the point of balance (where the front of the magazine meets the rifle) and to lean forward onto the front foot to keep the muzzle more still when double-tapping. We only fired standing when demonstrating our safe handling. Also when shooting, to fire from prone position resting the rifle on a preferably soft object, or even sitting with elbows on knees, making a tripod of the whole body. A new rifle and new doctrine replaced all this, but it's included here to provide insight into another time with a similar rifle. Didn't notice, but does the block have the WW cuts in it's sides? Understand this was a modification to prevent fouling and sand getting in the works, perhaps first done by the Israelis?
I served in the Canadian Army and used the Canadian version known as the FN C1A1. I never experienced a problem with fine sand or dust jamming the weapon, but if you got coarse, wet sand in the action, that could mess it up. This was easier to do with the Canadian rifles which did not have merely an ejection port, but the whole front part of the body cover cut away. This being said, a well-trained soldier would avoid putting his rifle down in wet sand and the large opening at the breech made it very easy to clear an FTE, which only ever happened to my while firing blanks. When firing live ammo, the gas regulator was normally set at "4." If the weapon stopped cycling correctly, the drill was to turn the regulator downwards two notches, to "2." If working properly, it was then suggested to try going back up one notch to "3." It was important to properly clean the gas cylinder, particularly the gas block to ensure proper functioning and to make certain the gas plug was inserted into the and locked in the correct position. If locked in the wrong position (backwards, which was only for use with rifle grenades) the action would not cycle properly. Ergonomics were excellent, probably my favorite of any rifle I've ever used, including the M16/AR15 type, though it's a tough call.
Cool gun. Tilting bolt action is like a sophisticated SKS with a box magazine. But now an AR10 pattern rifle with its rotating locking bolt is the way to go. More accurate. More reliable. Easier to scope and less expensive.
@9mm Weiner Yep, I was in high school in the 80's. We did all of those things also. Many of us carried sheath knives in class as well. We were MUCH freer then!
Well, back in the beginning of the 80's, everyone got an Uzi while doing military service in the Royal Netherlands Army, and the biggest dude in the squad got to hump around with the full auto FN FAL. If you were lucky, you got the 9mm Uzi, LOL! Fal's were used as a squad automatic weapon, and used with bipod only on full auto.
I shot an ex-Israeli FAL straight out of their armoury just cleaned nothing else. With NATO ball ammo I put down a 6” group at 100 yards!! An amazing rifle no wonder my colleagues from the British Army loved the L1A1 !! Yes it was heavy but so easy to use, accurate out to 1000 yards and totally reliable!
I remember seeing an import Israeli FAL back in the 80's(pre Feinstein) at a gun show. . Dont remember the dist. But had the iIMI proof marks, Hedrew marked selector switch, &the nice wood furniture.. Pete Kokalis was there too and I ran in to him at chat at length about these rifles, pros & cons. Didn't have funds to buy, but these were reviewed in SOF magazine. A couple months later. This Gentile really wanted this rifle ( semi auto only) Mazel Tov🕎 Random RUclips post on Palm Sunday, nice coincidence. 👍
Guess what; the M14 is a short stroke piston 7.62NATO too! But requires no adjustable gas block because of it's gas vent design. Plus it has the added benefits of being a rifleman's rifle due to the superior sights and architecture! And with the M14 being a front locking bolt that doesn't suffer from stretching of the receiver that the FAL does with its rear locking bolt and loss of head space!
Back in the day had a British L1A1 kit and a DSA chromoly receiver. Had a half-dozen or more inch-pattern magazines, and several cases of ammo: British, Israeli, and Portuguese(?). Never got to shoot it.
Dude that’s probably my rifle! I ordered mine in first week of Feb 2019. Today is August 30th and I still don’t have mine. DSA keeps apologizing for being so far behind. A month ago they said it was waiting for test firing so should be done soon. Still no rifle. Sad.
I was wondering if it was possible to replaced the SA58 non-reciprocating charging handle with the Israeli reciprocating charging handle, further enhancing the reliability of the SA58, while maintaining the traditional look and feel of the standard FAL.
My all time favorite weapon. I would take one over an ak or ar anyday. Yes I know it's heavy, yes I know the recoil doesn't lend to quick follow up shots. But damn this thing is rugged, sleek and sexy. Most importantly it functions pretty much always.
Yes. The British and Aussie L1A1's were then upgraded with 'sand-cuts', including their older ones being armory rebuilt with them. These modifications made to the L1A1/FAL were put to the test by Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and South Korea in Vietnam during the War. The L1A1/FAL was the best Rifle of the Vietnam War.
@TFB TV Which has more felt recoil - the FAL, or the G3? The G3 isn't unbearable, but it does jar you pretty good. More of a abrupt rattle than a "push" as far as recoil goes.
Always wanted an one of these but I'd also like to get my hands on the modernized version of the FAL that the Brazilian military made in 556. The IMBEL IA2
@@ultraspank8479 call Gators Custom Guns in Kelso, WA. Maybe they will ship them. I don't know if they do that, they are a small shop, but it doesn't hurt to try.
LoneWanderer360 Dude I just got off the phone with with them and he said yea he would ship them to me! 😊 Got a shipment on its way to me all the way in Arkansas! Thank you so much! 👍🏻
During the 1973 Yom Kippur war I was issued that rifle. I was assigned to a bunker doing "stuff". After jabbing at least ten soldiers trying to maneuver in tight quarters they finally had mercy on me and gave me an UZI.
"shoots flatter than a hot beer", cripes that made me laugh. My FAL is made from so much crap I bummed off of other collectors decades ago that we had to tool some parts to get it to work but OMG what a beast of a gun!
"Short Stroke" was James' nickname at the college frat house.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Wasn't this guy in the movie neighbors 😂
Ha
My uncle has an original, non parts kit, type 1 receiver, Israeli FN FAL. With a 4 digit serial number in the 4,000 range. He said it's getting passed down to me because of its historical importance, he wants to keep it in the family. Trust me, it's staying with me for life!
It must be an extreme honor. Hold on to it for deal life my friend!
I am going to inherit my Great-Great Grandpas Winchester in 25-35. Its loose, but I can't necessarily fix it if something breaks because he soldered a super expensive scope to the side and over the screws, I might redo the job he did on it but its unlikely.
Good! Take care of it.
What's the difference between type 1 and 2 receivers?
Wait, James likes an old gun? Someone call MAC and Forgotten Weapons!
@@ItsWasted_ See the joke here is James usually doesn't like old guns
Tuning FAL gas is a little bit of an art, but once it's done, it's done. Also, you could always crank the gas all the way up and it will work 100% and fling the brass as fast as the bullet and almost as far. Mine was a little gassed up for the video, but just barely. Great tuning by DSA.
i don't consider it old. I'd say old was before the ww2.
It's 65+ years old. It's old enough to have grand kids.
Fun Fact: James is getting older.
The FAL is one of the iconic weapons in history.
definitely one of the .308 battle rifles of all time
The FAL is a beauty and powerful beast in any of its variants. Impressive.
I absolutely love my R1(South African FAL), best rifle ever.
As a college student, I can confirm that I too are in a FAL faze. However, I’m also in a no money faze as well so looks like this beautiful machine likely won’t end up in my possession. Great video 👍
Hey, do not underestimate Hickok45's viewer base! We might be old and a bit rusty, but, you know - "old, not obsolete", proven by time and reliable.
Life is good
Hickok45 is great!
Ah, the early 2000’s the FAL kits were everywhere and cheap. I should have bought a Aussie kit and set it aside.
I was just thinking the same thing, although I've always been partial to the Austrian STG58. Still, I actually remember thinking,
"Damn, almost $200 for a parts kit? I'll wait until they're a little cheaper."
Don't bother beating me up for that. It's just one of many past firearms-related decisions for which I constantly berate my self.
1. belgian FAL(the glorious wooden version)
2. Rhodesian FAL(the camo makes one cream)
Went to the Knob Creek Machinegun Shoot on Friday and DSA was the first vendor in the middle row just inside the caution tape barring you from entering the show before official starting time. There were two Izzy officer's models on the racks just a few feet away from where I stood. When the clock struck 9 AM I lifted the tape and picked one up. Gorgeous. I wanted one. But I left it to fate by going through the whole show floor before returning. If it was still there I told myself, it was mine. I tried to maintain focus as I had come to look for German gravity knives, but I kept peering back to see if the rifles were still there. Finally I scanned the last table and beelined back to DSA. Both rifles were still there. I compared them and made my pick. Their gunsmith was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions. The salesman was quick and efficient. It will be here next week. While we were talking a guy walked up to ask when the one he ordered would arrive. "Later this year" he was told. The other Izzy sold in the middle of the afternoon. I call this being in the right place at the right time. I have always wanted an FAL and finally this grail rifle will join my collection. But as a shooter, not a safe queen.
Me as a college kid: "FALs are the superior Cold War battle rifle."
It was tho
Much prefer the Artillerie Inrichtingen Portuguese AR10s
If I could choose any rifle to take battle during the Cold War it would be either the FAL or Galil.
FAL or G3. I'm German but would prefer the FAL. G3 surely kicks like a horse.
I like these rifles as they were used in Aus until the late 80’s. Only ever handled one, not fired it. A mate of mine had one that he shouldn’t have.
Despite the booty shorts even James can’t look fruity firing one of these.
@@WeekendWarriors87 How crazy is that!? We have a lot of fans and followers in Canada even a sales rep however no FALs in Canada :/
Used both th he M16 and the SLR/FAL and in a battle give me the SLR any day. Plus you can make it full auto with a match..:-)
Booty shorts are the only acceptable type of shorts one should wear while shooting an FAL, as the Rhodesians showed us.
Couldn't resist that dig on the 1911 could you? Such a hater. 😂
i like both its all bout what you like at the end of the day with some limitations, FG42 FTW
I have both and I carry the 1911 so he can go get stuffed
In the 1970's 1911's were forgotten about for a reason, if your obsessed with them and have one running great then thats cool. I've had a couple Sig P220's and think it's a better gun. More reliable, softer shooting and weighs over 10oz less. Safty on a handgun is stupid and outdated in 2020 if you ask me.
@@nobodysreview6137 you realize that the safety is optional right?
@@nobodysreview6137 I won't carry a handgun without a safety.
3:04 - Hickok45 has entered the chat.
But Hickok45's .45 is LC and not ACP.
@@fasfan boomer caliber either way.
Daniel H I wouldn’t say 45 colt is a boomer round. More of a nice single action round. Or lever guns.
@@BigTex65
B O O M E R
C
A
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@@CharlieMikeNS saying it louder doesn't make it the truth 😂
1911 forever. Fals are nice too, though.
Pair them together for that Cold War aesthetic.
You beat me to it. I stopped watching after he said that.
Fuck the 1911. Hi Power for life
Oh yeah, I remember the good old days. $129/1000 rds, Radaway Green 7.62 Nato...wood crate. Delivered!👍
Damnit..I want a Israeli Fal. Great gun.
So my PSA Israeli parts kits is now a shootable gun. Malaysian 7.62 nato ammo, hitting clay targets at 100 yards.. pretty easily. So much fun.
I well remember those days, still have a can or two of the Radway Green ammo. Wish I could have bought a pallet of those little brown cans back then. It’s good ammo.
Thanks!
After a 22 this was one of the first firearms I ever shot green beret/air Marshall took me out to the desert after doing some work we shot one of these fals a steyr aug and a ar 15 built out. That was 10 years ago I'm 24 now just about my first AK very grateful that he introduced me to this life.
Was issued my first one during SADF basics, July 1976, carried it around for a good few years.
Great review James! I ordered mine 3-9-2019 and I can’t wait till I get it in my hands....thanks for the video to hold me over 👍🏼😎
We are working on March now! You should be getting a shipping notification soon!
hey TFB, IDF soldier here. had the pleasure of shooting a FAL when i was still in service (finished service in 2019). although ironically it was a rifle that we confiscated from a Hamas cell in the west bank. great rifle, nice shooting experience, but yeah if you get even a smidge of sand inside, they jam. not feeding properly, bolt not closing properly. i would say the Galil is the better option, simply from a reliability and handling standpoint. it's a battle rifle, we primarily do urban CQC so it sucks where we usually operate. but during its service, they had alot more open terrain, long ranged combat, therefore it was the superior choice. Plus, we take our rifles home, so carrying around a 21" battle rifle on the bus home is alot shittier than taking a Galil, and today we have our X95 tiny rifles that you can stuff in your backpack lmao. love your videos.
Much love for the James Reeves Gun Show
I bought the soldier grade (this is what a LGS got and I told him to hold it for me) and have 100 rounds through it. I will probably put a couple hundred more before I do my review... But I love this thing so far.
Damn that 1911 rip wasnt even a joke it was just brutal. Good video
I carried an R1 and loved it. Uncontrollable on full auto though. Never let me down.
James: "The .308 shoots flatter than a hot beer". (Funny btw!)
Hunters: ".308? It's alright. Good brush gun."
LOL! Still .30-06 Springfield all the way!
I bought it the day after it was shown at shot show. Love it.
Armscorp sold a bunch of Israeli FALs in the mid-late 80's.I was lucky enough to buy one.
Lots of fun,but a little beaten up .It wasn't the heavy model but a light weight.
Shotgun News had new H&K 91's for a little over $600.00 back then.
I sold the Izzy to buy a H&K91. The H&K was brand new in the box, as they were back then, and a bit easier to deal with.Although it kicked a bit more than the FAL...noticeably so...
I often thought that although beaten up,the FAL had a better balance than the H&K but it didn't inspire any buyers remorse.Today...I can reacquaint myself with the izzy, thanks to DSA.
Great video as always!
Here in India ,police personnels and Home guards still uses FN FAL L1A1 in service and the para military still had the Auto FAL, along with the designated indigenous INSAS rifle and AKM's
Somewhere, Tim from MAC is glowing that you like an old military rifle as a collector's piece.
I dispute that the FAL qualifies as an old gun HOWEVER I set that argument aside to appreciate with you the thought of Tim watching this video with a tear rolling down his cheek.
So do you think the model with or without the muzzle brake is more authentic?
WITHOUT. The receiver color match is better and if you look at the old pictures and read up on the history of the light, the version without a muzzle device and with a bayonet/accessory lug on the barrel's 6 o'clock position was the predominant, if not exclusive issued version of the light. Great question. - James
Without is the most common however once the Israelis realized how unmanageable the bare barrel was in full auto, they had Belgian engineers come in and retrofitted a good amount with the Belgian device as seen on our Officer Grade model.
Am I the only one who was expecting to read a bunch of circumcision comments here? Not sure whether I should be disappointed in, or proud of the rare maturity from this fan base...
I've greatly enjoyed my time with my FAL. It's an overhauled surplus Commonwealth L1A1 Australian. I say overhaul, but all I changed was give it an AR-style inline stock and simplified the sighting picture to a 100-200 yard aperture flip sight and fixed post. It's proven to be an extremely capable desert rifle when I've used it in competition in Alice.
"The 1911 is an outdated piece of shit" a bunch of my fellow Texans just had a stroke hearing that 😂😂😂
On a MAC video: "I'm just not an old gun kinda guy."
Israeli FAL video: "I used to have 3."
I FUCKING KNEW IT!
Hmm... can't understand the troubles I hear people have with the gas system.
It taught to me in a few seconds; 'Look here. It goes from 0 to (11 0r 12, IIRC), set it in the middle at 6, if it fails to cycle, increase gas, you can see how much gas escapes here where this rotating slide covers more or less of this hole, more gas escaping means less gas to work the action. If the trouble worsens, clean it better or inform the armourer, get all this done at the range before going into action'.
I fired the British SLR for a while, 7.62 is powerful round, also the rifle just feels good.
Can someone tell dsa to make the fnc. I have always wanted one since I seen the shoot out in heat. I already have fal want 556
Excellent presentation! The FAL is an impressive platform; but there is another important message in the maintenance and service of the weapon in the field. The IDF switched from the FAL to the IWI Galil Ace which was designed around the Kalashnikov which has still proven itself to be the most robust platform in all environments.
The trajectory is flatter than a hot beer!
Matt Downs at Brimstone Arms built my FAL kit for me. At the time that he had my parts kit/coonan receiver at his shop he also had a Rhodie parts kit he was building for LV himself.
He has also built several high quality AKs for a few of my friends.
L1a1 for me when I served, lovely weapon.
God, that’s a beautiful weapon.
The FAL is probably the greatest battle rifle ever made.
I had a Century Arms South American made FAL in the late 1990's and still regret selling it to this day!! It had synthetic furniture and a bi-pod built in the fore grip. It literally never jammed once and I fired 1,000's of rounds through it. It wasn't the most accurate past 350-400 yards but was pinpoint deadly out to 300 yards. I'd get about 1.5 - 2.0 inch groups at 100 yards with surplus ammo. I only paid 700 at Alaska Shooters Supply gun store and this was during the 1994 assault weapons ban. I agree with you James,, They're excellent rifles!
I really want one of these but i just dont have 1500 to throw around atm
James, first off, the 1911 does NOT suck! Okay, with that out of the way, I owned an L1A1 FAL that I built as a parts gun with an Enterprise Arms receiver. LOVED IT! The left hand charging handle offers some real advantages. And as one who qualified with and carried an M14 for three years I can attest to the confidence the 7.62x51 NATO round gives. I well recall being issued an early M16 during predeployment training before going to Nam and none of the 150+ Marines I was with were happy about it. I like the M14 a lot but I wish we could have had FALs instead. Excellent, though heavy, rifle.
I've always loved the look of that IDF rifle! Time to buy one!!!!
Hello, like your enthusiasm for this gun.
Brit here; Royal Air Force service 1976 - 86 and have shot several SLR L1A1s, some with mixed wood and black furniture, various carrying handles, one gun was so worn the 'break' to open the gun would not hold when being fired.
For qualification and safety drills we didn't get new guns!
We were always taught to hold the butt flat to the front of our shoulder, not the upper point of the butt into the shoulder (even though that can help with the sight picture), to place our front hand at the point of balance (where the front of the magazine meets the rifle) and to lean forward onto the front foot to keep the muzzle more still when double-tapping.
We only fired standing when demonstrating our safe handling.
Also when shooting, to fire from prone position resting the rifle on a preferably soft object, or even sitting with elbows on knees, making a tripod of the whole body.
A new rifle and new doctrine replaced all this, but it's included here to provide insight into another time with a similar rifle.
Didn't notice, but does the block have the WW cuts in it's sides?
Understand this was a modification to prevent fouling and sand getting in the works, perhaps first done by the Israelis?
I served in the Canadian Army and used the Canadian version known as the FN C1A1. I never experienced a problem with fine sand or dust jamming the weapon, but if you got coarse, wet sand in the action, that could mess it up. This was easier to do with the Canadian rifles which did not have merely an ejection port, but the whole front part of the body cover cut away. This being said, a well-trained soldier would avoid putting his rifle down in wet sand and the large opening at the breech made it very easy to clear an FTE, which only ever happened to my while firing blanks.
When firing live ammo, the gas regulator was normally set at "4." If the weapon stopped cycling correctly, the drill was to turn the regulator downwards two notches, to "2." If working properly, it was then suggested to try going back up one notch to "3."
It was important to properly clean the gas cylinder, particularly the gas block to ensure proper functioning and to make certain the gas plug was inserted into the and locked in the correct position. If locked in the wrong position (backwards, which was only for use with rifle grenades) the action would not cycle properly.
Ergonomics were excellent, probably my favorite of any rifle I've ever used, including the M16/AR15 type, though it's a tough call.
Cool gun. Tilting bolt action is like a sophisticated SKS with a box magazine.
But now an AR10 pattern rifle with its rotating locking bolt is the way to go. More accurate. More reliable. Easier to scope and less expensive.
I still have the 2 Isaeli FALs, 1 heavy 1 light, that I would rotate, among others, in the gunrack of my truck back in high school. Great rifles!
@9mm Weiner Yep, I was in high school in the 80's. We did all of those things also. Many of us carried sheath knives in class as well. We were MUCH freer then!
I have an FAL that built for a (mostly) South African parts kit in the 90's that was cloned to mimic the Israeli light barrel FAL
The L85a3 also uses a lovely short stroke gas system, it’s clean and accurate
Well, back in the beginning of the 80's, everyone got an Uzi while doing military service in the Royal Netherlands Army, and the biggest dude in the squad got to hump around with the full auto FN FAL. If you were lucky, you got the 9mm Uzi, LOL! Fal's were used as a squad automatic weapon, and used with bipod only on full auto.
This video should have had James with a bush hat and mustache.
Pro tip: painting a FAL green adds another foot to one’s coolness factor :-)
Absolutely one of my unicorn guns.
Well now that I see a forward assist is possible I'm wondering why that doesn't come standard on DSA's modernized improved battle rifle version.
I think you had more fun in college than I did.
Now I really want an FAL
Why was the 18 inch barrel variant your favorite? I just bought a mini-14 as my first gun. The DSA is definitely next on my list.
I shot an ex-Israeli FAL straight out of their armoury just cleaned nothing else. With NATO ball ammo I put down a 6” group at 100 yards!! An amazing rifle no wonder my colleagues from the British Army loved the L1A1 !! Yes it was heavy but so easy to use, accurate out to 1000 yards and totally reliable!
I remember seeing an import Israeli FAL back in the 80's(pre Feinstein) at a gun show. . Dont remember the dist. But had the iIMI proof marks, Hedrew marked selector switch, &the nice wood furniture.. Pete Kokalis was there too and I ran in to him at chat at length about these rifles, pros & cons. Didn't have funds to buy, but these were reviewed in SOF magazine. A couple months later. This Gentile really wanted this rifle
( semi auto only) Mazel Tov🕎
Random RUclips post on Palm Sunday, nice coincidence. 👍
this man owned three FALs at the time he graduated from college.... so lucky to be him (I think he mean undergraduate school by that?)
That contrast makes it look more authentic like most preban guns
Thanks for the video. Enjoyed watching it and you covered alot about the rifle.
never heard of an FAL but this gun looks amazing, thanks for the new thing to drool over
What you have never heard of a FAL?!?!
Are the barrels shitty 4140 none chrome lined like the rest of their lineup or did they actually use something CHF?
god id love a FAL, and a Galil for that matter
Guess what; the M14 is a short stroke piston 7.62NATO too! But requires no adjustable gas block because of it's gas vent design. Plus it has the added benefits of being a rifleman's rifle due to the superior sights and architecture! And with the M14 being a front locking bolt that doesn't suffer from stretching of the receiver that the FAL does with its rear locking bolt and loss of head space!
James, were you also on the FAL Files back in the day?
It was _the_ online place to go when researching the Right Arm of the Free World.
Shit, I guess I should have watched to the end before asking. You were on The Files. Me too. #4517
It's definitely an iconic weapon in two major wars: 67 & 73 and won both...nuff said.
My personal weapon for 8 of my 12 years in the forces.
3:06 I would never dream of saying that around Clint smith
James’s best video.
There are millions of people who will disagree with your opinion of the 1911 and I am one of them!
Back in the day had a British L1A1 kit and a DSA chromoly receiver. Had a half-dozen or more inch-pattern magazines, and several cases of ammo: British, Israeli, and Portuguese(?). Never got to shoot it.
I would love to get one as a collectible but we are not allowed to have them in Australia so it sucks to be me
You know what else has a short stroke? 1911 fans after your comments
Dude that’s probably my rifle! I ordered mine in first week of Feb 2019. Today is August 30th and I still don’t have mine. DSA keeps apologizing for being so far behind. A month ago they said it was waiting for test firing so should be done soon. Still no rifle. Sad.
James, since you are a FAL guy, which of the other standard DSA FAL’s would you recommend as a shooter’s gun?
I was wondering if it was possible to replaced the SA58 non-reciprocating charging handle with the Israeli reciprocating charging handle, further enhancing the reliability of the SA58, while maintaining the traditional look and feel of the standard FAL.
My all time favorite weapon. I would take one over an ak or ar anyday. Yes I know it's heavy, yes I know the recoil doesn't lend to quick follow up shots. But damn this thing is rugged, sleek and sexy. Most importantly it functions pretty much always.
Didn't FN actually import some of that Middle Eastern moondust sand to Belgium for testing?
Yes. The British and Aussie L1A1's were then upgraded with 'sand-cuts', including their older ones being armory rebuilt with them.
These modifications made to the L1A1/FAL were put to the test by Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and South Korea in Vietnam during the War.
The L1A1/FAL was the best Rifle of the Vietnam War.
@TFB TV Which has more felt recoil - the FAL, or the G3? The G3 isn't unbearable, but it does jar you pretty good. More of a abrupt rattle than a "push" as far as recoil goes.
I just got an Izzy kit. I'm looking forward to building it on the DAS upper.
Safety?did you hit it before the stroll down range to see your mistakes?
Well, this convinced me that I need one!!!
Always wanted an one of these but I'd also like to get my hands on the modernized version of the FAL that the Brazilian military made in 556. The IMBEL IA2
Did they trim the excess off the tip?
Negative, just threaded
What’s a good place for build videos or info?.....just picked up a Israeli Light Barrel kit.
I want to know where you are seeing all the Magazines at for the FAL? Because I can not find any anywhere...
My lgs has tons of them. Brand new ones are $20ish and used ones are around $12.
LoneWanderer360 Where can I buy them at?
@@ultraspank8479 call Gators Custom Guns in Kelso, WA. Maybe they will ship them. I don't know if they do that, they are a small shop, but it doesn't hurt to try.
LoneWanderer360 okay man thank you I appreciate it. I’ll give them a call.
LoneWanderer360 Dude I just got off the phone with with them and he said yea he would ship them to me! 😊 Got a shipment on its way to me all the way in Arkansas! Thank you so much! 👍🏻
I love my Fn Fal DSA 21” Voyager!
During the 1973 Yom Kippur war I was issued that rifle. I was assigned to a bunker doing "stuff". After jabbing at least ten soldiers trying to maneuver in tight quarters they finally had mercy on me and gave me an UZI.
South African military back in the day cut that carry handle off for exactly the reason you experienced.
I have an Israeli model that was used by the Brazilian army. It has a matching number bi-pod.
"shoots flatter than a hot beer", cripes that made me laugh. My FAL is made from so much crap I bummed off of other collectors decades ago that we had to tool some parts to get it to work but OMG what a beast of a gun!
heh.. I did the same thing with mine in the video. Too excited about a new gun and too much focus on the camera = not focused on the rifle.