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Thread: FNFAL virgin....help me pick the right one for my first time.....

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    Legacy Member 82Trooper's Avatar
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    FNFAL virgin....help me pick the right one for my first time.....

    Good morning.
    I have several US surplus rifles (M1 Garand, M1 carbine and M1Aicon), and recently acquired my first Enfields (#1 Mk III* BSA, #4 Mk 1 Savage and a #V Mk 1 BSA jungle carbine). I am looking to expand my collection, and have always loved the look of the FNFALs. I know very little about them, other than the asthetics appeal to me. However, It seems the more I read, the more confused I get. So, my first question is can someone point me to a good resource for these? I live in the United States, and my home state has pretty liberal ownership laws.

    While researching this forum, I found this post by Anzac15 from nearly a year ago:
    https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=61287
    and it pictures this..titled as a "Enterprise/Lithgowicon".
    Attachment 92730
    This is exactly the model I visualize in my collection..bayonet lug, carrying handle and wood furniture.
    If I went shopping on the internet...what am I looking for? To specifically locate one like this?
    1-What should I look for?
    2-What should I avoid?
    3-how interchangeble are parts from one manufacturer to another?
    4-Whats the different between "inch" and "metric" versions?

    Any suggestions you all can make to help this FNFAL virgin to make his first experience a memorable one, please advise.
    Thanks!
    Mike
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    Last edited by 82Trooper; 04-22-2018 at 11:45 AM.
    "Audacia....By daring deed"

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    There's so much, if you have M1icon rifles then it's the same. The one pictured would be a good start...
    Regards, Jim

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    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
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    As Jim said, you are asking for a huge amount of information there.

    Step 1 Read up on Fals history and decide whether you are going for the original Metric or Commonwealth Inch pattern.

    Two sides of the same coin really, both with an enormous depth of collecting avenues.

    To add to this, you need to research the best US made receiver for your chosen build.

    Lots of home work for you

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    Legacy Member Sunray's Avatar
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    More about what not to buy. And that starts with anything that Century Arms had anything to do with. They're infamous for assembling FAL's(et al) out of parts bins with no regard for Inch vs Metric or any kind of QC.
    3) That's the Inch vs Metric thing. Inch parts fit Inch rifles but not Metric and the reverse.
    The rifle in your picture is an L1A1/FAL. DS Arms wants $1,700.00US for a copy. Stocks and flash hiders are easily changed. Gunparts has most parts, including all the remaining Canadianicon FN parts.
    I'd suggest you buy a copy of Blake Stevens' The FAL , but you'd have to sell an organ. Starts at about $300 on Amazon. $149.99 at DS Arms though.
    Spelling and Grammar count!

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    Advisory Panel Brian Dick's Avatar
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    A word of warning about DS Arms USAicon manufacture L1A1 receivers. I built a rifle for a client with an excellent condition Britishicon kit last Summer and was astounded to find that the body lug of the receiver was undersized and even with a #2 locking catch, it was still ZF as per the MoD EMERs. They bought a set of reprint EMERs from me at Knob Creek range many years ago but obviously failed to study it before having the receivers made. When I inquired about it, the tech there told me that no one had ever complained before about that particular issue with the new manufacture L1A1 receivers and he wasn't too worried because they would probably never notice. I'm a nitpick as those that know me will attest and it's unacceptable to me that an expensive new receiver isn't manufactured within proper specification. If I were you, I'd buy a rifle with an Imbel receiver if you aren't buying an original Belgian made FAL. The Imbel is made under license from FN and I guarantee that they are in specification. I agree somewhat with Sunray about the Century Arms assembled rifles but have repaired many of them including a post sample full auto for folks over the years without too much trouble so it is doable. Steer clear of the terribly cast Hesse receivers that CAI used later and get one with an Imbel receiver because they used those at first. Even if the rifle looks to be a rickety trash heap, I promise it can be put back into good working order and even cosmetically with a bit of time and effort. Sometimes if you shop around, you can find a real cosmetically ugly one for cheap.

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    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
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    Its quite the minefield your side of the pond guys!

    Do the ex Law Enforcement original L1A1's ever come up sale these days, was the legality issue with these ever decisively decided?

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    Legacy Member Salt Flat's Avatar
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    Yea, I agree with Brian regarding the CAI Imbels'. I have an early Century Arms L1A1 that I bought in the 80s or 90s. The receiver is marked "Made in Canadaicon" on the mag well. The "Made in Canada" rifles were not actually made in Canada but rather assembled there using Imbel receivers. The Imbel receivers on these are a machinist's work of art in my opinion. The L1a1 kit rifles are getting harder to find but still show up occasionally here. Salt Flat

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    Advisory Panel Brian Dick's Avatar
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    There's still a grey area regarding the LE sales rifles that were imported back in the late 70's early 80's. Unlike the G series FAL which got a proper exemption from BATF&E, nothings ever been done about them that I know of. They still pop up from time to time at shows. There were some Indian 1A1 rifles imported too at the time.

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    Legacy Member 82Trooper's Avatar
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    Thread Starter
    Thank you all for the food for thought. I am trying to read as much as I can and you guys have helped out.
    For discussion purposes, knowing what I think I want is pictured in my first post, what are the thoughts of this item:
    https://www.gunbroker.com/item/767837729
    "Audacia....By daring deed"

  12. #10
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Looks good but you'd almost need a set of gauges and hands on to be sure.
    Regards, Jim

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