So... as a birthday present, my fiancee helped me in putting an R1A1 FAL on layaway. What can I say? I've been wanting a FAL for a very long time. So, I figured I'd ask the experts - anything I should know about this rifle? I've heard about the inch/metric magazine thing, and when I asked, the question was passed around, and the answer came back that the mag that comes with this one is an inch mag.
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I have a metric FAL STG58 and its tied with the Garand as my favorite milsurplus. The thing I like is the lack of recoil; my ar15 seems to have more felt recoil than the Fal.
The only thing to get used too is the adjustable gas plug, once you get used to that you’re good to go and its not that difficult. The manual you get should go over the adjustment procedure, if it doesn’t just ask.
Metric mags should work in your inch receiver, but maybe a little loose fitting. I've read about ways too make the metric mags fit more snug, not sure if they work. Inch mags wont work in metric fal. If you buy metric mags, just go with one and see how it works.
If you have some questions try contacting Mooseman684 or wunhunglo. Knightrider has had a few, not sure if he had any inch patterns.
Thanks much, Kodiak Gotta love having a fiancee that supports my bad habits... . Eventually, I do want to get an M1 Garand too, for the history if nothing else. I have a fascination with WWII history. I figured though that I'd better scoop up all the scary black rifles I'm wanting while I'm able to, though.
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The First Amendment defines America, the Second Amendment defends it.
I have a L1A1 Inch Fal,the mags are a little higher priced but the metric work ok also and are easier to find.They are simple to strip and clean,diferent ammo requires gas adjustments.Mine will do 1 1/2 " groupes or better if I do my part with iron sights,mine is built on a Imble reciever and plan to build a metric,got everything to put it together when there were plenty of kits around and alot cheaper( barrel included).You will like it and it hard to beat a .308 and you will learn to adjust the gas system as I did,It's all in the manual,no problem when you find what it shoots best just stick with that ammo or Load and there will be no adjusting.
Cool... I think the FAL will complete (temporarily) my collection of scary black rifles. After this, my next two goals are a pump action 12 gauge shotgun (relatively short barreled) and a .45 single action revolver.
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The First Amendment defines America, the Second Amendment defends it.
Cool... I think the FAL will complete (temporarily) my collection of scary black rifles. After this, my next two goals are a pump action 12 gauge shotgun (relatively short barreled) and a .45 single action revolver.
Centerfire Systems has a nice Beretta Inox in 45 LC Stainless good price and also shotguns,check their prices out!
First of all, I paid off my FAL and brought it home today, so I'm ecstatic Pictures will be posted in the next day or so.
But... I am a little confused regarding magazines. The one that came with it fits wonderfully. The tab does not look at all like the metric ones do on the Century Arms site, where they show the differences. And indeed, my FAL does seem to fit all the other criteria for an inch FAL, like the folding bolt handle and such. The unique thing about this magazine that came with it is that the edge of the tab is rounded instead of being more square like the other inch magazines I've seen. And, I did get a second inch magazine (actually, before I finished paying off this rifle), and it has the more squared off tab. It does fit in my FAL, but the fit seems a little tighter than it should be (It does wiggle around a bit, but isn't as easy to put in), and it doesn't just pop out the way the other one does. Any explanations? As I said, I'm a bit confused.
The one on the left is the one that came with it and fits well. The one on the right is the one I bought seperately.
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Telling "inch" from "metric":
Metric magazines have a small front locking lug (1/4 inch wide) that is merely punched out of the body of the magazine. Metric magazines also have a slim floorplate that is NOT wider than the body of the magazine. In contrast, inch pattern (British Commonwealth) magazines have a relatively large and beefy (1/2 inch wide) front locking lug that is brazed onto the front of the magazine. They can also be distinguished by their floorplates, which are wider than the magazine body, and have a "button" release on the bottom.
Rich
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Inch on the right metric on the left,they both work in my L1A1 the metric are a little loose but funtion perfectly,the inch are easier to dismantle and clean.
So both in my picture are inch magazines? Just seemed weird that the tab is shaped differently, and that they fit differently.
Are they both 20rd. Mags.,and the one on the left the locking tab looks a little diferent(shiney) and picture is a little blurry.Apears to be both Inch Mags.Does one look like it has been modified?
30 round were made for the Bren that used the 7.62x51 Nato,many people file them down to fit the Inch or Metric Fal.That is why I asked if it was 30 round?
Dakoma - you're right about the finish. The one on the left that came with it is shiney and black... like regular enamel paint... the one on the right is a dark gray with the more grainy non-reflective texture that seems common on gun finishes these days. The one on the left with the rounded tab doesn't appear as though it's been modified... it even seems like the rounded tab sticks out just a little further, though it may be just a kind of illusion created by the shape.
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The First Amendment defines America, the Second Amendment defends it.
Yea! got some that looked like they were diped in a paint bucket and hung up to dry,big nasty runs in the paint,I'll strip them someday and make them pretty.
Neat! Cleaned it out yesterday, and I'd say that it just might be even easier than the AR-15/M-16 to field strip. The piston spring can be more than a little annoying, though... had to chase the gas plug half way across the room.
__________________
The First Amendment defines America, the Second Amendment defends it.
Gotta love having a fiancee that supports my bad habits... 
. Eventually, I do want to get an M1 Garand too, for the history if nothing else. I have a fascination with WWII history. I figured though that I'd better scoop up all the scary black rifles I'm wanting while I'm able to, though.
Pictures will be posted in the next day or so.
