Classic Army FN FAL (DSA SA-58)

PoFF · May 22nd, 2009, 10:04

While surfing around, I stumbled on those and since I never saw one on the field, I was wondering if they were any good metal-wise, rigidity-wise, performance-wise. The one I'm looking at is the full-length rifle, which is quite long, so it made me wonder about the 'rigidity' of the gun.

I've always wanted to build a terrorist / jihad / third-world country / banana republic gearset, and since everyone and his dog has an AK for this purpose, I tought this might be different enough.

m102404 · May 22nd, 2009, 10:22

I have a KA FAL Carbine (mid), a friend has a KA FAL (full length) and another has the KA FAL Tactical Carbine (short).

Without fail and with just an easy bit of work they are all super reliable awesome shooting rifles. Sweet in every aspect.

I just worked on a CA SA58 (it was a folding stock carbine length)...so probably most comparable to the KA FAL Carbine

CA SA58 vs. KA FAL Carbine

CA SA58 Pro
- very solid/stiff build
- easy handling, shouldering, "pointing"
- nice sights
- RIS handguard (at least on this one...and a pro if you like RIS stuff on "old" guns)
- fake bolt cover locks back with charging handle...snaps forward when release is pulled down.
- shoots sweet
- "black" finish
- easy to work on
- easy selector manipulation (short throw)

CA SA58 Con
- Super fail PEQ box necessary to hold battery
- Hicap only mags

KA FAL Carbine Pro
- lightweight but heavy enough to hold on target
- full stock has room for big battery!
- shoots super sweet
- excellent finish (more of a gun-metal grey)
- excellent "pointability"
- 90rn Mid Caps !!!!

KA FAL Carbine Con
- small mag release lever (not a problem once you get used to it...but you have to get used to it)
- horrible iron sights (with shooting glasses or low profile goggles it's ok...with PB goggles it sucks ass)
- plastic forend is a little creaky...but solid in that you don't feel like you'll break it.
- FAL grip is large for some (CA SA58 grip is the same)
- Looooong selector throw

So....the CA SA58 is a "nicer" rifle...but the Hicap only and silly PEQ box for small batteries killed it for me (for me...Hicaps only is a non-starter). Out of the box...the KA FAL is a stellar shooter...and with just a bit of work, it's awesome.

Given the choice to buy either...I'd still go with the KA Fal series. What about a G3 for that "retro" look?

Best of luck,

Tys

T_A_N_K · May 22nd, 2009, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoFF

While surfing around, I stumbled on those and since I never saw one on the field, I was wondering if they were any good metal-wise, rigidity-wise, performance-wise. The one I'm looking at is the full-length rifle, which is quite long, so it made me wonder about the 'rigidity' of the gun.

I've always wanted to build a terrorist / jihad / third-world country / banana republic gearset, and since everyone and his dog has an AK for this purpose, I tought this might be different enough.

Do yourself a favour, by the KA. I have a SA58 and regret buying it since day one. If you plan on not using it for airsoft, its great. If you are, don't buy the CA version.

Mr.Shiney · May 22nd, 2009, 14:49

So what do you regret about buying the CA version? What difficulties have you had with it?

Juctim Omnimodo

Michael

Bandit · May 22nd, 2009, 15:53

I've got a full length King Arms FN-FAL. The gun is fantastic. One drawback I've encountered is that the full size is super duper long. But I knew that getting into it. Another one is that to get at the mechbox you have to pretty much dismantle the entire gun. However, since it is such a sweet shooter I haven't found it necessary to even look into upgrades.

Lawdog · May 22nd, 2009, 16:04

I have a long KA FAL and I love it. So much I have another one coming. Wonderful AS gun. Accurate, good shooter. Very happy with it.

Ld

T_A_N_K · May 22nd, 2009, 16:52

The CA SA58 only uses hi caps, which is a pain. I didn't know this before I purchased the rifle. It also uses a propriatary selector switch which is a long waiting process to order a new one. The cocking handle/blolt cover mechanism, is only stopped by a small pin inside the body, which will fail or comes loose if you do it alot, and you will have improvise a way of replacing unless you order a new part. Basically when access the hop up you pull the charging handle back which compress a spring, when you push the bolt release that compressed spring slams the bolt cover forward, The charging handle which has a small pin attached to it and is stopped by hitting the end of channel groove inside the boddy. The pin is replaceable as it is threaded but because of the force it deforms the threads because of the cheap metal its made off. So what happen is once that pin breaks the chargning handle will of often sldie out of place and forward (toward the barrel) of the body.

In short, the "cool factor" of the gun is poorly designed and will fail.

wildcard · May 22nd, 2009, 21:45

Go to the Airsoft media page and search FAL and you will find the FAL thread started by jugglez, if you want to see what a tactical FAL look like there are some pictures, if you want to know how they are in life then show up to CQB and I'll let you squeeze off a few rounds

Amos · May 22nd, 2009, 21:47

I've got a KA FAL sitting in my work area right now...

This thing is sweeeeet.

Mr.Shiney · May 22nd, 2009, 21:50

The CA FN SA58 OSW that Tys was working on is mine. I am thinking of getting a KA one as well. I would like to get the Long Railed front furniture, just not sure which of the FAL variants would fit it. I am not sure if I want a full lenght barrel, as I remember humping the C1 around. So which of the shorter lenght barrel KA will fit the KA long railed front furniture?

Michael

wildcard · May 22nd, 2009, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Shiney

The CA FN SA58 OSW that Tys was working on is mine. I am thinking of getting a KA one as well. I would like to get the Long Railed front furniture, just not sure which of the FAL variants would fit it. I am not sure if I want a full lenght barrel, as I remember humping the C1 around. So which of the shorter lenght barrel KA will fit the KA long railed front furniture?

Michael

they mak ea short and long rail for the KA FAL just don't let Brian M see it or he will send you to hell!!

Mr.Shiney · May 23rd, 2009, 09:09

So if i wanted the full lenght RIS Front Furniture, which of the KA FAL would not be suitable. Oh, as for going to hell, been there CFB Shilo. So no worries.

Michael

Lakonian · May 23rd, 2009, 12:58

That really sucks to hear. Really fancy that DSA unit. Beautiful gun.

T_A_N_K · May 23rd, 2009, 14:15

Its a solid gun, as long as you don't mind using hi caps, and not accessing the hop up alot it should be fine. I don't know what CA was thinking when they made it, they made a 500 RDS hi cap for it, and when people asked for mid caps, what did they do? make a 900 round hi cap for it.

The external body is rock solid, I had the full stock version so I can't comment on the OSW version. Dissasembly and access to the hop up only took 2 screws, taking the mechbox required taking off only 1 more additional screw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kos

That really sucks to hear. Really fancy that DSA unit. Beautiful gun.

The Saint · May 23rd, 2009, 20:49

CA is releasing 120rd midcaps for the SA58.

http://www.classicarmy.com/new/produ...oducts_id=1250

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May 22nd, 2009, 10:04	#1
PoFF Trader rating Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Laval, QC	Classic Army FN FAL (DSA SA-58) While surfing around, I stumbled on those and since I never saw one on the field, I was wondering if they were any good metal-wise, rigidity-wise, performance-wise. The one I'm looking at is the full-length rifle, which is quite long, so it made me wonder about the 'rigidity' of the gun. I've always wanted to build a terrorist / jihad / third-world country / banana republic gearset, and since everyone and his dog has an AK for this purpose, I tought this might be different enough. __________________ Founding member of the S.A.T.T - That's right, were BACK! The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should have never laid down Visitez Arme ?* Feu.com - Le site des amateurs d'armes ?* feu francophones

May 22nd, 2009, 16:52	#7
T_A_N_K Trader rating Join Date: Sep 2006	The CA SA58 only uses hi caps, which is a pain. I didn't know this before I purchased the rifle. It also uses a propriatary selector switch which is a long waiting process to order a new one. The cocking handle/blolt cover mechanism, is only stopped by a small pin inside the body, which will fail or comes loose if you do it alot, and you will have improvise a way of replacing unless you order a new part. Basically when access the hop up you pull the charging handle back which compress a spring, when you push the bolt release that compressed spring slams the bolt cover forward, The charging handle which has a small pin attached to it and is stopped by hitting the end of channel groove inside the boddy. The pin is replaceable as it is threaded but because of the force it deforms the threads because of the cheap metal its made off. So what happen is once that pin breaks the chargning handle will of often sldie out of place and forward (toward the barrel) of the body. In short, the "cool factor" of the gun is poorly designed and will fail. Last edited by T_A_N_K; May 22nd, 2009 at 17:03..

May 22nd, 2009, 21:47	#9
Amos Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Japan	I've got a KA FAL sitting in my work area right now... This thing is sweeeeet. __________________ Custom Builds: FA3674U Krinkov G3SD6

May 22nd, 2009, 10:22	#2
m102404 Tys Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto	I have a KA FAL Carbine (mid), a friend has a KA FAL (full length) and another has the KA FAL Tactical Carbine (short). Without fail and with just an easy bit of work they are all super reliable awesome shooting rifles. Sweet in every aspect. I just worked on a CA SA58 (it was a folding stock carbine length)...so probably most comparable to the KA FAL Carbine CA SA58 vs. KA FAL Carbine CA SA58 Pro - very solid/stiff build - easy handling, shouldering, "pointing" - nice sights - RIS handguard (at least on this one...and a pro if you like RIS stuff on "old" guns) - fake bolt cover locks back with charging handle...snaps forward when release is pulled down. - shoots sweet - "black" finish - easy to work on - easy selector manipulation (short throw) CA SA58 Con - Super fail PEQ box necessary to hold battery - Hicap only mags KA FAL Carbine Pro - lightweight but heavy enough to hold on target - full stock has room for big battery! - shoots super sweet - excellent finish (more of a gun-metal grey) - excellent "pointability" - 90rn Mid Caps !!!! KA FAL Carbine Con - small mag release lever (not a problem once you get used to it...but you have to get used to it) - horrible iron sights (with shooting glasses or low profile goggles it's ok...with PB goggles it sucks ass) - plastic forend is a little creaky...but solid in that you don't feel like you'll break it. - FAL grip is large for some (CA SA58 grip is the same) - Looooong selector throw So....the CA SA58 is a "nicer" rifle...but the Hicap only and silly PEQ box for small batteries killed it for me (for me...Hicaps only is a non-starter). Out of the box...the KA FAL is a stellar shooter...and with just a bit of work, it's awesome. Given the choice to buy either...I'd still go with the KA Fal series. What about a G3 for that "retro" look? Best of luck, Tys

May 22nd, 2009, 14:49	#4
Mr.Shiney Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: London,Ontario	So what do you regret about buying the CA version? What difficulties have you had with it? Juctim Omnimodo Michael

May 22nd, 2009, 15:53	#5
Bandit Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Calgary, AB.	I've got a full length King Arms FN-FAL. The gun is fantastic. One drawback I've encountered is that the full size is super duper long. But I knew that getting into it. Another one is that to get at the mechbox you have to pretty much dismantle the entire gun. However, since it is such a sweet shooter I haven't found it necessary to even look into upgrades.

May 22nd, 2009, 21:45	#8
wildcard Trader rating Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: In my man cave	Go to the Airsoft media page and search FAL and you will find the FAL thread started by jugglez, if you want to see what a tactical FAL look like there are some pictures, if you want to know how they are in life then show up to CQB and I'll let you squeeze off a few rounds

May 22nd, 2009, 21:50	#10
Mr.Shiney Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: London,Ontario	The CA FN SA58 OSW that Tys was working on is mine. I am thinking of getting a KA one as well. I would like to get the Long Railed front furniture, just not sure which of the FAL variants would fit it. I am not sure if I want a full lenght barrel, as I remember humping the C1 around. So which of the shorter lenght barrel KA will fit the KA long railed front furniture? Michael

May 23rd, 2009, 09:09	#12
Mr.Shiney Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: London,Ontario	So if i wanted the full lenght RIS Front Furniture, which of the KA FAL would not be suitable. Oh, as for going to hell, been there CFB Shilo. So no worries. Michael

May 23rd, 2009, 12:58	#13
Lakonian kos Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wherever.	That really sucks to hear. Really fancy that DSA unit. Beautiful gun.

May 23rd, 2009, 20:49	#15
The Saint Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Quebec	CA is releasing 120rd midcaps for the SA58. http://www.classicarmy.com/new/produ...oducts_id=1250 __________________ "The Bird of Hermes is My Name, Eating My Wings to Make Me Tame."

Classic Army FN FAL (DSA SA-58)

Airsoft Guns Discussion