I’m looking for some opinions on this FAL SBR. Does anyone have any experience with them? Is reliability compromised with the shortened gas system?
I know velocity is negatively impacted with short barrelled 308s, but I’ve also read that for the intended purpose of rifles of this kind it isn’t a big factor and still has more knock-down power than an SBR 556.
I had a guy run one right next to me in a Vickers battle rifle class. It felt like a damn flash bang went off every time he pulled the trigger.
Reliability is compromised with that short a gas system. You are also burning up lube really quickly. The shooter couldn’t go many magazines without having to stop and relube.
You’re also getting less down range energy than an AK.
If you’re looking for a fun toy, I’d say sure, go for it. If you’re looking at something for more serious work, I’d look at one of the newer cartridges that are designed to do very well from a short barrel, like 6.8mm SPC or .300 Blackout.
IMHO anybody that own one of those is a douche.
They have no practical purpose.
They go in the same category as AR-15 pistols, Taurus Judges, Springfield XDs, etc.
If you want .30 cal bullets in that short of a gun, you need to look at getting a .300 blackout.
I had a 16 inch barrelled congo version some years ago. The muzzle blast and flash from that was horrendous enough. I can’t imagine a practical purpose for a FAL SBR.
Known to have reliability issues.
Yet everyone is hot on the 13" barreled SCAR 17.
id be curious on the real velocity numbers on equal length barrels between this, an ak47 and a 300blk
wrong. they can be used as cost-effective artillery simulators for training.
What he said. 6.8 is ideal for this barrel length. As it is, several of the more common 6.8 loadings will outperform most of the common military 7.62 loadings at close-med ranges in terms of terminal ballistics (you want to talk specialty 7.62 loadings, it’s a different story). A barrel that short is just going to really take the legs off the 7.62 and further widen the gap.
If you really want a short .308, I think SBR’ing a SCAR 17 is the way to go.
If memory serves me I was getting just over 2400 FPS muzzle velocity through my 16 inch FAL with 147 grain Radway Green FMJ. Dieudonne Saive designed the FAL with a 21 inch barrel for a reason;)
I could have sworn I saw Hoptheleos with one of these when he was overseas. I think he posted that it wasn’t to bad, but the shock and awe of it was huge! I may be mistaken since it was a couple 2-3 yrs ago.
I have the above weapon with a 16inch barrel and it’s freakin awsome, but I also have a 51 and I love shooting it. I have an 8inch barrel and then put a 4prong FH with the prongs extended an inch. The increased length of the prongs also increases the harmonics of the prongs and eliminates all of the flash. The only flash that comes out is occasionaly some powder or gases build up and combust in the barrel and it will belch a flame, but this only happens on rapid fire. if it’s sustained semi auto there’s no flash signature. I have the same FH on my 53 as well.
I know people talk about the .308 and parrot what they read, stating that it needs at least a 16inch barrel. I can tell you that an 8inch barrel is very accurate out to 100yds and I have personally punched holes through 1/8inch steel plate at 100yds. I read a range report and saw pics of some guy in AZ who said he was shooting through 1/4inch steel at 100yds.
I think everyone needs to make up their own mind. The dynamics of what people are looking for in a weapon have changed. Alot of people are looking for a weapon that is good from 100-300yds. look in the middle east. Look at all of the draco looking AKs guys would find in autos and these were personal weapons. Most people live in an urban enviroment and they want a weapon that is devastating out to 100yds with the ability to put a lot of rds down range.
If you’re truly interested in this weapon then call DSArms. They are a well know reputable company and I’m sure they’re not going to blow smoke up your butt. I can’t see them selling a product that doesn’t function well. IMO!
FWIW I have a buddy who owned an OSW for a while and had reliability issues with it because it would burn through the piston spring about every 200 rounds or so. Even after he tuned the gas regulator he would get a couple of hundred rounds through it before it would start misfeeding and short stroking. Once he replaced the piston spring the issues resolved themselves for a few hundred more rounds. He kept a supply of piston springs with the gun to swap them out as necessary.
The 13" barrels are actually not nearly as bad as the 11" barrels, but the mechanics of the FAL really aren’t kind to short barrel reliability and durability.
What kind of steel?
I agree that DSA is a top notch company, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t put out lemons. I’m relating first person experience and the reliability and durability issues are very, very real.
I’ve also got trigger time on the 51, and it’s a toy. If that’s all you’re looking for, then brother, go forth, spur the economy on and buy one, but if you’re looking for a serious carbine, pass it by.
Thanks for the information, guys. That’s pretty much what I figured, but I thought if DSA put it out, the problems inherent with such a short barrel may have been addressed.
Well im sure DSA opens up the gas port. It simply would not run if they didn’t. I had to on all my 16 inch barrels when I was building FALs 10-15 years ago. Even 18 inch barrels need a slightly larger gas port to operate reliably.
I just would not mess with any SBR that fires a full power rifle cartridge.
Although HK never formally made an HK51, I think the brits actually played around with the initial design and then Bill Fleming made some. If I remember correctly they were made at the request of the specops community. The flash signature and the weight made it a no go, but I wouldn’t call it a toy. It’s still a devasting little piece of heaven IMO! How about we agree to disagree in this one. If you look at my screen name I think you can see where I stand on this issue.
Is it a weapon I would grab as my primary? heck no! would I keep one in my vehicle (with a couple of 50rd drums) to lay out some devastion towards whatever happened to come within 100yrd (75-50 preferably), then hell yeah.
If you have some trigger time, and I’m sure you have more than just a little bit, with one of these you can agree that firing one is like eating potato chips! You can’t just have done it once…they are fun and they are devasting. I wish I had video to show what 50rds of AP can do to a structure or a vehicle…
On the subject of an SBR .308, I really wouldn’t go under 16inch, so no it’s probably not a good idea to go with a 13 or 11inch barrel. If you do decide to go with one then go with the 13inch because I think those extra 2inches would make a great deal of difference. Once again this is just my opinion.
I own a DSArms SA58 and I love it. It’s a bit heavy, but that weight really sucks up the recoil and muzzle rise.
An FAL is not made to have a barrel shorter than the factory carbine length of 18"
God, regrettably I have to agree with you but my best friend just spent fifteen hundo on a DSA pistol (He also owns a judge) 
Hey guys I don’t know anything about your experiences with the real metric FAL’s but what I’ am sure is that the FN FAL 50-63 we’v being using in the Belgian Para-Commando was as realable and deadly as possible…
The one with a 436mm. (17,1653")
And in any way… shorter or you you have to forget both of the upper named charateristics, just my Belgian two cent’s.
