m14 vs FAL select fire. Which one should I purchase

[Rekraps]

I really do like my M14. Same rifle we carried at West Point, and maybe that taints me a bit, but I know it through and through. Just a good looking rifle. 

[NFA amnesty]

I like the look and feel of the FAL over the HK G3.  The M14 is a classic too, and really like the lines of the rifle but that FAL is just "sexy".

[Don.]

I’ve shot both with the selector set to “hold on”.  They are both fun to shoot and the FAL may be marginally controlled better with the pistol grip.  Never tried a 14 with a pistol grip stock.  I was going to buy a M14 last year, but they all disappeared from the market when I was ready.  I settled for a converted SP1…probably better for resale when the time comes.

 I chose the 14 due to the price, I already have a ton of spares and mags/ammo since I already have an M1A.  I prefer it over the FAL, as I shoot better with the M14/M1A.  Whatever you choose will be the right choice.

[Rekraps]

15 hours ago, Don. said:

I’ve shot both with the selector set to “hold on”.  They are both fun to shoot and the FAL may be marginally controlled better with the pistol grip.  Never tried a 14 with a pistol grip stock.  I was going to buy a M14 last year, but they all disappeared from the market when I was ready.  I settled for a converted SP1…probably better for resale when the time comes.

 I chose the 14 due to the price, I already have a ton of spares and mags/ammo since I already have an M1A.  I prefer it over the FAL, as I shoot better with the M14/M1A.  Whatever you choose will be the right choice.

Hey Don, I'm with you on the m14. I love the SA M1A (I own 9) and the M14 was a natural fit as I was super comfortable with it, had tons of accessories and they are damn good shooters. 

[NFA amnesty]

On 11/29/2024 at 10:38 AM, Rekraps said:

Hey Don, I'm with you on the m14. I love the SA M1A (I own 9) and the M14 was a natural fit as I was super comfortable with it, had tons of accessories and they are damn good shooters. 

On semi, the m14 is more accurate than the FAL.  I own a socom m1a and really like that rifle.  The FAL will be a nice addition to my collection.

[Rekraps]

On 11/30/2024 at 9:19 PM, NFA amnesty said:

On semi, the m14 is more accurate than the FAL.  I own a socom m1a and really like that rifle.  The FAL will be a nice addition to my collection.

Yep, if something happens to you I'll be there lickety split to "help" your wife dispose of the guns.

 

[NFA amnesty]

8 hours ago, Rekraps said:

Yep, if something happens to you I'll be there lickety split to "help" your wife dispose of the guns.

 

I don't deserve friends like you.  

[Rekraps]

Which brings up a good question. I rarely see select fire FAL's for sale. Any idea of how many there might be, and what country origin most of them are?

[NFA amnesty]

11 hours ago, Rekraps said:

Which brings up a good question. I rarely see select fire FAL's for sale. Any idea of how many there might be, and what country origin most of them are?

Great Question!  My FAL is a Springfield Armory SAR-48 which were imported from IMBEL...Brazil.  Not a 100 percent sure, but believe Springfield Armory converted some as select fire vs importing them with that configuration.   What is cool about IMBEL, they were licensed to manufacture the FAL from FN.    Very similar to what Egypt did with the Swedish K.  

I don't see very many FAL's on the market but they do come up.  I see a lot more Springfield Armory (select fire M1A) M14's on the market.   

I think original Belgium FAL's are very rare in the US.  I do come across IMBEL quite a bit and then mix masters from parts kits that were put together and registered.

[johnsonlmg41]

I am new in the FAL market (transfer should clear in a couple weeks), but I'd guess the majority here are G series FAL's since they were "readily" convertible and guys pressed the easy button back before 86.   As far as numbers, no one has any idea since there were a number of M1A's converted by others, other than springfield armory, and the FAL's were converted by a lot of individuals.   I'm researching the FAL's and have finally shot my semi a few months ago.  I'm used to the M14 since I have a few and years of experience,  but the FAL seemed fine however I don't have hardly any rounds through it?   Seems promising in my short experience.  For me stuff has to be side by side and I have to have experience and be competent with both before I side x side test them.  That's probably going to be quite while before that happens.  Looking forward to it though. 

[Rekraps]

Well we have part of the picture, as I posted a SA document stating that 470 SA M1A's were factory select manufactured. No telling how many Gov't M14's and SEI guns there are. I always wanted a SAR-48 and did not know they even existed in select fire. Wow.

[NFA amnesty]

6 hours ago, Rekraps said:

Well we have part of the picture, as I posted a SA document stating that 470 SA M1A's were factory select manufactured. No telling how many Gov't M14's and SEI guns there are. I always wanted a SAR-48 and did not know they even existed in select fire. Wow.

I have been told they are rare but a few come up for sale.  Not sure of the exact number from SA regarding select fire, but has to be a very low count.

Edited December 4, 2024 by NFA amnesty

[Don.]

https://www.sturmgewehr.com/forums/index.php?/topic/38224-extremely-early-fully-transferable-belgium-fn-fal-for-sale/
 

There’s a chance that a few DSs may become available like this one.  

[Rekraps]

3 hours ago, Don. said:

https://www.sturmgewehr.com/forums/index.php?/topic/38224-extremely-early-fully-transferable-belgium-fn-fal-for-sale/
 

There’s a chance that a few DSs may become available like this one.  

Dealer Sample Restriction.... another gun to hit the market that may or may not be really transferrable. Great post thoough!

[JJX]

Decades ago I had an M1A, FAL and HK91. Shooting all three back to back, I had a distinct preference for the FAL.

Never had the chance to shoot all three full auto on the same day, but I prefer the FAL in full auto also.

I especially like the heavy barrel FAL for auto fire.

[ranger1385]

I know I'm asking for trouble with this one, but it's Christmas so let's hope your gentle:  I too have been pondering the purchase of either a FAL or M1A.  I want a 7.62x51 type battle rifle.  I have both in semi-auto.  What do you guys think FMV is on either?  I was thinking 20-25k for the garden variety M1A and 25-30K for a FAL.  Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like there have been more listing lately and it seems to me that pricing is softening a bit?  What say you guys? 

[Rekraps]

On 12/25/2024 at 11:04 AM, ranger1385 said:

I know I'm asking for trouble with this one, but it's Christmas so let's hope your gentle:  I too have been pondering the purchase of either a FAL or M1A.  I want a 7.62x51 type battle rifle.  I have both in semi-auto.  What do you guys think FMV is on either?  I was thinking 20-25k for the garden variety M1A and 25-30K for a FAL.  Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like there have been more listing lately and it seems to me that pricing is softening a bit?  What say you guys? 

M1A all day long. Mine is infinitely enjoyable, and just a great gun. I paid $22.5K two years ago for the OEM SA M1A factory Select Fire. If I may offer a bit of advice, buy in this order: SA Factory Select Fire M1A (479 mfg'd), next would be SEI conversions (very well done). 

[NFA amnesty]

On 12/25/2024 at 8:04 AM, ranger1385 said:

I know I'm asking for trouble with this one, but it's Christmas so let's hope your gentle:  I too have been pondering the purchase of either a FAL or M1A.  I want a 7.62x51 type battle rifle.  I have both in semi-auto.  What do you guys think FMV is on either?  I was thinking 20-25k for the garden variety M1A and 25-30K for a FAL.  Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like there have been more listing lately and it seems to me that pricing is softening a bit?  What say you guys? 

You are pretty spot on for the prices for both M1A and FAL.  It was a difficult decision for me as I like both rifles but wanted the weapon that was the most controllable on full auto and not as many registered select fire FAL's on the market.  Also DS arms makes 12 inch barrel assembly that includes the gas system block for the FAL.  I think it would be fun to go with a 12 inch system for a while and then switch back to full length barrel.  Of course with a registered receiver, removing and installing a different barrel or assembly would require a gunsmith for me but can be done.  This is the look and style I am going after for my FAL

 

 

Edited December 27, 2024 by NFA amnesty

[ranger1385]

Wow!  Nice.  Has anyone shot a BM59 in full auto to compare to a M1a?  I was told the BM59 is more controllable.  One of the factors I am looking at, is price appreciation too!  

[johnsonlmg41]

finally got everything together, but the top 3 would be the apples to apples in a 3 gun shootout when I get the chance.   Prices on FAL's tend to run all over because of the wide variation of guns on the market, whereas the converted M1A's are generically mostly the same other than original M14's like the one in the pic so you don't see much variation in price.   From top to bottom  G series FAL,  Springfield armory factory M14,  HK91 sear gun, and converted M1A Rock SOPMOD with suppressor (sitting on my deer rifle at the moment).

If you want to get into modifying a FAL, well you can do the same with the M14 and get dramatically better results than the FAL video above by going with the gun on the bottom.  You get a more compact package, better suppression, lower recoil, and match grade accuracy out of the gun on the bottom.   About 1/2  MOA, much better than any of the above rifles. NOT apples to apples.  

Never got a chance to shoot a BM-59 I had in a collection years ago.  They run a bit cheaper. 

 

 

 

[ranger1385]

Very nice.  You have scopes on them all.  I'm guessing you use them for distance shooting more?  Is that a ArtII scope on the M14?  We used the ART1's on our M21's in the mid 80's.  

[Rekraps]

10 hours ago, ranger1385 said:

Very nice.  You have scopes on them all.  I'm guessing you use them for distance shooting more?  Is that a ArtII scope on the M14?  We used the ART1's on our M21's in the mid 80's.  

No, he has scopes because he is half blind in his old age.  Welcome to the club!

[johnsonlmg41]

The scopes are on mostly to even the field when/if I get a chance to do the shootout.  I just got the G3 and the FAL recently and have not shot them.  The FAL needed a lot of work and still a bit to go before I range test it.  The M14 with the ART I have not shot in years.  The M1A on the bottom I have shot, but I have more than one so I don't know if I shot that one or the other, but it is my preferred choice should I get time to just....go shoot for fun.  90% of my shooting is test firing new or broken stuff or sighting in things generally for function testing. 

My eyes are actually pretty good, but at that unfortunate time when I need readers for this and some tinkering, but don't use anything all day.   The worst since I don't carry glasses as a routine so I generally don't have them when I need them?  I can shoot without them.....just not sure I hit much?  LOL

Could explain my affinity for MG's and dusty ranges?

[Don.]

Nice gaggle of 7.62’s!!

Have you considered trying dot sights on any of them?  I could see the sight plane being lowered making it so you don’t need to achieve a chin or beck weld to see the reticle.

 I know exactly what you mean by the test firing thing.  I take others out “shooting”, but I tend to go out to test and evaluate.  Tinkering is most of the fun.

[Rekraps]

On 1/4/2025 at 8:47 AM, Don. said:

Nice gaggle of 7.62’s!!

Have you considered trying dot sights on any of them?  I could see the sight plane being lowered making it so you don’t need to achieve a chin or beck weld to see the reticle.

 I know exactly what you mean by the test firing thing.  I take others out “shooting”, but I tend to go out to test and evaluate.  Tinkering is most of the fun.

I tried red-dots on my M1A's, but what i found is that they are only good for close shooting (100 yards), any more than that and the dot is bigger than the target. So, I switched to either SA Art IV, or my personal favorite, Burris 2.75x fixed. Hitting anything from 50 yards to 500 is now a snap. Plus it fits well on the forward mount of the SOCOM and Scout Squad.