Spent a productive and memorable hour at the outstanding NRA HQ range. I brought the AK, the M&P-15T, the 1911 (of course); my friend and close associate MDL brought two of his many SIGs, his K-31, and his DSA FAL.
Since this range is a 50-yarder, I was able to see where the AK and the M&P-15T hit at that distance. Both a little high and to the right. I have a lot more work to do to zero both, but I’m waiting on a new AR front sight for the M&P-15T, because I just cannot see that little HK-style post and I don’t like how the housing wants to co-witness with the rear aperture. Still, any range time is good time. Also, I was interested to see how much the point of impact changed– significantly to the left– when I started one-round engagements from the low ready, with the sling on.
I put about 30 rounds of good South African ammo through MDL’s FAL– “SADF Surplus: A Case of Evil in Every Round”– and came away impressed. That’s a solid rifle, a true man-gun. Being much more accustomed to the lighter AK and M4, it took me a little effort to get used to this bigger, heavier gun when I took it off the bench and started one-round snap shots. However, I was able to put the shots pretty much where I wanted them. I also like the left-side chargng handle. I’m not sure I’d want to hump that thing across East Falkland, or jump it into a hot DZ in Rhodesia, but it definitely strikes with authority, to borrow Farnam’s phrase.
Rhodesians, if I’m not mistaken, loved that rifle — though I suppose it’s easy to love if you have no other alternatives.
So did us South Africans. We call it the R1 though! :-) Replacing it with the R5 (5.56/Galil copy) was a huge disappointment, although mitigated for me because I carried the FN MAG LMG.
I was using the FAL (or “SLR” to us) in the Aussie army reserve until 1992, when we got the Steyr.
I’d prefer the FAL anyday.
So you’ve posted on the M1 carbine and talked about the AK, FAL and M4. What are your thoughts considering current conflicts and battle vs assualt rifles? Any feedback from the SOF community? Seems like they are trying to migrate to a heavier round…maybe. I could consistently get target hits at 350m on the M16 range, but am not convinced by the whole “tumble” thing. Lacking any of the visual confirmation in spite of a healthy dose of IZ street time, I’d love to hear from those who have had anbd will soon face “close battle” time.