Imbel FAL vs Bushmaster AR10

[sniperdoc]

Today I was at a local gunshop&saw a beautiful Imbel FAL w/ wooden furniture, including wooden grip. It appears NIB. Probably refinished at import.
I have an unfired Bushmaster ORC AR10 (18" bbl) that I could trade, if not even, at least very close.
So:
1) I love the looks of the FAL, but don't know much about them.
2) Which is more accurate?
3) Which is more reliable?
4) Any thoughts?

 

[smg-45]

Over the years I've owned an AR 10, Springfield M1A , Cetme, And a FAL. I still have the FAL. The recoil on the AR 10 was worse than the FAL. The FAL is a reliable, and accurate Battle proven rifle.

 

[DINK]

That's funny- I can say almost the exact same thing, with the exception of a Springfield Armory SAR-8 being in place of the CETME. All the rest are gone, but the FAL is still here.

It's one of the last of the Belgian-made paratroop models I bought a long time ago and it's just so damn pleasant to shoot.....

 

[Super Dak©]

I've never fired an AR-10, but do have a full auto SAR-48 Izzy HB (which is just an Israeli heavy 21" bbl FAL kit that was imported by Springfield Armory, and reassembled on a Imbel receiver). I love the gun. Reliable and accurate, never a hiccup. Recoil is actually pretty light (IMHO) and it's pretty controllable in full auto, more than I expected.
You might want to shoot both if you can. I like my M-16A1 allot too, but they have different rolls/purposes, so it'll just be personal opinion (DI vs. piston...)

 

[hagar]

We shoot a steel plate match at the Charlotte range every quarter, 8 steel plates at 200 yards, quickest time wins. The Fal absolutely rules this, it even beat out full NM AR15's for the longest time, and then they made 2 classes, one for heavy and one for light rifles. We also have like 5 AR shooters for every Fal. It's pure art to see a shooter with a Fal take down 8 plates with 8 shots in less than 8 seconds. We have a lot of M1A and a few AR10 shooters. Out of more than 30 matches, only once has it been won with an M1A. Never with an AR10. A few G3/Hk91 shooters as well, never even saw one place in the top 5. It has been won by an AK once!

 

[ncjeeper]

Get the Imbel FAL.

 

[kaen3e]

Or wait till the 308 galil comes out

 

[sniperdoc]

Okay, it's basically unanimous that I should go for the Imbel.
So there's one final question, : Due to surgery, strength in my Left Arm is approximately 18% vs Rt Arm,& I have trouble rotating my Left wrist. Does this matter at all?

 

[Super Dak©]

Okay, it's basically unanimous that I should go for the Imbel.
So there's one final question, : Due to surgery, strength in my Left Arm is approximately 18% vs Rt Arm,& I have trouble rotating my Left wrist. Does this matter at all?

It's kind of hard to estimate someone else injury/use/limitations. Kind of like when you don't realize how much you use a body part/muscle group/etc 'till you hurt it. Then you find out you use it all the time, for everything
Can you operate the charging handle on the left? Mags go in more like an AK (not straight in like an AR) is that an issue? Other than that, I think if you can operate one gun, you can operate the other.
But again, if you have access to the FAL at your dealer, go try it on for size and operate/function test as much as you can. JMHO....

 

[sniperdoc]

It's kind of hard to estimate someone else injury/use/limitations. Kind of like when you don't realize how much you use a body part/muscle group/etc 'till you hurt it. Then you find out you use it all the time, for everything
Can you operate the charging handle on the left? Mags go in more like an AK (not straight in like an AR) is that an issue? Other than that, I think if you can operate one gun, you can operate the other.
But again, if you have access to the FAL at your dealer, go try it on for size and operate/function test as much as you can. JMHO....

Guess I will call&make sure he still has it; if yes, I will go try the charging handle (that's my biggest consideration, along with how "front heavy" it is {I cannot hold a Bull Barreled AR 15 steady}.
Thanks for the advice!

 

[Gunslingerdoc]

FAL's are great EXCEPT when mounting optics. if youre too the age were iron sights are problematic, then the ar-10 is better platform for mounting a red dot or a scope. other than that I cant think of a reason to pick the ar-10 over the fal other than personal preference....both a good rifles.

 

[sniperdoc]

UPDATE: I missed the FAL. It sold 2 days after I spotted it.

 

[blfuller]

You will find that an AR10 type rifle will probably shoot the pants off a FAL. However, for nostalgic and aesthetic reasons, the FAL comes from an era of steel and wood and is a beautiful rifle AND combat proven.

The Bushmaster ORC not so much, it is essentially a DPMS/Remington and is sort of blah. If you do go for an AR10 go with an Armalite or the DPMS gen2 with forged receivers.

 

[sniperdoc]

You will find that an AR10 type rifle will probably shoot the pants off a FAL. However, for nostalgic and aesthetic reasons, the FAL comes from an era of steel and wood and is a beautiful rifle AND combat proven.

The Bushmaster ORC not so much, it is essentially a DPMS/Remington and is sort of blah. If you do go for an AR10 go with an Armalite or the DPMS gen2 with forged receivers.

I got the Bushmaster about a year ago in a trade. I got it at a bargain; kinda couldn't pass it up.
I'd much rather have an Armalite AR10 (T)!