I’ve always had a fondness for the venerable FN-FAL design. It’s been called the ‘Right Arm Of The Free World,’ having served in dozens of armies since production began in 1953. It probably should have won the 1955 U.S. Army trials that replaced the M1 Garand with . . . a warmed-over M1 Garand. But the 10-pound FN has always been a pig to carry and shoot; the 20-round steel magazines weigh almost two pounds each. So DS Arms has put the FN on a diet . . .
The new gun uses an alloy lower receiver that shaves just less than 16 ounces. But I didn’t know that when I picked this rifle off the display rack. I expected to be lifting a cinderblock, and the gun was so much lighter than I expected that I almost juggled it.
FN Fanboys take note: DS Arms FNs are also available with 30-round magazines (not pictured) and machined Picatinny dust covers that attach securely to the upper receiver. (See all those screws?) The only trashy thing about this rifle is the cheesy SAW-style pistol grip. What were they thinking?
