In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Imbel FAL receiver
Blckhrn
Member Posts: 5,136
Found this in an auction description here, anybody familiar with his statement about the quality of the 2000 imports versus later ones or is this just hype?
Brand new, unused Gear Logo Imbel FAL Receiver. Stamped "2000" inside the mag well. Serial number PAC107xx. Imported by Pacific Armament Corporation (PAC). Excellent medium-gray parkerized finish.
This receiver was manufactured in 2000 and is considered superior to Imbel receivers imported in 2002 and later. Additionally, Imbel receivers bearing "PAC" import marks are more desirable than those bearing Hesse or Century Arms marks.
Brand new, unused Gear Logo Imbel FAL Receiver. Stamped "2000" inside the mag well. Serial number PAC107xx. Imported by Pacific Armament Corporation (PAC). Excellent medium-gray parkerized finish.
This receiver was manufactured in 2000 and is considered superior to Imbel receivers imported in 2002 and later. Additionally, Imbel receivers bearing "PAC" import marks are more desirable than those bearing Hesse or Century Arms marks.
Comments
Excellent finish, fit, and overall buildability.
As far as the importer marks, I would be leery of complete weapons as the two mentioned companies produced some poor examples. As to receiver only, it should make absolutely no difference. However, for future saleability, I would plainly stamp the receiver NOT ASSEMBLED BY IMPORTER
However, for future saleability, I would plainly stamp the receiver NOT ASSEMBLED BY IMPORTER
[:D]That goes for any receiver marked by Hess or Century!
? otherwise, you'll find an excuse.
I saw a pair of receivers like mine go for around $1100 here. I really don't see how that would enhance the value as you'd wind up with other SN's in the build anyhow.
Most common statements about Century is you can do builds with them , but your probably better off being experienced and prepared to a lot of tweaking and adjustments in order to get them to work properly. But some people really like challenges. Hesse has a terrible reputation.
The fal files is a very good source of information.
I also have a DSArms SA58 Paratrooper (DSA built). DSA is better. IMHO.
Whatever way you go, it will still be a "parts" gun or a "kit" gun, as far as resale value. My Imbel/STG58's work flawlessly, but with nonmatching numbers, no matter how good they are, they're still "kit" guns. If you're talking about $1100 receivers, for my money, I'd just have DSA build what you want.
I really don't have any first hand experience with post 2000 Imbel receivers, but I do have three non gear logo Imbel/STG58 rifles built with receivers from the mid to late 1990's. Cosmetically, the gear logo receivers may look a little nicer in the non critical areas, but the regular ones are first rate too. I believe Imbel is the contractor that makes receivers, frames, slides, etc. for Springfield Armory, and their products are first rate too.
I also have a DSArms SA58 Paratrooper (DSA built). DSA is better. IMHO.
Whatever way you go, it will still be a "parts" gun or a "kit" gun, as far as resale value. My Imbel/STG58's work flawlessly, but with nonmatching numbers, no matter how good they are, they're still "kit" guns. If you're talking about $1100 receivers, for my money, I'd just have DSA build what you want.
That was $1100/pair. I was debating selling them and going with DSA, which I understood was superior to Imbel regardless of the FN license.
2005 Imbels can be a total train wreck, I think they cranked as many out as they could and didn't pay attention to their QC when the new ruling came out trying to get as many as they could in country. I wouldn't buy a 2005 unless the price was really good, and I expected there to be problems.
PAC imports do tend to bring a bit more money than the Century imports. As do receivers before they started dating them. They are the same part, same MFG, just a different importer. Century just has a bad rap for their completed rifles. I have never seen one I couldn't make work though. The was a time when Century used PAC Imbel's for their builds, I have one here that has both names on it.
I thing DSA and 2004 and older Imbels are basically equals as far as quality goes. You show me where to get $550 each for an Imbel and I will tear some rifles apart, and replace the receiver with a $325 DSA. I have seen the market on Imbels settle in the $400 range.
The STG kits seem to have settled in the $325-375 for a primo one, a little more if it is an early Belgian kit.
Mine are 05, and clocked at about 25 and 45 degrees with the barrels from my kits (hand tight). From what I read they should come up to no more than 15 degrees. I had figured on cutting a couple thousandths off the shoulders before tightening.
Did you buy or make the block for the receiver and what do you use for a barrel wrench?