[I'm breaking this review into two parts. Part 1 is about my first impressions 'out of the box', and part 2 will be based on use and performance after my first visit to SYA on the 2th of October.]


The Classic Army replica of the DSA SA58 carbine. Based on the real steal law enforcement tactical weapon, this gun is designed to get the biggest possible punch in a 'small' - CQB friendly - package.

WHY THE SA58?

Back in 1978 I did my army orientation (which was supposed to introduce young army cadets to ‘army life’ before we took the plunge). Part of that training was weapons familiarisation, weaning us off our faithful Enfield .303s to the 7.62mm x 51mm NATO L1A1 SLR (Self Loading Rifle), which was the standard British infantry rifle at the time.

While other cadets were excited about getting to use the 9mm Sterling SMG, or the Browning HP pistol and shied away from the ‘Stupidly Long Rifle’, I relished my turn on the powerful weapon.

It was this that started my long infatuation with the L1A1, the FN FAL (on which the L1A1 was based) and, in fact, anything that Fabrique Nationale de Herstal (FN) in Liège, Belgium, produces.

THE REAL STEEL

The FN FAL is often called the West’s AK47. There is good reason to make this comparison, as it was a design directly influenced by experience in WWII, and it was also eventually sold (and produced in licensed form) in over 90 nations around the world. Additionally, as mentioned above, the SLR was the standard British Army rifle for nearly 30 years – my uncle used it in Aden, and my brother – 15 years later - in Germany.


Above: The CA SA58 with a Razor Workz 90mm steel carbine barrel extension - this really shows off the guns FN FAL heritage.

But the time of the long rifle was well passed. The Americans had led the way with the AR15, of which the British Army and Marines had already bought substantial stock for jungle warfare. In 1984 the venerable L1A1 was finally retired (although it did see some action in the first Gulf War by territorial units).

The return of ‘the bitch’*

However, recent experience in Iraq – ironically – showed that the 5.56mm round used by the M16 consistently failed to achieve the desired ‘knock down’ and penetration required against determined insurgents (that there was also wide spread drug use by these insurgents highlighted the need for more powerful alternatives).

The US Army came up with a temporary fix by bringing out numbers of it’s mothballed M14 7.62mm rifle – which in time were modified into ‘new’ EBR style point and designated marksman rifles. While US civil law enforcement turned to companies like DSA Inc, USA, who modified some of the large stocks of surplus FN FALS that were imported into America for ‘sporting’ use.

Link to the full DSA tactical range: DS Arms, USA - SA58 Tactical Range

* The bitch’ was the nickname given to the L1A1 carbine used by the Australians in Vietnam

THE CLASSIC ARMY SA58 REPLICA

Classic Army have been very crafty in their production of the SA58 variant of the FN FAL rifle. For, while STAR and King Arms have both developed FN FAL/L1A1 versions of the Belgian rifle, CA chose to be a little different and give CQB skirmishers some FAL loveliness!


Above: My complete SA58 package, with the Airsoft Armory AEG 'starter kit'. This includes a spare magazine, battery, charger, 6000 BBs, silicon oil and Bolle safety glasses. All you need, in fact, to get up and going 'out the box'.

Classic Army have chosen to produce the tactical carbine version of DSA’s SA58 (there are a host of other variants, something CA is sure to take advantage of in time). This uses the FN FAL stocked frame, but with a ‘sawn off’ barrel reducing the overall size of the rifle to a much more compact package.

The ‘look’

Like the AK47, the basic FN FAL silhouette is perhaps an acquired taste. But there is no doubt that the ‘look’ is intimidating and ‘macho’. ‘I’ prefer it to the ‘space age’ (1960s) plastic fantastic AR15 design – it lives up to it’s other nickname of ‘the mechanical musket’…It’s a big lump of metal designed to efficiently do one job.


Above: Shot showing some of the main controls on the SA58's receiver. At this point - aside from the DSA scope rail - the receiver is indistinguishable from the FN FAL. Safety catch is the combined safety/single shot/full-auto type switch.

The SA58’s big magazine tells you that this rifle means business, and the chopped down length doesn’t detract from FN look. The front end is still noticeably ‘FAL’ (so much so, in fact, that I bought a 90mm steel barrel extension. And with this on, the SA58 looks exactly like it’s parent).

Build quality

CA has used metals of various types in making this AEG, and the overall effect is a nice sturdy realistic looking replica. The only use of plastic (externally) is exactly the same as that used on the original; the fore grip, MAG style pistol grip and stock.

The different forms of metal used are noticeable in certain light (and under my harsh flash photography!). While the AEG looks matt black out of the box, in bright light you do notice that some parts look dark grey, particularly the front sight area and the CNC upper reciever/scope rail.


Above: This photo, using my rather aggressive camera flash, highlights the various shades of black of the different components of the AEG. Note that the flash hider is my replacement for the CA 'birdcage' version, it's the Razor Workz Beowolf flash hider.

Overall, the build quality is superb – I did find one tiny flaw in the seam and fit of the fore grip, where there was a slight bit of movement, the moulding of the plastic not being quite as precise as it should be. But – in this case – it isn’t a ‘biggy’, and anyway, I intend to replace this plastic part with the metal RIS that CA has made for this AEG.

Additionally, some people have noticed how thin the walls of the plastic stock are. But this is a compromise made in order to fit the large 8.4v battery. With the battery installed the stock feels more rigged and weighty.


Above: The standard M4 type 'birdcage' flash hider is a little 'American' for my taste. Luckily Classic Army have made this easily removable, from a negative 14mm thread (no Locktight!). So I replaced this with a more 'FN' looking Razor Workz Beowolf flash hider.

INITIAL SUMMARY

This is my first AEG, so in a ways it’s hard to know just what I expected. I have no reference point from which to make direct comparison.

The primary point of scrutiny for me was how realistic the AEG ‘felt’. A lot of this has to do with how much metal was used in the construction, and in this I wasn’t disappointed. Ironically, it was in what few plastic parts that were included that I was slightly dissatisfied. The fore grip – plastic as it is in the ‘real steel – was a little less substantially moulded than I felt it should have been, and therefore displayed a little movement and I will change it out for the metal RIS as soon as possible.


Above: Some of the wonderful detail from the receiver, including those all important DSA INC. trade marks! The receiver oozes 'quality'.

However, that said, the quality of the plastic – and the rest of materials for that matter – ARE perfectly in line which what I would expect for £280. No, the plastic isn’t ‘military grade’, but then the real SA58 is a lot more expensive – four times the price of the CA replica in fact.

One other point that I should mention is that the magazine is a 500 round hi-cap. Nothing wrong with that, but at the moment only hi-caps are available from CA, and it is not yet known whether the King Arms FN FAL mid-caps are compatible with the SA58.

So, my opinion is that the SA58 is a wonderful replica. The look, the feel and even the smell (it came nicely oiled) gave just the impression I hoped for. I felt like I was holding a real rifle – and isn’t that what we are after?


And finally: Some AEG geekiness - the belly of the beast - the hop-up.

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See the 2nd part of this review here:  Classic Army SA58 review part 2 - skirmish report