Well, I've been speculating for some time now about how Classic Army will next capitalize on it's licence from DSL Inc. to replicate it's line of FN FAL based tactical weapons in airsoft form. Finally we have news on the second in CA's series using the DSA SA58 format.

The surprise is that Classic Army have not decided to do the obvious and bring out a folding stock version of the SA58, a much sought after model based on the DSA Para Elite Compact. Instead they have elongated the initial SA58 to make a straight 'long' rifle version of their solid stocked AEG carbine. 

It's a bit of a strange move in one sense but in another way mirrors exactly my recent upgrade modification to my own SA58 carbine - as I have had a longer MadBull barrel installed (with silencer shrouding the lengthened barrel). Classic Army may have found - from user feedback - exactly what I found, that the carbine was being out-ranged in the open field, and that the type of people buying the FAL based rifle perhaps hanker for that 'old skool' long FN FALL look.

On the other hand, it might simply be a cynical move by CA to poke a hole in Star Airsofts sales of it's new L1A1 (FAL based) long rifle, not to mention King Arms lovely line of FN FALs. Who knows.

A much welcomed feature of the 'new' rifle is that it has dumped the M4 birdcage flash hider in favour of a more pleasing FN style muzzle topper. No doubt many SA58 carbine owners will be hoping that this will be released separately so they can add it to their AEGs.

Current SA58 carbine owners may feel a bit miffed at this release, as they may have preferred either this new rifle variant or a true version of the Para Elite Compact. Instead they seem to have been left floating in the middle with a carbine that is neither one thing  or another. They may hope that a folding stock conversion kit is in the pipe-line.

One final note is that this longer fore-gripped version of the SA58 opens up the possibilities of a custom modification to the DSA SPR sniper variant, a very sexy looking customer indeed. This would top off the series very nicely indeed, thank you very much Classic Army!

Above: The real DAS INC. 7.62mm SPR (Special Purpose Rifle) - Oh Lordy! (Photo credit: DSA Inc.)

 

(PS. Still no sign of the promised Mid-caps for the SA58 from CA though - maybe in the New Year eh?)

Useful links:

> Classic Army SA58 series web page
> DSA INC. SA58 (real steel) 'Tactical Series' web page

All other photos, credit: Classic Army