SA58 - ArniesAirsoft - Review Archive

Author

clone_ranger

Registered: July 2007
Location: North Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 61

Review Date: 3/11/07

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: �280.00 | Rating: 0

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Excellent build quality, large quantity of metal parts, unique look
Cons:	Only Hi-Caps are available as yet, only CA mags will fit

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

POST-SKIRMISH THOUGHTS...

Following my first skirmish of the SA58 there were a couple of little niggles I should add in my review.

First of all, there were the Hi-Cap magazines, which are all Classic Army produces for the SA58 at the moment. Nothing wrong with them, mechanically, they functioned as they should - but only having hi-caps was a mixed blessing, I would have preferred mid-caps. But this is a personal preference.

Next, there was the clarity of the iron-sights, particularly in conjunction with the deep goggles I was using - again, the slight problem I encountered was perhaps a personal one, as my long-sightedness was biased to the far sight, with the rear sight being a bit blurred. I will rectify this by adding a red-dot sight as soon as I can.

Finally, there was the weight of the SA58. The gun isn't a real heavy-weight, despite the amount of metal used to make it. I held a Star L85A1 earlier in the day, and that was a bit of a lead weight! But the '58 does need a sling, it cries out for it. Trotting about with this gun in hand all day was tiring. Buy a sling!

And that's that! These were very minor niggles, and none of them are inherent faults in manufacture or quality of the gun itself.

FINISH & WEAR AND TEAR

I noticed that the light grey finish - which I mentioned in the first part of my review - seemed to scrape off more easily than the flat black finish of the main receiver. The safety/fire selector switch in particular was worn down to the bare metal by the end of the day. But, otherwise, the finish of the metal parts held good without noticeable scratches.

The plastic parts held up well also - minus the plastic cocking bolt knob, which loosened and fell of and was lost - and my worries about the apparently flimsy fore-stock were completely unfounded. The fore-stock remained solid and un-moved at the end of the day.

CONCLUSION

The bottom line is that the SA58 worked faultlessly, and very efficiently dispensed BBs in great quantity, satisfying accuracy and with devilish power (the six enemy I sprayed in the backsides in one go will testify to this).

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