More than 90 countries adopted the seminal. Belgian-designed. FAL rifle for military service. Versions of the PAL have been manufactured in Argentina, Australia. Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, India, Israel, Mexico. South Africa. Great Britain and Venezuela. In recent years, the United States has been added to the list, and one of the more prominent makers of the domestic FAL is Entréprise Arms Inc.

Located in Irwindale, Calif. Entréprise Arms, Inc., best known for its M1911-based pistols, is fairly new to the manufacture of long guns. It currently offers semi-automatic-only versions of the FAL military rifle for sale to civilian and law enforcement customers. Called the STG58, Entréprise Arms FAL rifles are made entirely in the U.S. to metric standards from new parts. At present, Entréprise Arms offers seven different FAL/STG58 models on two different receiver types for civilian sale: Scout, Carbine, Lightweight Standard, Government, Target and Match Target. For law enforcement customers. Entréprise offers the STG58 Police Carbine and Police Target. We received an Entréprise Arms STG5SC Carbine for test and evaluation.

Entréprise manufactures receivers for all of its STG58 rifles in-house on state-of-the art equipment using heat-treated 414O chromemoly steel. Two different metric receiver types are manufactured: Type 01 (military version with lightening cuts to mil specs) and Type 03 (without lightening cuts). Both types are semi-automatic-only. Basically, the Government, Carbine, Target and Match Target models are made with the Type 01 receiver while all other models feature the Type 03 receiver. All Entréprise Arms STG58 rifle models are chambered for .308 Win.

Entréprise STG58s share four features developed by the firm. First are 'billet" internal parts precision-machined from a solid piece: hammer, sear, gas piston and ejector block. Second and third, all Entréprise STG58 rifles feature a "mil-spec," black oxide metal finish and a legal pistol grip. Lastly, all civilian models are factory-equipped with the Entréprise ZeroClimb muzzle device. Most models also feature a folding, insulated carry handle, sling swivels and a black nylon sling. The Standard, Government. Scout, and Police Target models come equipped with a folding bipod. Because of legislation passed in 1994, Entréprise Arms STG5S rifles are not equipped with bayonet lugs.

The Entréprise ZeroClimb muzzle device is a 3" long unit combining the functions of a muzzle brake and compensator into one. This is accomplished by three .310" diameter holes drilled at a 90 degree angle on the sides of the device to deflect high-pressure muzzle gases to both sides thus reducing perceived recoil. In addition, two similar diameter holes are drilled in the top front of the device (but not the bottom) to deflect high-pressure muzzle gases upward to combat muzzle rise. We found the compact device worked as advertised, reducing perceived recoil and muzzle rise substantially.

The upper and lower receivers of the STG58 are hinged together at the front. This makes disassembly for cleaning and routine maintenance fast and easy without requiring special tools.

Another unique feature is the rifle's aluminum, free-floating, ventilated, front hand-guard. Our test model Carbine was so equipped. Machined from heavy-wall, extruded aluminum tubing, the Entréprise handguard isolates the barrel by eliminating external forces and pressure points for increased accuracy and more consistent performance. Slotted at the top. it is cut with three 11/4"-long oblong vents on either side and five .370" diameter holes on the bottom. The black anodized handguard effectively protects the shooter's hand from barrel heat, however, we recommend more vents and holes in the hand guard to allow faster barrel cooling. While we liked the rigidity and hand-filling size of the 2 1/4" diameter unit, some did not care for the 1/2 lb. plus of extra weight it added-though it did help tame recoil. Some found the fore-end to be slick, and lightly knurling or stippling the outer surface would allow additional purchase. For those shooters with very small hands, the standard, ribbed handguard may be a better choice.

Both buttstock and the separate pistol grip are made of black synthetic material having a non-reflective, matte finish. The detachable pistol grip is hollow to keep weight to a minimum and uncheckered. It is nicely angled for comfort while firing. A unique feature of the buttstock is the plastic buttpad that can be trimmed to reduce stock pull length. The pad is marked on the exterior sides with ribs 3/ 16 apart. and the top and bottom surfaces are angled to match the butt-stock contour. Approximately 5/8 total can be trimmed from the pad thickness enabling the pull length to be reduced from 14 1/2" to 13 7/8".  

The iron, battle sights are calibrated for 7.62x51 mm NATO M80 ball ammunition with 144 to 150 gr. FMJBT bullets. The front unit is a protected post adjustable for elevation by turning it up or down with a front sight adjustment tool. The rear sight is a .060 diameter peep type that slides on inclined rails to adjust elevation from 200 to 600 meters. In addition, the rear sight base is mounted on a dovetail cut into the receiver that allows for windage adjustments. Two lock screws hold the sight base in whatever windage position is selected. Optionally available is an aluminum top cover with an integral, Picatinny rail-type scope mount base. We mounted and used such a cover for accuracy testing.

As appropriate for a battle rifle, the STG58 has a nonadjustable. two-stage trigger. Following initial slack of about 3/16", take-up length is a short1/8" followed by a consistently crisp let-off. However, trigger pull was a heavy 10 1/2 lbs. that proved tiring and somewhat detrimental to accuracy.

Operation follows that of the original FAL. Gas is bled from a hole in the upper surface of the barrel about 11" from the bolt face and enters a gas block assembly with a 13-position adjustable regulator The expanding gas then drives the piston, bolt carrier and bolt rearward. Excess gas is exhausted to the atmosphere. The gas regulator enables the STG58 to be adjusted for different loads, temperature extremes and operating conditions. As the bolt carrier and bolt move rearward, the bolt is cammed upwards, unlocking it from the receiver. Both bolt carrier and bolt then continue to travel rearward against the captive recoil spring in the buttstock, compressing it. The bolt carrier and bolt then travel forward under tension from the recoil spring, stripping the top cartridge off the magazine, chambering it, then tilting the bolt downward to lock.

The STG58 has a two-position safety lever on the left side of the tower receiver. In the safe position the pointer will be in the upper right position marked "S."	Shooters will find the adjustable gas regulator system on the Entréprise Arms STG58 very easy to adjust

As many American shooters will not be familiar with an adjustable gas regulation system, the adjustment process is simple and expedient. First, turn the regulator clockwise until it bottoms against the gas block. Next, rotate the regulator one full turn to the full-open position so that the figure '7' on the sleeve is aligned with the bore axis. Insert the empty magazine then fire one round after which the bolt will not remain open. Turn in the regulator sleeve clockwise click by click, firing one round after each adjustment, until the hold-open device engages the bolt. Verify the setting by firing several more rounds.

When clean, the regulator sleeve can normally be turned by hand. Use caution here: The regulator gets hot. With firing, the regulator sleeve may accumulate carbon and powder residue, making it necessary to use the nose of a cartridge or the special wrench to turn the regulator. We did not find it necessary to adjust the regulator once set.

The STG58 has several nice ergonomic features. For example, the gas system is located above the barrel, which enables a low bore axis to help control recoil. The operating rod handle located on the left side of the receiver does not reciprocate with the bolt carrier-a nice feature that eliminates the possibility of the handle striking the shooter's hand. And, the bolt is held open after the last shot has been fired. Also, there is a small lever under the magazine release that can be used to hold the bolt open if there is no magazine in the rifle.

The STG58 can be field-stripped for cleaning or maintenance in seconds without tools-a welcome feature in the field or on the range. Simply pressing a lever on the left rear of the receiver allows the lower receiver to pivot away from the upper receiver, exposing the interior of the mechanism. The bolt assembly easily slides out the rear of the upper receiver. Doing so exposes the rear of the barrel for cleaning. Reassembly requires only sliding the bolt back into the upper receiver and swinging the lower receiver closed.

Entréprise Arms has made strenuous efforts to offer a high-quality product in which it can take pride. That becomes readily apparent when examining the STG58 rifle. One does not have to be an engineer to appreciate the high order of workmanship, excellent fit and even finish of the STG58. While the STG58 is not an expensive, custom hunting rifle, it is a well-designed and well-made rifle that proved extremely reliable. It is also one of the handiest .308 Win, semi-auto rifles we have encountered.

After adjusting the gas regulator as per the instructions, we fired approximately 200 rounds of M80 military ball ammunition from various sources for beak-in. They were fired without incident. As we were interested in determining the effect of the short, 16 1/2" barrel on muzzle velocity, we fired 10 rounds of each type through the chronograph. We found that the short barrel had a significant effect (for example a drop of 273 f.p.s., or 10 1/2 percent) from specifications of 2600 f.p.s. in a 24' barrel with the PMC loads) on muzzle velocity. However, for purposes of self-defense, informal target shooting and law enforcement, the loss in muzzle velocity would not be important. Next, we tested the STG58 for accuracy using several types of factory-loaded, match-grade ammunition with 168-and 175-gr HPBT bullets. Once again, our concern was the effect the short barrel might have on accuracy. We need not have worried as accuracy proved very good for a rifle of its type. As a matter of fact, the STG58 is the most accurate FAL variant tested in the pages of the 'Dope Bag' to date.

Firing battle rifles in formal and informal competition is excellent marksmanship training that is made easier by using a high-quality rifle such as the Entréprise Arms STG58. The quality workmanship and STG58's proven design should give many years of reliable service. Its .308 chambering and durability make it well suited for the role of a "ranch rifle" as well. Shooters of small stature will appreciate the low perceived recoil by virtue of the ZeroClimb muzzle brake.

With nine different models to choose from, Entréprise Arms offers an STG58 for every requirement.

We found the Entréprise Arms STG58 rifle well made, reliable and accurate with low perceived recoil.