Unlike the FN version, DSA’s FAL does not come with a carry handle. A flat top receiver is standard, but it can be ordered with a rail mount too. The bolt and magazine release buttons are located behind the magazine well and are easy to use. A click-adjustable rear sight offers two apertures for close and long shots. The large bolt handle made chambering a round easy to accomplish. Clearing a malfunction would also be simple, but the author didn’t encounter any.

The grip is an M249 SAW pistol grip configuration. Its glass-reinforced construction makes it super strong while the steel trapdoor on the bottom allows the user to store needed components. The grip has a lesser rearward cant than the traditional grip, offering a more natural grip and better trigger finger placement.

The 5.5-pound speed trigger is a DSA design that offers an extraordinarily smooth trigger squeeze; it breaks clean with complete reliability and no overtravel.

Fixed sights are a combination of a standard FAL elevation-adjustable front post combined with a Para Tactical Rear Sight. This all-steel sight has a positive click-adjustment windage knob that eliminates the need to carry a screwdriver or some other flat sided/bladed instrument. The sight blade itself is an A1-type two-position flip sight.

The accuracy of the Spartan is exceptional for a battle rifle. I shot it at 100 yards, using a Hornady Delta Rest from a bench. I shot groups with and without a Zeiss Z-Point red dot sight to see how much difference the optic would make. I used the Z-Point due to its low profile as well as exceptional quality. The results are listed in the accompanying table.

The DSA Spartan is an exceptionally well-built rifle. Yes, it is a bit on the expensive side and you will have to wait to get the gun you order. But then, it's up to each of us to decide what is too expensive for our needs and how long we are willing to wait for exceptional quality.