tell me about the FAL

i've been looking at the FAL online a bit lately, what little information that I can find on it, and price depending, i'd be interesting in getting one. But I was just wondering if anyone on here has any experience with them? or any advice on brands, and such. My brother said he saw one in Great Southern a week or so ago, so when i get home from Southern for the summer I might go have a look then.

i'm thinking the FAL because I've been wanting an "assault rifle"(sounds evil i know), but i'm not really sure the ARs or even the AKs are for me, I've always been one to want something a bit different than the norm, but I can't find out much about them. I'd most likely buy new, if at all possible. I've found DSarms, but i'm not familiar with them, and the price on all models is a bit steep, so if all FALs are that insanely priced then I can go ahead and answer my own question and say that this rifle isnt for me. I'm willing to spend the extra money for a quality rifle, but i'm not a MD either, so I can't pay ridiculous amounts of money for a gun.