I looked into it several years ago. I bought an old G-1 kit back when they were $100 each and bought a bunch of FAL magazines for $4-7 each. I ended up getting into AR's instead. I may still build one once my kids are out of the house. Unfortunately, the golden days of the cheap FAL are behind...
A like-new Norinco 1911 for $200 back in 1993. I think they were going for about $300 new back then. I still have it.
I paid about $200 for a pristine 1972 Marlin 336C in 30-30.
I have a friend who is a fellow gun owning, meat-eating conservative give my children a book called "The Matchlock Gun". I think that is out of print. It's about a pioneer boy who uses an old matchlock to defend his family's homestead from a group of raiding Indians. Nowadays, you would probably...
I went on a hiking trip in the Yellowstone area of NW Wyoming, one of the last areas in the continental U.S. with grizzly bears. I realize that the chances of being attacked were remote, but you do feel vulnerable laying there in your sleeping bag knowing you aren't a the top of the food chain...
I love mine. I picked it up used for about $150 in the mid 90's. I don't shoot it often because I like my evil black rifles too much. I'd look for a used one. Mine was built in 1972 and it has a beautiful deep blue finish.