"A FN FAL had zero balance."

Totally disagree with this. The FN FAL/SLR has great balance and comes to the shoulder very smoothly and damned quick. I never had to search for the sights like I do with most other rifles. It handles and swings as a good battle rifle should. Puts a lot of other rifles/guns to shame in the handling department. The Valmet Hunter was as sweet handling as any rifle, double or other wise that I have tried. More akin to a very good SxS shotgun.

For somebody else of a different build, training, things could well be different.