@Eccentric
I got Israeli light barrel FAL stuff comin. What do ya know about them FALs.
We'll have to have a detailed conversation soon. For now, here's 10 quick points fer you.....
1)It's not an AR. Don't try to make it one.
2)Headspace is everything. Gotta set it up right. That's easy to do with the correct locking shoulder. If your build doesn't headspace right, you need to figure out what locking shoulder you have, and what shoulder you need to obtain. They are numbered.
3)Use a good receiver. I like the Imbel receivers, as they're a true metric milspec pattern. That means the barrel threads are timed right so you can usually have the proper barrel fitup without having to use shims or turn the barrel shoulder. Milspec receivers are also hardened correctly.
4)If you're installing barrels onto receivers (instead of exclusively dealing with previously barreled receivers) you'll need a good barrel vice.............especially if you're removing barrels (to reuse) from cut/demilled original receivers. They're on there TIGHT.
5)You'll also need a good FAL specific receiver wrench, and will need to protect the receiver collar from that wrench (with card stock or brass shims) unless you want to mark up that nice new receiver.
6)Familiarize yourself with inch pattern vs metric pattern (and the weird hybrids used by some nations), and make sure you understand what you have and what parts will and will not interchange. Details matter here. There's a bazillion different mag catches, bolt catches, and other minutia to pay attention to.
7)Don't believe the internet bullshit about FAL's being inaccurate (as a rule) because they don't have a rotating bolt or a floated barrel. A properly headspaced FAL can be surprisingly accurate. Some otherwise knowledgeable folks insist on parroting the myths....
8)An FAL is in its purest state when used with the original iron sights. If you need to use an optic, the DS Arms mounts are the only ones to consider.........period. They're necessarily heavy, but are sturdy and dimensionally correct (unlike the many copies on amazon and elsewhere).
9)Invest in a proper stock nut wrench/recoil spring guide. It's the correct tool for the job and makes things MUCH easier.
10)Stay FAR away from ANYTHING related to Century Arms.
One of the finest battle rifles ever made.
Absolutely. Still my favorite military rifles.
