FAL ISSUES

new_scopeshooter · July 26, 2015, 04:28 PM

My Fal is having some issues. It fires fine and is fairly accurate. The issue has just popped up. On the 5th shot it the case breaks compleatly in two parts. Had done it with both hornady 168gr amax and FGMM 168s any ideas why. I have adjusted the gas and cleaned the gas rod and system. Scrubbed the bore and chamber. Please help me if you can

Clark · July 26, 2015, 04:34 PM

I have not shot any of my FALs in 16 years, but I remember a little.
Building a FAL from a parts kit involves headspacing by grinding down a spacer ring. The barrel already has a chamber.

The things I would be looking for:
headspace
chamber size/shape
firing out of battery

Sharkbite · July 26, 2015, 04:41 PM

Yep.

Check the headspace.

new_scopeshooter · July 26, 2015, 04:50 PM

I should have mentioned that I have Owned the rifle for 14 years and this is the first issue

James K · July 26, 2015, 07:45 PM

I strongly recommend having the headspace checked before doing any more shooting. The FAL has a locking shoulder which is inserted into the receiver and is designed to be replaced to correct excess headspace. New locking shoulders are available (check www.gunpartscorp.com) and while replacing one is not beyond a DIY project, they do have to be fitted properly. Again I recommend having it done by someone with experience who has the gauges to do the job right.

Jim

T. O'Heir · July 27, 2015, 02:57 PM

Any other headspace issue indicators? Hard extractions, etc?
The other cases have stretch marks near the head?
Where'd you buy it? If it came from Century and it's worked fine for 14 years you've done well. They assemble FAL's and everything else out of parts bins with zero QC. FAL's with mixed inch and metric parts etc.

July 26, 2015, 04:28 PM	#1
new_scopeshooter Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2011 Location: central ohio Posts: 391	FAL ISSUES My Fal is having some issues. It fires fine and is fairly accurate. The issue has just popped up. On the 5th shot it the case breaks compleatly in two parts. Had done it with both hornady 168gr amax and FGMM 168s any ideas why. I have adjusted the gas and cleaned the gas rod and system. Scrubbed the bore and chamber. Please help me if you can

July 26, 2015, 04:34 PM	#2
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I have not shot any of my FALs in 16 years, but I remember a little. Building a FAL from a parts kit involves headspacing by grinding down a spacer ring. The barrel already has a chamber. The things I would be looking for: headspace chamber size/shape firing out of battery __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

July 27, 2015, 02:57 PM	#6
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Any other headspace issue indicators? Hard extractions, etc? The other cases have stretch marks near the head? Where'd you buy it? If it came from Century and it's worked fine for 14 years you've done well. They assemble FAL's and everything else out of parts bins with zero QC. FAL's with mixed inch and metric parts etc. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

July 26, 2015, 04:41 PM	#3
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,679	Yep. Check the headspace.

July 26, 2015, 04:50 PM	#4
new_scopeshooter Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2011 Location: central ohio Posts: 391	I should have mentioned that I have Owned the rifle for 14 years and this is the first issue

July 26, 2015, 07:45 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I strongly recommend having the headspace checked before doing any more shooting. The FAL has a locking shoulder which is inserted into the receiver and is designed to be replaced to correct excess headspace. New locking shoulders are available (check www.gunpartscorp.com) and while replacing one is not beyond a DIY project, they do have to be fitted properly. Again I recommend having it done by someone with experience who has the gauges to do the job right. Jim