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So is it a camera (SLR) or a short barrelled rifle? (SBR) Or something else? I don't know anything about an "SLR" relating to firearms. News to me.
Just want to be sure. Sorry for your loss. |
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We're in shock still that my brother passed away unexpectedly at 46 years old from tonsil cancer, which ate him in 4 months. He went from 240 to 140 that fast, then passed 2 weeks ago. I've found myself in the uncomfortable position of smelling all the familiar scents of Hoppe's #9 around his guns that used to presage our range trips, to having to inventory everything and figure out what to keep and what to get rid of. The last time I shot his SLR, I was still in the Army and was visiting him on leave up in Idaho. We did some drills with his SLR and I remember it running smoothly even in Close Quarters Marksmanship sessions. I gave him a British DPM chest rig I had picked up when I was in Long Range Surveillance up at Fort Lewis, to complement it and his numerous FAL mags. As I've been going through everything, I've found all kinds of FAL accessories, and what appears to be everything but the bolt and receiver for another SLR build. There's a British barrel with flash hider and gas system, recoil spring, buttstock, pistol grip/FCG, receiver cover, extra carry handles, fore end halves, things like that. I've always loved the FAL but never owned one. I've used Para FALs with some foreign Armies that I worked with, and like the FAL ergonomics of course. His complete SLR has an older Century receiver, SUSAT, SUSAT, and bayonet. The parts I've found so far are: * Brit L1A1 barrel/gas system * L1A1 Buttstock * L1A1 fore end handguard halves * L1A1 FCG/pistol grip/action spring guide * Small parts for receiver, bolt catch, receiver pivot pin, L1A1 folding cocking handle assembly * Bolt, firing pin, firing pin spring * Bolt carrier * Thumbhole stock * 2 x receiver covers, one black, one parkerized * Extra L1A1 flash hider * Several folding carry handles * After market railed receiver covers * Quad rail handguard * SLR Enfield gray bayonet When I get more energy, I'll post pics of what I have. I'm looking at some diagrams to get more familiar with the small parts, as I've only been familiar with the FAL from an end-user's perspective, not a builder's. I'm surprised at how lightweight the L1A1 is fully-configured with the SUSAT though. They really did a great job of streamlining the receivers with the FAL, considering it's chambered for 7.62x51 NATO. I've also always appreciated the adjustable gas on the FAL/SLR. Makes a much more tame-handling battle rifle. After I got him into ARs, he didn't shoot the SLR or Maadi and Norinco AKs much anymore. View Quote |
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So is it a camera (SLR) or a short barrelled rifle? (SBR) Or something else? I don't know anything about an "SLR" relating to firearms. News to me. Just want to be sure. Sorry for your loss. View Quote Also this is the FAL forum. |
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My condolences on your loss. You should contact The Gunplumber to help with or do your build. HTH.
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So sorry for your loss !!
Keep your Brother's L1A1 and remember the good times you had together. Like the other poster mentioned if you have any gunsmith needs only trust her to Gunplumber (Mark Graham) |
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He and I have been panic-buying since the 1980s.
Inventorying his firearms and gear is like taking a stroll down gun and accessories memory lane. He kept everything organized in bins and cases. |
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Sorry for your loss.
I've heard good things about Arizona Response System's work! I used FAL-Force about 4 years ago for a build. I was happy with their work, but it took forever to get the rifle back. |
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I've been building, working on, trouble-shooting, and studying various firearms designs since the 1980s.
Is there anything preventing me from getting a receiver and doing a build if I have a fair degree of mechanical abilities, or am I better off sending the parts to a reputable builder? I know FALs aren't the same as AR15s or AR10s. |
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I've been building, working on, trouble-shooting, and studying various firearms designs since the 1980s. Is there anything preventing me from getting a receiver and doing a build if I have a fair degree of mechanical abilities, or am I better off sending the parts to a reputable builder? I know FALs aren't the same as AR15s or AR10s. View Quote Either way, you'd be well-advised to order Gunplumber's Workbook on the FAL and decide from there if it's within your level of skill / interest. |
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Finding a an inch pattern receiver may be a challenge. I would check with the Gun plumber or DSA.
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Condolences for your loss. Your brother had good taste. L1A1s are some of the classiest FALs made. Keep all the extra parts. Sounds like you have almost enough for another rifle. The century L1A1 receivers - many of them were made by Imbel and converted by century for the L1A1. I built dozens of them in the late 90s/2000s. Sold them all off. Regret that. If I was closer would be happy to help you with the build. They are not hard, but you do need some specific know how...
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I lost mine suddenly almost 10 years ago to a brain aneurysm, he was 40. I inherited all his guns and tech stuff. It is hard to deal with.
May your brother rest in peace... |
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damn.. sorry for your loss... that the worse way to get new guns... my father passed away 2years ago (had a stroke) and so I got all of his guns.. after 2 years I still find difficult to use them they just sit in the safe. too many memories..
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On a more related note:
I tried to install the L1A1 buttstock to the spare lower he had, and the tang for the bottom screw does not fit the L1A1 at all. I'm guessing the lower is metric maybe? It looks much different in that area than his SLR does. The stock on his SLR appears to be identical to the spare buttstock. |
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Man. That's a shocker. Tragedies like that are both heartbreaking and a reminder that life has no gaurantees.
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On a more related note: I tried to install the L1A1 buttstock to the spare lower he had, and the tang for the bottom screw does not fit the L1A1 at all. I'm guessing the lower is metric maybe? It looks much different in that area than his SLR does. The stock on his SLR appears to be identical to the spare buttstock. View Quote Building an FAL is a piece of cake providing all the components are in-spec. I've built nine and have my own tools. The only problem with that is finding a new-production receiver that won't potentially have issues. Neither DSA nor Coonan gives a rat's ass about the customer. They both routinely peddle junk. DSA at least has a competent customer service section that will try to make things right, but Coonan will tell you to get bent if there's a problem. ETA: My condolences on the loss of your brother. |
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Sorry for the loss of your brother. Siblings are built-in best friends. Enjoy your brothers rifles and gear, that's the way he would have wanted it to be.
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What are some good parts sources?
What receivers are reputable? Is there a noob guide I can read without hounding you all with 101 questions like I have to deal with all the time regarding AR15s and AR10s? |
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Very sorry for your loss.
That lower might be Indian. Sarco used to sell kits that were a mix of Brit, Indian and Israeli parts. Indian parts will be stamped with R.F.I. They are also noticeably more crudely machined. Bolts and carriers are not interchangeable between Indian and U.K./ Aussie issue. Gunplumber’s Arizona Response Systems website has an excellent ‘Notes’ section that explains differences between parts. I don’t think anyone is currently making Commonwealth cut receivers if you were looking for a true L1A1 build, unfortunately, but they surface every now and then. Building is not technically difficult but you do need spacers for timing the barrel then figuring out the correct locking shoulder to install, so it’s not like an AR. |
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Can’t quite tell from that pic but guessing the firing pin is a 1-piece Indian and the bolt U.K. Brit firing pins are 2-piece. Indian parts will also often have “ICR” and number stamps.
They needed to saw off the grip stud for thiose thumb hole stocks to be installed. If that pistol grip is sturdy, it should still be intact. That stock is Brit, as is the pistol grip. Hand guards are US copies. |
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On the LH side of the lower, there is B H 9174 along the receiver edge that mates with the stock, going vertically.
On the RH side, there is a tiny "G" stamp. |
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What are some good parts sources? What receivers are reputable? Is there a noob guide I can read without hounding you all with 101 questions like I have to deal with all the time regarding AR15s and AR10s? View Quote www.falfiles.com and go to marketplace and post what you are looking for if you want to get parts fast, but typically will result in a higher price. Shop there for what you need and you can usually find it cheaper. I'd dupe the story there as it might tug a heartstring...the folk there love the FAL. www.gunthings.com also has parts and is good people. Re: receivers, seems the DSA stuff is commonly out of spec these days. I'd try to hunt down an Imbel, gear logo preferred but OK if not. If you can't swing that then I'd try a Coonan next I suppose, though they have issues also. Re: n00b guide, you can always buy GP's DVD set. https://arizonaresponsesystems.com/product/fal-dvd-workbook/ |
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I fell asleep last night watching GP's videos on issues and considerations for building FALs.
The complete rifle my brother had is a Century with L1A1 parts. I see that he had a spare L1A1 receiver cover with tabs that do not fit the CAI receiver. Thanks for the help. I'm still not sure where I'm at on going down this road, as the AR platform really takes care of my needs well. What I am thinking about is having samples of different military rifles for courses to demonstrate how things have evolved, and maybe even doing some FAM Fire courses, so the FAL would have a place in that context. Of the 3 main post-WWII battle rifles, I like the FAL and M14 the best. FAL's gas system is clearly superior, with better ergonomics for mag changes and bolt release, as well as the selector. An armorer can work a FAL easier than an M14 all day long. M14 has more of a traditional rifle feel, with low sights to the bore, but is exposed to debris ingestion and the elements with a very complicated op rod containment and receiver/stock interface. G3 is just ungainly and awkward. Has anyone done a lightweight FAL build? |
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There’s just a lot of steel in an FAL and with very limited receiver options, going with a 17 or 18” barrel would be one option to go lighter.
People frequently cut those tabs (typical on Commonwealth FALs) to fit a metric receiver. Mags are different as well...L1A1s have a beefier tab that seats the front end of the mag. Your best bet would be to do a FrakenFAL, maybe an Indian/UK hybrid lower (I think you could get an Israeli wood stock onto that lower) and get that barrel seated to a metric Imbel upper and then use metric mags. Otherwise it’s likely cheaper to wait for a complete kit to show up. Imbel and L1A1 kits are out there for 400-600 if you’re looking for a more standard/authentic build. |
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I'd be interested in buying that thumbhole if you don't want to keep it.
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There’s just a lot of steel in an FAL and with very limited receiver options, going with a 17 or 18” barrel would be one option to go lighter. People frequently cut those tabs (typical on Commonwealth FALs) to fit a metric receiver. Mags are different as well...L1A1s have a beefier tab that seats the front end of the mag. Your best bet would be to do a FrakenFAL, maybe an Indian/UK hybrid lower (I think you could get an Israeli wood stock onto that lower) and get that barrel seated to a metric Imbel upper and then use metric mags. Otherwise it’s likely cheaper to wait for a complete kit to show up. Imbel and L1A1 kits are out there for 400-600 if you’re looking for a more standard/authentic build. View Quote It's heavier than I thought, but the balance isn't bad at all, kinda deceiving really. |
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People frequently cut those tabs (typical on Commonwealth FALs) to fit a metric receiver. View Quote I shoot my FAL exclusively at whatever events I attend. Sure they are heavy and inaccurate compared to an AR, they also work when ARs start failing. I even tomato-staked it at a recent match and cleared it and it kept running after my P226 started crapping out. Those conditions were pretty rough. |
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I have at least 3 receiver covers in the collection:
SUIT mount Metric L1A1 with tabs I won't be cutting any tabs. |
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There was an aluminum receiver once upon a time, and there were also 5.56x45mm kits back in the day, IIRC.
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Referred to as an alumabomb. They aren’t able to take 7.62 NATO pressure.
Steel. Cast or forged but definitely steel not aluminum. Indian parts are a mishmash design of metric and inch patterns and not usuallly usable in a SLR build. I am sorry about the untimely loss of your brother. |
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Is that really a SUSAT or a SUIT? SUIT optics are more typical for the L1A1 and the SUSAT is standard for the L85A1. SUIT has the offset scope. I didn’t think there were a lot of SUSATs around. There are also a lot of Israeli Trilux scopes out there as well with Hebrew spec labels.
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Quoted: Has anyone done a lightweight FAL build? View Quote However, it will cost you. You'll want an earlier DSA Type 1 receiver (made by LMT), which are getting very expensive, and genuine FN hiduminium parts. Hiduminium lightweight parts are rare and very expensive. My lower and return spring tube cost around $300, but they easily go for more than that if you're lucky enough to see one or more for sale in a given year. I still need the hiduminium return spring tube plug and washer. I'll probably have to get them fabricated. DSA did make 7075 top covers, so you should be able to save a bit there, but there are hiduminium FN covers out there for fixed-stock rifles, both with and without the charger guide. DSA is making 7075 trigger guards again, so no need to get an FN one. They also make the 7075 pistol grip nuts. Hiduminium magazines are not too hard to find, but they do on average cost more. Hiduminium sling swivel bases are too rare to price. For a hiduminium para lower you'll also need the hiduminium stock bolt and expander screw. You'll also want to make sure the stock is compatible with the wider alloy stock bolt and has all five major parts made out of hiduminium (or get a DSA one). Also, if any parts come with a version with lightening cuts and one without them, get the one with them (such as the gas block, rear sight base, charging handle, etc.). Non-bipod cut handguards are lighter than the bipod-cut ones by about an ounce (and again, plastic is lighter than fibreglass). The steel bipod-cut handguards are even lighter IIRC, and the DSA plastic ones are as well (the plastic does seem softer, though). |
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Hence why I mentioned the 5.56x45mm setup. Brazilian, wasn't it? Springfield Armory imported some? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes |
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Quoted: The 5.56mm IMBEL conversions and factory rifles used standard steel receivers. The Williams aluminum receiver is questionable even for intermediate cartridges. Works fine with pistol calibres for sure, though. View Quote |
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Hence why I mentioned the 5.56x45mm setup. Brazilian, wasn't it? Springfield Armory imported some? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Referred to as an alumabomb. They aren’t able to take 7.62 NATO pressure. Steel. Cast or forged but definitely steel not aluminum. The steel 5.56 were good working guns. Imbels iirc. |
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Is that really a SUSAT or a SUIT? SUIT optics are more typical for the L1A1 and the SUSAT is standard for the L85A1. SUIT has the offset scope. I didn’t think there were a lot of SUSATs around. There are also a lot of Israeli Trilux scopes out there as well with Hebrew spec labels. View Quote |
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Lost my little Brother when he was only 43. I held onto his collection until just recently when his boys were old enough to own them. Nothing as cool as what you have in your Brothers collection but all of the guns were very personal. I would build that one to honor your Brother and never let go of it. .02
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I think it is important to understand that no matter how much a 'thing' means to you because of the provenance you know it has...at some point it will be merely a 'thing' to someone very far removed from your situation.
We are temporary things. The things we make/assemble are temporary (though occasionally much more durable) things. Enjoy them while you can, but understand the gravity these things have is something we give them. If we are very, very, lucky...as in this thread...one other person will pick up our favorite thing and carry it for a while. "Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair." I hope whoever picks up my favorite rifle wears that thing out as hard as I tried to. I will settle for it ending up in the hands of an incompetent who grins at it like I did. |
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