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Posted: 12/3/2006 4:04:00 PM EDT
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Hello all, Today I brought my FAL out to the range for the first time. I only shot about 15 rounds through it, when I finally gave up. I was shooting SA 7.62x51 surplus. The rifle is built on an Imbel receiver and a GunPartsGuy Imbel kit with a new 18" barrel. The gas port is on A and 3. I have to correct size locking shoulder. I followed quite detailed directions on how to ensure I was getting the correct size. My problem was that I effectively had a single shot rifle out there. Since it was my first time bringing it to the range, I only loaded one round at a time in the magazine. The rifle bolt closed up with the round chambered. After firing, the rifle would not cycle. In fact it took some pounding on the charging handle to get the bolt back and get the round to eject. I didn't even think about messing with the gas port settings, but with the amount of force I had to exert on the charging handle to get the empty case out of the chamber, I'm not totally sure it was a gas issue. However, I didn't even try, and it could prove to be the reason why the bolt was stuck closed after firing. (I kinda feel stupid now  ).It weird that the rifle cycles a new round manually in and out without any problem. But once that round fired, it took a couple of good pounds with a rubber mallet to drive the bolt back. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, ~Dj |
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Sounds like a gas problem. First, learn the FAL pogo: remove magazine, grasp charging handle, point muzzle skyward, while exerting downward pressure on CH drive butt (of rifle) downward onto a stable surface that won't damage buttpad/plate. Repeat as necessary. This will keep you from breaking the knob off of the charging handle. The official method of gas adjustment is to start with the gas regulator completely open, load one round only, fire, then close the regulator one click @ a time until the bolt locks back on an empty mag. After that close it two more clicks for security. To avoid the pogo start with the gas regulator closed. With the rifle pointing away from you turn the gas regulator clockwise until it stops. That is closed or full pressure. Again load one round only, fire. Then open it one click at a time, fire one round until the bolt won't lock back on an empty mag. Then close it 3 clicks. |
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So then just so I'm clear and not doing this backwards, how does the numbering system go in terms of opening the gas port. Does the smallest opening begin with 1 and go up to 7 which would be the most open? Also I assume that A on the very front rotating nob of the gas port refers to the gas system being open while the other side will close it all together? Sorry for these two noobish questions, but I think I should have asked this before my range trip. LoL. Thanks, ~Dj |
| I wish I could say that everything was lined up correct with the gas block. However, I was so taken back with the thought my new rifle was defective, I completely spaced on possible causes to my problem. Hopefully Ill be able to get out to the range before the rainy season sets in to further trouble shoot. |
| I had the exact same problem with my Century L1A1. I had to literally kick the charging handle, with barrel pointing away from me of course, to eject the spent round. To add to the confusion sometimes it would function flawlessly for 10 or 20 rounds then turn into a single shot like yours. I had a gunsmith polish the chamber, still happened. Gunsmith gave it back to me without fee because he couldn't get it to work reliably. Then I had the gunsmith take about 1/16 off the gas piston.(I was very frustrated by then and wanted the damn thing to work). I think this gives the piston a little running start. This cured it , it now works 100% of the time and I've fired several hundred rounds through it since then. |
Colgate?... Does it matter.... Are you serious? 
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Don't do anything until you have turned the gas adjustment collar all the way (to the right, facing the front of the rifle) until it stops, closing the gas relief hole on top all the way off so that you can't see it. The notched part of the gas plug should be up. All Fal gas plugs are designed this way so that the proper position of the plug can be felt in the dark. All FAL's that don't eject all the way still have enough pressure in the barrel to expand the brass on it's way out, and if the brass doesn't eject, the bolt shoves the expanded brass back into the chamber, and the brass sticks. This is the reason for the FAL Pogo. It actually is easier to start with the gas collar turned in clockwise all the way, and back it down counterclockwise to adjust. Hope this helps. 
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Now I really feel like a dumbass.
Plain white paste, yes. Mild abrasive, cheaper and handier for light work than Flitz or JB Bore paste. If you get a spotter, run it loose so it barely cycles (not 100%) then tighten until 5 in a row keep being ejected in the same spot. It will run 100% but eject erratically before you get to that point on the gas dial. Made my Imbels happy on Russian, SA, Port, and Aussie with one setting. PS- some refinishing may partially clog the gas port but a wood block jig so the drill can't bottom and gentle hand reaming can restore the oem hole |
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