I posted this on the Falfiles as well - but thought I would duplicate it here for those that might want to add a FAL to their AR like I did.
I bought it from Dan's in late February. Let there be no mistake - Dan is great, and I'll buy from him again, but I would NEVER buy a M-444 - and I wouldn't wish one on my worst enemy (unless we were in a gun battle).
The problem is not Dan - but those yahoos at Liberty Armory.
I had a similar problem with mine as descibed by Vince
http://www.falfiles.com/cgi-bin/forums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=7&t=000727 - the rifle wouldn't cycle even on the highest gas setting, and brass came out with deep scratches and brass shavings.
After talking to Dan (who is very concerned and sincere about the problem) I ship the rifle to Liberty Armory (at a cost of $27 to me) - with a detailed letter explaining the problem.
Very quick turnaround - I get it back quickly, and I'm happy right up to the point I take it to the range. It works exactly the same!!! They claimed to have test fired it, but it still only will BARELY cycle some of the time on the higest setting, and will not work at all on any others. The brass STILL comes out scratched and gouged.
I send it back AGAIN (costing myself another $27) with another detailed letter explaining the issue and including 20 shell casings with the scratces on them.
This time it takes a month for me to get it back - and all they said they did was clean it - and the note back is really condescending, telling me to remember that some ammo is hotter than others. Gee thanks - I've only been shooting since I was 10 years old - and I guess I never figured it out while I was a firearms instructor in the army either.
How long would it have taken these guys to have swapped the barrel out??? They are either completely incompetent, or they are flaming a$$holes who care nothing for their "warranty".
I just got it back two days ago, and haven't had time to go shoot it yet. But if those monkeys didn't switch out the barell and chamber, why the hell would I waste my time taking a defective rifle to the range a third time?!
At this point, I might be able to return it to Dan's - since Liberty Armory's "warranty" is completely worthless. If I do that, I will have lost about $100 and 2 months!! (with the FFL tranfer fee I already paid and the shipping back)
The lesson is clear. If I had wanted to spend $100 of my own money and waited 2 months for a working rifle, I would have bought a $400 Century. If I wanted a working rifle with a warranty, I should have bought a DSA.