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Posted: 12/9/2006 7:36:24 PM EDT
Hey folks, I haven't posted much here in quite a while. Let me bring you up to speed with what has been going on with me and my FAL. I put mine together on a DSA typeII receiver using what appears to be a Rhodesian marked lower and a barrel which has Belgian proof markings. The rifle hasnt' grouped well enough to satisfy me and I have kinda set it aside as of late. I have noted that the rifle seems to eject brass in an inconsistent manner. Some will drop on the shooting table, while some will be thrown quite a distance. I had a professional gunsmith who has much experience with FAL's to do the headspacing and refinish work for me. He told me he headspaced the rifle "tight" for better accuracy. Unfortunately, it isn't providing such. Anybody got some advice as to where I should begin my investigation? The barrel's rifling appeared pretty good, but it is a used barrel.
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Sounds like your piston is sticking in the gas tube a bit. Does it eject "on the bench" after firing a long string of rounds? Or does it eject the spent casing "on the bench" when the rifle is cold (first couple rounds)? If it does it when it's cold, give it a bit more gas, if it does it when it's hot (after a long string of rounds) make sure the piston isn't binding in the gas tube. A way to tell if the gas piston is binding is: 1. Check to ensure rifle is safe with magazine out, no rounds in the chamber, 2. Remove gas plug & piston, take off the return spring, 3. Reinstall the gas piston (minus spring) & gas plug, 4. Remove upper receiver dust cover, 5. With muzzle pointed toward the ground, tilt the rifle muzzle up. Gas piston should "fall" toward the receiver with the end protruding into the receiver approx 1/4 inch. 6. If binding occurs, it may be at the receiver end (doubtful on a DSA receiver), or at the gas tube nut that screws into the receiver. Make sure the gas piston isn't lubed when you check this. Also after everything is put back together, you don't want any lube on that gas piston. It needs to stay dry, or the hot gasses will gum up the works. Let us know if this works. |
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A little update;....I opened the rifle up this evening and performed the test as was recommended. The piston was binding slightly in the tube. I noticed that the tube felt somewhat loose, but it was pinned in place. I also noticed that the gas tube has 2 holes about 90 degrees apart and about 2" from the threaded end of the tube. I guess these are supposed to be there? Right?! Anyhow, I removed and cleaned the tube, attachments, and piston. I didn't like the wiggle the gas tube was exhibiting, so I fitted and tightened the tube another 1/2 round and pinned it back in place. I also used a little teflon tape on the threads. I retested the assembly and the piston slides freely all the way through it's travel. I ran out of daylight and didn't get to testfire it, but I'd be surprised if I didn't see the groups shrink a little bit. Any other ideas? I'll try and get some bench time in in the next day or so. Thanks people! 'cheese 
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I have a problem FAL as far a accuracy is concerned. I headspaced it tight to where it takes thumb pressure to get the bolt to drop all the way down. My barrel is a new DSA medium weight with integral muzzle brake. I have nightmares the headspace is too tight. It functions, but accuracy is wild. My Imbel on Imbel build and my century build have looser headspace but are more accurate with ball ammo. I wonder if the bolt is not seating the same due to tight headspace. Just for thoughts. I wish I had the answer for my new $300 barrel. It sits while I shoot the beaters. |
I shot it yesterday and am no better off than I was before. I even went as far as to try different muzzle devices. There's a couple more avenues I haven't yet pursued. One is to work with some different ammo. I've been shooting some of that cheap Indian stuff everybody says is bad stuff. The other is to get a better quality trigger group and a reduced pull spring kit. Other than that, I'd say a new barrel may be in order.
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Your ejection irregularity could be a symptom of the extractor not lining up perfectly with the slot cut in the barrel for it. These parts can misalign from bad manufacturing or a barrel that is not turned to exactly the 12:00 position. You could check to see how your action loads a round in slow motion. Many rifles will bind up and not close the bolt all the way if there is extractor interference when the action is operated without full force of the recoil spring. Like wise there can be binding here on cycling. 500 rounds fired does a lot to wear in a rifle that functions but is having issues. You can also stain or dye the extractor and watch for where wear occurs to see any fit issues with it. |
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Indian ammo as a test for accuracy? I suggest to find some SA from someone. Also, is it stringing or just a large group? if stringing it is vertical or horizntal? If it is a large group, how large is it? Muzzle devices suck, for the accuracy test at least just leave it off. Many FALs string vertically, and there is a solution, but it isn't always easy to fix. |
Yeah, I got 80 rounds of SA from my brother last night to try out. The inconsistency is hard to catagorize as stringing. It'll plant a two or three rounds right together in a 1" area @ 100yds and then throw a flyer. Sometimes it's 4" high and left. sometimes it's 2.5" right, sometimes it's....., well you get the picture. I have notice it's worse once I get a little heat in the barrel. I'm using the DSA scope mount cover and have notice that the brass is sometimes hitting the edge of the opening and marking the finish pretty good. I indexed the bbl myself and took great care in insuring a 12 o'clock index. It was scary tight, but I got it there, and have no doubt as to it's position. I've examined my scope mount/rings for proper tightness and they're good. I guess the scope could be a dud, but it performed very well on the previous rifle I had it mounted on. Could tight headspacing actually be detrimental to an FAL's accuracy? Hmmmmmmmm.  ETA I forgot to include that I'm using a very solid benchrest setup, practicing good trigger discipline, and shot these groups on calm days. |
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Yeah the DSA mount will get beat all to hell eventually. Are you firing these shots single feed or out of a magazine? FALs are not all tack drivers, 4" isn't bad without a tailored load. If it was vertical stringing I would have some suggestions, if there is no pattern then it is either that's all she's got, or you. :D |
How does it shoot without the scope at a closer range target? I'd find a nice target that's friendly to your eyes and test the rifle with irons at a shorter distance. |
I haven't tried it in quite a while sans/scope, but luckily I've got QD rings. I tried some of the South African today. Also removed the muzzle device before firing the rifle. Still no joy. I'm sure it's the rifle and not me doing this, though!! I'll try your suggestion and see if that makes any noticeable difference. Thanks for the idea!
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