another FrankenFAL question

[lathedog]

I almost posted as a reply to a recent thread, then thought better of hijacking someone elses (although similar) thread.

Anyone encounter a FAL that pops open at the action during firing? I have a FrankenFAL that does this, and apparently it is not an isolated case.

I was advised to change the latch to the Israeli style, and I did, and it is a nicer latch in many ways, but it did not affect the problem.

Upon closer examination, the locking bolt (pardon if I have the official nomenclature wrong) is held closed by spring pressure. The latch itself does not seem to assist in keeping the action closed, regardless of operating direction. The locking bolt itself has a lot of mass which does not help, as under recoil it will tend to move to the rear and let the action pop open.

Any hot tips from the FAL gurus are welcome. I am enough of a martyr to stick with this mess and make it work.

 

[Ian Sean]

Same problem with my G-1 build on an Imbel reciever. I have seen this problem on a couple of home builds.

Check a couple of things (it is a combination issue), your gas setting! You may be recoiling hard, turn the gas down a notch.

Check the recoil spring (note: NOT the gas piston spring, the recoil spring in the stock), In my haste in building I never cleaned the tube out, it was full of grit and the spring was dry.

Disassemble the stock, remove the spring(s) and clean out with a rod and patch. Lightly grease the spring.

After doing this, the problem disappeared and cycling (by hand) was immediately easier and smoother, the receiver have a little rough finish from being brand new probably played into this also.

The problem went away immediately.

Do NOT mess around with the latch area on the reciever! But do check that the spring tension is strong on the latch.

Let me know how this turns out!

 

[Ian Sean]

Perusing my books and notes, the proper name for the latch is the frame lock.

Did a search over on the FalFiles also, it doesn't seem to be a too common of a problem but it does happen.

If the tips I stated above don't fix it for you, a new frame lock and spring may do the trick. Most of these rifles were rebuilt using the old springs so there may be an issue there (recoil spring and frame lock spring).

I believe Tapco still has complete FAL spring kits for sale.

 

[lathedog]

Thanks

I will try your suggestions. I did actually replace the frame lock spring (thanks for the correct name), and cleaned out the recoil spring and tube, but have not had it back to the range since.

The gas setting is something else I'll have to watch. When I first got my FrankenFAL I had to open up the gas setting to get consistent functioning. As I recall I had no problems with failure to cycle during later range sessions where the action popped open on me. Maybe I opened it up too much.

I also did not see anything on FAL-files or elsewhere, but figured it must be somewhat common. The more I studied the way the frame lock operates it seemed like inertia and physics worked in favor of this type of malfunction. However, I also surmised that on a proper L1A1 the parts would fit better than on a cobbled together mess such as my beauty.

I have considered going to a proper metric lower from DSA or elsewhere. I am leery of using a surplus lower due to the evil third stop for the selector lever. As I recall DSA made a new metric lower with a much more PC two detent position layout. Here I go, pouring good money after bad. Again.

 

[BBBBill]

FAL Files

Go here for lots of help with your FAL. http://www.fnfal.com/falfiles/wwwboard/

Helpful folks there and the "ubermoderator", EMDII, is a good friend.