DSA SA58 FAL - had it a couple weeks and really not impressed

[ny32182]

This whole thread makes me chuckle.

As previously mentioned, 5 minutes with 600grit sandpaper touching up the bottom edge of the receiver rails, and you will be all fixed up. I didn't know this with my first DSA, took a little while to figure it out, it has run smooth as butter ever since.

Second DSA, I knew what to look for, gave it the same treatment prior to the first range trip, never an issue from day one.

"Deforming ejector"? Has anyone in the known universe who has ever shot a FAL seen this happen? It is a fixed ejector. Post some pics.

Set the gas according to your ammo.

Mine shoots 2" with good ammo.

 

[marktx]

Yep, face of ejector or whatever you call it where it hits the shell and kicks it out is missing a bunch of material and is worn down. Rather than pop the empty out it stays in action and jams up. It's also slightly bent to one side which might have started the problem in the first place. I will take some pictures later and post them up.

 

[Bwana John]

Rather than pop the empty out it stays in action and jams up

If you just smooth the rails that problem will probley go away... Do you know the "Pogo" to clear that jam? Do you understand how the gas regulator works?

While I can consistantly shoot 1.5 moa 3 shot groups with a couple of my FALs with good surplus ammo, sandbag prone and open sights, I have never managed to shoot a whole mag(20 rounds)of surplus into less than 2 moa horizonal by 4 moa vertical group, on good days I usually can get 5moa full mag 20 round groups.

Using the Bi-pod opened the groups up to 8moa

Ive never really wasted much good ammo on them, the couple of times I ran match or commerical 308 thru they shot the same or worse as good surplus.

 

[Robert]

Well, since the rifle is such a failure why not just sell it and buy more ammo for your PTR91?

 

[Avenger29]

Well, since the rifle is such a failure why not just sell it and buy more ammo for your PTR91?

Because he "doesn't sell guns"

He'd rather let it rust up.

 

[ny32182]

If the ejector is indeed bent:

1) I have no idea if it would cause total failures to eject. I wouldn't rule it out, though honestly it would surprise me.
2) If it gets more than just a little bent, it is going to bind on the bolt and/or carrier when cycling.

I have never heard of a bent FAL ejector, but if it did get that way, and it is a new factory DSA, I would think they should fix it.

Polishing the bottom of the receiver rails is a very good thing to do regardless. And you also have to run through the proper gas setting procedure for your ammo.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

runs like a raped ape.

Personal experience? LMAO!

 

[marktx]

The ejector is rubbing on the bolt which might be causing some of the problem .

 

[Deer Hunter]

Using the Bi-pod opened the groups up to 8moa

Which is why I took the bipod off my STG58.

 

[ny32182]

The ejector should not be rubbing the bolt. Once you get those pics I would forward them to DSA as well.

 

[marktx]

Message sent to DSA over weekend, didn't get any response today. They only have a form to fill out on their web site rather than an email address which makes it difficult to send pics.

Hopefully these pics will show the situation a little better..... I wasn't trying to shoot the rifle dry like this, rinsed it off with denatured alcohol to make picture taking easier.

 

[marktx]

It's hard to see in the pics but the place where the ejector rubs the bolt has been worn down a bit by that.

 

[Winston_Smith]

I dont think a little break in will solve that problem. Did it come that way or was it damaged while you were shooting it?

Maybe it is time to break out a file...

 

[Winston_Smith]

If you go to FALfiles there is a section for DSA. You can post the pictures there, a rep from DSA checks in from time to time.

 

[marktx]

Did it come that way or was it damaged while you were shooting it?

I really didn't look at the ejector that closely when it arrived, pretty much just sprayed some Rem oil, swabbed the barrel and took it to the range. It jammed up a few times on that first time and I only put about 30 rounds through it. Didn't really look at it until after the second trip to the range when it was jamming up every 3-5 rounds. Started the thread that evening and then tried it again the next day just to go through the gas settings one last time before giving up.

Don't think I will break out a file, gonna call DSA tomorrow afternoon if I haven't got an email. Guess I will have to join the FALfiles as well and see what I can find out there.

On the plus side I guess it's a good excuse to pick up a Kel Tec RFB so I have a use for all the FAL mags I have sitting around.

Because he "doesn't sell guns"

There is a well known tactical rifle builder/modifier who recently publicly announced his intention to take a chop saw to a poorly performing pistol and send the pieces back to the manufacture. Found the idea rather appealing. Some say it's a bit extreme but I really don't care much for companies that send out second rate products like this. I don't have a chop saw...... for now I'm waiting to see if DSA gets back to me.

 

[Bwana John]

That dont look right, send it back.

Or trade it to me for a nice dependable CIA AK, Ill even throw in some mags and a bayonet

 

[marktx]

Or trade it to me for a nice dependable CIA AK, Ill even throw in some mags and a bayonet

Thanks but I'm pretty well stocked up on AKs.... the damn things are like potato chips though, can't stop with just one

 

[Odnar]

There you go, baggin' on the CIA FALs, but mine hasn't had a FTF or FTE in around 800 rounds.


Ok, so the first few rounds had some problems until I realized the previous owner left the gas system wide open. After that though...

In all seriousness though, hope DSA makes everything right. For the price, that should be a fully functioning piece.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

They only have a form to fill out on their web site rather than an email address which makes it difficult to send pics.

<[email protected]>

<[email protected]>

I've had good experiences with their customer service, both by phone and email. And I managed a 1.5" 15 round group at 100 with the "near match grade" Lithuanian surplus the one time I benched my DSA. I've gotten a couple 2" 20 round groups with my friend's scoped ORF FAL.

 

[ny32182]

I think you should cut off your nose to spite your face... chop that baby up, and send it back! Sounds fun.

 

[goldie]

i have an sar48 from springfield armory,got it back in '93, once the gas system was adjusted,it has fired perfect. i just shot it at the range last week, i let a guy next to me shoot it,he was surprised at the lack of recoil. the sar48 seems to be the last of the factory made fal rifles,thats why i dont like these "parts guns" no matter who is making them....

 

[ny32182]

The SA58 is not a "parts gun".

The STG58 is, but it is built using a known parts kit, on a known receiver, by the most widely recognized FAL builder in the US today.

I have both, and prefer the SA58 since they use a .308 spec barrel, and I believe the parts are better finished than the milsurp parts. Also, the aluminum lower is significantly lighter than the surplus steel lower.

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

So you are really going to cut up a new SA58 because of a damaged ejector?

 

[iamkris]

Weird. I have 2 DSAs (StG58A and SA58 Para.).

They are flawless.

 

[marktx]

So you are really going to cut up a new SA58 because of a damaged ejector?

Not yet..... Probably wouldn't cut it up anyway as that would require the purchase of a chop saw or something that I really wouldn't have any other use for. Would probably find a way to blow it up and post the pictures to the web. I'm planning on shooting up some AK mags that I bought from Wideners a month or two back. There is something screwed up with the follower or something and they won't work.

Still no email from DSA so I called them up and talked to a technical guy and got a return authorization number. They say it will be 6-8 weeks to get fixed, shipped it out today.