Setting the gas system on an FAL ... is my DSA SA58 over gassed?

[MCMXI]

I got my DSA PARA back from DSA a few months back (fractured bolt face) and finally got a scope mounted. When I first bought it a few years back I had to choke off the gas port to #3 or #4 to get the bolt to lock back on an empty magazine shooting American Eagle 150gr FMJ ammunition. I was trying to set the gas system today and followed the procedure described on DSA's website, but even with the gas port fully open (#7) the bolt always locks back and recoil feels a little more stout than before. I was expecting to have to choke off the gas port but the rifle seems to be over gassed. I was shooting Remington 150gr CLUB and Remington 150gr MC. Any thoughts? As far as I know, DSA didn't change the barrel on me.

http://www.dsarms.com/pdf/GasSetting.pdf

The CLUB load shot quite well with a 5-shot 2" group at 100 yards. I'm not going to adjust the scope until I have the gas system figured out.



Here's the rifle.

 

[Chuck R.]

My SA58 Para runs on about 4 with surplus (Port & SA), and 6-7 with my reloads which are about .308Win spec.

I don’t exactly follow the DSA book when it comes to setting the gas, I open it up, then tighten down till I get a decent ejection pattern. I find that’s easier on my brass. IF I start out too over-gassed, it actually bends the rims when ejecting.

Chuck

 

[Z-Michigan]

You have a 16" barrel with the standard gas port location - this means a very short dwell time (bullet passing the gas port to exiting the barrel) and requires a big gas port as a result. So I'm not surprised it would seem a bit overgassed. Just use the most open setting on which it will run reliably, which it sounds like you are doing at the fully open position of the regulator.

What's your current outside temperature? Is the rifle super clean and slick? It's not a crime for the regulator to be wide open when it's hot and under ideal operating conditions, that gives you the most room for adapting to cold, dirty, weak ammo, etc.

 

[MCMXI]

Chuck R. & Z-Michigan,
Thanks for the feedback. The temperature yesterday was in the high 70s and the rifle is clean and fairly "slick".

It's not a crime for the regulator to be wide open when it's hot and under ideal operating conditions, that gives you the most room for adapting to cold, dirty, weak ammo, etc.

Good to know. I don't want to beat the rifle up any more than necessary so that's why I was concerned.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Just to be 100% sure we're talking about the same thing - you have the regulator set so that the exhaust hole is completely exposed, making it the softest setting possible, right?

FWIW, Buffertech makes a $12 recoil buffer that goes in your upper between the carrier and where it would hit the lower. I use them in several FALs with no problems. It may not be necessary but to me it's cheap insurance - and again, I have not had any reliability or other issues from using them.

 

[Bwana John]

DSA's FAL Para recoil springs are know to be very underpowered, I think they used old M-1 carbine springs cause they found them cheap.

Ill bet if you change out the 3 DSA recoil springs for OEM (even used OEM) the overgas problem would be fixed.

And yes, the gas port on a 16" barreled FAL with regular length gas system is WAY too large for fine adjustment, the gas port will be HUGE(.120"+) to make it work.

 

[MCMXI]

Just to be 100% sure we're talking about the same thing - you have the regulator set so that the exhaust hole is completely exposed, making it the softest setting possible, right?

Yes ... the regulator is dialed back away from the gas block so that the exhaust port is fully exposed.

Ill bet if you change out the 3 DSA recoil springs for OEM (even used OEM) the overgas problem would be fixed.

I just ordered a "free float" forend and SAW pistol grip from DSA but will look and see I can find some OE inner/outer recoil springs.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I just ordered a "free float" forend and SAW pistol grip from DSA but will look and see I can find some OE inner/outer recoil springs.

Slight thread veer, but...

1) The SAW grip DSA sells is great quality, but I believe it was made for the M249 and not the FAL, and the one I installed required considerable fitting to go onto a DSA factory SA-58. The TAPCO SAW grip, if you can still find one, costs half as much and goes on easily, though the plastic doesn't feel quite as good quality.

2) IMHO the free float tube for the FAL is a waste, especially on a 16" Para carbine. You might gain a little accuracy, but at significant cost. In other words, I would cancel the order if you can. Just my 2 cents, feel free to ignore. I love the FAL but it wasn't designed as a precision rifle and doesn't become one easily or without compromises.

 

[itsa pain]

with my FAL I just go by how far away it flings the empty that is with the rifle not carbine . I would think it would be the same maybe not. one thing I do is to shut the gas system off to see how good it can shoot being you do not have the gas system slamming the bolt face

 

[elwoodm]

that is why i like the full length barrel set the gas on 5 or 6 and the brass will last for 5 reloads or more and no bent rims. the only short barrel 308s i like don't use gas like cetme's or hk's. 308's are high pressure rounds and don't allow for mistakes much. good luck and be careful with it fal's are sure sweet when their running right.