Strange DSA FAL failure

[meathammer]

My best friend, and shooting buddy has a DSA SA58 Tactical Carbine. (.308)Great rifle, I was very impressed after shooting it.

Here's the problem, about two weeks ago his firing pin basically self-destructed. (shattered, from his description) I wasn't there when it happened, but he was shooting Remington Core-Lokt softpoints I believe, which functioned fine in the past.

Every once in awhile he noticed light primer strikes, especially with mil-surp ammo. He spoke to DSA on the phone and they told him to make up a list for them: Lubricant used on the rifle, solvent type, ammunition used, approx. round count, etc. Rifle was then shipped to them.

I would have liked to personally take the rifle apart to see what actually happened or what components broke. However, I am not very familiar with FALs.

I am by no means trying to bash DSA. My understanding is the FAL is built like a tank. I've wanted one for some time now.

Anyway, I will keep everyone informed when DSA gets back to him with what caused the failure and their solution.

 

[Jim K]

If you can strip the rifle for cleaning, removing the firing pin is easy.

Assuming it is a standard FAL, here is how.

First make sure the gun is NOT loaded. Then, with the hammer cocked and the bolt forward, break the gun open and slide the cover back and off. Remove the bolt and carrier the same way. Separate the bolt from the carrier. The firing pin is held in the bolt by a cross pin that can be pushed out with a drift punch. Press in on the back of the firing pin to take tension off the cross pin and just push out the cross pin from the small end. Then let up on the firing pin and it will come out. Watch out, as the firing pin can fly when the cross pin is removed. Some firing pins are one piece, some are two, but it doesn't really matter. A one piece replacement will do for either type.

Jim