Problem with FAL

[Bucky G]

somebody else not me may have a FAL that had been re-barreled, but after a mag or two the barrel twists a bit and jams the whole operating mechanism
he then has twist the barrel back and it functions flawlessly again

what would be in need of tightening?
for various reasons he may not be able to take it to a gunsmith

[Pryde]

Someone either filed down the front of the receiver or filed down the barrel shoulder so they could time it more easily. Whichever part was filed down needs to be replaced OR he can get a thin washer to put in between. When re-installing the barrel make sure he gets a real barrel wrench and a breaker bar instead of using a pipe wrench or whatever. That barrel needs to be torqued on TIGHT.

[Dooner]

Yes, it needs to be shimmed. Don't let him fire it until it's fixed. If you do a search at Falfiles, there should be lots of info on this.

Originally Posted by Pryde

Someone either filed down the front of the receiver or filed down the barrel shoulder so they could time it more easily. Whichever part was filed down needs to be replaced OR he can get a thin washer to put in between. When re-installing the barrel make sure he gets a real barrel wrench and a breaker bar instead of using a pipe wrench or whatever. That barrel needs to be torqued on TIGHT.

[Bucky G]

thanks guys!

[killshot44]

I think the "forum-speak" for that is SWIM...
(Someone Who Isn't Me)
+1 on the Shim washer and the high torque level.

[killshot44]

Yeah, best keep that out of the shops...

[Bucky G]

Originally Posted by killshot44

Yeah, best keep that out of the shops...

if he exists I'll tell him

[ravenbkp]

When he gets it shimmed, torqued and timed right, I strongly suggest a check of the head space as well!!

It is pretty easy to do and worth the trouble. If it is out of spec you can get a new locking shoulder to adjust for the problem.

[Nikola]

NOT something to discuss on this forum.

[chino]

L1A! or metric?
The timing on the L1A1 was accomplished though the use of "breaching washers" Google "L1A1 breaching washers"
If it is metric the shoulder may be set back and a proper timing washer installed.

Headspace will have to be adjusted (locking shoulders)


Regards