Problem with malfunctioning FAL...

[vile1]

Hey guys, Im having an issue with my weapon.

I was at the range last night and it was malfunctioning in this manner:

Load the magazine, pull back/release the charging handle to load a round into the chamber, pull trigger: BOOM (fires).
The spent cartridge ejects and loads the next round, pull trigger: *click* nothing. Pull charging handle to eject the bullet. The primer has a dimple in it but the bullet didnt fire.

This will happen every other shot. It will fire a bullet, then not fire a bullet, then fire a bullet, etc...

I have replaced the firing pin and spring, no change. the old pin was mushroomed so I figured that would fix the issue but it didnt. I have tried 3 different brands of ammo so its not bad ammo (tried Remington, Federal, and Winchester .308's).

I disassembled the ENTIRE weapon last night and cleaned the crap out of it (it WAS filthy), and noticed the hammer was really shiny (like it was fired a lot). I'm about ready to just order a new spring kit to replaced every spring in the gun, and a new hammer.

Does anyone have any idea though what could be causing this? Anything that I should inspect? I can take pics if need be of the individual parts.

[ohsmily]

Need more info.

What ammunition were you using?
What FAL is this? Who built it?
Does this have a 3 position selector? Make sure it is set to semi (the full auto setting without the full auto components will cause malfunctions.

[vile1]

Sorry, about that.

The rifle is the Austrian-version DSArms sa58. I was using Federal 150gr .308 ammunition, and then switched to Winchester SuperX 150gr. ammo.

It has the 3-position selector and this issue happened on both of the settings.

Sometimes it would let me shoot 4 in a row before malfunctioning if i was "light" on the trigger (basically if i tapped the trigger instead of pulling it all the way back and holding it).

[DisgruntledReaper]

I think you are on the right track there, replace all the springs in the rifle because many of the springs can be tired or worn out from years of use,especially the hammer and firing pin springs. Also a new hammer cannot hurt although it is rare that a hammer is THAT bad so as to not make good enough contact to fire it.
Another area to clean out if you haven't yet is the bolt...put that thing in some good degreasing,gun cleaning solvent...hell put in in gasoline in a can and swirl it around,take a brush,toothpick,etc and CLEAN the inside passages,especially the firing pin bore. You should be able to clean the extractor well enough with a small brush and some toothpicks-extractors can be a pain to remove unless you have the tools so leave it alone if possible.

Sorry if I went on a bit long.

So-do the springs
Clean the bolt and carrier well
check and clean around the nooks and crannies around the chamer /barrel in the receiver to remove loaded up crap
ALSO-if this was a store bought(where did you get the FAL from?) or if it was built by someone...POSSIBLY there may be an issue with the lock up,either the locking shoulder is wrong-too tight a clearance- resulting in the rounds -if over length- preventing the bolt to lock and resulting in a partial hit on the primer. You may want to try a different brand of ammo...SOME MILSURP 308 have HARD primers for use in GPMG's-machine guns..

Hope this helps and keep us posted ,and welcome to the Calguns group!

[DisgruntledReaper]

IF this is a DSA MANUFACTURED and ASSEMBLED rifle, then depending on the age or not they may cover it under warrantee....hell cannot hurt to call them with the serial # and ask for any info on it if it was factory built....if you have not had it long, I say if it was that dirty some was not doing the 'care' part of owning a rifle..

[bohoki]

sounds like there may be something slowing the hammer fall

make sure it operates really snappy check for any burs any rubbing on the lower

[dfletcher]

I have a DSA STG 58, took a few hundred rounds to break in. If your gun is relatively new there should be no worn out springs - what's your gas port set at?

Also, is the hammer following the bolt? You mention "tapping" the trigger & it being OK, but that pressing it to the rear slowly causes a problem & that makes me think the hammer is not resetting. Have you done a manual function check - pull the trigger to the rear, hammer falls. Keep pressure on the trigger, cycle the bolt - when the trigger is released the hammer should fall from the disconnect position to the full cock position.

I made the mistake of replacing the issue 2 position selector with the DSA extended selector. The thing didn't work correctly, the flat part inside that is supposed to block the sear (or whatever that flat little flywheel type looking part is called) was not "proud" enough and all that "slam banging" when the bolt cycled caused the hammer to follow the bolt carrier.

[vile1]

Thanks, yeah it was a redneck-owned and operated so I dont think much "care" was ever given to it. (here's a picture of it: http://www.uploderx.net/x/40924/)


I will take some more pics of it tonight and post them up to give you all a better idea as Im at work right now.
There seems to be some rough, almost gouge-like marks, at the front of the upper receiver where the extractor sits, this could possibly be it maybe?

Im still trying to figure out how to set the gas-port actually, it's set half-way between "Gr" and "A"

[DisgruntledReaper]

Thanks, yeah it was a redneck-owned and operated so I dont think much "care" was ever given to it. (here's a picture of it: http://www.uploderx.net/x/40924/)


I will take some more pics of it tonight and post them up to give you all a better idea as Im at work right now.
There seems to be some rough, almost gouge-like marks, at the front of the upper receiver where the extractor sits, this could possibly be it maybe?

Im still trying to figure out how to set the gas-port actually, it's set half-way between "Gr" and "A"

The GR/A on the gas plug refers to GRenade(SINGLE SHOT) and Auto(semi/full/repeat) SO unless you want to shoot your rifle single shot and manually charge it every shot,leave the plug with the "A" showing 'up'. If in GR you will notice more recoil(like a bolt gun) and no ejection...like making it a bolt gun..

The gas port adjuster is the ring with the #s on it behind the front sught assy...It SHOULD reliably extract and eject on #3 or 4....1 is ALL the way closed and 10(crap I fogot the largest #) is all the way open...it is for adjusting for ammo,field conditions,(lack)of maintanance issues..etc.

Regarding the extracot area...I HOPE noone did a dremel mod on the receiver,that is noth the best thing to do... IF it IS an area of suspicion..take a red or black marker and 'color the area on the receiver AND the boltface/extractor and hand cycle (without ammo) about 10 times,letting the recoils spring do its job and slam the bolt home. After 10 times, take a look and see if there are any contact points or shine points that MAY indicate uneven contact. NOW the extractor WILL seat in the barrel chamber area so some contact should be seen bUT if something looks fishy I would have it looked at by someone in your area or join up and ask in the gunsmith area at Falfiles.com.... I am a member there also..
Now to see your pic....

[DisgruntledReaper]

Nice looking,I have one like it.....you have a nicer receiver...unless it got bubba-d by someone.

HEY- you stated it is BETWEEN GR and A!?----it could be 'shortstroking' not enough gas to give it full travel so the bolt may not be seating all the way in the lock shoulder and when you pull the trigger, the hammer is forcing the bolt to full close AND trying to fire the round......GET THAT gas plug to have 'A' showing 'UP' that may be all that is wrong..aside from neglect by previous owner..

Where are you located...????

[chuck762]

Thanks, yeah it was a redneck-owned and operated so I dont think much "care" was ever given to it. (here's a picture of it: http://www.uploderx.net/x/40924/)


I will take some more pics of it tonight and post them up to give you all a better idea as Im at work right now.
There seems to be some rough, almost gouge-like marks, at the front of the upper receiver where the extractor sits, this could possibly be it maybe?

Im still trying to figure out how to set the gas-port actually, it's set half-way between "Gr" and "A"

Do you mean the gas plug is set etween A & GR? The plug should be on the A which should be facing straight up. The GR setting closes off the port for firing rifle grenades.
To adjust the gas you turn the ring behind the front sight. It may have numbers on it or it may not.

[dfletcher]

Thanks, yeah it was a redneck-owned and operated so I dont think much "care" was ever given to it. (here's a picture of it: http://www.uploderx.net/x/40924/)


I will take some more pics of it tonight and post them up to give you all a better idea as Im at work right now. There seems to be some rough, almost gouge-like marks, at the front of the upper receiver where the extractor sits, this could possibly be it maybe?

Im still trying to figure out how to set the gas-port actually, it's set half-way between "Gr" and "A"

Sounds like a simple matter of cleaning and setting up the gas port and gas setting correctly.

Behind that "G" and "A" marked gas plug is a piston and spring - you should remove those & clean. Pretty simple to do. You'll notice a hole in the gas plug - when you turn the plug you're either lining up the hole to bleed off gas from the barrel to the piston (A position) or closing it (G position). Think of that as step one. Step two is getting the correct amount of gas and that is acomplished by turning the gas port adjustment located just behind the front sight. Closing it (moves closer to the sight) bleeds more gas, opening it (moves away from the sight) bleeds less. Sounds like you may want to close it a bit, get more gas to work the action.

[vile1]

It may have numbers on it or it may not.

My mistake, it was set to have "A" straight up.

In response to DisgruntledReaper: I am in San Diego, CA. I see you're in Orange County. I would LOVE to meet up for some lunch/coffee/something to get an experienced FAL owner to look at my baby.
My Army buddy hasnt seen anything but what they give him in the service and it totally lost when he came over to take a look at it last night.

[smle-man]

Perhaps the round isn't fully chambered and the bolt completely locked in the recess? If that is the case when the hammer falls it will finish locking the bolt in place but not fire the round. The first steps are to make sure the chamber is cleaned, the locking recess is clean and the bolt and bolt carrier are properly lubed. Put a dab of rifle grease in the locking recess in the receiver also.

[fathead]

I would ask for help at the -falfiles.com/forum...guys are very knowledgeable and helpful...