Thoughts on L1A1 parts kit

[philmonty]

Hi all

I am ex-Australian military and wanted to acquire an L1A1 parts kit that I could build out when I leave Kalifornia. I assume that something like this would be legal (sans 20 round magazine) as long as I don't buy a receiver and put it together?

https://www.sargesmilitarysurplus.com/product/l1a1-aussie-fal/

[Bob Oso]

you can buy a receiver and build it up as long as it has a grip wrap, no flash hider.

check out FalFiles.com for L1A1 kits

[baih777]

You should price out the receiver first. And look into tooling you need to complete the build.

Then price one from Atlantic firearms.

[ptoguy2002]

The greater problem will be the receiver. Its been a while, but IIRC, the earlier DSA ones were the good ones and DSA L1A1s had/have the proper Australian inch cuts. The Coonan receivers were Brit cut, but Coonan also is stopping a bunch of receivers December 31, so you'd better hurry if you want one of those. But check DSA first. The supply of receivers will only get worse, as all the surplus has dried up.
As far as CA, the stripped receiver will be legal to transfer. You could even have it built just make sure it is featureless. Re-feature when you leave.

[ptoguy2002]

There are also L2A1 parts and kits around too......

[SloChicken]

You should price out the receiver first. And look into tooling you need to complete the build.

Then price one from Atlantic firearms.

[HibikiR]

Definitely check falfiles.com. They have info on everything from parts reviews to trusted builders.

[-hanko]

Brit barrels use a breeching washer between the front of the receiver and the barrel shoulder. As with metric guns, you can also use thin shim stock if needed. Check out the FAL Files for more info.

[SloChicken]

Brit barrels use a breeching washer between the front of the receiver and the barrel shoulder. As with metric guns, you can also use thin shim stock if needed. Check out the FAL Files for more info.

Sure, no reason it can’t be shimmed to time.
Good point!

Point being - there aren’t a whole lot of specialized tools needed for a FAL.

If one can measure for an appropriate locking shoulder pin that is about all else that is needed.

My FAL build was no harder than an AR other than those two things.


Build it OP! U won’t regret it!

The top one is a DSA/LMT STG58 Steyr Build (i still have all the other parts)
The bottom is one I built with a DSA type 1 it was actually cheaper than buying a new one.

[Varg Vikernes]

FAL builds are supposed to be easier than an AK build, but a little harder than an AR build.

[sigstroker]

You might could find an original barrel at a gun show like the Phoenix SAR show next month.

[Ford8N]

FAL builds are supposed to be easier than an AK build, but a little harder than an AR build.

This is true. Everything is fairly simple with the proper tools. Just make sure that the extractor has room to work in the receiver when it locks on the cartridge rim.

G3>AK>FAL>AR

[SloChicken]

FAL builds are supposed to be easier than an AK build, but a little harder than an AR build.

This

[crazychinaman]

The SAR

You might could find an original barrel at a gun show like the Phoenix SAR show next month.

At this show there are usually 2 dealers that sell Fal parts .One of them is well known in putting together well built rifle from surplus parts that are beat up.The hard part us the mags and locking shoulders.When head spacing .There are I think 11 sizes.Good luck .Thats the only gun show I go to.

[-hanko]

At this show there are usually 2 dealers that sell Fal parts .One of them is well known in putting together well built rifle from surplus parts that are beat up.The hard part us the mags and locking shoulders.When head spacing .There are I think 11 sizes.Good luck .Thats the only gun show I go to.

Locking shoulders live all over the FAL Files. Add one-thousandth of an inch to the gauge pin diameter that gives you lockup with the full-pressure-with-two-thumbs method. The extra thousandth allows for setback once the gun is fired.

Diameters run iirc from ~0.250" to a little over 0.270". Keep the LS that comes in your kit...if you need a different size it's normally $25 or so with your old LS in trade.

The extractor needs to be removed before checking HS...I tried it without the proper tool once and never again. If you're a first-time user, use the tool on the bolt in a gallon sized zip loc.