DSA FAL Problem

[dfletcher]

I just returned from Oregon - definitely fun to use the DSA FAL as it was meant. I ran into a slight problem and one that I've replicated after cleaning.

First, this is a new gun bought from DSA whole - not a build. No work done to it. Factory issue.

Once in a while, the hammer follows the bolt when the trigger is held to the rear. Although this is great fun at the range it's something I'd obviously prefer not happen.

I have fully inspected & cleaned the gun. The springs are full strength & everything looks fine. The sear & full cock notch in the hammer are sharp. The hammer does not follow the bolt when I release the bolt WITHOUT the trigger pulled. It only follows with the trigger pulled. This tells me I have a disconnector problem. Any comments or suggestions?

[blacklisted]

Perhaps the notch in the selector is cut a little too deep?

[thedrickel]

The FAL doubling in that way is not "great fun at the range" it is an out of battery discharge waiting to happen. There is a reason the safety sear was put there by FN (SAFETY) - to hold the hammer back until the bolt carrier is fully forward. Try swapping out the HTS for an evil metric one, check the firing pin and spring, maybe you switched the trigger return spring and sear spring? Also see this thread on the falfiles:

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=197563

[dfletcher]

Perhaps the notch in the selector is cut a little too deep?

That's it - excellent & thanks. I forgot that the only aftermarket part I've put on this (aside from the muzzle brake) is the DSA extended safety. I kept the old one, popped it back in & it works fine. I have to say, I'm a little surprised a part from DSA would cause a problem.

Any way to correct the extended safety or should I just dump it? I'm left handed & the extra size helps a bit.

[blacklisted]

I responded to your post on the FALfiles:

When you pull the trigger, the selector prevents the rear of the trigger from pivoting up past a certain point. If it moves up too far, the sear will not catch on the hammer. If that doesn't happen, the hammer will follow the bolt. Normally, this wouldn't result in doubling or uncontrolled full-auto fire unless there were other issues (particular headspace, weak firing pin spring, soft primers, high primers, etc).

This is what happens when you turn an original selector to the "auto" position. The auto selector has two notches in it, shallow for semi and deep for auto. If you remove a semi-auto selector and pull the trigger all the way back, you will get the same result. You may also get this result with an out of spec or modified semi-auto selector (your situation).

My advice is to NOT use the selector that allows for doubling. You do not want this happening at the range. This is not just a safety issue, but a legal issue as well. Replace it with a new one. I would also inspect the firing pin and ammunition.

[oaklander]

Any way to correct the extended safety or should I just dump it? I'm left handed & the extra size helps a bit.

I would return it to DSA for a replacement or money back.