Convert DSA FAL Calif. model to accept detachable mags?

[Soylent_Green]

Hi All,

Recently got a great deal and picked up a DSA FN-FAL California model carbine (has the fixed 10rd. mag) from a California escapee. Shoots great (loves my Port surplus). Since I live in Nevada, now need to know how to convert it to use detachable mags. Called DSA, but they said, "Once a Cal Fal, always a Cal Fal". No help whatsoever. Has anyone here done this and what is involved?

Thanks ahead of time.

[sephy]

I'm not sure how they do it, but here is a link to a DIY California FAL. Perhaps it will help?

LINK

[joelogic]

How is the mag held in? Is it a top feeder?

[elSquid]

There's a bit of weld to remove, supposedly. I don't have a DSA FAL, never done it, but remember reading about it here...

https://www.google.com/search?q=+site:calguns.net+dsa+weld+fal

-- Michael

[Soylent_Green]

Mag appears to be pinned (via the mag release) and yes it's a top feeder via 5 rd. stripper clips. I'm taking the lower completely apart this weekend to get a better idea. Some have suggested that the mag release may be welded, pinned or that there is a spot weld on the ejector block, no one is positive and DSA wouldn't tell me the way they do it.

sephy & elsquid- Thanks for the links. Might help.

[gotshotgun?]

Major poo on DSA

[smle-man]

Mag appears to be pinned (via the mag release) and yes it's a top feeder via 5 rd. stripper clips. I'm taking the lower completely apart this weekend to get a better idea. Some have suggested that the mag release may be welded, pinned or that there is a spot weld on the ejector block, no one is positive and DSA wouldn't tell me the way they do it.

sephy & elsquid- Thanks for the links. Might help.

I had read that DSA will convert it as long as the rifle is shipped to them from a non CA shop and returned to the same non CA shop.

[Richard Erichsen]

Hi All,

Recently got a great deal and picked up a DSA FN-FAL California model carbine (has the fixed 10rd. mag) from a California escapee. Shoots great (loves my Port surplus). Since I live in Nevada, now need to know how to convert it to use detachable mags. Called DSA, but they said, "Once a Cal Fal, always a Cal Fal". No help whatsoever. Has anyone here done this and what is involved?

Thanks ahead of time.

That was a threat that if you changed the configuration they may not honor the warranty. I think it's probably a safe bet they are full of it. You can always keep the parts in case that ever comes up.

R

[C.G.]

There's a bit of weld to remove, supposedly. I don't have a DSA FAL, never done it, but remember reading about it here...

https://www.google.com/search?q=+site:calguns.net+dsa+weld+fal

-- Michael

What he said. There even was a thread about it here on Calguns long ago.

[bahamablue72]

Not a weld but more of a brazing. There is a bead of material that stops the magazine release from moving. Disassemble and chisel/file out the bead (softer metal then the receiver). It is slow going but take your time and it will come out.

[dfletcher]

Pop out the mag & mag release by removing the BHO and mag release screw. You'll see a spot of weld in the rear of the mag well. By hand it took me about 30 minutes to remove using a small file.

[Soylent_Green]

Thanks guys! Looks doable.

[titan]

I looked at mine, there is not a lot of room in there one slight slip and you will scratch the receiver

[andrewj]

Not a weld but more of a brazing. There is a bead of material that stops the magazine release from moving. Disassemble and chisel/file out the bead (softer metal then the receiver). It is slow going but take your time and it will come out.

I did this to my FAL last year. I was brand new to FALs when I did this and I was learning as I went along. So if I was able to do it, anyone can.

I have read that some have been fortunate enough to knock the bead off with a chisel and a firm whack but I was not so lucky. I had to remove the ejector block and file the bead down. To make things a little more difficult, the pins holding the e-block were extremely stubborn and would not budge with a punch and hammer. I had to drill through them with an undersized bit and then punch them out. After I had the e-block out, I was able to file the bead down pretty easily.

Here's the weld you need to remove.


If I were to do it all again, I would just remove the original e-block, toss it out, and install a new one. I actually did that earlier this year, I wish I had done that in the first place. I should have a handful of extra ejector blocks and pins if you think you may want to give it a shot.

[Soylent_Green]

Hi Andrewj,

Yea it was a bugger getting the block out. The top pin came right out, but the bottom just wouldn't budge. I put a lot of penatrating oil on it and let sit a week, then hit it with a punch & hammer. Came right out. Plan for this weekend is try the chisel trick first on the weld, then even if it doesn't take it out, go to the file.

BTW, it didn't have a mag release spring installed, so needed to order one, in case someone else takes on this sort of project.

Thanks again for the pic you posted!