FAL Question.

[technique]

So, My search foo is no good. I kinda looked through FALfiles too.
I am getting together the last pieces to complete My Enterprise metric FAL. I have a standard kit and the barrel length is 20-22ish. I plan to cut it to 14.5 and weld on FH. I also want to go with a different style stock. That stock will only work with (what the stock manufacturer says) a PARA style recoil system.

So what all do I need to swap? Anything more than a recoil system for the gun to work?

Thanks.

[wooger]

I think you will need a para cut in the upper and a different dustcover as well as the bolt carrier and recoil stuff. Look at falcon arms and check out their para conversion pieces for non cut uppers.

[Max-the-Silent]

This is just my .02, but 7.62 NATO in barrels much shorter than 16" - 16.5" are conversatation pieces more than tools (exception, pp details or transportation safeguard operators) and you're not getting much ballistic bang for your buck.

I know, HK51's and Lafrance M14K's are sexy and cool and all that, but unless you're in the market for a toy rather than a tool (or you operate in the environments mentioned above) stick with 16 inchers or longer with 7.62.

FAL's can have difficulties with barrel lengths under 16", related to gas port diameter, but the DSA short-gas system carbines seem to solve that problem - note that the standard length in those rifles is 16"...and not just because of the NFA. The 11" barrel post-sample FAL I shot was a hell of a lot of fun, but the muzzle blast (w/ ears double bagged) completely eliminated it for me as a tool imo, I would hate to be inside a structure with that thing going BANG!

[m24armorer]

Wow, someone besides me who knew about the LaFrance K guns. I still have mine and it's loud but fun.

[Max-the-Silent]

Wow, someone besides me who knew about the LaFrance K guns. I still have mine and it's loud but fun.

Me too... I don't always follow my own advice. I've got serial #6, the last kevlar stock K he manufactured. He cussed that stock six ways to Sunday.

Tim's a good guy.

[Sydwaiz]

I haven't checked my FALs lately but can you even get 14.5" out of a standard gas system without running into the gas block? It would be pretty darn close if you can. When I built mine some years back I cut it down to 16" and opened the gas port some to compensate.

[technique]

I haven't checked my FALs lately but can you even get 14.5" out of a standard gas system without running into the gas block? It would be pretty darn close if you can. When I built mine some years back I cut it down to 16" and opened the gas port some to compensate.

I have been reading more on it. It seems 16.25 is the shortest most everyone says you can really go. And at 16in you run gas on the fourth click.

[-hanko]

I have been reading more on it. It seems 16.25 is the shortest most everyone says you can really go. And at 16in you run gas on the fourth click.

At around 16", almost mandatory, almost, that you open up the gas port.

You run the gun on the regulator setting that just gives you bolt-hold-open after the last round, plus an additional 1 or 2 clicks. This may vary from rifle to rifle, and has since the FAL was invented.

ammo in the 2700-3000 fps range seems to lose around 20fps per each inch the barrel is shortened. Compared to a standard 21" barrel, you'll use 100fps or more with a 16" barrel & around 130+ with the 14.5".

-hanko

[technique]

Yeah, I think I'm gonna work on gettin it to work 14.5. Why not? I have so many .308's I could care less if it takes a while. I will see what I can do when opening up the gas port. I have all the time in the world to tweak it until I find a way. I did the same thing with one of my AR's. Everyone says you need 3-4inches beyond the gas block for them to cycle, mine has only 2in and a vortex and it cycles without issue.

[chuck762]

With the para system if you use an original Belgium style dust cover you will need a para cut machined into the receiver. If you se a DSA cover without the nose you can uses a unmodified receiver.

One problem with the DSA cover unless they changed it is they won't work with every brand of para bolt carrier out there.

The para cut is pretty easy and can even be done at home with a piloted counter bore and an extension.

[Lon Moer]

So, My search foo is no good. I kinda looked through FALfiles too.
I am getting together the last pieces to complete My Enterprise metric FAL. I have a standard kit and the barrel length is 20-22ish. I plan to cut it to 14.5 and weld on FH. I also want to go with a different style stock. That stock will only work with (what the stock manufacturer says) a PARA style recoil system.

So what all do I need to swap? Anything more than a recoil system for the gun to work?

Thanks.

To go to a 14.5" barrel, you will need to convert to a short gas system.

[GM4spd]

If you get a folding stock with that combo it MAY be shorter then legal
for state law,(overall length requirements.) Pete

[technique]

If you get a folding stock with that combo it MAY be shorter then legal
for state law,(overall length requirements.) Pete

Unless you pin it