Advice for making my R1-A1 (FAL) better!

[highpower]

Century never made a FAL receiver as far as I know. It could have been sourced from someone like Enterprise or Hesse, but I don't have a lot of the intricate knowledge that you will find from the folks on the FAL files. I would suggest that you register over there and I am sure that someone will know. As long as it works okay you should be in good shape.

The wood on mine is not walnut, it is some kind of wood from Australia as I used a set of Aussie surplus wood. If you look around you can find pics of FAL's dressed in American walnut. They make my stock set look as though it was made from recycled plywood.

Look at the left side of the lower. There should be a letter(s) and number that looks like this. On this example it shows that the lower that was used was made by Enfield (UE) and the year it was made was 1965:


On British rifles that were rebuilt, there is a set of punch marks on the right side of the lower:

[-hanko]

Century never made a FAL receiver as far as I know. It could have been sourced from someone like Enterprise or Hesse, but I don't have a lot of the intricate knowledge that you will find from the folks on the FAL files. I would suggest that you register over there and I am sure that someone will know. As long as it works okay you should be in good shape.

The wood on mine is not walnut, it is some kind of wood from Australia as I used a set of Aussie surplus wood. If you look around you can find pics of FAL's dressed in American walnut. They make my stock set look as though it was made from recycled plywood.

On British rifles that were rebuilt, there is a set of punch marks on the right side of the lower.

Correct on CAI never actually making the lowers they used.

I would expect the manufacturer's marking on someplace on the upper...per ATF marking rules.

Aussie wood reminds me of eucalyptus...very hard when full dry but not the prettiest. L1A1 furniture might be something to check.

Very nice Rosario upper...drool.

[SpceSpff]

I registered for FAL Files on Saturday. Still haven't been given access to post anything yet

Besides the Century Arms info on the magazine well, these are the only other markings on the rifle.

[-hanko]

I registered for FAL Files on Saturday. Still haven't been given access to post anything yet

Besides the Century Arms info on the magazine well, these are the only other markings on the rifle.

The "AD" mark on the upper right rear of the lower indicates parts, save upper receiver, are Australian.

Can you post 2 more pics...1 showing the marking detail on the right side of the upper, and a second showing the left side of the gun in the trigger/bolt hold-open/pivot pin area??

The FAL Files may take a week or 2 to get your login done.

eta...does the rifle use metric or British mags??

[SpceSpff]

The rifle uses inch magazines. Not sure if that means they are British or not.

[-hanko]

The rifle uses inch magazines. Not sure if that means they are British or not.

For FAL's...Brit/British = Inch = Aussie.

The receiver was made by Hesse, from what I can tell.

Parts kit is Inch/Aussie based on pn on lower with "AD" marking. Mag release is definitely Inch. I hate to be a PITA, but I can't tell about the muzzle device as it's not in the picture.

Google "century arms r1a1" for more info.

Nice rifle.

hth

-hanko

[highpower]

Correct on CAI never actually making the lowers they used. Very nice Rosario upper...drool.

Thanks. I didn't realize when I got it that the Argentine receivers were worth nearly as much as I paid for the whole gun.

[-hanko]

Thanks. I didn't realize when I got it that the Argentine receivers were worth nearly as much as I paid for the whole gun.

The favorite among my FAL's is an unissued Argy PARA kit on an Imbel gear logo receiver...It might be a bit more interesting with an Argentine upper.

I'm mildly jealous.

CAI R1A1 receivers are simply metric pattern, with the magwell modified to take inch magazines. Metric mags are supposed to fit, though with some reported slop. I've never tried one as all my FAL's are metric. Notice the mis-match between the rear of the upper and the lower...clearly a metric receiver on an inch lower.

[SpceSpff]

Man, these rifles have a lot going on haha! So, mine is a mix of metric and inch. Thanks for the education. Posted below is the flash hider mounted on my rifle.

The gun came with inch magazines. However, the 10 round magazine that is mounted in it now is metric. You could say there is some "slop" in there. I will be converting it to a metric mag release, to work with the bullet button.

[DisgruntledReaper]

OK, looked at your pics, I am member 'Einheit Elf' on the falfiles..
1-aside from your muzzlebrake your rifle is all inch pattern -Aussie,Brit, Canadian,etc
2- yes adjust the gas system for most failure to eject and short stroking issues..
3- your stripper clip top cover is fairly valuable so do not toss it,sell on the fal files if you decide to get rid of it.
4-IMPORTANT- you MAY have a full on Inch cut receiver which means you need Inch mags or there are a couple ways to help with the mag wobble.. First thing you need to do is get that mag out and look at the mag lug cut on the inside front of the receiver.. Look for the following to determine which mag style you need...
1- IF the machined cut in the receiver looks like a square cut,large rectangular cut=Inch magazine
2-If the cut looks like a half moon circular cut=Metric
**the lugs on the front of the mags are different and ecxess wobble CAN lead to chambering issues in feeding.. usually the front of the metric mag will droop down and mess up the angle. There are a couple fixes,work arounds... Inch mags are more expensive/less common but out there...

***I would look into getting or making a grip wrap,looks stupid,shooting not to bad once used to it.. best thing is you can use any 20 rd mags you have squirreled away from when you lived out of state ,alaska?

If you want, send me a PM, glad to try to help..

[SpceSpff]

Thanks for the advice! I am taking the gun out to the range this weekend, then reverting it back to releasable mags (with a legal button button, of course). I will inspect the inside of the magwell, but it should have the rectangular, inch cut. Checked out the grip wraps. Will have to think on that...
Do you know if my profile on FAL files has to be activated by someone?

[-hanko]

Thanks for the advice! I am taking the gun out to the range this weekend, then reverting it back to releasable mags (with a legal button button, of course). I will inspect the inside of the magwell, but it should have the rectangular, inch cut. Checked out the grip wraps. Will have to think on that...
Do you know if my profile on FAL files has to be activated by someone?

Thanks for the advice! I am still shooting through some South African ammo I bought a long time ago. I have had some minor issues with cycling, but nothing major. I did not know there was an available bullet button. I will be purchasing that and some more mags ASAP!

SA ammo in the green battle packs is good stuff.


[QUOTE=SpceSpff;15658614]Man, these rifles have a lot going on haha! So, mine is a mix of metric and inch. Thanks for the education. Posted below is the flash hider mounted on my rifle.

The gun came with inch magazines. However, the 10 round magazine that is mounted in it now is metric. You could say there is some "slop" in there. I will be converting it to a metric mag release, to work with the bullet button.

Thanks for the advice! I am taking the gun out to the range this weekend, then reverting it back to releasable mags (with a legal button button, of course). I will inspect the inside of the magwell, but it should have the rectangular, inch cut. Checked out the grip wraps. Will have to think on that...
Do you know if my profile on FAL files has to be activated by someone?

As was posted, flash hider looks to be standard Imbel...early guns used right-hand threads, later guns left hand. Go easy if you want to remove it.

If it's a later model with the LH thread, you can thread a short 1/2"-20 bolt into the front of the flash hider (which has a right hand thread) and use it as a removal tool.

If you convert to a metric mag release, you'll also need a metric mag release screw and a metric mag spring, iirc. Brit mag release are nice since they stretch across the lower and allow you to use either hand to release the mag...If you'd like to sell your mag release or trade even for a metric mag release with spring, please send me a pm.

Since you're in a state that protects your safety with "assault" weapons laws, a bullet button may be desirable if you don't decide to go featureless.

Your FAL Files profile does need to be activated by someone, and sometimes it does take longer than you might expect.

-hanko

[IRONWILL]

If your going to get a new top cover lmk I will take that old cover of your hands

Nice rifle Will

[sigstroker]

Is that an Israeli bolt carrier, or are there others with the sand cuts?

[-hanko]

OP, you've got a PM.

Have a good weekend.