FAL Help

[SURVIVOR619]

Hey CGNers, my brother has been sitting on his FAL (metric; agentinian rosario) in parts for years and finally set up all the requisite 922(r) parts. We went to shoot it yesterday and.....click.... No fire.. Eject the round, no primer markings/evidence of a light strike... Just nothing...

We try to take it down and the takedown lever is unbelievably tight; couldn't even separate the upper and lower.

Any ideas what he did wrong? Maybe tighten the buttstock spring too tight?

Thanks for any direction to potential causes, although I suspect it could be a number of things.

And IBITTGTTFF

(InBeforeImToldToGoToTheFALFiles)

[fal_762x51]

Pop off the pivot pin to help separate the receiver from the trigger assembly. The operating spring should not be the cause of the inability to separate. Once open take pictures. Sorry, too tired and I can't get to the safe right now.

[-hanko]

Hey CGNers, my brother has been sitting on his FAL (metric; agentinian rosario) in parts for years and finally set up all the requisite 922(r) parts. We went to shoot it yesterday and.....click.... No fire.. Eject the round, no primer markings/evidence of a light strike... Just nothing...

We try to take it down and the takedown lever is unbelievably tight; couldn't even separate the upper and lower.

Any ideas what he did wrong? Maybe tighten the buttstock spring too tight?

Thanks for any direction to potential causes, although I suspect it could be a number of things.

And IBITTGTTFF

(InBeforeImToldToGoToTheFALFiles)

Recoil springs (what you called "buttstock spring) have zero to do with what's not happening. Recoil spring tube nut should be tight.

Start with basics...

Is there a firing pin installed in your bolt?

Does the bolt carrier lock-up if you pull back the charging handle and let it slam shut?

Did brother check headspace. If he did, did he remove the extractor and use the 2-finger routine?

What Argentine parts did he replace to comply with 922r...he'd need 7 with a muzzle device, 6 with a naked barrel.

Separate the upper and lower...cock the hammer, restrain the hammer with your thumb, pull the trigger. Does the hammer move forward?

Takedown lever should be tight...i.e., should be in a tighter position with the weapon assembled than with the takedown lever actuated to allow the barrel to tip down. Tap it with a rawhide mallet if you need to. Then lubricate. It will loosen up after a while.

Take some pictures of the carrier locked...remove the top cover to do so...also, I'd like to see some pics of the inside of the lower receiver with the hammer cocked and uncocked

Resident expert here is dfletcher, imo...reach out to him via pm or email.

I would still ask the question on the FAL Files...this is not the nexus of FAL stuff.

hth

-hanko

[SURVIVOR619]

Thanks guys.

New U.S. parts were:
Stock, p-grip, charging handle, handguard, FCG

He did not check headspace. The receiver was assembled when he acquired the parts. The lower portion was separated, there was no grip, no stock attached.

He basically added a mag lock, changed out the handguard; replaced the charging handle; replaced the FCG; installed the stock and grip and that was it.

After replacing the trigger, he did function check the hammer; safety functionality.

I'll ask him to take some photos tonight of the carrier locked with the cover off and thanks much for your time.

Since I'm the CGN member, looks like he should be the guy who signs up for the FAL files..

[-hanko]

New U.S. parts were: Stock, p-grip, charging handle, handguard, FCG

He did not check headspace. The receiver was assembled when he acquired the parts. The lower portion was separated, there was no grip, no stock attached.

He basically added a mag lock, changed out the handguard; replaced the charging handle; replaced the FCG; installed the stock and grip and that was it.

After replacing the trigger, he did function check the hammer; safety functionality.

I'll ask him to take some photos tonight of the carrier locked with the cover off and thanks much for your time.

Since I'm the CGN member, looks like he should be the guy who signs up for the FAL files..

Were I your brother, I'd DEFINITELY double-check headspace.

He or you can get info from the FAL Files without a login...have him start with the gunsmithing section and go from there.

hth, and you are welcome.

-hanko

[SURVIVOR619]

Definitely helps, Hanko.

My regards,

S619

[-hanko]

Definitely helps, Hanko.

My regards,

S619

Happy to help.

A Rosario is a beautiful gun and somewhat of a rarity.

Interesting in seeing brother's outcome.

-hanko

[thedrickel]

I can only think of 3 things that would cause this

missing/broken firing pin
bolt not in battery
hammer following bolt

And this definitely raises a red flag in my mind (bolded part):

Thanks guys.

New U.S. parts were:
Stock, p-grip, charging handle, handguard, FCG

He did not check headspace. The receiver was assembled when he acquired the parts. The lower portion was separated, there was no grip, no stock attached.

He basically added a mag lock, changed out the handguard; replaced the charging handle; replaced the FCG; installed the stock and grip and that was it.

After replacing the trigger, he did function check the hammer; safety functionality.

I'll ask him to take some photos tonight of the carrier locked with the cover off and thanks much for your time.

Since I'm the CGN member, looks like he should be the guy who signs up for the FAL files..

So I suspect the FCG is faulty or not installed correctly (likely sear spring is swapped with trigger return spring accidently).

[ar15barrels]

I'm gonna go with short headspace not allowing the bolt to be fully locked in battery and therefore the firing pin not properly connecting with the primer or some other firing pin problem.

[SURVIVOR619]

FAL Help

Thanks drickel and ar15barrels.

My brother sent me a ton of photos... Though these last three seem to be telling...? Is there too much headspace...

Bolt locked in, hammer cocked


Trigger pulled, hammer released, not even close to contacting the firing pin




Thanks again and in advance for your advice guys!!

[Hoagiem]

It looks like the locking plate is either installed wrong or it is screwed up. Take the lower apart and check all the pieces to make sure they are in good condition and installed correctly. You don't want to dry fire that without it being completely assembled, the sheet metal locking plate is whats stops the hammer when it is not assembled. The fal files is full of good info.

[becxltoo984]

When I built mine back in the Late 90's head space was to tight .
Click no Bang

http://www.cruffler.com/trivia-April01-assembly.html

[grossekatz]

Looks like something is wrong in the fire control group. That hammer should travel more than it is.

[SURVIVOR619]

FAL Help

Looks like something is wrong in the fire control group. That hammer should travel more than it is.

Yes, there's a rivet that prevents any further travel... I've not seen it on any of the diagrams or videos I've come across, figured it had something to do with all the variations of the FAL platform..

Here's a pic of what I'm referring to, in front of the hammer; in these photos, my "in front of the hammer comment" refers to the bar that you see at the left of the receiver...

(Cocked)


(Released)

[FTC]

Argentine lower with pin and non Argie cut hammer?