FN FAL BUILD HELP

[ZRXRICH]

I have an STG FN FAL I'm having problems with.I need to head space it ,I need a locking shoulder to head space it. I live in San Leandro Ca. Any one close to me that does work on FALS? Thanks Rich

[ar15barrels]

If you were in the LA area, I could help...

[Randall]

I don't know what you do and do not know about building a FAL. I don't how far along you are in your build, nor if you've ever built a FAL before. So, please don't take this the wrong way. I'm not trying to offend you. I've built one, but by no means do I feel qualified to help you build one.

You don't don't just need a locking shoulder. You need the right sized locking shoulder. You need the barrel installed properly before you break out the headspace gauges, and sizing pins. If you do it yourself, special tools are required. Only then will you be able to tell what size locking shoulder to purchase. You need your compliance parts...Also, California has special rules about Magazine capacity, "bullet button" type devices, etc. If you're only building one rifle, then it will be cheaper to send it to a FAL smith to get it built. If you're building one rifle for the experience (cost is not a factor), then it is a very interesting build.

My suggestion is to go to FALFILES.com if you haven't already. There is a marketplace there where you can get used tools and a wealth of knowledge on that site. I also highly recommend you purchase GunPlumber's book and video. It is an excellent resource for building the FAL rifle. You can purchase them from Arizona Response Systems (just google it). http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.co...smithfal.shtml

Good luck with your build.
Randy

[Czechsix]

Yep, agree with Randall. Unless you have someone local, or you want to build more than a few of them, send it off to a known smith like Mark, Randy Kline, or one of the guys on CG - there are a few of them.

I'd be willing to help...but I'm too far away from you.

[ZRXRICH]

who are mark,randy? do you have a phone number, or contact info? Thanks Any Help Rich

[Czechsix]

who are mark,randy? do you have a phone number, or contact info? Thanks Any Help Rich

Mark is http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/
(he's a cranky, opinionated bastard, but good for him. Plus, he does excellent work).

Randy Kline, also known as Sledgehammer is: Sledgehammer Arms Works
Kline Firearms,
5424 Newt Patterson Road
Mansfield, TX 76063
Phone: (817) 478-9624

Each one of these guys have build one of my FALs, each one does excellent work. There are also, I'm sure, some CG guys that can do it, and do an excellent job too, but I'll let them chime in. I haven't had anyone build a rifle in a long time, after I scraped up the tools I've been doing it myself.

Hope that helps.

[Paulie Lugnuts]

The first gun I ever built was an FAL. Its not that hard. Yes you have to invest in some tools, but you get the satifaction of doing in yourself.
If you want to drive to Sacramento, I can loan you the tools, they're around here somwhere. Here's what mine, an L1A1, looks like.

[Czechsix]

That's one of the great things about the FAL. Once you have the tools, they're easy to build.

Until they're not easy to build, and then the fun begins. I've had only two that were easy builds, all the others have been anywhere from minor things to WTFBBQ level. That's when it gets fun.

[thedrickel]

I'm in east Oakland, I can help you out.

[ZRXRICH]

Great sent pm hope I can talk to you soon Rich