Imbel FAL advice

[11Z50]

I've been collecting parts for over 10 years now and I think I'm ready to do an Imbel FAL build. I want to go with original buttstock and PG so I can restore it to shoot in NV. It has no flash suppressor or bayonet lug. I guess what I need is a fixed 10 round mag. Any advice on my upcoming build?

[TonyM]

I've been collecting parts for over 10 years now and I think I'm ready to do an Imbel FAL build. I want to go with original buttstock and PG so I can restore it to shoot in NV. It has no flash suppressor or bayonet lug. I guess what I need is a fixed 10 round mag. Any advice on my upcoming build?

Hey,

Contact The Drickel about a Bullet Button. I'm using DSA 10 round mags with some US parts and have been having good luck.

[11Z50]

I'll PM the drickel

[11Z50]

Hey Tony, how do I get ahold of the drickle

[gunsnrovers]

Here is a link on how to lock the mag in place:

http://www.freewebs.com/socal_webshooters/diy_california_fal.htm

FSE made a fake Imbel style hider with holes not completely drilled that you can put on to maintain the look. They come up on FAL Files on a regular basis.

When in NV, simple replace your locked release with a regular one and drop all the mags you want.

[bwiese]

Hey Tobe,

My (CA reg'd AW) Imbel FAL was rebuilt & refinished by Rich Saunders of Century Gun Works in Gardnerville NV. It had a brand new unused Izzy heavy bbl front end (bbl + gas, etc)

You can build your own if you're handy + have FAL tools (but it's not quite an AR which can be built in bed while watching TV.) Calgunner m24armorer here is a mfgr w/a helluva bkgrd in FALs too so that's another great option. ('Gunplumber' at Arizona Response Systems is overworked and not taking new work.)

I'm running an Imbel metric receiver, running an Izzy hvy bbl front end, and select STG58 parts from kits (I bought several in 1990s and picked the best parts).

In theory mag body/follower/floorplate can be used as compliance parts to reduce 922(r) US parts costs; I recommend against this, as it limits flexibility in mag usage to US-modded mags when in free states.

For my 922(r) compliance parts, I chose ones primarily in the cosmetic or fire control, as opposed to items getting "firing stress". Somehow I just think OEM guys are gonna do better gas pistons, cylinder, etc. than Tapco (though I'd not have problems with DSA).

I believe the ATF list of 'key foreign parts' has 17 items relevant to a FAL-type design; the FAL charging handle is somehow construed to be an 'op rod' by the BATF, which is an interesting conceptual jump but nevertheless it turns out to be handy. You need to get this list down to 10 or less by substituting in US-mfgd parts for the foreign ones. You only have 16 to worry about if you're gonna go with a bare muzzle and no FH; since mine was done pre-Fed-AWB-expiry I chose not to have bbl threads removed and put on a US muzzle brake instead.

Here's how I built mine up:

• DSA US-mfgd hammer
• DSA US-mfgd trigger
• DSA US-mfgd sear
• DSA US-mfg pistol grip [FN USA M249 grips work too! ;-)]
• Penguin black buttstock
• Gunthings FAL muzzle brake
• US-mfgd charging handle (Tapco Izzy, failed: now DSA).

I also had to deal with Izzy rear sight issues. (Argentine stuff may? have similar sight issues, not sure.)

Given I had drama with the Tapco Izzy chg handle, I wouldn't buy Tapco parts again. (I wanted it because I had my Izzy bolt modded to support bolt-hold-open on empty mag.)

Since at that time I couldn't find readily available US replacement wood, and wood Izzy FALO handguards don't match black plastic, I had Rich refinish the wood handwith a great durable plastic coat.

I also got the DSA Picatinny rail cover (held down by screws, solid) to mount an ACOG.

YMMV with your kit/parts combo choices. Not sure, but Ironwood Designs may have nice US FAL wood available again. I don't think Penguin is still in biz; they had a nice selection of plastic stocks. DSA now has some space-age-look US stocks, not sure if they have any more conventional stocks.

DSA does seem to offer NEW chrome-lined heavier-profile barrels which will count as 1 US part for 922(r) compliance.

DSA also offers a stripper-clip top receiver cover that's perfect for a fixed-mag situation.

I recommend buying a couple of nice STG58 or other metric parts kits - select the best parts and keep other items for spares. There are Imbel parts sets out there too.

Various FAL parts kits may be in inventory depending on phase of moon at
"The Dealers' Warehouse"/TDW Sales in Modesto. (http://www.tdwsales.com )

[thedrickel]

BB are $35, take about 2 minutes to remove if you go out of state. If you need somebody to build it you can send to FEDUPWBS and I'll build it there.