american eagle/ ejecting problems

[falshooter5510]

Hi, I am a new FAL owner and just gettinh used to them. However, with my new century arns R1A1, I went to the range and fired 40 rounds of Malaysian army surplus ammo without a problem. Then I loaded a mag of American eagle ammo and the gun fired a few rounds then refused to eject after a shot had be made.
I took the gun home and cleaned it well and went back to the range the following week. Still shooting the American eagle ammo, it made it four rounds then started doing the same thing. I shot it single shot for about an hour and everything was fine minus the not ejecting of rounds.

Does anyone know what is going wrong?

I replaced all the springs with brand new ones and cleaned the gas piston and tube really well. Is this just the ammo or a gas leak? I noticed to small holes on the side of the gas tube (paralell to each other) and when I look in the base of the empty gas tube from the side of the reciever I can see a small gap at the base.

Should I replace the tube, or is it just dirty ammo?

[BattlePack]

Did you try adjusting the gas via the gas regulator? Sounds like the AE may be slightly underpowered compared to the surplus ammo. FALs have an adjustable gas system you can tailor to specific loads.

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21852&highlight=regulat%2A

If you did correctly adjust the gas system, then you may have a gas leak somewhere:

Gas tube retaining pin in place?
Need to open up gas port?
Worn gas block?

[falshooter5510]

thanks for the advise,

I tried playing with the gas regulator, it has settings from 1-7, on all settings nothing worked. It is a brand new gun from Century arms, the only thing though, that might be leakiny is near the reciever

So, if you open the reciever and take of the dust cover and remove the hand guard, looking in at the reciever you can see the end of the gas piston.

Ok, now removing the gas psiton and spring, I again look through this small hole and can see a little light peering through the base, ie where the tube meets the reciever. Is this normal?

Also, the two small holes at the end of the gas tube, side by side, are they supposed to be there?

Thanks

[Sig220]

If the gas tube leaks near the receiver, it would indicate your gas piston may not have the diameter it should.

When the gas escapes the barrel in the gas block, it hits the gas piston and pushes the piston to the rear striking the bolt carrier. If gas leaks past the piston to the receiver end, the diameter of the gas piston may be too small........most should run about .430-.431.

The two holes you are talking about are bleed holes...they are supposed to be there, as when the gas piston is that far back the gas can leak out of the holes.

As for as seeing a gap near the receiver....it should not matter as the gas has no function there anyway.

That is the reason members suggest checking for the gas leak where the tube meets the gas block by the front sight. If the gas tube pin is missing, you will leak out gas before it does its job of pushing the piston back. The gas tube pin is located UNDER the gas regulator on the bottom side.

Do you have a short gas tube.......or a full length one?

Bottom line is it sounds like you are not getting enough gas with the Eagle ammunition to function reliably.....maybe due to a gas leak up front.

[Eclipse]

If Malaysian works but you had issues with AE, try another brand of ammo.

Don't know about their .308, but American Eagle 9mm is underpowered ammo.

[BattlePack]

Do you remember what gas setting # the Malay was working on? To me, it sounds like it isn't regulated properly. If you were having problems with the Malay I would say otherwise. (unless you had to have the gas regulator completely closed for the Malay to function)

We'll get it running right in no time flat!

John

[falshooter5510]

Reply, hey thanks for all the help

I think, after what you have all told me, is that I either need a new gas piston or just to not shoot american eagle ammo anymore. The guy at the gun store (when I asked the same questions I am asking here) thought it was the ammo, he said it always fouled his gun up really bad and was underpowered. I am glad a new gas piston is only about 25 dollars.

Thanks again