762holes
May 19, 2006, 12:00
Since I live in CA and I'm not allowed to play with cool toys, every FAL I own has a fixed 10 round magazine.
California considers a magazine fixed if a tool is required to remove the magazine. The traditional method is to drill and tap the mag release and install a set screw. It doesn't sound that bad except that FAL mag releases are made with some of the hardest steel I have ever machined. It's very easy to break a tap and ruin the mag release. Secondly, it's not reversible, a fixed mag release can not be returned to normal.
My solution was to buy a 1/4" long 4-40 socket head cap screw at the hardware store. You can install the cap screw in a standard mag release without drilling or tapping. The head of the screw is large enough that it will not fall in to the spring pocket in the upper. Now you hold your 10 round mag in the receiver, slide the mag release (with the cap screw) in to place and secure it with the BHO screw.
On my FAL, the 4-40 screw was just a hair short, there is some play in the mag release, but the mag is securely fixed. If a 1/4" long cap screw isn't long enough, you can get a 3/8" cap screw and file to fit.
A 6-32 cap screw might work also. I bought a 3/8" 6-32 and it was too long. The 1/4" long 4-40 worked without any modifications, so I didn't bother to see if the 6-32 could be made to work, but it does have more steel and a 1/4" 6-32 might be ideal.
To remove the magazine, you need a screw driver to back out the BHO screw. That should meet the CA definition of a fixed magazine. The best part is that it looks 100% stock (except for the sawed off magazine) and you only need a spring and a screw driver to return to detachable magazine status.
California considers a magazine fixed if a tool is required to remove the magazine. The traditional method is to drill and tap the mag release and install a set screw. It doesn't sound that bad except that FAL mag releases are made with some of the hardest steel I have ever machined. It's very easy to break a tap and ruin the mag release. Secondly, it's not reversible, a fixed mag release can not be returned to normal.
My solution was to buy a 1/4" long 4-40 socket head cap screw at the hardware store. You can install the cap screw in a standard mag release without drilling or tapping. The head of the screw is large enough that it will not fall in to the spring pocket in the upper. Now you hold your 10 round mag in the receiver, slide the mag release (with the cap screw) in to place and secure it with the BHO screw.
On my FAL, the 4-40 screw was just a hair short, there is some play in the mag release, but the mag is securely fixed. If a 1/4" long cap screw isn't long enough, you can get a 3/8" cap screw and file to fit.
A 6-32 cap screw might work also. I bought a 3/8" 6-32 and it was too long. The 1/4" long 4-40 worked without any modifications, so I didn't bother to see if the 6-32 could be made to work, but it does have more steel and a 1/4" 6-32 might be ideal.
To remove the magazine, you need a screw driver to back out the BHO screw. That should meet the CA definition of a fixed magazine. The best part is that it looks 100% stock (except for the sawed off magazine) and you only need a spring and a screw driver to return to detachable magazine status.