FAL issues...firing pin?

[NCshooter26]

I've got an FAL that will occasionally cause light primer strikes on the round. It didn't seem to do this until I tried some Wolf .308 in the rifle, don't know if this was the initial cause of the problem, or if it's just coincidence. Anyways, I checked the firing pin, and the end is worn a bit, moreso on the top side than the bottom, however, I have very little knowledge of the FAL and don't really know what to look for to determine if the firing pin needs replacing. Also, could it be the firing pin spring or the hammer spring. Like I stated before, it doesn't do this all the time, but rather occasionally.
Could it be that the headspace is off? If so, is their an easy method to check the headspace without a go/no go gauge? Thanks guys.

[Sig220]

First up welcome to the FalFiles!! My first bit of advice is to sell the damn thing ASAP!! Reasoning is that if you don't, you will become "falborg" and start acquiring a bunch of them!!:bow:

Now to your questions.....the following is my opinion the rest of the yahoos on here can disagree at thier leisure:biggrin:

The usual cause for light firing pin strikes is a weak hammer spring. But there could be other issues like a broken fireing pin spring, a worn firing pin. Your couse of action depends on what you have on hand. First up is to visually confirm that the firing pin spring is good, if possible get a measurement of the length of the firing pin. If the hammer spring can be replaced I would do that .

Also give us a little more info about your rifle........receiver, kit, changed parts....(some replacement springs may be to light). Report back and we can go to work!!

That being said, in my opinion Wolf ammo is some of the worse to shoot in a Fal, usually low velocity, hard primers, and dirty. JMHO:wink:

[NCshooter26]

Thanks for the reply, Sig. It's a kit built FrankenFAL, that I bought at a gunshop about 2 years ago for $225, and I knew it was a steal, so I bought it. It's built on an Imbel receiver, and appears to be either an Imbel kit or a G1 kit. (top cover and a few other parts have HK stamp) I have taken apart the bolt assembly, and the firing pin spring appears to be in good shape. The firing pin itself appears to be worn a bit, more so on the top side than the bottom, but being I'm no FAL enthusiast I really don't have any idea as what to compare it to, to decide if needs changing. I haven't attempted to remove the FCG yet, but assuming I do need to change the hammer spring, what's the easiest way to get the FCG out?
Btw, I quit using Wolf ammo in it after it started happening, and it still happens with surplus ammo. I've had the same problems with it using Portugese, S. African, Israeli, and British.
Thanks again for the help.

[gunnut1]

What SIG said. Replace the firing pin and hammer spring.

The hammer spring is a breeze to remove. No need to remove the FTS.

Open the rifle and separate the upper and lower by removing the hinge pin. Look in the lower. See the tube with the spring coming out of it and going to the back of the hammer? That is the hammer spring and housing. VERY carefully and with your thumb over the rear of the assembly, take a screwdriver and wedge it under the tube. VERY CAREFULLY raise the screw driver up and the rear of the housing will pop out. BE CAREFUL and make sure that your face is no where near the rear of the spring. It is under a lot of pressure and will fly out if you don't control it. Normally it will hit the recoil plate. That is the flat piece of metal that the recoil spring hole is in. If it is a inch gun, you will not see the spring but the you will get the idea. Get a NEW spring for the metric and replace it.

It might be a good idea to get a complete spring set from Falcon. Best $25.00 I ever spent for my FALS.

[W.E.G.]

What the others have suggested has merit.

Another possible cause of light strikes is failure of the rifle to go fully into battery ("partial battery").

Various things can cause the partial battery issue.
The two most notorious problems are:
Extractor dragging on inside face of receiver.
Ammo dragging on sharp angle edge of underside of receiver rails.

[NCshooter26]

Thanks for the help guys, I'll order a new spring set and firing pin, just to be on the safe side.
W.E.G I understand what you are suggesting, but I think I may be able to rule those out, as I had fired probably 200-400 rounds of mil-surp ammo in this rifle before I had the problem. I think that if that were the issue, it would have presented itself earlier, but I could be wrong, so I'll take a look at that also.

Thanks for the help guys, I'll see if I can't put a little elbow grease into it and get it fixed. I don't really know all the ins and outs of the FAL, so I guess I need to study up on it. I'm more of an AK fanatic myself. I've built quite a few, and know one from front to back, with my eyes closed.