Assembly story...DSA and Hesse

[Biskit1]

I've posted my story of a DSA build and a Hesse build here: http://www.precisionvarminting.com/fal.htm

Short version: DSA is great, Hesse is a pain in the rear! I will NOT be purchasing another Hesse receiver.

Tom

[zoom]

Thanks for the review. I found it strange that you chose to put your text in an image rather than on the page.

I also had to do a lot of work to get the bolt hold open device to move smoothly. I guess you have to ask yourself what your time is worth. I paid $129 for my Hesse receiver, and the DSA is $320 w/ the group buy. Paying 2.5 times as much to not have to do some filing seems like a lot of money.z

[delta]

I could never justify the the cost of DSA over Imbel.

[hsp223]

Humm, it seems to me that the stainless Hesse went together pretty easily, other than filing off casting spurs. Thanks for the review.

[Biskit1]

Zoom:
I use Fireworks to make the web site because of the graphics abilities, so the text shows up as graphics as well.

I agree the DSA is pricy, but the Williams Arms receiver is $195 with no filing and an Imbel is $238.50 from TDW.

hsp223:
Also, the 1/16" off the top of the ejector block. That was a PAIN!!!

Tom

[W.E.G.]

Wow.

A Hesse receiver and Century h/t/s.

Looking forward to your report of the Hesse <u>function</u> test.

[Biskit1]

Since I had not put together a FAL prior to this, I figured I'd learn on my own about these parts. The Century HTS took a bit of filing on the sides to smoothly operate, but the trigger pull from them is great!

Tom

[DABTL]

Originally posted by Biskit1:
<STRONG>I agree the DSA is pricy, but the Williams Arms receiver is $195 with no filing
Tom</STRONG>

I assembled my Williams yesterday and it took a bit of filing to make the BHO work properly. The ejector was set in the block in such a fashion as to drag the pin at the top of the block. The net effect was the BHO could not deploy. Took a few minutes to correct. Not a major difficulty.

They all take some work.

I will say that the DSA looks crude next to the Williams.

[Biskit1]

Just got back from the range testing my Hesse SS build. Something is wrong. With the safety in the semi position, the hammer follows the bolt down and with the safety in the full position, the hammer follows the bolt down. Have to tear it down tonight and look into it further.....

[Odd Gibbs Shooter]

Remember Hesse has a 30 day warranty . Why wouldnt you just return it for another one?
I got one that was perfect the first time . All I had to do is file a few burrs off .

OGS

[Wadman]

It's about time some build reviews have trickled in. Thought you guys were holding out or something.

Biskit1, if you compare the original fire control parts, what differences do you see? If you reassemble using just one replacement part and function testing, that might help you find the problem part (unless they're all part of the problem).

And what's with all the apples to oranges comparisons? Entreprise type I and DSA type I & II's cost more because they're us parts and they're type I & II's. The Imbel cost less but requires an additional replacement part plus they're only available as a type III. And then there's the whole cast vs. forged receiver.

[Biskit1]

OGS:
Hesse has a warranty on his receivers if they are not altered in any way. I didn't notice the ejector block until after I had filed down the casting sprues. Then I found the ejector block was too high, and figured it was already too far along, so I filed it down! (maybe I just had a bad case of file-mania...at least I didn't break out the dremel to eat it!)

Wadman:
Thanks, that's what I figured I'd do tonight...start putting parts back until I can see what is wrong.

[clay]

every hesse receiver i have bought went together without a hitch. my gunsmith, who is very talented and experienced slams them together for $50.00 a pop. believe me, he is quick to bitch a but i have not gotten any complaints or i would have started using imbels. HTH

[Radio]

I think the Hesse is an abortion. Each and every one I've ever handled was unimpressive. My considered opinion. BUT...

...isn't it great we have a choice? We're in the Golden Age Sf FALs, friends. Maybe I think Robert Hesse has a loooong way to go, but at least he's out there, pluggin' away...

--Radio

(BTW-- "...could never justify the the cost of DSA over Imbel." Okay. Yet we go nuts and spend exorbitant amounts of money on Izzy HB conversions or kits, just because they're KEWL. So is a DSA Type-II, a flowing work of art. Sometimes, my man, beauty is WORTH the extra price. JMHO, YMMV.)

[W.E.G.]

Originally posted by Biskit1:
<STRONG>...testing my Hesse SS build. Something is wrong...</STRONG>


Mmphhtt..snkxx...kak...kuff!!!

Sorry, sorry.

Seriously, put the original hammer back in. It'll probably be fine then. It is rare that a Century hammer from an h/t/s kit is anything more than a fishin' sinker. The Century triggers and sears seem to be pretty good. I have a lower with Century trigger and sear, and the original R1 hammer. Trigger pull is vastly better than the DSA set I put in the group-buy lower last night (this morning that is).

[Biskit1]

Problem was the trigger. Where the sear engages the trigger at the back had a burr on it. Couple hits with the file and I'm back to functioning.

[herman07]

Biskit1, do not give up on the h/t/s. Copious amounts of filing and cursing will give you a decent trigger. My first one came out decent after hours of testing, disassembly, filing, reassembly, testing, disassembly, cursing, you get the picture.

Second one, no screwing arround. File and file and file and file, assemble, test, disassemble, file, curse, X4, eventually a very nice trigger. Nicer than the first.

The first was my own and the second a friends who takes great pleasure in reminding me that I did a better job on his than on my own.

Next set will be from FSE. I hear they drop in and function perfectly. I have to wait for my fingertips to heal first though.

[ September 01, 2001: Message edited by: herman07 ]

[Biskit1]

herman, that was both the blessing and the curse with this project...the DSA receiver and HTS all work right away while the Hesse and Century parts took a bit of work. I will not get the Hesse receiver, and probably (it wasn't THAT much work) the Century parts again, but on the plus side, I understand the relationship between them all better for having to fix the flaws. I do have the DSA HTS here and it fits together without problems and I'm waiting for the FSE to see how they compare.

[GregoryJ15]

Think your learning experience is the whole Halan bashing issue. The enemy of good enough (read that as Hesse) is better (imbel +). For the money Hesse and those cheap Century T/H/S and don't forget their screwed up follower, are all just challenges that are worth it for the price. Aren't we building shooters here. Works of art have matching serial numbers and show room finishes. That's beyond most of us and our budgets. So I buy what works, that is good enough and cost effective. After all, a little work is half the fun, just don't let it turn to frustration. Sunny FL :cool: