CAI got one right

[MRickenback]

I am (very) happy to report that the $399 CAI L1A1 that I purchased last weekend turns out to be one heck of a bargin blaster.

Feeding and extraction was flawless once I got the gas porting dialed in and it cycled 240 rounds of South African 7.62 without a single hitch.

Although the factory sight settings were a bunch too low and to the left I managed some decent groupings of around 4" or less at 75 yards (no bipod, just shouldered at a bench).

Needless to say: YEA!!! I was slightly worried when I began reading that CAI guns were less than 100% reliable out of the box but this one seems to have avoided the angry beavers. :)

-MDR

[ September 29, 2001: Message edited by: FALfool ]

[vmtz]

Sounds good. I have a CAI that I really like and it shoots like a demon... The only thing you should check is the gas piston. If it is two pieces then it should be replaced with a one piece DSA. People have had problems with the two piece bending.

Vince

[Batman]

My very first FAL was a Century that was built on an Imbel. I just lucked out in getting a good one. I had no clue and wasn't even a faloholic. I had no idea that the fal-files even existed. I bought on impluse. It shot great. shooting with the bipod I got 1.5" groups at 100 yds. I sold it and made a nice profit. Now I have over a dozen FALs and counting. Century's can be decent guns! :D

[MRickenback]

VMTZ: Yeppers, this is a 2 piece gas rod. I took her out just to see if she would even work straight out of the box. I will be replacing the gas rod, adding a scope and mount and changing out the plastic for some nice wood (I really like Ironwood's furniture but the price is a bit steep)


Batman: A dozen?? You got bit hard didn't ya? Come to think of it, I am sure that I could find 12 different variations of the FAL that I would consider owning...

uh oh...

Tell me the truth guys, this is how onw BECOMES an FALoholic isn't it? You get one and then start "fixing it up" right? Then you find another that is the same but some how "different" so you have to have that one too? Please tell my wife everything will be OK!

-MDR

[BUFF]

Sorry, but I don't lie to women unless there is something in it for me!

My Century R1A1 (Australian L1A1 kit on metric IMBEL upper) also woked great out-of the box, but I bought it from Dixie Ammo dump, and Cliff Brown test-fired the Century FALs he sold to make sure they would work.

[Nihilist]

I have an imbel STG-58 built by CAI..don't believe everything you hear. Mine shoots like a champ, accurate and utterly reliable. My STG58 rules. all imbel gun except for the 7 parts to make it legal which are made by DSA.

[ October 06, 2001: Message edited by: Nihilist ]

[Red4]

Yup...I love my CAI L1A1...although I DID have to torque the barrel a bit tighter and the gas piston is burried out in the back yard.

[Tec 9]

My first FAL was a CAI STG on Imbel. Absolutely rocks. It's very accurate, and I've never had a failure (except when I'm tweaking the gas). Poor Century..I think they have a reputation they don't deserve. They serve a low-dollar market, and occasionally goof, but for the most part they're great. If they do goof, it's usually 2 weeks until you have a replacement..quick in my book.

take care,
Tec

[skfullgun]

O.K. Red4...I'll bite...why the hell did you bury the piston in the backyard?

[skfullgun]

I have an L1A1 Century that is the utmost in reliability...and it's built on a Hesse receiver! Go figure. I'm not so sure CIA deserves their bad rap.

[Derby FALs]

I think they had a very large learning curve but my CAI STG58 is a good one. I couldn't leave it alone though. I have over $700 in it now but it is one of my favorites. I bought a R1 kit for spare part and it ended up being assembled. Easy to end up with 6 rifles. Ask me how I know. I have 3 more kits for "spare parts" now.

[58772239]

I have a century arms built on an imbel, and made from stg58 parts, first one, love it, reliable, cheap, sold the h&k, and yes, i think im a falaholic, but im keeping the herd of ar's :D

[fn4bb]

Took my CAI R1A1 to the range on Sat.
shot well out of the box. R/G ammo, gas setting at 3. 2 mags came with the gun, one worked w/o flaw the ohter would not feed. (Need new spring?)

Imbel mertic receiver, rest of gun is inch (thanks to Bruce Allen for all the info :). I think the gun will shoot better when my eyes get better :rolleyes: !

[Sumoj275]

I have one of the new Cenury L1A1 rifles on a Imbel reciever and love it. I have actually had less problems with it than my other rifles. Go figure.

I, like Derby, could not leave it alone. Refinished it, worked some wood, CH, few other parts and a FSE fake hider. Looks pretty good.

Have fun with your new rifle.

[Mad Dog 7.62]

Same here...CAI R1A1, needs new gas piston, (DSA ordered), but....to do list: shorten barrel, muzzle brake, polish feed ramp, add carry handle, penguin stock, SUIT and mount...etc!!!
BTW whats an AR-15 :confused: Oh, yeah, I have one of those somewhere!! :)

[Bladerunner71]

I have a Century L1A1 also.shoots great.I checked the gas piston,it's a one piece.Added Tapco's scope mount and Leopold 3x9.....ok,ready for my next FAL :D any suggestions?

[Avatar]

I too have a CAI FAL. I did have problems with it, due to the bent 2 piece gas piston. That has been replaced with the wonderfull DSA one piece heat treated piston. The gun functions excellently now. I also got a DSA automatic bolt hold open device, which I definately reccomend. My AR holds the bolt open, and for tactical as well as uniformity reasons, so should my FAL.