FAC Type 1 ($249) receiver build review....

[cowbilly]

Came in with gray parkerizing, had all the type 1 cuts. Easy build, had to fit the bolt hold open device (polished upper half inch above the hold open pin). Bolt/carrier, mag release, locking shoulder,charging handle and mag screw fit receiver perfectly. Originally, the barrel timed to 10 0'clock, used Wadman's barrel shoulder trimming tool to time to 1130 (only took about a minute to turn the correct amount off). Used one of WII's $99 kits that turned out to be an awesome kit, just had to turn it into a rifle again. Used FSE H/T/S, pistol grip, fake belgian FH, and a Tapco gas piston (US receiver of course).

I would buy another, they are nice Type 1's for the price. Clean outside lines, milling marks barely visable on the inside, smooth action. I like it. :D

[FNnuts]

cowbilly,

I just put a G-1 kit on one of FAC's type 1 uppers and would buy another also. I am very happy with it and have about 300 rounds thru with no problems. I am currently saving some here and there for another just because I might need one someday. BIG KUDOS to FAC, Thanks.

[t1eyer]

Hi All, who makes the FAC receiver? Given the location, I bet Hesse is making them just like I believe they are making the new Century named receivers. This is not necessarly bad. I bought a Hesse SS type III w/no carry handle cut during the group buy ($139) from Larry and it works and looks great. Minor fitting in the BHO and at the top above the ejector block. If Hesse would just improve their customer service they would fair a whole lot better.

[W.E.G.]

This is good news.

[falover]

i asked harlan who made it i forgot who the manufacture was but it was not hesse.

[Lukejt]

Sounds great. Anybody have access to a digital camera? How do they look aside from the grey color and nice milling?

Lukejt

[KHB]

I was just going to post a query as to the quality of FAC's recievers....I was under the impression that they came finished in "black oxide"...was the parking an option??
Karl

[kcsturm]

Originally posted by falover:
<STRONG>i asked harlan who made it i forgot who the manufacture was but it was not hesse.</STRONG>

Was it Lee Tools?

[FNnuts]

The name of the manufacturer on the side of the receiver is : "D.C. Industries", NOT HESSE. The parking is very dark, almost black. It might be black oxide, I don't know what the difference is between that and park. It is a very nice flat finish even finish, it does have a bit of "texture" though. It isn't as smooth as my Imbels. I used a file and ran it over the areas Gunplumber says to in his video, but didn't hit any high spots, everything was smooth and even. The lines match up very well with my G-1 type 1 lower. I opted for the $199 version with handle cut, no ejector block. It still went together smooth. I had to use my largest size block to fit in the upper, the others fit looser that I liked. But the screw and pin holes lined up, so it was a wash.
I like it, I like it alot.

[t1eyer]

Can you get custom ser #'s? Isn't the ejector block that comes with the kits illegal to use because it can go full auto?

[Templator]

A full auto ejector block does nothing to make a FAL go full auto,... it's simply relieved to allow access for the auto sear.

[FNnuts]

t1eyer-
I don't believe that custom serial #'s are availiable with this receiver. You can ask Harlan about it though, his e-mail address is: federalarms@prodigy.net
Using a full-auto ejector block isn't illegal, like Templator said. It takes a sear-cut upper to match the cut in the block to make it full auto. But to make it clearer to the unwashed masses, I used a semi-auto only selector from my R-1 kit.

[idsubgun]

I was looking at my Hesse receiver the other day and it has a full auto ejector block in it. I'm going to make a post-dealer sample out of it.

[RRotz]

It looks like they are a great deal! I will buy one for a G1 kit! THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD REVIEW!

[Lukejt]

I hate to sound like a jerk, but is it safe?

Lukejt

[Templator]

So c'mon, Harlan,.. to say that you're a man of few words is an understatement,.. but if you folks are putting out a type 1 for $250 it's big news!

Tell us all about it,.. machined from billit?

[19kilo]

I just got back from the indoor firing range with my new FAC Type 1 build up on a G1.
I LOVE IT! I had some help building/refinishing by Steve (the refinishing guy from Gunthings) We reparked the lower and when it came time to bbl the action he broke out the Gunthings bbl vise and receiver wrench. The bbl timed by hand to about 10 the the bfw came into play. With a 18" cheater on the end it came into time perfectly. If any of you WECSOG guys out there want to cut up your bbl that is your option, after seeing these tools in action I would rather spend my WECSOG time making a very useful tool set.
I also had trouble with the bolt hold open device, I spent about 20 min. reading the FALFILES and polishing the inside of the chanel with emerory paper. After that smooth as silk. I believe that the whole near the bottom of the receiver is just a little undersized for what ever reason.
HESSE DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THESE RECIEVERS!!! They are made in Bloomington MN, NOT Invergrove Heights. I believe by Dan Coonan at DC Arms. The side of the rec reads..."FA - FAL .308 CAL. FEDERAL ARMS CORP. FRIDLEY MN, DC INDUSTRIES INC. BLOOMINGTON, MN. NO. 200XXX"
This appears to be stamped into the receiver, it does not have that dot look of laser engraved. IIRC these start out as castings then are machined from there.
Headspacing, timing, bold movement on rails, top cover fit, pins and FSE trigger group all are a perfect fit and finish.
Shooting was a blast at 25m I got a perfect zero with the rear sight centered.
I believe that the finish is not a park but a black oxide. It seems to be wearing a little differently than the parts that we parked, maybe this summer I will stip and repark the whole bbl/rec assembly.
But until then I will be having tons of fun with my new Type 1 G1. TANKS FAC!
Tim

[Gavin]

We need a Gunplumber review!~!!!!
Gavin

[Harlan at FAC]

I talked to Dan Coonan today, he's our lead engineer and project coordinator for the FAFAL type 1 series of receivers for FAC. I told him of the reports of the ejector block hole for the bolt hold open shaft being undersized. He said he knew about the situation and was having the hole enlarged when necessary. To me, this means any receivers received by us from now on would not have an undersized hole in the ejector block.

Thanks for the reviews. The reviews help us to deal with any problems related to the physical condition of the receivers.

Because Dan is in charge of the finishing and marking processes, I also asked him about offering a parkerized finish and custom serial numbering. He said both options are available from his vantage point. We will work out details in the ordering process on how to offer these to the customer. Please stay turned for updates.

[ December 27, 2001: Message edited by: Harlan at FAC ]

[Templator]

Is this "Coonan" fellow associated with those nice .357 magnum government model style pistols that were put on the market a few years ago?

[Sumoj275]

Possiblity for future build. Lets see--steel, type one lighting cuts, parked option, US manufactured--I can see another rifle's rebirth.

[19kilo]

Yes he (Dan Coonan) is the same gunsmith that produced the .357magnum in a Colt looking semi-auto. It sounds like he had some financial difficulties and is not currently producing those pistols. If they are as well produced as his FAL Type 1's then they must have been a very well build pistol
Tim

[Bullet]

What size locking sholders are did you all need? Just wondering if these receivers need the large ones like Entreprise. Anyone got a pic of their rifle?

[cowbilly]

I used a .269 LS to headspace my FAC Type 1 with perfection.

[FNnuts]

I used a .258 LS, luckily that's the same size that came in the G-1 kit I used.

[Templator]

I can't speak for the FAC receivers,... never seen one, but I looked over a few of the Coonan .357 autos back when they were on the market. They're outstanding pieces of work,... demonstrated much attention to detail and innovation. It takes a bit of finesse` to get a rimmed cartridge to function in a government style pistol and from what I've heard, the Coonan .357's handle the chore very well.

If Dan Coonan fabricates these receivers as well as he did those auto pistols,... they're fine pieces of work. This is indeed good news.

,... now if he'd just start making one in a commonwealth pattern,...

[Sailor553]

Harlan,

How does one go about obtaining one of these fine receivers? Do you have a web sight with pics of it? Can it be had with a full-auto steel ejector block?

[Harlan at FAC]

As with all controlled items, the receiver would have to be received by a dealer whose license copy we have in our files.

The receiver is pictured in the 'Specials' section of our gun related web site at www.gunsnstuff.net. (http://www.gunsnstuff.net.)

We have semi-auto only ejector blocks installed in these receivers.

[Sailor553]

Thanks Harlan. I will make arrangements to get FFL copy to you. I'll put together an order also.

[Slugger]

Harlan, Any news on the parkerized version? Is is available yet?

[scavenger]

I though I remenber hearing these receivers don't have the internal sand cuts.
That would be one of the first things I'd add/change to the reciver ;^)

[Tzalaf]

Built up one of these last month. Encountered the same undersized hold-open hole that others did...easy fix, took all of three minutes as I opted to slightly open up the hole as opposed to shaving the hold open ( thus violating the golden rule of butchering the least expensive part) but it worked like a charm. Beautiful build on a matching # STG58. Slightly staggered finish between kit and rec. but looks sharp. Headspaced a little on the long side at .272 and pulled the trade deal with Brad as my supply of shoulders only went out to .270. Want to get my hands on another for an Imbel build in progress. :)

[MonV]

OK, I'm new to this. I'm putting together a G1 kit and Enterprise receiver. Just waiting for my gauges. But what is the Wadman barrel shoulder trimming tool? Don't need it now but might need it next time. Thanks.

Originally posted by cowbilly:
<STRONG>Came in with gray parkerizing, had all the type 1 cuts. Easy build, had to fit the bolt hold open device (polished upper half inch above the hold open pin). Bolt/carrier, mag release, locking shoulder,charging handle and mag screw fit receiver perfectly. Originally, the barrel timed to 10 0'clock, used Wadman's barrel shoulder trimming tool to time to 1130 (only took about a minute to turn the correct amount off). Used one of WII's $99 kits that turned out to be an awesome kit, just had to turn it into a rifle again. Used FSE H/T/S, pistol grip, fake belgian FH, and a Tapco gas piston (US receiver of course).

I would buy another, they are nice Type 1's for the price. Clean outside lines, milling marks barely visable on the inside, smooth action. I like it. :D</STRONG>