Beginners: general advice

[NEW2FALS]

Hey guys, new to the whole FAL scene. I havnt done any real gunsmithing but I am very good with tools.(Sure everyones heard taht one before, ha ) I figure I can put one of these together with a little help from the experts on these pages. What do I need to get started? Receiver, parts kit, U.S. parts kits? I figure I would get an Imbel receiver but as for a good parts kit and knowing whatever else I need Im lost. Metric or Inch, what tools do I need? Im sure everyone has heard these questions before. I have downloaded the FAL homegunsmithing from Arizona Response System but would appreciate additional help.

Thanks, Mike

[ July 28, 2001: Message edited by: gary.jeter ]

[FALPhil]

Hello, newbies.

I guess I'll be the first. I'm relatively new myself, having been an StG owner for 6 months.

There are two acknowledged experts on this board you want to know: the Gunplumber, if you want to know what to do; and Gary.Jeter if you want to know what not to do. ( http://www.fnfal.com/forums/wink.gif actually, Gary is a fierce National Match competitor and has forgotten more about military autoloaders than I'll ever know).

I recommend that you stick to metrics for now. Reason? Magazines are dirt cheap and aftermarket parts (for your 922(r) compliance) are very plentiful.

Before you post a question on the board, do yourself a favor and use the board search engine. There are very few questions you will come up with right away that haven't already been asked. Also, the FAQ area is pretty good.

Tools. If you back out of the forums to www.fnfal.com/falfiles (http://www.fnfal.com/falfiles) you will notice a link to the Gunplumber's Guide to Home FAL Building (or something like that). Download it and send the Gunplumber $10. It has a list of all the tools you will need. You will also find a link or two to some specilized tools that you can build yourself for cheap - and they work!

Another board that is FAL-friendly is www.stg-58.com (http://www.stg-58.com) , which is dedicated to the Austrian variant of our favorite MBR. There is some good info there as well. Also, ask around to see if there is an www.egroups.com (http://www.egroups.com) mailing list for FALers in your state. Texa and Georgia have FAL groups, and my experience is that they are extremely helpful to newbies.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Originally posted by NEW2FALS:
Hey guys, new to the whole FAL scene. I havnt done any real gunsmithing but I am very good with tools.



------------------
..Phil
Download free targets at
http://harringt.home.mindspring.com/targets.htm

[REDHORSE]

Gunplumber has a very good VHS tape on how to assemble/build a FAL. A good way to start the process. http://www.fnfal.com/forums/smile.gif

FN FAL and L1A1 Armory
Kit building, repair and restoration, armorer training materials.

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/

[W.E.G.]

Well, first you get the RPM-upgrade kit for your Dremel tool...

Seriously, consider buying a high end kit unless you want to deal with a lot of unnecessary details. A high-end kit wont require refinishing, and all the parts will be in serviceable condition.

DSA and Imbel have the best reputations for receivers. The main difference being that the former is U.S., the latter is import. So, that affects your U.S. parts count.

If you don't want to tackle the hairy stuff of barrelling and headspacing, you can send those jobs to somebody who can do it right for sure. The cost should be nominal. Good to send your brake with the barrel and get that done too.

Then you can do all the easy stuff yourself, like installing lower receiver guts and the bipod.

But, if that sounds to cut-and-dried for you, we are taking applications for the fall semester at the Wile E. Coyote School of Gunsmithin'. Please send three buggered screws with your application: one flat-head, one phillips, and one from the toilet paper dispenser from your local high school restroom.

[gman]

I second that emotion of the flick. Read the handbook on reworking the FAL and watch the video or the one from American Gunsmithing Institute a couple of times with the handbook in your lap. Once you have both of those under your belt, if you use some thought and common sense, you'll be the envy of your neighbors and range buddies.

[Sennheiser]

Thanks guys, that's a great start and I will check out the other links and the video.

Regards,

Michael
www.geocities.com/Pentagan/Quarters/2188/index.html (http://www.geocities.com/Pentagan/Quarters/2188/index.html)

The Unofficial Walther Homepage

[Sennheiser]

Thanks guys, that's a great start and I will check out the other links and the video.

Regards,

Michael
www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/2188/index.html (http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/2188/index.html)

The Unofficial Walther Homepage

[petec]

The two links mentioned in the above posts are no good now. have they moved?

[orca]

one of the better 'quick look' at a FAL build that should be very helpful..........:biggrin: , orca

http://www.cruffler.com/trivia-April01-assembly.html

[gunsmith_tony]

Not to worry...go ahead and dive in. The water's fine.
We'll all be here to lend a hand if you get in a little over your head.

[lutefisk]

Just do it....I did three Izzy HB's before I even knew there were directions...it is intuitive. I'll be the first to admit that the kits were damn near new and that I simply got lucky on the headspacing with the enclosed locking shoulders.

I got done and thought "is that all there is to this?". Of course, I'm always suspicious when I think like this so had them tied to trees/tires for the first 50 rds of so.

The other way to think about this is that you do have a good chance of doing a better, safer job than Century! The probablity of this going up really increases if you open your eyes and use both hands while sober(ok, two of the three works).