Century FAL?

[The_AntiPirate]

My local gun store has a Century FAL right now for $500-something, it's a full size rifle and I think it's on a metric receiver.

I know with the hacked-together AKs that Century puts out, there are certain things you have to check to make sure you're not getting poorly assembled junk. So my question is, since I don't have an experience with FAL rifles, what should I go about giving a check on a FAL to make sure it's worth a buy? How can I check what kind of receiver it was built on, imbel or otherwise? Finally, how can I tell where the parts kit came from?

It's one of the more recently produced models because it has the pistol grip and a flash hider and I read that those were slightly better quality, if that helps.

[W.E.G.]

What markings are on the receiver?

Does it say "IMBEL" anywhere on the receiver?

Assuming the average Century-build, the price is sounding fair.

[MAINER]

Like WEG says, if it says Imbel on the right side (usually) of the receiver, buy it.

More likely, if its recently built, it's a Century produced receiver. Look for a folding rear sight along with a folding charging handle and holes in the front sight ears. This would indicate the rifle was once an "inch" or Commonwealth rifle, likely Austrailia.
With solid ears and non-folding sight and Charge handle its a "metric" and probable Imbel manufactored.

More important is the condition of the parts, specially the barrel and condition of the bore. My Century has an excellent barrel and don't think I've heard of any complaints of bad parts on Centuries, only how they were put together.

My Century is 8 years old and I haven't seen any of the more recent ones. Maybe someone will reply that has a newer one.

Sounds like a decent price to me, but then, I have the couple hundred dollars worth of tools to fix any problems.

Parts kit = $200+
Any receiver = $350+
Compliant parts = $150+
Refinishing = $125+
Barrel installed and headspaced = $125+ Or, Build tools = $200

[The_AntiPirate]

Well the finish isn't great, that's why I figured right off the bat that it was a parts kit before I even looked at the century markings. The receiver was a different finish than the rest of the rifle and the dust cover was shiny as hell like it was blued and polished, it won't win any beauty contests but I think that gives it character.

It has a non-folding charging handle and I don't know about the rest, it does have an interesting zig-zag pattern on the bolt carrier that I've seen on some FALs and not others. Does that mean anything?

The owner of the store said it was metric, and he is the knower of all things, but next time I see it I'll check.

[MAINER]

Looks like it's a "FrankenFal" as are most of them. Parts are getting a bit scarcer these days, so Century is likely using what they can find. The Charging Handle is metric. The zig-zag Bolt Carrier indicates British or Aussie inch. Those are "sand cuts" designed to help keep the rifle working in dirty envionments. The shiny top cover could be one of the HKs or an Imbel, both metric.

Bottom line is, does it shoot? At that price , that's about all you can ask of it. Being pretty costs more. For a couple hundred more, you could get an Entreprise or better yet one built by a Fal Files member and a proven shooter. Add a couple hundred again and you could Get an stg58 from DSA.

Let us know if you get it and how it shoots. Lots of Filers to help should you need it. :D

[The_AntiPirate]

Stopped by on way home today, added that FAL to the Type 56 SKS I already had waiting for me. $100 down on it and I'm picking it up next friday.

Yeah you're right, I took a closer look at it and as soon as I saw it I was like "ok I'm naming it frankenFAL," which the owner got a kick out of.
It is definitely a mash together of metric and commonwealth parts. From what the owner told me, he had it checked out this morning before I came in and it is a Metric FAL with some assorted commonwealth parts mulling about on it.

Like I said it ain't winnin' no beauty contests. The carry handle is snapped off and nowhere to be found and the forward end of the dust cover isn't flush with the receiver [theres a gap], how would I go about fixing that?
Those are the only visible issues I can see. I'll take pics of the beast when I bring it home.

Like I say it's got character :beer:

[The_AntiPirate]

How could I tell for sure which parts are metric and which are commonwealth?

Like say if I wanted to change the handguards, pistol grip, etc.

[MAINER]

Lots of ways to tell what most parts are, some are more difficult. Some good info, pics and such here:

www.gunthings.com
http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/
www.gunpartsguy.com
www.dsarms.com

A great book on Fals is "The Fal Rifle" by Collector Grade Pub. It's available from Gunthings, but it is pricey at $90. That's less than the retail of $120 btw.

Once you figure out what you want, putting a WTB in the Marketplace here is another good source for stuff.

Your rifle sounds like it is predominately metric with only a few inch parts where they are interchangable. When you get it, post a description and any numbers you find. The experts can tell you where it came from.

New metric top covers are about $5. Next you will need a big hammer, a Dremel and lots of ammo! :D

[The_AntiPirate]

Wow thanks a lot for the links, looks like DS arms has new carry handles and every replacement part I could possible need should things break.


The only number I know off the top on my head is that the serial on the century receiver is CA000**
Does that mean it's one of the first few receivers century made?

I'll talk to a friend about borrowing his dremel :wink: lol

[Mason]

Check the feedramp. There should be two separate ramps angled towards the chamber, not one.

Rack the action and let it fly home. It should slam home quick and tight. If it doesn't, this can be fixed.

Holding the rifle vertical (muzzle up), drop the gas piston down the piston tube (sans piston spring and bolt carrier). The piston should slide freely down the tube and through the piston hole in the receiver right above the barrel. If it doesn't, this can be two things: Century is known for offset gas piston holes. This can usually be fixed with a fair amount of filing and polishing. If the piston hole is drilled correctly and the piston is hanging up somewhere, it's a timing problem.

Check the mag well. Metric mags have a punched, triangular lug. Commonwealth variants use a square/rectangular lug. Metric mags fit in commonwealth receivers, albeit a bit sloppy. Commonwealth mags do not fit in metric receivers.

That's the check I perform when looking at Century receivers. A lot of members here don't care for them. I have a couple I would stake my life on. And a couple hundred bucks left in my pocket because I didn't buy a DSA.

I have a Century rifle for sale in the Marketplace. It has a myriad of parts on it, too.

[The_AntiPirate]

I can answer some of those.

A) I think it only has one, I didn't take close look, is that a problem?

B) It flys and hits home nice and smooooth and hard. :tongue:

C) lol they didn't let me field strip it in the store

D) I think the mag well was metric, it had a metric mag in it anyway.

[brownknees]

D) I think the mag well was metric, it had a metric mag in it anyway.
Metric mags will fit (sorta) in an inch mag well. Take a peek up inside, if the cut is big 'n square, it's inch, if its dinky & triangular (or "D" shaped) then its metric.

[The_AntiPirate]

Dang, and I thought I could tell by the mags. I guess I'll have to give it a real close inspection when I bring it home. Though the more I think about it it seems more like the whole thing might be an inch. The pistol grip has this odd metal strip on the front bit that I've never seen before and the grip had a different angle than the DSA I handled a while back.

GAH! is this an inch FAL with metric bits or a metric FAL with inch bits! Maybe the whole thing is inch... This is gonna be bothering me all week until I pick it up on friday. :confused:

How would I go about stripping an FAL?

Thank you all for your help so far :bow:

[MAINER]

Pistol grip is definately inch. It should be an interestin rifle for sure. :D

Some more reading for you on strippin an stuff:

http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/fieldstripp/stripp_fnfal.htm
http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/falarticles.htm

[The_AntiPirate]

Originally posted by MAINER
It should be an interestin rifle for sure. :D

The suspense is killing me...

:fal:

[gunhead]

Originally posted by The_AntiPirate


The suspense is killing me...

:fal:

Don't let it bother you, inch or metric, It's still a FAL:biggrin:
I have a Century R1A1, imbel rcvr, argie open eared barrel, etc.
Who cares, it shoots& looks just fine:wink:
GL........
Rich

[The_AntiPirate]

How much did you pay for it?

[gunhead]

Originally posted by The_AntiPirate
How much did you pay for it?

Oh, about $550 less tax, new.
But, this was 8 years ago when I first joined this site.
This was when Imbel kits were only $129, Imbel receivers were around $200.
Since then prices have gone thru the roof.
Without a big price, your first FAL with give you the opportunety to "Playts around" with it by changin' stuff 'round to your liking:)
GL.........
Rich
Oh, here is my Century R1A1
http://www.myradioroom.com/caifal-1.jpg

[The_AntiPirate]

Dang, that's a nice looking FAL. Mine was $590 less tax, it's a no-ban on what I think is a century receiver. Guess I got a pretty good deal.

[gunhead]

Yup, not bad for $590.
Now if you want you can change things a bit to your liking.
Again, GL with it.
Many knowledgable folks here, this is why I am still here after 8 years or so.
Rich

[The_AntiPirate]

Thanks, the most I'll probably do is fiddle with the furniture, charging handle or other little bits. :fal:

[1stTexan]

I bought a late 90s thumbhole sporter L1A1 on Gunbroker last December 07 for $430 delivered! Turned out to be a hardly shot British L1A1 kit in original like new condition.
The upper receiver was an Imbel, marked "Made In Canada". Which is just one of the many forged steel receivers Imbel built.With and without their name on it. This is the truest most perfectly machined FAL receiver I have ever seen. I stripped it down. Found a pristine Argentine Imbel Kit with grenade sights . Re-parkerized with a follow up of Gunkote dark grey parkerizing bake on finish. Detailed the number and safety lettering. Restored the stocks with a semi-gloss black Brownells Alumahide followed up with 2 final coats of flat black alumahide. Looks exactly like a factory finish.The two finishes dry to a perfect non painted look. I really loved doing this build. Everything went perfect. I swear this rifle put one in the center of the target at 50 yards on the first shot. Shoots 1-2 inch groups at 100 yards with open sights. My trick DSA SA-58 couldn't do much better with a scope!
I sold the excellent British L1A1 KIT on Gunbroker for $480 and the like new thumbhole stock for $25 My Total for a beautiful shooting like new Argentine FAL
$400 bucks. Granted the skilled labor by yours truly, would add another $400 but who counts that. It was fun!
Get the fever while it is still affordable.

[1stTexan]

I also installed the falcon arms trigger spring kit and cleaned up the sear and hammer contact surfaces. Great feel on the trigger!! Highly recomended! Surely help that accuracy!!

[dogngun]

I have a Century FAL, L1A1, all inch pattern, has the dreaded Unibrow, shoots just fine, looks and acts just like a real gun.

Shoot it, don't worry about it.

mark

[casca]

My unibrow CAI likewise feeds and shoots with no problems. Even feeds softpoints and hollowpoints.
Something worth adding might be a DSA match rear sight. I didn't like the folding rear sight, and this one adjusts with a button, like the metric one.

[1stTexan]

Heres the photos of my project. Hope they come through. I am new to posting photos on message boards


http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll186/1sttexan/ah34601194217.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll186/1sttexan/ah3460299516.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll186/1sttexan/ah346049115.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll186/1sttexan/ah3460996114.jpg

[tz779]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MAINER
[B]Like WEG says, if it says Imbel on the right side (usually) of the receiver, buy it.

one for sale $795 (no details yet)
is this too much for ANY FAL made by CAI, regardless of the "made by Imbel" imprint?

i also prefer the "authentic" FAL receivers over the USA made ones; don't know why exactly, maybe "history" or something..

-rob

[brunop]

I think everyone likes Imbels, but since the ones that are being purchased now are just as "modern" as the DSAs, and they are both "original spec" products (not reverse engineered - DSA bought the blue prints and some original machinery IIRC), DSAs are pretty good. And you don't have to spend between $450 and $550 to get one.

If you've got an Imbel receiver, a good bore, a decent parts kit, and some U.S. parts, $795 is a deal. Jump on it.

Peace.