Flashiders & Bayonets-- an idea...

[Double Agent]

Well, in looking at the bayonets issued with the FAL rifles, I must say that round tubular one is hideous... however, the British L1A3 bayonet for the L1A1 is quite sexy.

Unfortunately, the L1A1 flashider has 9/16-24 RH threads and the metric rifles are threaded for 9/16-24 LH threads... so I have a crazy idea and wanted to get input on it from you guys.

What if you had a machinist/gunsmith drill out the threads of an L1A1 flashider and retap it with LH threads (tap it for the proper size for a left-hand thread steel helicoil insert) and choose the helicoil insert size that would bring it back down to 9/16-24 LH threads (using a free-running insert so you don't damage any threads).

Then one would be able to mount a pretty L1A3 bayonet onto a metric FAL using this modified flashider-- or has someone already created (or modified) a flashider that does this? Are there any clone L1A1 flashiders that have LH threads? Is the schematic for the L1A1 flashider available?

Is this a crazy idea or what? :confused:

[MAINER]

Originally posted by Double Agent
Well, in looking at the bayonets issued with the FAL rifles, I must say that round tubular one is hideous... however, the British L1A3 bayonet for the L1A1 is quite sexy

Is this a crazy idea or what? :confused:

I'll put this in the "or what" catagory. :D Not something I'd do, but it's your rifle.
Let me know if you want one of them sexy L1A3 bayos ( new in wrap) for $30 shipped. :D

[icwells]

Originally posted by MAINER


I'll put this in the "or what" catagory. :D Not something I'd do, but it's your rifle.
Let me know if you want one of them sexy L1A3 bayos ( new in wrap) for $30 shipped. :D

How about a scabbard for one of those sexy L1A3 bayonets? Mine is a little lonely. :sad:

[MAINER]

Sorry, the're a set, t'would be cruel to seperate em. :cry:

[Brad]

What if you had a machinist/gunsmith drill out the threads of an L1A1 flashider and retap it with LH threads (tap it for the proper size for a left-hand thread steel helicoil insert) and choose the helicoil insert size that would bring it back down to 9/16-24 LH threads (using a free-running insert so you don't damage any threads).



You can purchase one that this has already been done to... Try a search on gunbroker.com for l1a1 flashider...

Brad

[Double Agent]

Originally posted by MAINER
I'll put this in the "or what" catagory. :D Not something I'd do, but it's your rifle. Let me know if you want one of them sexy L1A3 bayos ( new in wrap) for $30 shipped. :D
LOL, well I just received my new, never issued L1A3 bayonet and scabbard from Numrich Gun Parts... now I just need that LH threaded flashider :cry:

Originally posted by Brad
You can purchase one that this has already been done to... Try a search on gunbroker.com for L1A1 flashider...
I didn't see a modified L1A1 flashider on Gunbroker...

If it were done properly I can't see why it wouldn't work... if something like this cannot or should not be done... well, I'll have to set the L1A3 aside for something in the future.

[Brad]

Try using the search feature... ;-)

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=95984035

Brad

[MAINER]

Is this going to work on a "medium weight" barrel?
The inside dia. on a L1A1 Flashhider is .590". Don't know dia. of Medium barrel at muzzle.

[Double Agent]

Originally posted by MAINER
Is this going to work on a "medium weight" barrel?
The inside dia. on a L1A1 Flashhider is .590". Don't know dia. of Medium barrel at muzzle.
The Medium barrel is stepped down at the muzzle and has the same 9/16-24 LH threading as the standard barrel... at least according to what I see on DS Arms website.

:fal:

[MAINER]

Originally posted by Double Agent

The Medium barrel is stepped down at the muzzle and has the same 9/16-24 LH threading as the standard barrel... at least according to what I see on DS Arms website.

:fal:

I agree about the threaded part, but the L1A1 FH has a "hood" that extends 1 3/4" to the rear from the threads. The threads are located from about the middle of the bayonet lug back to the front of the "key and pin" lugs.

My point is that the barrel diameter for 1 3/4" to the rear of the threads would have to be no larger than .590". The FH could be reamed out a bit, but the wall thickness is only .050" at that point.

Just wanted to present the possiblity you may have to take a lathe to that "medium barrel" to get this to work. :sad:

Be interesting to see how it works out. :D

[Double Agent]

Originally posted by MAINER
...but the L1A1 FH has a "hood" that extends 1 3/4" to the rear from the threads. The threads are located from about the middle of the bayonet lug back to the front of the "key and pin" lugs.

My point is that the barrel diameter for 1 3/4" to the rear of the threads would have to be no larger than .590". The FH could be reamed out a bit, but the wall thickness is only .050" at that point...
Oh, I see what you're saying now... well, in looking at the barrel on DSA's website...

SA58 Medium Counter Barrel (http://www.dsarms.com/prodinfo.asp?number=001H21)

...it seems they've taken this into account because they've milled it down to a standard barrel size for some short distance from the threaded end-- perhaps it is enough to account for the counterbore of the L1A1 flashider. Seeing as how the Belgian short flashider is offered standard to the configuration perhaps it has similar dimensions to the L1A1 flashider (anyone know)?

[MAINER]

OK. Looks like that'll work. Hadn't seen that pic before.

G'luck! :D