Century R1A1 questions.

[plm454]

Hi all,
I'm new here and thought I would ask a few questions about a Century R1A1.
It's currently at my dealers as in MD, it's considered a restricted firearm and subject to a 7 day wait period. It's definately an "inch" upper, it has the inch cocking handle, inch selector switch and the seller shipped me 5 inch mags to go with. It's as close to new condition as I've ever seen. I would like to buid it into pseudo Para model.
Having said that, here are my questions:
Is the FH permanently pinned on these models?
Would the parts kit used be all inch or all metric? How can I tell?
What parts would I need to build the Para?
Recommended parts suppliers?
BTW, is $80 a good price for a stripped metric lower?

Any and all info is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Pete

[embatp]

is it an L1A1 or R1A1? i have a century L1A1 with an imbel metric receiver that has all the inch stuff but takes metric mags...i thought the R1A1 was an all metric. rifle....but with century who knows....

[plm454]

It is an R1A1 definately built on an inch receiver. The 5 mags the seller sent are all inch mags. Just kinda wondering about the rest of the kit, specifically the lower. If the lower is metric, it would just simplify a Para conversion from what I've heard/understand.

[thorbrandr]

Mine is a US made Century unibrow inch receiver model built with a Aussie parts kit. Feeds fine.

The muzzle brake - not flash hider - was pinned on. You will need to replace with a US made part or swap out another part for us made.

T

[Wild Man]

Post some pictures when you get the gun. We will be better able to tell what you have.

In any event you need a para lower ( and stock, bolt carrier, dust cover, and spring). If your parts are really inch you will probably need metric internals to put in the para lower.

[MAINER]

Just to add to the confussion, my Century "R1A1" is all Aussie parts built on an Imbel inch modified receiver, but uses metric mags.

A Century collection would require a lot of space. With all the variations you'd likely have over 100 rifles! :uhoh:

PS; $80 is way too much for a stripped lower unless maybe it's brand new in the wrap.
Used, in V good condition should be around $40, unmarked (no ser. No.) would be a bit more.
I'd sell my beater G1 for $25. Very little finish left on it.

[dogngun]

appearing lower. It uses inch mags, has a Hesse receiver with the Uni, shoots great and is extremely reliablt. I am not wold it was made from South African parts from a large surplus purchase made by Century.

Honestly, if it were mine, I'd keep it as is, save the money and buy a Para.

Might save yourself a lot of problems and money.

mark

[sgoodroe]

If I remember right, all the R1A1s we built were supposed to be metric pattern. If they ended up that way depended alot on what was left for useable parts and what could be scrounged from other projects. If its a Century R1, made before 2003 its most likely South African.

[CRShooter32]

Originally posted by plm454
It is an R1A1 definately built on an inch receiver. The 5 mags the seller sent are all inch mags. Just kinda wondering about the rest of the kit, specifically the lower. If the lower is metric, it would just simplify a Para conversion from what I've heard/understand.

If the rifle was built with an inch pattern kit, the lower will be inch, unless it's one of the Century frankenFALs, inch upper/metric lower, vice versa.

Converting an inch pattern to a para is a SIN!

Century built inch patern SLRs need to be rehabed into the correct SLR configuration(proper furniture, flash hider, etc.), or as close to one can get using non original SLR recievers. :tongue:

Converting a Century built metric rifle into a para is okay.

[MAINER]

Originally posted by CRShooter32


Converting an inch pattern to a para is a SIN!

Century built inch patern SLRs need to be rehabed into the correct SLR configuration(proper furniture, flash hider, etc.), or as close to one can get using non original SLR recievers. :tongue:

Converting a Century built metric rifle into a para is okay.


+1

Absolute truth spoken here!! :biggrin:

[plm454]

I pick it up tomorrow, I will post pics immediately to help ID. If truly an "inch" pattern gun, I will restore to L1A1 Aussie type.
Pete

[plm454]

Here are the pics of my rifle. I think it may be an Aussie Inch kit. If so, it stays that way. Would like to take the brake off and go for the correct FH.
Suggestions on how to do that?

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/plm454/P4290008.jpg?t=1241118221

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/plm454/P4290009.jpg?t=1241118333

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/plm454/P4290001.jpg?t=1241118550

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/plm454/P4290002.jpg?t=1241118622

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/plm454/P4290004.jpg?t=1241118680

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/plm454/P4290005.jpg?t=1241118744

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/plm454/P4290006.jpg?t=1241118806

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/plm454/P4290007.jpg?t=1241118885

[Wild Man]

Yep, looks like all inch parts, probably Aussie. See if there are any letters and numbers on the lower to help identify. The mag looks inch too. I assume the R1A1 name is on the gun somewhere, but R1A1s were metric guns made from South African parts. I assume Century just kept calling this configuration by that name. Seems to be in good shape with rather cheap US furniture. A nice walnut Ironwood set would really look good on it.

The muzzle brake seems to be threaded on; may or may not be silver soldered on. See if it will unscrew with moderate pressure.

Have you shot it yet?

[sgoodroe]

thats an L1A1 not an R1A1....trust me I've built lteraly thousands of both!

[plm454]

Have not shot it yet, gong to range this afternoon!!!
There is a number starting with AU that is on the lower, I'm assuming it is Aussie. The upper receiver is indeed an Inch receiver and it came with 5 inch mags to go with rifle and the rifle upper IS marked R1A1 on the receiver. The whole parts kit used is all inch as far as I can tell.
Looking for some wook to make it really stand out and of course the correct FH.
I'll try removing (gently) the break when I get home this afternoon.
Thanks all,
Pete

[sgoodroe]

Century reciever markings rarely have anything to do with the origanal configuration of the rifle. At the time your riflr was being built, R1A1's L1A1's and STG58's were all in production, unfortunetly many were built using the same recievers, which lead to alot of confusion when the rifles hit the market. Don't forget you rifle was built up from loose parts, not a parts kit with all matching pieces. Enjoy your rifle for what it is, but don't waist alot of time trying to figure out what it once was:smile:

[ggiilliiee]

all comin off the same blueprint ...only the accesories have changed....

[thedave88]

Mine is just like it.....what would be the proper wood furniture and the proper F/H for it.....i was thinking of selling it but might just restore it to the way it should be......where do i find the correct parts?
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj134/thedave8/picofR1A1andcar018.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj134/thedave8/picofR1A1andcar015.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj134/thedave8/picofR1A1andcar020.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj134/thedave8/picofR1A1andcar017.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj134/thedave8/picofR1A1andcar014.jpg

[CRShooter32]

Thedave88, keep an eye on the marketplace, and check out Gunthings.com, and see what they have in stock.

Sgoodroe, when it comes to Century builds, R1A1 is a generic term for their line of FAL rifles, the last series they built were SA R1s, and were marked R1A1, as always, however, most of their previous builds were L1A1, many of them sem to have been Aussie parts.

[amdburner]

My Century is marked R1A1 but is all inch as well.

[FUUN063]

plm454, if you have not figured it out already by your research and others' experience, you have an Australian (inch) rifle SLR. I know you are not going to try to make a para out of it, but if you were you would also need a cutter to reach down through the lower and cut just under the carry handle, a small circular cut-out for the recoil spring assembly to fit. Too much work and I don't think you would be satisfied, anyway. I do, however, have correct flashhiders, both the three slot type and the five slot type. They have original finish, so they are not brand new. If you are interested. let me know private e-mail for $5.00 each plus actual shipping. If anyone else is interested, let me know because I have several of each, same $ applies. ***ALSO, just a side note for plm454...it looks as if Century has kept up with their usual operations and did not "kill" the salts after finishing your rifle. It is apparent in the pictures. You need to completely tear down your rifle and super clean it, removing all the oils, salts and chemical they used int he refinishing process. Good Luck.

[sgoodroe]

Originally posted by CRShooter32

Sgoodroe, when it comes to Century builds, R1A1 is a generic term for their line of FAL rifles

Is that something new scince I left there? Its been about 10 years and alot has changed scince I left. Just curious. At the time I left all the R1's were of South African origan.....Now? who know?

[tpad365]

The R1A1 I bought when they first came out was all Aussie parts on a century receiver.took inch mags and shot ok.later the R1A1's that hit the market had metric cut recievers(owned both versions)only took metric mags and kind of looked like an stg(still had the century nasty muzzle device).
I dont know if making it into a para is possible as "where do you get the parts" for an inch para?Never seen any.All para parts Ive seen are for metric.Besides it is ment to look like that why change it other than to make it look better in original configuration.You can replace the furniture with Iron wood(wood)..great stuff and Aussie rifles had wood not plastic(mostly..from what Ive seen).Hire someone who knows what they are doing to replace that flash hider(not a do it your self sort of project),or just replace the whole barrel if you can find 1.Check your headspace and make sure its appropriate.then you should be good to go.
good luck,
tpad

[tpad365]

also "FUUNO63" is correct about centurys salts.If I let mine sit for too long the salts come out of everywhere..especially the muzzle device.Lots and lots of cleaning involved.other than what Ive pointed out good buy..mine cost me 425.00 plus tax and that was when they came out years ago.
tpad


The salts mostly were from whatever they used to attach the muzzle device to the barrel(I think)

[thedave88]

Originally posted by CRShooter32
Thedave88, keep an eye on the marketplace, and check out Gunthings.com, and see what they have in stock.

Sgoodroe, when it comes to Century builds, R1A1 is a generic term for their line of FAL rifles, the last series they built were SA R1s, and were marked R1A1, as always, however, most of their previous builds were L1A1, many of them sem to have been Aussie parts.


thanks.....what should i look for.....what would be correct? it looks like Aussie so look for Aussie furniture???????

[plm454]

I put a WTB ad on Sturm and AR15.com for an Aussie wood furniture set. Found 2 complete sets and picked one from a member here (THANKS!!!). I have the e-mail from the other person. IM me you e-mail addy if interested and I'll forward his e-mail to you.
His was already refinished and ready to go and reasonable. Or you can buy a set from Ironwood for about $220 or so.

[CRShooter32]

Originally posted by sgoodroe


Is that something new scince I left there? Its been about 10 years and alot has changed scince I left. Just curious. At the time I left all the R1's were of South African origan.....Now? who know?

Well, I have an Aussie parts kit on an inch cut Imbel reciever, takes metric mags though, and it is marked R1A1.

I have seen several of the L1A1 rifles built on Century inch cut recievers with the widow peak feed ramp, also marked R1A1, magwell is dated 2000, bought the rifle in 2001.

I had one of the R1 kits on Century reciever, bought new 4 years ago, also marked R1A1.

This is over the course of the past 9 years.

[CRShooter32]

Originally posted by thedave88



thanks.....what should i look for.....what would be correct? it looks like Aussie so look for Aussie furniture???????

Aussie furniture is wood, Gunthings.com has a photo of the various handguards and buttstocks that were used on the L1A1 rifles.

The Aussies primarily used wood, so even a set of Brit wood furniture would work.

[thedave88]

Originally posted by plm454
I put a WTB ad on Sturm and AR15.com for an Aussie wood furniture set. Found 2 complete sets and picked one from a member here (THANKS!!!). I have the e-mail from the other person. IM me you e-mail addy if interested and I'll forward his e-mail to you.
His was already refinished and ready to go and reasonable. Or you can buy a set from Ironwood for about $220 or so.

thanks alot....pmsent