Help me figure out the value of this L1A1

[Jimmypop97]

I have never had one of these rifles before, but am thinking about purchasing this one from a friend. He dropped it off to me yesterday for me to buy it, or sell it for him.

It is built on an Imbel receiver, and is an "L1A1 sporter". None of that parts #s match that I can see. The barrel looks very nice inside, and my buddy said it is a very good shooting rifle. The gas adjustment thing behind the front sight seems to turn easy.

There is no muzzle attachment on this rifle, although there is a spot where it looks like a key would fit into. I have looked and found that the flash hiders attach in the manner, but from the pictures I have seen, this key slot should not be at the very end of the barrel.

My buddy wants $600 for this rifle, and I want to be sure that I want it, because I am going to have to sell off the Romy G kit I wanted to build to help fund it.

I know nothing about L1A1 rifles, so tell me what I need to know about it. Is it safe to shoot .308 win in this, or is only 7.62 Nato safe?

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c165/jimmypop97/P1080627.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c165/jimmypop97/P1080622.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c165/jimmypop97/P1080624.jpg

[Bladewurk]

This is typical Century built with Britsh and sometimes Aussie parts.



Sells for $750ish usually on Gunbroker, good starter Fal if built well, its a solid forged receiver.

If it takes the Inch mags which it looks like it does ...Just recrown the muzzle IMHO

Gun Parts Guy has most of what you'll need..

.308 should be fine..


ETA..whoa just looked at the pics!

Did you adjust the Gas Setting?

Shouldn't need to be venting all the gas to run..a test fire is in order it should run on a lower setting than 11 methinks..

I'm sure someone will be along to give you more guidance soon!

[MalcS]

I am by no means an expert, but the gun looks like a Century built L1A1 on an IMBEL receiver. It may have been converted from a 'butthole' stock version that was sold during the ban years, and that also explains when the threads for the flashhider have been cut off, leaving just the key slot.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/gremlin556/picright.jpg

The rifle may or may not have the correct number of US parts. If it was made with a thumb hole stock, there was no requirement to have any US parts when it was built, but if the stock was changed, then that requirement came into effect. (Some would say you are exempt from that since you would be buying the gun that way and how could you tell how many US parts it had anyway.)

I just bought the above rifle and paid $670 for it, and will put more $$$ into it to get it right. I saw one like yours for sale at a gunshow yesterday for $1000.

So, it its working/shooting OK, I'd say it was worth $600...you can get the barrel re-threaded and a genuine L1A1 FH can be had for next to nothing.

[Jimmypop97]

Bladewurk, yeah I have been fingering the gas knob:D I am surprised at how easy it is to turn. Is there something that is supposed to keep it from freely rotating?

[embatp]

it looks to be a century l1a1 built on an imbel metric receiver...if so it probably takes metric mags which is good...as far as us parts...the hammer/trigger/sear may be century us made...it may have a "c" on it if it is....the stock and pistol grip may be century us...hard to tell....$600 is a great price imho...

[garyd1961]

There is suppose to be a spring not a coil spring but a enlongated U shaped spring under the gas regulator. I woud offer you $600 for it but I just bought another kit a few minutes ago. garyd1961

[crsswift70]

$600.. i'd buy that one all day long. Especially considering it's from a friend who knows it shoots well already. $750 on gunbroker i think is accurate if not a little more.