21" barrel to 16" barrel

[johncarter]

If your cut a 21" barrel to 16", do you have to enlarge the gas port?

[rob1]

probably, but it is a very simple procedure. Cut the barrel first and then test to be sure.

[HD99FXR3]

i did some research on the subject and came up with about .116 as the size that works the best, on short barrels.

[Snprdog]

I cut down my barrel to 16.25. Needed to open the port to .120.

I agree that it's best to do nothing first then do a range check. Expect to open the port, though.

[slash-5]

That's what God made cordless drills for....just take it and a 7/64ths bit with you.:D

[sportsnut]

I have opened the gas port on all my 16" barrels to .116 I know some people say to work your way up, but from my experience i always ended up at .116 The last two i did i opened up the gas port to .116 right from the get go. No muss no fuss, and less chance of breaking off a bit in your gas port as you work your way up.

[jaybob]

I cut an L1A1 down to "16 and I ended up at .125. It runs perfect on gas setting #4

[MAC-V]

First off I would recomend shortening to 18" vs 16". You'll have a lot less gas problems. I have a 17 inch L1 with a Tapco short break and the muzzle blast is horrendous. My buddies cuss me every time I shoot it.
Now for my nightmare story.
After drilling out the gas port on this shorty to .113 the rifle still would not cycle with the gas port completly closed. So I decide to skip .116 and go directly to .120 . I chucked a #31 drill bit and started in to drilling. Let me mention that the #31 drill bit was a bitch to find, took me a week to get it. So I start drilling and the bit explodes,...sending a chunk of the bit right into my hand. Not a bad cut but it bled like hell. Now Im pissed, and the only other bit I have is a 1/8 or .125 inch. I chuck it up. Theres blood running down my arm, blood on the L1, and blood on the drill. My wife walks into the room, takes one look at this scene and walks out closing the door behind her, she never said a word. I guess it was a pretty ugly sight.
Anyway my L1 will now cycle with the gas regulator wide open. Im going to open up the upper gas port under the regulator and see if I can get some control. Luckily I have another barrel and
gas block.
Good luck

[faltothebone]

I shot my very first FAL today. A 16" private built carbine which I had a smith check headspace and give blessing before I took it to the range.

Started setting @ 5 with no ejection then worked it down to 3 which cylced most of the time,so I set it to 2.5 which cylced all the time now on the South African stuff. Went home and checked gas port opening. A 7/64" drill bit would pass with a litte play and a 1/8" drill bit would not clear which puts opening between .109" & .125".

Should I leave it alone or enlarge it to .125" to hopefully get setting @ 5 or so?

Like I said, I am very new to FAL's, so need your expert advice before I ruin a perfect Steyr bbl. I know, some might say it's not perfect anymore because it's been cut down, but I like it short and it's perfect to me.

Thanks, FTTB