FTF issues with SA58... Ammo related?

Littlebear · October 26, 2008, 15:54

I took my recently acquired DSA SA58 18" Carbine to the range to check the sights and adjust the gas system. The sights were dead on at 200 yards and I ended-up with the gas system on "5".
The only issue I had was more than likely ammo related as many rounds would not feed from the magazine, neither from releasing the locked bolt nor from racking the bolt back.
I was using 150gr FMJ Fiocchi (US made) and only had one magazine with me.
Back at home I tried to feed some Federal 168gr Match ammo and it fed without any issue using both methods.
Anyone else experienced this issue? I will grab some 149gr Federal FMJ next week end and see if this helps. My other mags should also be in by then.
Besides that, this rifle is as much fun to shoot as I remembered...

Survey Punk · October 26, 2008, 18:03

New rifle, right? Needs some break in. Are the cases that don't feed scratched along the length? may need to smooth up the underside of the receiver where the lips of the magazine sit.
Turn it over and feel if there is a small knife edge where the opening for the magazine is just under where the carrier rides.
Jeter will be along soon with a photo.

JB

Littlebear · October 26, 2008, 20:59

I did find a burr in the area you described. It was fairly easy to file and polish.
However, the problem still persist... Every round fed from the right side of the magazine (1st, 3rd, ...) will fail to feed properly with the Fiocchi. It seems the bullets' tips are getting dinged. The 168gr are longer and feed just fine.

ggiilliiee · October 26, 2008, 22:01

http://community-1.webtv.net/ggiilli...IILLIIEESRAIL/

**W.E.G.** · October 26, 2008, 22:15

The bullet-tips are getting dinged because the bolt-carrier rails are digging-into the brass.

Use a small file and/or sandpaper to round-off the sharp edges of the rails.

The problem you described is a pervasive complaint heard here from owners of new FAL rifles. The fix is always the same.

Littlebear · October 27, 2008, 07:30

I polished the rails some more and the issue still persist.
I have to admit I am getting a little P.Oed at having to tinker with emery paper to insure reliable feeding in a $1400 rifle.

ggiilliiee · October 27, 2008, 09:37

ya littlebear ...pretty crappy ..but
dsa in my book has never been a good feeder ...even when they do ..drag city ...
ya may have to physically open the rails ....in your case ..it wont be much ......1/16 will do it id bet ......just a matter of ...how fast do ya wanna go ....

if you go to the bottom of page ...go to page 2 ....youll see a ggiilliiee rail mo-dee-fication post ....start there first .....then decide....ill be here if ya need help ....

..i come in peace ........

Littlebear · October 31, 2008, 08:12

Just got my case of mags in from DSA. Look like non-issued Austrians. The problem is still there and I am leaning more and more towards an ammo issue. The bullets on Fiocchi's FMJ 308 have a flat or straight section right above the crimp. Nato spec 308s have a more gentle curve to the ogive.
I will find out this weekend if switching ammo is the answer to this one...

October 26, 2008, 15:54	#1
Littlebear Registered FALaholic #: 32184 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 7	FTF issues with SA58... Ammo related? I took my recently acquired DSA SA58 18" Carbine to the range to check the sights and adjust the gas system. The sights were dead on at 200 yards and I ended-up with the gas system on "5". The only issue I had was more than likely ammo related as many rounds would not feed from the magazine, neither from releasing the locked bolt nor from racking the bolt back. I was using 150gr FMJ Fiocchi (US made) and only had one magazine with me. Back at home I tried to feed some Federal 168gr Match ammo and it fed without any issue using both methods. Anyone else experienced this issue? I will grab some 149gr Federal FMJ next week end and see if this helps. My other mags should also be in by then. Besides that, this rifle is as much fun to shoot as I remembered...

October 26, 2008, 18:03	#2
Survey Punk FALaholic #: 8380 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Blounts Creek, NC Posts: 4,160	New rifle, right? Needs some break in. Are the cases that don't feed scratched along the length? may need to smooth up the underside of the receiver where the lips of the magazine sit. Turn it over and feel if there is a small knife edge where the opening for the magazine is just under where the carrier rides. Jeter will be along soon with a photo. JB __________________ "If innocence is no protection from the weight of criminal law, a crucial incentive to maintain innocence is lost" Fran Haga

October 26, 2008, 22:15	#5
W.E.G. Administrator Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 1211 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 31,056	The bullet-tips are getting dinged because the bolt-carrier rails are digging-into the brass. Use a small file and/or sandpaper to round-off the sharp edges of the rails. The problem you described is a pervasive complaint heard here from owners of new FAL rifles. The fix is always the same. __________________ . . . Ask me about the Mason-Dixon FAL Collectors Association.

October 31, 2008, 08:12	#8
Littlebear Registered FALaholic #: 32184 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 7	Just got my case of mags in from DSA. Look like non-issued Austrians. The problem is still there and I am leaning more and more towards an ammo issue. The bullets on Fiocchi's FMJ 308 have a flat or straight section right above the crimp. Nato spec 308s have a more gentle curve to the ogive. I will find out this weekend if switching ammo is the answer to this one... Last edited by Littlebear; October 31, 2008 at 08:44.

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October 26, 2008, 20:59	#3
Littlebear Registered FALaholic #: 32184 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 7	I did find a burr in the area you described. It was fairly easy to file and polish. However, the problem still persist... Every round fed from the right side of the magazine (1st, 3rd, ...) will fail to feed properly with the Fiocchi. It seems the bullets' tips are getting dinged. The 168gr are longer and feed just fine.

October 26, 2008, 22:01	#4
ggiilliiee banned again FALaholic #: 17179 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: orygun Posts: 4,838	http://community-1.webtv.net/ggiilli...IILLIIEESRAIL/

October 27, 2008, 07:30	#6
Littlebear Registered FALaholic #: 32184 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 7	I polished the rails some more and the issue still persist. I have to admit I am getting a little P.Oed at having to tinker with emery paper to insure reliable feeding in a $1400 rifle.

October 27, 2008, 09:37	#7
ggiilliiee banned again FALaholic #: 17179 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: orygun Posts: 4,838	ya littlebear ...pretty crappy ..but dsa in my book has never been a good feeder ...even when they do ..drag city ... ya may have to physically open the rails ....in your case ..it wont be much ......1/16 will do it id bet ......just a matter of ...how fast do ya wanna go .... if you go to the bottom of page ...go to page 2 ....youll see a ggiilliiee rail mo-dee-fication post ....start there first .....then decide....ill be here if ya need help .... ..i come in peace ........