1st time FAL-er

Jimbo10 · May 22, 2006, 22:00

Is that a word? Got an Imbel and thats about all I know about it. Had the most horrific looking paint, but most of that is off now. Will need all the metal re-finished (why they painted it). I was thinking of taking it to my smith and have him park everything and just try to sandblast the scratches out of the plastic. Sound like a good plan or am I heading down a bad road here?

Did get out to the range with it this after noon, couldn't figure out how to adjust the sights out there, so I had to aim about 8 inches low and 6 to the left to be on target at 100 yds. This part wasn't easy, because it was so far off, that it wasn't hitting the paper. I had to first aim, then lift my head and fire to see the strike on the berm, then adjust from there. Last mag grouped a little over a fist at that distance. FAL would have been better, but not the easiest way to keep the same point of aim (looking at the dirt).

Thanks for all the info here and thanks to RIPNDEE for helping in the show Sunday.

Jim

SmokeEater2 · May 22, 2006, 22:40

Welcome to the 'files jimbo. Parking is fine for a FAL. Some people like Park, Some like paint. I've got some of each and they all look good.
For the plastic furniture,blasting will often help and sometimes a coat or two of spray paint works well. If the scratches are bad a coating of bedliner (yup, the stuff wallyworld sells to line truck beds) will cover up a whole lot of ugly.
You most likely have already checked to make sure the rifle has the required number of US parts,but if not please do,it might save you trouble later.

Mason · May 22, 2006, 23:06

1.) Double check to make sure your rifle is 922r compliant (no more than 10 foreign parts).

2.) Use the search function to find out every bit of information you can on your particular rifle (if possible, ask the seller for any additional information; he could have built it and have loads of information).

3.) Learn how to completely disassembly your rifle. A man is only as good as his weapon. I know this is going to sound like Full Metal Jacket, but your rifles is an extension of you. You should have a fervent desire to know everything about it. This will help in trouble shooting problems, fixing them, and making repairs if something ever goes wrong.

4.) Buy more mags.

5.) More FALs will soon come. You are warned.

brownknees · May 25, 2006, 04:04

Ajusting yuour sights:
Windage: 2 screws just below the rear sight dovetail (one on each side) loosen one, tighten the other. This moves the rearsight left/right.
Elevation: Pressing the "buttons" right on the sight slider allow the rearsight to go front/back. The marking on the slide is the range you are set for ("2" = 200 Yds). Frontsight screws up & down by turning it with either a tool available all over the files (Try GunPartsGuy) or the tip of a bullet (FMJ works well.)
Welcome to the madness!

ftierson · May 25, 2006, 07:39

Original Imbel rifles were painted over parking for maximum weatherproofing...

Personally, I really like parking on military rifles, so your plan sounds good (especially since you mention that most of the paint is already gone

).

Keep in mind that inexpensive furniture is available, so it doesn't take much to replace the original stuff if you don't like the way a little beadblasting makes it look.

And welcome to the falfiles...

Forrest

Jimbo10 · May 25, 2006, 15:23

Talked to my gunsmith. He should be running the park tank in a couple of weeks. He said he will check the headspace when ever I can get over to his place. And if it needs any adjustment, can get it done before I pay for the parking.

May 22, 2006, 22:00	#1
Jimbo10 Registered FALaholic #: 20081 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 14	1st time FAL-er Is that a word? Got an Imbel and thats about all I know about it. Had the most horrific looking paint, but most of that is off now. Will need all the metal re-finished (why they painted it). I was thinking of taking it to my smith and have him park everything and just try to sandblast the scratches out of the plastic. Sound like a good plan or am I heading down a bad road here? Did get out to the range with it this after noon, couldn't figure out how to adjust the sights out there, so I had to aim about 8 inches low and 6 to the left to be on target at 100 yds. This part wasn't easy, because it was so far off, that it wasn't hitting the paper. I had to first aim, then lift my head and fire to see the strike on the berm, then adjust from there. Last mag grouped a little over a fist at that distance. FAL would have been better, but not the easiest way to keep the same point of aim (looking at the dirt). Thanks for all the info here and thanks to RIPNDEE for helping in the show Sunday. Jim

May 22, 2006, 22:40	#2
SmokeEater2 Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 10990 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NC Arkansas Posts: 3,296	Welcome to the 'files jimbo. Parking is fine for a FAL. Some people like Park, Some like paint. I've got some of each and they all look good. For the plastic furniture,blasting will often help and sometimes a coat or two of spray paint works well. If the scratches are bad a coating of bedliner (yup, the stuff wallyworld sells to line truck beds) will cover up a whole lot of ugly. You most likely have already checked to make sure the rifle has the required number of US parts,but if not please do,it might save you trouble later. __________________ "A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards." ~ President Theodore Roosevelt Welcome to New Zimbabwe, Previously known as the United States of America.

May 22, 2006, 23:06	#3
Mason Registered FALaholic #: 18674 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,073	1.) Double check to make sure your rifle is 922r compliant (no more than 10 foreign parts). 2.) Use the search function to find out every bit of information you can on your particular rifle (if possible, ask the seller for any additional information; he could have built it and have loads of information). 3.) Learn how to completely disassembly your rifle. A man is only as good as his weapon. I know this is going to sound like Full Metal Jacket, but your rifles is an extension of you. You should have a fervent desire to know everything about it. This will help in trouble shooting problems, fixing them, and making repairs if something ever goes wrong. 4.) Buy more mags. 5.) More FALs will soon come. You are warned. __________________ "The only honorable response to violence is counter-violence." To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth, Jeff Cooper

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May 25, 2006, 04:04	#4
brownknees Registered FALaholic #: 14917 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: mid atlantic Posts: 12,015	Ajusting yuour sights: Windage: 2 screws just below the rear sight dovetail (one on each side) loosen one, tighten the other. This moves the rearsight left/right. Elevation: Pressing the "buttons" right on the sight slider allow the rearsight to go front/back. The marking on the slide is the range you are set for ("2" = 200 Yds). Frontsight screws up & down by turning it with either a tool available all over the files (Try GunPartsGuy) or the tip of a bullet (FMJ works well.) Welcome to the madness!

May 25, 2006, 07:39	#5
ftierson Registered FALaholic #: 13827 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 11,047	Original Imbel rifles were painted over parking for maximum weatherproofing... Personally, I really like parking on military rifles, so your plan sounds good (especially since you mention that most of the paint is already gone ). Keep in mind that inexpensive furniture is available, so it doesn't take much to replace the original stuff if you don't like the way a little beadblasting makes it look. And welcome to the falfiles... Forrest

May 25, 2006, 15:23	#6
Jimbo10 Registered FALaholic #: 20081 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 14	Talked to my gunsmith. He should be running the park tank in a couple of weeks. He said he will check the headspace when ever I can get over to his place. And if it needs any adjustment, can get it done before I pay for the parking.