FN CAL 5.56

[KBattenbough]

Hi Guys
I am new to this forum, and have enjoyed browsing through it and the AK files. I am currently working in Iraq, and occasionally work on the odd FN/DSA, and so far have not had any major problems. Now, i have in my possession a FN CAL 5.56, and for the life of me cannot figure out how to remove the bolt from the receiver? the piston rod will rotate freely but is attached to the bolt with the return spring in situ, also the charging handle must detach somehow in order for the bolt to slide out of the receiver, can anybody advise me on this? was the rifle designed purposley not to have the bolt removed easily?
Regards
Kev

[SIG552]

Welcome the the 'files! I once to a CAL to pieces and couldn't put it back together again so i know it's a tricky rifle to work on! No help at all I know but anyway good luck,

SIG552

P.S. You have poor trigger discipline mate.

[Clonehead]

If nobody here is any help, you could try the FNC Talk side of Uzi Talk. There are a couple of folks over there that own CAL's.

[Brian in MN]

With the rifle broken open pull the cocking handle to the rear and remove it. The bolt should then slide right out the rear.

[Brian in MN]

BTW, if you can get CAL mags home to the US there are a few folks here who would pay for them. CAL mags are very tough to round up.

[paco]

I got several CAL's and FNC's.
realy nice guns.
The CAL is tricky.
1) Don't remove the gasplug before you have the bolt in your hand.
The gaspiston can fly extremely far out of the gasube as soon as you pull out the cocking handle!!!!!!!!!!!!
2) The trick is that you have to pull out the cocking handle in 2 moves.
at the first you will unlock the gaspiston+spring.
on the second move you can retract the complete cocking handle out of the upper.
3) good luck

paco

[KBattenbough]

Thanks everyone for your input, however i still cannot get the working parts out.
Paco
Can you be abit more specific about the bolt handle removal?
Do you pull the handle fully to the rear? and then try to pull out the handle?, I have tried this and it dont want to budge.

Much appriciated.
KB

[paco]

Ok,
1) unload the gun, put it on safe with the down.
2) cock the gun, hammer is in the rear position.
3) remove lover frame by pushing out 1 pin, the other pin don't come out
4) with the cockinghandle in the front (neutral) position. force the cockinghandle out for about 2mm. you will see some teeth now on the cockinghandle. At this point, the gaspiston is separated from the bolt carrier. don't try to get the cocking handle completely out at this point.
5) slide the cockinghandle to the rear like you would load the gun.
This might feel somebit weird but there should not be any spring tension anymore. At the" endposition" you will see that the hole is wider, there you can get the cocking handle out (way to go!)
6) the bolt carrier can be removed and separated from the bolt and firingpin.

In the reverse way, some problem may occur when you want to put the cockinghandle back in the carrier. Make sure you force the carrier all the way in front.
I noticed that several CAL's got little damage at this point. Some don't relase the cockinghandle complete. Ifso, use the holdopendevice to catch the bolt and retract the cockinghandle there. CAUTION, the gaspiston will fly forewards at great speed!!, don't open the gasregulator!!!!

I hope this works, if not, say so.

Paco

[paco]

Also,
can i see a close up of the markings, just for my database when i write a book. The stamp near the safety is interesting.
you can also PM if you need a scopemount or so.

Thx
Paco
(Belgium)

[Brian in MN]

Paco, if you write a book and it gets into English let us know!

I'd like to see the marking to the rear of the selector markings, too.

[KBattenbough]

Thanks paco
I shall give it a try now, and ill let you know how i get on. Ill be back with some pics of the markings, if i remember correctly its the fn logo.

Cheers

KB

[KBattenbough]

Success!!!
Cheers guys after a little bit of persuation it came out like you said it would. Heres a few pics for future users to referance, and some close ups of the markings,......... enjoy.

[paco]

THANKS FOR THE PICTURES!!!

The FN logo is not very common!
I saw like 70-80 CAL's in my hands, never had one of those

[KBattenbough]

No worries Paco
Im wondering if mine is an early model? do any of your cals seperate, the upper from lower, plus this also has full auto selecter, do you have to be a dealer in the states to own full autos?

Cheers
KB

[lew]

Paco's in Belgium, IIRC.

Ordinary civilians can own machineguns that were registered before May of 1986. Samples registered after that are restricted to law enforcement and specially licensed manufacturers and dealers.

Thanks for the pictures.

[Wadman]

Wow, no wonder they went back to the drawing board for the FNC.

[paco]

I agree the CAL is to complicated but the early M16 was also a big mistake.
FN learned several lessons and intergrated the AK47 system, keeped the fal ergonomic design. So they made the FNC.
I'll bet my life that the FNC(especialy the AK5) is a more solid platform as the M4 today.
However, you realy need to shoot a CAL, this is the finest elegant carbine on the market.

I wrote an artikel about the FNC, you can find it here
FNC







FNC's