Joint pin stuck, can't open FAL

[JJordan]

I recently got a Para FAL and I can't seem to get it open. It has a horizontal frame locking lever and when I push it up I can't get the upper and lower receivers to pivot at all.

I thought maybe I could seperate the two receivers by removing the joint pin. I read that the joint pin is not supposed to be tight, but be able to spin freely. Mine can be tightened to the point where it can't be turned any longer. Once I unscrewed the left joint pin and removed it I can't get the right joint pin out of the rifle. It's supposed to come right out isn't it?

Should I try to pound it out with a hammer?

[Bwana John]

Should I try to pound it out with a hammer?

The biggest one possible.

Use a torch if that doesn't work.

Is the bolt locked back? that makes it harder to open.

Try breaking the rifle over your knee as you unlock it.
(put you knee right under the pivot and vigorously "snap" it open)

[fal fiend]

u might try useing a screwdriver first,lol

[JJordan]

The bolt is closed.

Originally posted by fal fiend
u might try useing a screwdriver first,lol

There aren't any threads on the right joint pin. I tried pushing and prying it out, it won't budge...

[Mark IV]

I don't mean this to sound stupid, but I did it myself.

Since you have a para and you have a sling swivel on the lower receiver, make sure the swivel is out of the way of the lever's travel when you push it up.

[gunnut1]

the the male parts of the breakdown pin and screw it into the other side about 4 or 5 threads. Then gently tap on it with a hammer. Do Not pound on it. A little penetrating oil will help but you will have to let it sit for a few houirs in order for the penetrating oil to do it's job.

[hershey]

this may sound stupid, but with the locking lever pushed give it a rather hard rap w/ your palm or whatever, and i mean a stiff hit, my para upper to lower fit is not ideal and it splits open very hard, the fit of the locking latch is to tight i think, i just haven't made the time to fuss w/ it yet.

[jeffrey]

A good pre-soak with Kroil may help. Use a 6 or 8 inch wood dowel or piece of oak. Put it under the
knob end of the locking lever and rap the wood with a hammer. You need to free up the gunk,dried grease,etc. so that the locking lever travels all the way up as far as it should. Once you have freed it up, work it a few times, you may be able to work it so that it can be pushed up by hand. Then, you can break the rifle open over your knee - but only while holding the locking lever in the up/release position. Please don't beat on it with a hammer.

Once you have it apart, pull off the butt stock. Push up on the locking lever, and you will see it protrude out of the back of the lower. You will see a pin. Push that out and you can remove the whole locking lever assembly. Clean the hell out of it cuz that's most likely your problem.

[JJordan]

Thanks guys,

After a little oil soak time and a few really hard hits on my leg I was able to get it open and remove the pivot pin. No hammers used!

I don't think the problem is with the locking lever assembly, it's working every smoothly without the pivot pin installed. It seems the pivot pin holes on the lower and upper just don't line up very well because I can see a bit of a lip on each side when I look through the hole with it closed. Also, I can't push the pivot pin in with it closed.

When I open it up and get the pivot pin back in I can't get it to close all the way and it takes a lot of force to get it open again...

[RC51_Texas]

Originally posted by Mark IV
I don't mean this to sound stupid, but I did it myself.

Since you have a para and you have a sling swivel on the lower receiver, make sure the swivel is out of the way of the lever's travel when you push it up.

Glad I'm not the only one this has happened to! Had a bent piston on mine and this happened at the same time - thought I was hosed in getting the piston out since I couldn't get it open to tap the piston out from the rear. Felt stupid once I figured out the rear swivel was blocking the lever...