Fires Everything on Gas setting 7

Red Beard 308 · January 26, 2011, 14:30

When most people report of short stroking...my FAL is suddenly shooting everything with the gas regulator fully open. Its a clean gun, no trauma happened to it, and the only thing I can think of is that I am firing at 20 F. rather than the 80F temps that I set all the various ammo gas settings.

What used to be a setting of 4-5.5 is now 7.

Any ideas what is causing this?

**MAINER** · January 26, 2011, 14:51

Broken recoil spring?

Ammo usually loses steam in cold weather, not to mention that moving action parts generally require more gas to function properly.

Using the same ammo?

**def90** · January 26, 2011, 15:09

This is the beauty of the adjustable gas design. Differing ammo types, temperature, wear and tear and so on can have an effect on the operation of the gas system.

Red Beard 308 · January 26, 2011, 15:45

Quote:

Originally posted by MAINER
Broken recoil spring?

Ammo usually loses steam in cold weather, not to mention that moving action parts generally require more gas to function properly.

Using the same ammo?

No broken recoil spring. I just got back from the range with it, testing out some handloads. I tested some ammo over the chronograph 2750fps 150gr pills. Velocity is still up since I don't let the ammo get cold.

I would think if ammo is loosing velocity by powder not burning as hot it would require closing the regulator more so more gas is used in operation and not vented off.

shortround · January 26, 2011, 16:48

What does the gas port on the top of your gas block look like? It's possible to be on "7" and yet be one turn off.

Growler Gator · January 26, 2011, 20:39

I have total of 3 FN FAL's and all 3 are about 95% reliable with the gas regulator set on 7. Sometimes the bolt will fail to lock open on an empty magazine.

I just keep all of them set on 6 and they are 100% reliable with all the ammo and magazines I've ever tried.

**gunplumber** · January 27, 2011, 09:12

3.5 is a minimum setting. There is no spec for maximum.

My SAR-48 para operated at 7 and I bought it new back in 1990 or so.

**MAINER** · January 27, 2011, 09:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Growler Gator
I have total of 3 FN FAL's and all 3 are about 95% reliable with the gas regulator set on 7. Sometimes the bolt will fail to lock open on an empty magazine.

I just keep all of them set on 6 and they are 100% reliable with all the ammo and magazines I've ever tried.

You got some good gas systems there, but that doesn't explain why Red Beard's rifle would require less gas all of a sudden, and in cold weather yet.

Keeping the ammo warm eliminates that problem.

Shortround has a good idea, you might check to be sure the regulator is set up and working right.

Either the rifle is just getting broke in or the gas port had a blockage that has cleared.

If my rifle ran on a #7 gas setting, I'd probly put a buffer in it. Never used one, but my FALs don't work past 6.

**gunplumber** · January 27, 2011, 09:28

I'd allow a certain amount of carbon buildup on my M60 piston - it would tighten it up in the cylinder and allow less blow-by.

Too much will make it sluggish, too little will short stroke, so sometimes a little carbon is good.

**moses** · January 27, 2011, 16:28

The number doesn't matter it's how much of the hole is covered or not covered.

Not sure why your gun would suddenly require less gas to operate.
Is it new and maybe just is broken in now?
The action will definitely slick up some after being fired a few hundred rounds.

jeager1234567 · January 27, 2011, 17:43

What Shortround posted.

If the cross pin for the gas tube is not installed, or is installed on the wrong flat of the gas tube, there is no venting through the front of the gas nut. I all goes to the piston and is vented out of the cross holes in the gas piston at the end of the gas piston's travel.

**moses** · January 28, 2011, 13:50

That's not what short was saying but, it is true what you are saying except the gastube would have to be 45 degrees off not 90. The pin wouldn't install if it is 45 degrees off or if it did hte piston would no longer fit freely in the gastube. However if there was no pin installed and somehow the gas tube wasn't turning freely it could work.

I am pretty sure Short was saying what I was that was his gasnut on 7 but still covering the entire hole.

Red Beard 308 · January 28, 2011, 14:46

Thanks for all the troubleshooting thoughts. My regulator sleeve looks like the pic above. The enite hole is open. I screwed the sleeve all the way closed and then opened to 7.

I have about 400rnds through the gun so I should think its been broke in.

January 26, 2011, 14:30	#1
Red Beard 308 Registered FALaholic #: 24902 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: IL Posts: 37	Fires Everything on Gas setting 7 When most people report of short stroking...my FAL is suddenly shooting everything with the gas regulator fully open. Its a clean gun, no trauma happened to it, and the only thing I can think of is that I am firing at 20 F. rather than the 80F temps that I set all the various ammo gas settings. What used to be a setting of 4-5.5 is now 7. Any ideas what is causing this? __________________ No better friend...no worse enemy.

January 26, 2011, 14:51	#2
MAINER Old Fart Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 18465 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 6,278	Broken recoil spring? Ammo usually loses steam in cold weather, not to mention that moving action parts generally require more gas to function properly. Using the same ammo? __________________ Joe Biden for President.

January 26, 2011, 15:09	#3
def90 Old Fart Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 50609 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The Peoples' Republic of Boulder, Colorado Posts: 8,806	This is the beauty of the adjustable gas design. Differing ammo types, temperature, wear and tear and so on can have an effect on the operation of the gas system. __________________ There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Chuck Norris allows to live. Public libraries cannot let the public decide what is allowed in the library, or it would be brimming with pornography and gun magazines.

January 26, 2011, 16:48	#5
shortround Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 1503 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Southeast, MI, USA Posts: 2,798	What does the gas port on the top of your gas block look like? It's possible to be on "7" and yet be one turn off. __________________ Nostalgia: It's just not what it used to be. I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target. Someone asked if I was a procrastinator and I told them I wasn't sure but I'd get back with them tomorrow.

January 26, 2011, 20:39	#6
Growler Gator Registered FALaholic #: 17677 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 594	I have total of 3 FN FAL's and all 3 are about 95% reliable with the gas regulator set on 7. Sometimes the bolt will fail to lock open on an empty magazine. I just keep all of them set on 6 and they are 100% reliable with all the ammo and magazines I've ever tried. __________________ Adam Growler Gator...the FALligator

January 27, 2011, 09:12	#7
gunplumber Arrogant Bastard Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 96 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 15,747	3.5 is a minimum setting. There is no spec for maximum. My SAR-48 para operated at 7 and I bought it new back in 1990 or so. __________________ T. Mark Graham Master Gunsmith Arizona Response Systems, LLC

January 27, 2011, 09:28	#9
gunplumber Arrogant Bastard Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 96 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 15,747	I'd allow a certain amount of carbon buildup on my M60 piston - it would tighten it up in the cylinder and allow less blow-by. Too much will make it sluggish, too little will short stroke, so sometimes a little carbon is good. __________________ T. Mark Graham Master Gunsmith Arizona Response Systems, LLC

January 27, 2011, 16:28	#10
moses One of the original 400 Contributor FALaholic #: 392 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: charlotte nc usa Posts: 5,469	The number doesn't matter it's how much of the hole is covered or not covered. Not sure why your gun would suddenly require less gas to operate. Is it new and maybe just is broken in now? The action will definitely slick up some after being fired a few hundred rounds. __________________ . Military rifle steel plate match schedule for 2013, March 9th, May 26th(Sunday), Sept. 14th & Nov. 9th AKA "8.47"

January 27, 2011, 17:43	#11
jeager1234567 30-day ban ends March 2 FALaholic #: 62645 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Danville, Illinois Posts: 20	What Shortround posted. If the cross pin for the gas tube is not installed, or is installed on the wrong flat of the gas tube, there is no venting through the front of the gas nut. I all goes to the piston and is vented out of the cross holes in the gas piston at the end of the gas piston's travel.

January 28, 2011, 13:50	#12
moses One of the original 400 Contributor FALaholic #: 392 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: charlotte nc usa Posts: 5,469	That's not what short was saying but, it is true what you are saying except the gastube would have to be 45 degrees off not 90. The pin wouldn't install if it is 45 degrees off or if it did hte piston would no longer fit freely in the gastube. However if there was no pin installed and somehow the gas tube wasn't turning freely it could work. I am pretty sure Short was saying what I was that was his gasnut on 7 but still covering the entire hole. __________________ . Military rifle steel plate match schedule for 2013, March 9th, May 26th(Sunday), Sept. 14th & Nov. 9th AKA "8.47"

January 28, 2011, 14:46	#13
Red Beard 308 Registered FALaholic #: 24902 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: IL Posts: 37	Thanks for all the troubleshooting thoughts. My regulator sleeve looks like the pic above. The enite hole is open. I screwed the sleeve all the way closed and then opened to 7. I have about 400rnds through the gun so I should think its been broke in. __________________ No better friend...no worse enemy.

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