Double G's kits!

pallis · July 25, 2003, 19:26

Just got my kits from Double G (George and Darlene). I'm new at this, so bear with me. The kits arrived one at a time, a week apart, so I'll label them #1 and #2. Kit #1's lower was very clean, unscratched, with about 90 percent of the finish paint still on it. It is marked ZA serial #, stamped, not stenciled. The serial numbers on the carrier and bolt match, and the set appears to have very little wear. The break open is horizontal, everything looking just like Imbels I've seen. The barrel looks almost new inside and out. The only finish wear is on the sharp edges of the gas block and near the threaded muzzle. The bore and chamber are chrome plated, bright, with sharp rifling. All the parts are present and accounted for, minus the carry handle, as advertised. The hand guards, grip and stock are plastic with the usual scratches and no paint. Overall, It was a great deal.

Kit #2 was not quite as nice. The finish paint on the lower is maybe 60-70 percent, and it has some scratches, but nothing that won't come out with sand blasting. It also has the ZA serial # marking, and otherwise looks like an Imbel with horizontal break open. This lower is going to need some serious cleaning, but everything looks good. The barrel has a bright, sharp bore, but the finish wear is on a par with the lower. The hand guards have some paint on them. The stock is very nice with a good butt pad. Like #1, all parts are present and accounted for.

All in all, I'm quite pleased with both kits. Both will be cleaned, sand blasted, parked and refinished with Gun-Kote, fitted with FAC's 6Packs and Imbel receivers. They'll also get TAPCO's short muzzle breaks and SAW carry handles. I've built a number of bolt action rifles over the years, but these will be my first FALs. My son and I are hoping to build them next weekend.

Thanks George!

cliffy109 · July 25, 2003, 19:47

Mine looks like it came from two different plantes. The bottom half is pristine. I'm serious. It would be 100% except for one ding that probably came from sitting in a rack! The stock is flawless with a big "89" in white paint. Bolt and carrier match eachother but not the lower. They have a 6 digit serial number but also a ZA number scratched into it.

The front end and dust cover on the other hand, look like hell. There is zero finish on the dust cover and barrel (at lest the portion forward of the HG). The gas block has no finish except for the remnants of the camo paint. Handguards are passable but worn. The barrel concerns me a bit, but not due to the lack of finish. It is the lack of sharp rifling in the front 3 inches. Fortunately, the chamber is bright and shiney with no pits. The bore just seems to go almost flat toward the muzzle. The gas piston also has a strange hole that is drilled across the back end. It isn't a clean hole either. I'm worried the spring would catch on the edges of it.

cadillac · July 27, 2003, 16:24

Overall ours looked very good. Actually much better than I had expected for the price - considering no "hand-pick", etc.

For us it is just another good deal in a long line of good deals from Double G. I know there are a few who will disagree with me, but I'm always glad when I do business with George and Darlene.

Double G, they are some of the good guys!

CactusCapt · July 27, 2003, 17:48

My kit is in overall good condition, with a stamped ZA serial number. The lower is in good to very good shape, except the buttpad, which is kaputt. The main problem is the bore--the worst I've gotten in 5 kits and 3 front ends. TE is much worse than even my G1s and the bore is pitted from stem to stern--what the hell did they do to trash these chromed barrels??!! I won't be using this one... I can't complain, though, as it is as advertised. Kudos to those who got good/newish bores. I wonder how the Gunthings Imbel kits are? Overall I'm satisfied, as I can most likely find a replacement barrel.

baten · July 27, 2003, 18:24

Unfortunately, I still haven't received mine due to FedEx screwup. Hopefully will receive tomorrow or Tuesday. Damn, you guys have almost got me excited about receiving this!!! May have to build this summer instead of waiting in line behind some other planned builds (it's too hot in my garage to do any building until late September).

doubletap · July 28, 2003, 16:02

My kit finally came in today! The barrel's bore is nearly pristine. One of the better used kit barrels I've had in the past 4 years. Very pleased there. Overall wear on parts is about what you would expect for an Imbel Gr.II except the top cover which is pretty rough. Stock is decent, along with the handguards could use a good sanding to smooth up the everpresent handling dings. Pad is useable.
Lower has the stamped ZA numbers, which match the bolt carrier, which match the bolt. Type 3 lower with what I must presume is a late rear sight, has the cast in area for the yardage marks instead of just having them on the flat plane of the rear sight.
I kinda miss not having the funky camo paint on the furniture. It's one of the hall marks of a South African/Rhodesian rifle. It's a PITA for some of you I understand, I just like the battle wear and looks of a real war tool.
I'm very satisfied with the kit. Now I have to get busy and get some more uppers for building.

Thanks Double G!!

Doubletap

MikeC · July 28, 2003, 21:32

Another satisfied buyer here. I was about to e-mail George to verify he had the correct address when there was a knock at the door. 7:10PM and FedEx Ground is still delivering?? I think the guy issued this rifle dragged it, not carried. No problem since I know how the furniture will be refinished. My barrel is also very nice, better than the last Tapco kit.

McDobber · July 29, 2003, 18:26

I have sent mine back to George due to the pitted barrel and the lower was dented/bent behind the recoil plate above the ZA serial #. George and I have been corresponding concerning the issues.

frsherman · July 29, 2003, 20:23

Received my kit and it was just as advertised. Good looking bore. The whole kit was about on par with a Dan's grade III.

Thanks George

Frank

TaranScorp · July 29, 2003, 21:28

Were these SA kits made by Imbel?

floatingFAL · July 30, 2003, 11:14

Yes.

pallis · July 30, 2003, 13:10

Were these SA kits made by Imbel?

If you go back over the years and read the threads on these kits, (not George's, but the same type of kits) you can piece together some LIKELY facts. The best scenario is that South Africa, during the arms embargo, illegally imported Imbels from Brazil in order to free up Armscorp to make other goodies. There have been a lot of opinions going back and forth. Imbel doesn't admit to exporting these FALs, and Armscorp is silent. I've looked all over for markings other than the ZA-# and have found nothing, other than the bolt and carrier #s. Someone suggested that Imbel might come up with something if someone were to send in the number stamped on the bolt. At any rate, the history of these kits would make for some interesting reading.

July 27, 2003, 16:24	#3
cadillac Registered FALaholic #: 3235 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Lincoln County, MT Posts: 3,495	Overall ours looked very good. Actually much better than I had expected for the price - considering no "hand-pick", etc. For us it is just another good deal in a long line of good deals from Double G. I know there are a few who will disagree with me, but I'm always glad when I do business with George and Darlene. Double G, they are some of the good guys! __________________ United We Stand - Falaholics One and All

July 28, 2003, 21:32	#7
MikeC Registered FALaholic #: 4712 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The sad liberal state of Maryland Posts: 2,040	Another satisfied buyer here. I was about to e-mail George to verify he had the correct address when there was a knock at the door. 7:10PM and FedEx Ground is still delivering?? I think the guy issued this rifle dragged it, not carried. No problem since I know how the furniture will be refinished. My barrel is also very nice, better than the last Tapco kit. __________________ "I have always felt that a politician is to be judged by the animosities he excites among his opponents." - Sir Winston Churchill

July 30, 2003, 13:10	#12
pallis Registered FALaholic #: 10595 Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Mexico Posts: 94	Were these SA kits made by Imbel? If you go back over the years and read the threads on these kits, (not George's, but the same type of kits) you can piece together some LIKELY facts. The best scenario is that South Africa, during the arms embargo, illegally imported Imbels from Brazil in order to free up Armscorp to make other goodies. There have been a lot of opinions going back and forth. Imbel doesn't admit to exporting these FALs, and Armscorp is silent. I've looked all over for markings other than the ZA-# and have found nothing, other than the bolt and carrier #s. Someone suggested that Imbel might come up with something if someone were to send in the number stamped on the bolt. At any rate, the history of these kits would make for some interesting reading. __________________ Routine inspection...? Never heard of it.

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July 25, 2003, 19:26	#1
pallis Registered FALaholic #: 10595 Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Mexico Posts: 94	Double G's kits! Just got my kits from Double G (George and Darlene). I'm new at this, so bear with me. The kits arrived one at a time, a week apart, so I'll label them #1 and #2. Kit #1's lower was very clean, unscratched, with about 90 percent of the finish paint still on it. It is marked ZA serial #, stamped, not stenciled. The serial numbers on the carrier and bolt match, and the set appears to have very little wear. The break open is horizontal, everything looking just like Imbels I've seen. The barrel looks almost new inside and out. The only finish wear is on the sharp edges of the gas block and near the threaded muzzle. The bore and chamber are chrome plated, bright, with sharp rifling. All the parts are present and accounted for, minus the carry handle, as advertised. The hand guards, grip and stock are plastic with the usual scratches and no paint. Overall, It was a great deal. Kit #2 was not quite as nice. The finish paint on the lower is maybe 60-70 percent, and it has some scratches, but nothing that won't come out with sand blasting. It also has the ZA serial # marking, and otherwise looks like an Imbel with horizontal break open. This lower is going to need some serious cleaning, but everything looks good. The barrel has a bright, sharp bore, but the finish wear is on a par with the lower. The hand guards have some paint on them. The stock is very nice with a good butt pad. Like #1, all parts are present and accounted for. All in all, I'm quite pleased with both kits. Both will be cleaned, sand blasted, parked and refinished with Gun-Kote, fitted with FAC's 6Packs and Imbel receivers. They'll also get TAPCO's short muzzle breaks and SAW carry handles. I've built a number of bolt action rifles over the years, but these will be my first FALs. My son and I are hoping to build them next weekend. Thanks George! __________________ Routine inspection...? Never heard of it.

July 25, 2003, 19:47	#2
cliffy109 Registered FALaholic #: 8571 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 2,229	Mine looks like it came from two different plantes. The bottom half is pristine. I'm serious. It would be 100% except for one ding that probably came from sitting in a rack! The stock is flawless with a big "89" in white paint. Bolt and carrier match eachother but not the lower. They have a 6 digit serial number but also a ZA number scratched into it. The front end and dust cover on the other hand, look like hell. There is zero finish on the dust cover and barrel (at lest the portion forward of the HG). The gas block has no finish except for the remnants of the camo paint. Handguards are passable but worn. The barrel concerns me a bit, but not due to the lack of finish. It is the lack of sharp rifling in the front 3 inches. Fortunately, the chamber is bright and shiney with no pits. The bore just seems to go almost flat toward the muzzle. The gas piston also has a strange hole that is drilled across the back end. It isn't a clean hole either. I'm worried the spring would catch on the edges of it.

July 27, 2003, 17:48	#4
CactusCapt Registered FALaholic #: 6743 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 672	My kit is in overall good condition, with a stamped ZA serial number. The lower is in good to very good shape, except the buttpad, which is kaputt. The main problem is the bore--the worst I've gotten in 5 kits and 3 front ends. TE is much worse than even my G1s and the bore is pitted from stem to stern--what the hell did they do to trash these chromed barrels??!! I won't be using this one... I can't complain, though, as it is as advertised. Kudos to those who got good/newish bores. I wonder how the Gunthings Imbel kits are? Overall I'm satisfied, as I can most likely find a replacement barrel.

July 27, 2003, 18:24	#5
baten Registered FALaholic #: 7568 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Houston Posts: 178	Unfortunately, I still haven't received mine due to FedEx screwup. Hopefully will receive tomorrow or Tuesday. Damn, you guys have almost got me excited about receiving this!!! May have to build this summer instead of waiting in line behind some other planned builds (it's too hot in my garage to do any building until late September).

July 28, 2003, 16:02	#6
doubletap Registered FALaholic #: 1426 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Northern Taiga-land Posts: 829	My kit finally came in today! The barrel's bore is nearly pristine. One of the better used kit barrels I've had in the past 4 years. Very pleased there. Overall wear on parts is about what you would expect for an Imbel Gr.II except the top cover which is pretty rough. Stock is decent, along with the handguards could use a good sanding to smooth up the everpresent handling dings. Pad is useable. Lower has the stamped ZA numbers, which match the bolt carrier, which match the bolt. Type 3 lower with what I must presume is a late rear sight, has the cast in area for the yardage marks instead of just having them on the flat plane of the rear sight. I kinda miss not having the funky camo paint on the furniture. It's one of the hall marks of a South African/Rhodesian rifle. It's a PITA for some of you I understand, I just like the battle wear and looks of a real war tool. I'm very satisfied with the kit. Now I have to get busy and get some more uppers for building. Thanks Double G!! Doubletap

July 29, 2003, 18:26	#8
McDobber Registered FALaholic #: 6054 Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 690	I have sent mine back to George due to the pitted barrel and the lower was dented/bent behind the recoil plate above the ZA serial #. George and I have been corresponding concerning the issues.

July 29, 2003, 20:23	#9
frsherman Registered FALaholic #: 9881 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 20	Received my kit and it was just as advertised. Good looking bore. The whole kit was about on par with a Dan's grade III. Thanks George Frank

July 29, 2003, 21:28	#10
TaranScorp Registered FALaholic #: 1633 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 93	Were these SA kits made by Imbel?

July 30, 2003, 11:14	#11
floatingFAL Registered FALaholic #: 1407 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Orofino,Idaho Posts: 198	Yes.