First time FAL owner & shooter.....

TX35 · February 03, 2004, 15:30

Fired my Entreprise DSA STG 58-C today... ZERO problems of any sort... Accuracy wasn't to shabby either. One question I have is about the gas system. I started out a # 7, wide open, expecting it to short stroke. It never did. I was firing 2 types of ammo. The Port. BF-79 52, & the Australian ammo thats everywhere now... How common is it for the system to be left wide open like that.... A potential problem?? Also, everyone of my rounds were partially dented on the mouth of the spent cartridge, even the ones I fired into my shooting bag....

Thanks

cochisetexas · February 03, 2004, 20:19

Quote:

Originally posted by TX35
How common is it for the system to be left wide open like that.... A potential problem?? Also, everyone of my rounds were partially dented on the mouth of the spent cartridge, even the ones I fired into my shooting bag....

Thanks

My experience is that with the throttle wide open, short stroke or no stroke, depending on ammo.
What happened when you started dialing the port down?

The bent cases may be from a short stroke- is there brass tracking on the inside of the cover, the corner of or even half way down the bolt carrier or either end of the ejection port?

TX35 · February 03, 2004, 21:27

No brass tracking anywhere... I didn't dial it down at all.. I just left it on "7".. Where in Texas are you located? I'm in Ft. Worth...

Thanks

ThunderGod · February 03, 2004, 22:44

Skads of FALFilers in the D/FW-and-surrounding area. Check in the "Meetings" Forum for next possible group shoot; haven't been to one myself, but I hear all sorts of things about them...

Back on topic:
How far are your spent casings flying?
What length is the barrel?
Kit gun?
If so, and it's been reparked, the gas port hole could be slightly restricted, or could just have built-up crud in it.

Rooster · February 03, 2004, 22:46

I think the common gas setting is achieved by dialing the the gas a little at a time until you achieve the lowest setting that still functions reliably. This will save your rifle from undo stress.

elbo · February 04, 2004, 06:39

Quote:

Originally posted by TX35
Fired my Entreprise DSA STG 58-C today... ZERO problems of any sort... Accuracy wasn't to shabby either. One question I have is about the gas system. I started out a # 7, wide open, expecting it to short stroke. It never did. I was firing 2 types of ammo. The Port. BF-79 52, & the Australian ammo thats everywhere now... How common is it for the system to be left wide open like that.... A potential problem??

Is the vent hole completely uncovered?

Quote:

Also, everyone of my rounds were partially dented on the mouth of the spent cartridge, even the ones I fired into my shooting bag....

Check the side of the receiver, the little brass smile marks are where the case mouth is getting dented. The case body hits the ejection port and spins.

MACV · February 04, 2004, 10:37

I have a L1 that cycles at "8" due to my drilling out the gas port too much. I was going to re-barrel it but it does cycle and only throws the brass about 6 feet. If it were kicking like a mule and slinging brass 20 feet I would fix it. I figure I'll just leave it alone.
BTW TX35, is that a Entreprise or a DSA you have.

TX35 · February 04, 2004, 13:38

Quote:

Originally posted by ThunderGod
Skads of FALFilers in the D/FW-and-surrounding area. Check in the "Meetings" Forum for next possible group shoot; haven't been to one myself, but I hear all sorts of things about them...

Back on topic:
How far are your spent casings flying?
What length is the barrel?
Kit gun?
If so, and it's been reparked, the gas port hole could be slightly restricted, or could just have built-up crud in it.

Casings are going out about 12 feet into one pile...
BBL: 21 in.
Not a kit gun. Purchased it straight from Entreprise...

Vent hole is not clogged... At least the best that I can tell. Sprayed THC degreaser trhrough the vent hole, & it immediately came into the BBL..

Flagbearer · February 04, 2004, 15:37

I am contimplating getting one from Enterprise as well. What would you rate the appearance and action? (scale 1-10?)

7idl · February 04, 2004, 15:59

Quote:

Originally posted by Rooster
I think the common gas setting is achieved by dialing the the gas a little at a time until you achieve the lowest setting that still functions reliably. This will save your rifle from undo stress.

This is simillar to what I was told to do.

Basicly, run the gas wide open, load one round into the magazine, chamber it and fire. keep closing the gas until the bolt locks to the rear on the empty magazine. maybe go one more number closed after that.

TX35 · February 04, 2004, 16:41

Mine was locking on the bolt hold open device at wide open..... I guess my next option is to change the gas piston spring, & the recoil springs... It can't hurt..

I appreciate all the input guys...

cliffy109 · February 04, 2004, 17:52

Quote:

Originally posted by TX35
Mine was locking on the bolt hold open device at wide open..... I guess my next option is to change the gas piston spring, & the recoil springs... It can't hurt..

I appreciate all the input guys...

No, it can't hurt, but why bother? It functions perfectly on the setting least likely to batter the tar out of you or the gun. I'd be happy with the situation.

MACV · February 06, 2004, 15:54

I thought about this some more and think you should contact Entreprise and tell them the problem. The action will loosen up after a few hundred rounds and will require even less gas. If it were a built by a individual that would be another story, but this was built by a reputable company and they should fix it.

tac-40 · February 06, 2004, 16:19

If the gas port is totally uncovered and it shoots well don't worry. Your rifle is in a condition that many would love to have, it shoots and has no problems. The gas port is in the least worrisome position, IE, the rifle works with minimum gas. If you have reliability problems with FTFeed or FTE, you have plenty of adjustment available to correct the problem by closing down the regulator.

On the otherhand, if the gas port is fully closed, rotate the gas regulator and shoot one round out of a mag until the BHO ceases to function, then go closed 1 click. That is the proper adjustment for the Gas regulator. If it won't function unless the regulator is fully closed, then you need to contact Entreprise for repairs.

instr8 · February 06, 2004, 19:28

TX35,

Let me know what Enterprise advises you. I just drilled my G1 to .125. Now my FAL blows brass 8-12 feet. Setting is wide open on #7 for the FAL. Before I drilled it, it would cycle about 2/3's of the time completely closed on #1. Yeah I would say mine works better now, I think it would cycle on a .308 diameter rock powered by a cap buster. I noticed that my gas adjustment will go around twice. I wonder if it would cycle on #7 the second time around.

**W.E.G.** · February 06, 2004, 20:06

Quote:

Originally posted by instr8
I noticed that my gas adjustment will go around twice. I wonder if it would cycle on #7 the second time around.

I think folks get too particular about these numerical settings.
Heck. Lotsa FAL's aint even got any numbers on the knob.

I go with the eyeball method, numbers or not. In my house, there are only four settings:
All the way open
All the way closed
A little bit open
A little bit closed

The difference between a 7 and a 6?
I don't think so.

TX35 · February 12, 2004, 16:32

Well, I just recieved new springs (Gas piston, inner & outer recoil) from Tapco. Have not fired it yet... The first big thing I noticed is that the new springs are about 1 1/2- 2 in. longer that the old ones... So, we'll see what happens at the range...

February 04, 2004, 15:37	#9
Flagbearer Registered FALaholic #: 12729 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 18	I am contimplating getting one from Enterprise as well. What would you rate the appearance and action? (scale 1-10?) __________________ Someone needs to tell this administration that the 2nd Amendment is not the only liberty we want protected! Anyone but Bush in 2004.

February 06, 2004, 16:19	#14
tac-40 Moderator Armed Curmudgeon FALaholic #: 12090 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SC-Low Country Posts: 4,522	If the gas port is totally uncovered and it shoots well don't worry. Your rifle is in a condition that many would love to have, it shoots and has no problems. The gas port is in the least worrisome position, IE, the rifle works with minimum gas. If you have reliability problems with FTFeed or FTE, you have plenty of adjustment available to correct the problem by closing down the regulator. On the otherhand, if the gas port is fully closed, rotate the gas regulator and shoot one round out of a mag until the BHO ceases to function, then go closed 1 click. That is the proper adjustment for the Gas regulator. If it won't function unless the regulator is fully closed, then you need to contact Entreprise for repairs. __________________ Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF ______________________________ If you do in fact have a problem, you have the rest of your life to solve it. How long your life lasts only depends on how well you solve it.

February 06, 2004, 19:28	#15
instr8 Registered FALaholic #: 12904 Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,654	TX35, Let me know what Enterprise advises you. I just drilled my G1 to .125. Now my FAL blows brass 8-12 feet. Setting is wide open on #7 for the FAL. Before I drilled it, it would cycle about 2/3's of the time completely closed on #1. Yeah I would say mine works better now, I think it would cycle on a .308 diameter rock powered by a cap buster. I noticed that my gas adjustment will go around twice. I wonder if it would cycle on #7 the second time around. __________________ I'll have another......

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February 03, 2004, 15:30	#1
TX35 Registered FALaholic #: 12764 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 40	First time FAL owner & shooter..... Fired my Entreprise DSA STG 58-C today... ZERO problems of any sort... Accuracy wasn't to shabby either. One question I have is about the gas system. I started out a # 7, wide open, expecting it to short stroke. It never did. I was firing 2 types of ammo. The Port. BF-79 52, & the Australian ammo thats everywhere now... How common is it for the system to be left wide open like that.... A potential problem?? Also, everyone of my rounds were partially dented on the mouth of the spent cartridge, even the ones I fired into my shooting bag.... Thanks

February 03, 2004, 21:27	#3
TX35 Registered FALaholic #: 12764 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 40	No brass tracking anywhere... I didn't dial it down at all.. I just left it on "7".. Where in Texas are you located? I'm in Ft. Worth... Thanks

February 03, 2004, 22:44	#4
ThunderGod Banned TROLL FALaholic #: 7196 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,819	Skads of FALFilers in the D/FW-and-surrounding area. Check in the "Meetings" Forum for next possible group shoot; haven't been to one myself, but I hear all sorts of things about them... Back on topic: How far are your spent casings flying? What length is the barrel? Kit gun? If so, and it's been reparked, the gas port hole could be slightly restricted, or could just have built-up crud in it.

February 03, 2004, 22:46	#5
Rooster Banned (Temp) FALaholic #: 9328 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: US Posts: 4,868	I think the common gas setting is achieved by dialing the the gas a little at a time until you achieve the lowest setting that still functions reliably. This will save your rifle from undo stress.

February 04, 2004, 10:37	#7
MACV Registered FALaholic #: 1167 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: St Louis Posts: 2,568	I have a L1 that cycles at "8" due to my drilling out the gas port too much. I was going to re-barrel it but it does cycle and only throws the brass about 6 feet. If it were kicking like a mule and slinging brass 20 feet I would fix it. I figure I'll just leave it alone. BTW TX35, is that a Entreprise or a DSA you have.

February 04, 2004, 16:41	#11
TX35 Registered FALaholic #: 12764 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 40	Mine was locking on the bolt hold open device at wide open..... I guess my next option is to change the gas piston spring, & the recoil springs... It can't hurt.. I appreciate all the input guys...

February 06, 2004, 15:54	#13
MACV Registered FALaholic #: 1167 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: St Louis Posts: 2,568	I thought about this some more and think you should contact Entreprise and tell them the problem. The action will loosen up after a few hundred rounds and will require even less gas. If it were a built by a individual that would be another story, but this was built by a reputable company and they should fix it.

February 12, 2004, 16:32	#17
TX35 Registered FALaholic #: 12764 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 40	Well, I just recieved new springs (Gas piston, inner & outer recoil) from Tapco. Have not fired it yet... The first big thing I noticed is that the new springs are about 1 1/2- 2 in. longer that the old ones... So, we'll see what happens at the range...